Ruger recently discovered that all Mark IV pistols (including 22/45 models) manufactured prior to June 1, 2017 have the potential to discharge unintentionally if the safety is not utilized correctly. In particular, if the trigger is pulled while the safety lever is midway between the “safe” and “fire” positions (that is, the safety is not fully engaged or fully disengaged), then the pistol may not fire when the trigger is pulled. However, if the trigger is released and the safety lever is then moved from the mid position to the “fire” position, the pistol may fire at that time.
Although only a small percentage of pistols appear to be affected and we are not aware of any injuries, Ruger is firmly committed to safety and would like to retrofit all potentially affected pistols with an updated safety mechanism.
Until your Mark IV pistol has been retrofitted or you verify that it is not subject to the recall, we strongly recommend that you not use your pistol.
How To Determine Whether Your Pistol Needs The Retrofit
All Mark IV pistols produced prior to June 1, 2017 are potentially affected and therefore are being recalled. This includes Mark IV Target, Hunter, Competition, 22/45, 22/45 Lite and 22/45 Tactical models. These models bear serial numbers beginning with “401” (2017 models) or “WBR” (2016 models).
Firearms NOT subject to the Recall
Newly manufactured Mark IV pistols will begin with serial number “500.” Thus, if you have a Mark IV or 22/45 pistol with a serial number beginning with the number “5,” your pistol is not subject to the recall.
Firearms That Have Been Retrofitted Already
Finding Retrofit Marking Mark IV and 22/45 pistols retrofitted with the updated safety mechanism are easily identified by the letter “S” in the white safety dot that is visible when the safety is engaged.
I bought a Ruger…I believe that it is a 22/45 Comp. Target a loooooong time ago. and it is solid SS with the sides of the barrel shaved down to a flat surface right up to the breach block portion of the one piece barrel. It also has walnut grooved or stippled gripes on either side and they are removable. I believe that is, not only for cleaning purposes, but for switching the hand grips for a left handed shooter; since there is a thumb rest built into the left side grip panel, on the right handed shooters side. Honestly, I have not seen another one like it. I, in no means believe that it is a special edition or anything like that; with that said, have seen a ton of the circular barrel types of Ruger 22LR hand guns. I only wanted to really comment because of what the article had at the end; on how to identify if a .22 or .22/45 has had the mod. done. with reference to the “Finding Retrofit Marking Mark IV and 22/45 pistols retrofitted with the updated safety mechanism are easily identified by the letter “S” in the white safety dot that is visible when the safety is engaged” -Dave Dolbee . The last time I checked my hand gun, and I must admit it’s been a while, it has a white “S” and a red “F” in the safety selector lever. I’ll still check it out though to see if my first three are “401” or not. If anyone else has a model like mine please let me know if you have had this happen to your gun. Okay, when I take out the bolt group, right on the breach face, just to the right of where the extractor goes into it, I have an indentation in the SS. I am not sure of what part of the bolt group is causing this to happen? Not to mention the fact that the gun is SOLID SS. The only thing I can think of is that it’s a soft SS and I also noted that the machining process was not completely done, because of the fact that there is “unground down” surface space on the breach face. I found this odd, but, none the less, I have continued to use it. The only problems I have had with it, were in the very beginning. When I was “breaking in the main spring”. The guy who sold it to me sold me a couple hundred rounds of CCI LR and that gun HATED that ammunition! I switched over to Winchester Super X and all was good. It still to this day. With thousands of rounds through it. Still hates CCI .22LR. I don’t know why?! Loves that Winchester though!!!!
I have a Ruger Mark IV that’s affected by this recall.
Thank you Ruger for your commitment to safety.
Thank you CheaperThanDirt for sending me The Shooter’s Log email and bringing this potential safety issue to my attention.
Hats off to Ruger! Recalling a product BEFORE people are hurt, what a good idea and not usual for any company. This elevates my esteem for Ruger. Obviously they’re doing this for the good of the industry because most cost/benefit analysis would imply they should wait and weigh the settlement costs against recall costs, customers be damned. Manufacturing and product safety issues are not protected by PLCAA. Which if the industry wants to clear up the misconceptions about the act, could use this situation to demonstrate that it is not about total immunity from lawsuits.
You, sir! Are right on the money! Example with regards to “Cost/Benefit” ratio. Take the Ford Pinto. Every single one of those hunks of S**T that flipped broke out into flames. And Ford found out that a $15.00 part could fix all of that. What did they do, you may ask yourself? NOTHING! Their “Crack team of Accountants” said that it would be cheaper in the long run to just pay off the families after the fact than it would be to recall the vehicles and install that little part!!! WHAT A BUNCH OF MONEY HUNGY F***ERS. And that trend will never end, until…that is someone or some corporate entity comes along and says…Wooooh, we need to fix this or else people will get hurt #1 and #2 stop having trust in our products and the company as a whole. I’ve seen this play out in the city I live in, and we are not a very big city either. It takes someone to DIE before anyone will do anything, and that’s if your lucky enough to have reps that CARE!