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Mark IV Recall

Mark IV Recall

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. View Safety Bulletin PDF

  • Recall Overview
  • Checking Your Pistol
  • The Retrofit Process
  • Shipping Your Pistol
Mark I, Mark II and Mark III Pistols are not affected by this recall

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 If Your Pistol Needs The Retrofit

How to find your serial number 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.

Enter your Mark IV serial number below to determine if it is subject to the recall Retailers Click Here

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why are you recalling the Mark IV™?
    We have recently learned that certain Mark IV™ pistols, including 22/45™ variants, 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.

    What models are affected?
    All Ruger® Mark IV™ pistols and 22/45™ variants produced prior to June 1, 2017 are being recalled. This includes the Mark IV™ Target, Competition, and Hunter models, as well as the 22/45™, 22/45™ Lite, and the 22/45™ Tactical.

    What serial numbers are affected?
    Affected firearms have serial numbers beginning with "401" (2017 production) or "WBR" (2016 production). Mark IV™ and 22/45™ pistols outside of this serial number range are not affected. Mark IV™ or 22/45™ pistols with a serial number beginning with the number "5" were produced after June 1, 2017 and are not affected.

    Is my Mark II™ or Mark III™ affected?
    No. Only Mark IV™ pistols, including 22/45™ pistols, are subject to this recall.

    How can I tell if my Mark IV™ pistol has already been retrofitted?
    Mark IV's within the affected serial number range that have the upgraded safety mechanism have been marked with the letter "S" located on the white safety dot that is visible when the safety is engaged. You can see a picture of a Mark IV™ marked with the "S" above.

    What do I have to send back to you?
    We only want the grip frame assembly. It is not necessary for us to have the barrel/receiver assembly to perform the retrofit. Because the barrel/receiver assembly is the serialized component, not requiring its return simplifies the process and will enable us to more conveniently and quickly return the grip frame assembly to you. Please follow the instructions in your instruction manual to separate the barrel/receiver assembly from the grip frame assembly. Keep the barrel/receiver assembly, magazines, lock, instruction manual, and any aftermarket accessories. When we send you the box and shipping label, we will also send detailed instructions describing what we want you to send and how to send it.

    I have added aftermarket accessories to my pistol; will these be returned?
    You should remove all aftermarket accessories before returning the grip frame assembly to us. While we will attempt to return accessories to you, we cannot guarantee that is the case. Also, to the extent the installed aftermarket parts are being replaced pursuant to the retrofit (sear and safety), these will not be returned.

    What parts are being replaced as part of the recall?
    We will install an updated sear and safety.

    Is the trigger pull going to be affected by the retrofit?
    The trigger pull will not be altered from the original factory specifications. Provided your grip frame is sent in with original factory parts, you will not notice a difference in the trigger pull.

    Will the old parts be returned to me?
    No. We will keep the old parts. You should remove all aftermarket accessories before returning the grip frame assembly to us. While we will attempt to return accessories to you, we cannot guarantee that is the case. If you have installed any aftermarket trigger components, they will not be returned.

    How long will you have my grip frame assembly?
    We will make every effort to complete the retrofit and return your grip frame assembly within one week of receiving it.

    Should I send my pistol now?
    No. When we are ready to retrofit your grip frame assembly, we will send you a box, prepaid shipping label, and detailed shipping instructions so you can send your grip frame assembly to us. We will make every effort to return your grip frame assembly within one week of receipt. Sending it now will not get it back to you any sooner; it will only mean that we have it longer.

    How do I sign up my Mark IV™ for the retrofit?
    There are several ways to sign up for the retrofit. You can enter your serial number in the form above to determine if your pistol is subject to the recall. If it is, you will be given the opportunity to enter your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address and verify the serial number of your pistol. When we are ready for you to send in your Mark IV™ grip frame assembly we will mail you a box and prepaid shipping label with detailed instructions on how to return your grip frame assembly to us. If you cannot sign up via the website, you may call our Recall Call Center at 336-949-5200 to speak with a customer service representative. Our call center is available Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. ET. Please have your unloaded pistol handy when you visit the recall website or call and be sure to provide us with the serial number directly from the pistol.

    How long will it be before I receive a prepaid shipping label and shipping package?
    We will mail shipping boxes to customers on a first-come, first-served basis, once parts are available. Where you are in the list and when you receive your box will depend upon when you sign up.

    Will I have to pay shipping?
    No. We will send you a shipping package, prepaid shipping label, and detailed shipping instructions once we are ready to retrofit your pistol's grip frame assembly. We will install the new parts and then return the grip frame assembly to you at our expense, so there is no cost to you.

    How did you discover this issue?
    We recently received a small number of reports from the field that Mark IV™ pistols (including 22/45™ variants) have the potential to discharge accidentally 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. We have conducted additional testing and have confirmed this condition. Because we are firmly committed to safety, we would like to retrofit all potentially affected pistols with an updated safety mechanism.

    Will you share or sell my contact information?
    No. Your contact information will not be used for any purpose other than communicating with you regarding this recall.

    What if I live outside the United States?
    If you live outside the United States, you can enter your serial number in the form above to determine if your pistol is subject to the recall. If it is, you will be given the opportunity to enter your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address and verify the serial number of your pistol. We plan to have all international pistols retrofitted at repair centers in the customer's country. Because of international licensing requirements, there will be a delay before parts are available for your local repair center to perform the retrofit. We will contact you when parts are available in your country and provide you with contact information for your local repair center so that you may make arrangements to have your pistol retrofitted. We recommend that you do not use your Mark IV™ pistol while you wait to have the retrofit performed.

    Must I ship the gun to you via a Federal Firearms Licensee (or Firearms Retailer)?
    No. Because we are not asking for the entire gun, but rather just the grip frame assembly, you do not need to ship via an FFL. We will arrange to have your grip frame shipped directly to us via U.S. Postal Service; you can ship it directly from your home.

    I would like other service performed on my Mark IV™; can I have that done at the same time as the retrofit?
    Yes; however, that will require additional time. Also, customary charges for parts and labor will apply, but we will not charge you any shipping or handling charges.

    Can I continue to use my Mark IV™ pistol while I wait to send it back in?
    No. Please do not use your pistol until the retrofit has been completed.

    Can you expedite my gun?
    In fairness to all customers, we are unable to provide expedited retrofits. We will retrofit consumers’ grip frame assemblies on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage you to sign up for the retrofit as soon possible. We will do our best to return your grip frame assembly to you within one week of receiving it. We understand this is an inconvenience, so when we return the grip frame assembly to you, we will give you an extra magazine, free of charge. That’s a $29.95 value. For customers in states with magazine shipping restrictions, we will send you a ShopRuger.com gift certificate in lieu of the magazine.