Ruger Safety Bulletin for Some SR22 Handguns

For those of you who own one of the popular SR22 pistols from Ruger, please read this bulletin to see if your gun is affected by this potentially dangerous issue.

Ruger SR22 Safety Notice —

The following is directly from Ruger's Recall and Safety Announcements page:

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. 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.

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.

How to know for sure if your pistol is affected —

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.

Info on the ‘slack trigger' —

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

If you experience a ‘slack trigger' take the following steps:

1. Keep the pistol pointed in a safe direction at all times.
2. Do not attempt to remedy the matter by engaging the safety lever.
3. Remove the magazine from the pistol.
4. Retract the slide and lock it back.
5. Visually and physically verify that the chamber of the pistol is empty.
6. 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.
7. Do not use the pistol until it has been examined by Ruger. Store it safely until it can be returned to the factory.
8. Sign up for the Retrofit on this page, or by phone at 336-949-5200 to arrange 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.

More information —

You can find more information on the safety bulletin, as well as a video on Ruger's Recall and Safety Announcements page.