Ruger issues a safety bulletin for SR22 pistols

Sturm Ruger & Co. has issued a product safety bulletin for its rimfire SR22 pistols: “In rare instances, if the left and right frame inserts of Ruger SR22 pistols are not properly secured together, the firing pin blocker lifter and hammer block can move independently of each other, potentially rendering them ineffective. If this situation occurs, the pistol will intermittently exhibit a 'slack' single-action trigger and has the potential to discharge if decocked over a live round.”

Ruger SR22 pistol
Any SR22 with serial number 369-40078 or lower is subject to this Safety Bulletin, but only if a slack single-action trigger is experienced with the magazine inserted, the slide forward, and the manual safety disengaged.

“A 'slack' single-action trigger occurs if, while operating the pistol in single-action mode with a magazine inserted, the slide forward, and the manual safety disengaged, a trigger pull does not encounter resistance and the hammer does not fall,” they add in a note.

Any SR22 with serial number 369-40078 or lower is subject to the safety bulletin

The Ruger SR22
The Ruger SR22 features an external hammer and a single action/double action trigger.

Ruger's safety bulletin goes on saying: “Although only a very small number of pistols appear to be affected, Ruger is committed to safety and would like to examine all SR22 pistols that have ever exhibited a slack single-action trigger or discharged upon decocking. If you experienced either condition, please immediately stop using your SR22 and return it to Ruger for this Safety Retrofit. If you have not experienced either condition, your pistol is not subject to this Safety Bulletin unless one or both of these conditions occur in the future. Any SR22 with serial number 369-40078 or lower (including those with a 'SS' serial number prefix) is subject to this Safety Bulletin, IF it has either: (1) exhibited (or exhibits in the future) a slack single-action trigger; or (2) discharged upon decocking. If you have ever experienced either of these conditions with your SR22 pistol, you should stop using your pistol and sign up for the Safety Retrofit.”

“The Safety Bulletin applies only if a slack single-action trigger is experienced with the magazine inserted, the slide forward, and the manual safety disengaged.”

Steps you must take if you experience a slack single-action trigger while shooting:

  • Keep the pistol pointed in a safe direction at all times.
  • Do not attempt to remedy the matter by engaging the safety lever.
  • Remove the magazine from the pistol.
  • Retract the slide and lock it back.
  • Visually and physically verify that the chamber of the pistol is empty.
  • With the pistol pointed in a safe direction, the chamber empty, and the magazine removed, carefully close the slide and engage the safety lever to decock the pistol.
  • Do not use the pistol until it has been examined by Ruger. Store it safely until it can be returned to the factory.
  • Sign up for the retrofit.

For more information and to know how to sign up for the retrofit, please visit the Ruger website.

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