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SR22® Pistol Product Safety Bulletin

SR22® Pistol Product Safety Bulletin

March 2024 Update: Ruger has uncovered additional information and is expanding the range of potentially affected SR22 pistols. Please read this Safety Bulletin carefully to determine if your pistol may be impacted.

Issue Overview

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. (Watch our overview video)
 
NOTE: 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.

If You Experience a Slack Single-Action Trigger While Shooting, Take the Following Steps Immediately

  • Keep the pistol pointed in a safe direction at all times.
  • DO NOT engage 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.

 

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.
View Printable Safety Bulletin PDF

How Can I Tell If I Am Affected?

Any SR22 that has not previously been retrofitted with serial number 369-89043 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.
If you are not sure if your pistol is subject to the Safety Bulletin, watch our video and enter your serial number below.

Note: A slack trigger will occur during normal operation if: 1) the magazine is removed; OR 2) the slide is locked to the rear; OR 3) the manual safety is engaged. These are all normal operating conditions.

SR22 pistols with a serial number of 369-89044 and above are not affected by this Safety Bulletin.

What Do I Do If I Am Affected?

  • Safely unload your pistol as described above.
  • 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. We will arrange for you to return the pistol for evaluation and repair, if necessary.

Always treat every firearm as though it is loaded and always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Never rely upon any safety or mechanical device to justify unsafe or careless firearm handling.

How to Sign Up for the Retrofit

STEP 1: Enter your serial number.

STEP 2: Add contact information when prompted.

STEP 3: Our Customer Service team will issue you a RMA and send you a pre-paid shipping label to return your pistol.

STEP 4: We will evaluate your pistol and perform all required safety updates. We will do our best to return your pistol within one week of receiving it.

If you have any questions regarding this Safety Bulletin, please review these FAQs.

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Videos

Overview

How do I know if my gun is affected?

What is a slack trigger?

Frequently Asked Questions

Why has Ruger issued a Safety Bulletin for the SR22 Pistol?
The SR22 frame insert is constructed of two pieces, with several safety components held between them. In rare instances, if the left and right frame inserts of Ruger SR22 pistols are not properly secured together, some of these components 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. Although only a very small number of pistols appear to be affected, Ruger is committed to safety and requests owners of SR22 pistols to sign up for the retrofit if they have ever experienced either a slack single-action trigger with the magazine inserted, the slide forward, and the manual safety disengaged, or had the pistol discharge upon decocking.

What is a "slack" single-action trigger, and how can I tell if I have experienced one?
A slack single-action trigger occurs if, while firing the pistol in single-action (i.e., with the hammer back), 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.
 
Please note that a slack trigger will occur during normal operation if: 1) the magazine is removed; OR 2) the slide is locked to the rear; OR 3) the manual safety is engaged. These are all normal operating conditions. Bear in mind that your pistol is only affected by the Safety Bulletin if you have experienced a slack single-action trigger with a magazine inserted, the slide forward and the manual safety disengaged, or the pistol has discharged upon decocking.

Which SR22 Pistols are subject to the Safety Bulletin?
Only pistols that have exhibited a slack single-action trigger (with the slide forward, a magazine inserted, and the manual safety disengaged) or discharged upon decocking are subject to this Safety Bulletin, though any SR22 pistol with a serial number of 369-89043 or lower (including those with a "SS" serial number prefix) has the potential to be affected. Note that many pistols were examined at the factory and confirmed to meet our specifications. Thus, it is important to use the serial number lookup to verify that your pistol is subject to the safety bulletin. Of course, if you have experienced a slack single-action trigger or your pistol discharged upon decocking, you should stop using your pistol and sign up for the retrofit.

How can I tell if my SR22 pistol is affected?
Only pistols that have exhibited a slack single-action trigger (with the slide forward, a magazine inserted, and the manual safety disengaged) or discharged upon decocking are subject to this Safety Bulletin, though any SR22 pistol with a serial number of 369-89043 or lower (including those with a "SS" serial number prefix) has the potential to be affected. If your SR22 has ever exhibited a slack single-action trigger or discharged upon decocking, you should immediately stop using it and sign up for the retrofit.

What should I do if I think my SR22 pistol is affected, or if I'm not sure?
If your SR22 pistol falls in the subject serial number range (369-89043 or lower, or with a "SS" prefix) and you have ever experienced a slack single-action trigger (with the slide forward, a magazine inserted, and the manual safety disengaged) or your pistol has ever discharged upon decocking, you should immediately stop using your pistol and sign up for the Retrofit on this page or by calling Ruger Customer Service at 336-949-5200. We will issue you an RMA and provide a pre-paid shipping label to return your pistol for service. We will perform all required updates and will do our best to return your pistol within a week of receiving it.

I have added aftermarket accessories to my pistol; will these be returned?
The retrofit involves inspection and possible replacement of several internal components of the pistol. In the unlikely event your aftermarket alterations involve the trigger or any of these components, they will be replaced and not returned. If your aftermarket accessories involve aesthetic alterations or sights, grips or similar items, they will not be affected by this Safety Bulletin and will be returned. If you have made alterations or added aftermarket accessories or magazines with features or capacities that we are legally prohibited from returning to your state, they will also not be returned. You should remove these types of aftermarket accessories before returning your pistol for the retrofit.

What parts are being replaced as part of the safety retrofit?
It depends upon what we find. We will inspect your pistol and ensure the right and left inserts are properly aligned and secured. Depending on the condition of your pistol, we may replace the pin that holds the hammer block and firing pin blocker lifter, the hammer block and/or firing pin blocker lifter.

Will the original parts be returned to me?
No.

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

Should I just send you my pistol?
No. Only a very small number of SR22 pistols are actually affected, so the probability that yours is affected is very low. A return is only necessary if your SR22 pistol has a serial number of 369-89043 or lower and you have ever experienced a slack single-action trigger with the slide forward, a magazine inserted, and the manual safety disengaged, or had the pistol discharge upon decocking. If you have never experienced either of these conditions, your pistol is not affected. If you have experienced one of these conditions, please sign up for the retrofit or call Customer Service at 336-949-5200. We will issue you an RMA and send you a prepaid shipping label and shipping instructions so you can send your pistol to us. We will make every effort to return your pistol within one week of receipt. Please do not send us your pistol without first obtaining an RMA.

How do I sign up my SR22 Pistol for the retrofit?
If your pistol has a serial number of 369-89043 or lower and you have previously experienced either a slack single-action trigger (with a magazine inserted, the slide forward, and the manual safety disengaged) or had the pistol discharge upon decocking, you can sign up for the retrofit on this page or by calling Customer Service at 336-949-5200. Please have the serial number of your pistol handy when you sign up. We will issue you an RMA and send you a prepaid shipping label and shipping instructions so you can send your pistol to us. We will make every effort to return your pistol within one week of receipt. Please do not send us your pistol without first obtaining an RMA.

Will I have to pay shipping?
No. We will send you a prepaid shipping label with your RMA. We will perform the retrofit and return the pistol to you at our expense, so there is no cost to you.

Will you share or sell my contact information?
No. Your contact information will remain confidential and not be used for any purpose other than this retrofit.

International customers, please note that we will share your information with your in-country distributor, and by signing up for the retrofit, you are giving us permission to do so.

What if I live outside the United States?
If you live outside the United States, you should first determine if your pistol is subject to the Safety Bulletin (that is, has a serial number of 369-89043 or lower). If your pistol is subject to the Safety Bulletin, and you have ever experienced a slack single-action trigger with a magazine inserted, the slide forward and the manual safety disengaged, or had your pistol discharge upon decocking, you should sign up for the retrofit. We will coordinate with your in-country distributor to make appropriate arrangements. Please note that by signing up for the retrofit, you are giving us permission to provide your contact information to your in-country distributor.

Must I ship the gun to you via a Federal Firearms Licensee (or Firearms Retailer)?
No, you can send it to us directly. However, bear in mind that the pistol will be returned to the address from which it was received, and a signature of someone 21 years of age or older is required for delivery. Therefore, if you chose to send it from your home, you must be home to receive the return shipment.

I would like other service performed on my SR22 Pistol; can I have that done at the same time as the retrofit?
Yes; however, that will require additional time, and customary charges for parts and labor will apply. We will not charge you any shipping charges for the retrofit. If you would like to have additional services performed, please call Customer Service at 336-949-5200 to make arrangements.

Can I continue to use my SR22 Pistol before I send it in?
No. If your SR22 pistol has a serial number of 369-89043 or lower and you have ever experienced a slack single-action trigger (with the slide forward, a magazine inserted, and the manual safety disengaged) or had the pistol discharge upon decocking, you should stop using your pistol and not use it again until the retrofit has been performed. Of course, if your pistol falls outside the serial number range or you have never experienced these conditions, your pistol is safe to use and does not require return to Ruger for the retrofit.

I signed up for the retrofit online, but I think I made a mistake entering my information. What do I do?
If you believe you made an error, contact Customer Service at 336-949-5200 to speak with a customer service representative to correct your information. Please have your serial number handy when you call.

I want to send my gun in through a retailer or Federal Firearms Licensee ("FFL"). May I?
Shipping through an FFL is not required, but you can if you want to. Bear in mind that if you do, you will be responsible for any fees charged by the retailer. If you elect to send in your pistol through an FFL, please first verify that your retailer will send the pistol in for you, and if so, have them contact us to arrange for the retrofit.

Will you shoot my pistol before you return it?
Yes. We will function test your pistol with live ammunition before returning it to ensure it is functioning properly.

What should I do if I experience a slack single-action trigger while shooting?
If you experience a slack single-action trigger while shooting, do not attempt to engage the safety lever to remedy the situation. Keep the pistol pointed in a safe direction at all times. Remove the magazine and lock the slide to the rear. Visually and manually check the chamber to ensure no ammunition is present in the pistol. Carefully close the slide and engage the safety lever (note, the hammer will fall to decock the pistol). Sign up for the retrofit on this page or by calling Customer Service at 336-949-5200. Store your pistol safely and do not attempt to use it until we have performed the retrofit.