Problem with Ruger P89

[MikeO]

I have heard, but can't confirm, this is one of the reasons the Ruger failed the various M9/M10 trials in the 80s/90s. The pistol had to be incapable of incorrect re-assembly after field strip. IOW, if it went together, it was right. As you and others have discovered, you can put the Ruger P85/89 together wrong simply by reversing the guide rod. It will go together, and it won't be right. Reverse the guide rod on any of the other pistols that made the final rounds of M9/10 testing and they would not go together at all.

Curent service pistol specs have mentioned capable of field strip w/o using tools while wearing NBC gloves. That could give the S&W M&P and Ruger SR problems. It's hard to push down on the sear release lever in the mag well of the M&P, and push out the takedown pin on the SR while wearing those gloves w/o using something; some can't do it at all. You can work around that on the M&P by simply pulling the trigger (as on the Glock).