Ruger announced that a recently-discovered phenomenon on the company's new Mark IV rimfire pistols may cause the gun to discharge unintentionally if users do not use the safety in the correct way. None of the company's Mark II or III pistols are subject to the recall.
Due to this issue, the company strongly recommends that Mark IV pistol owners not use their guns until it has been retrofitted or if it is determined that the gun is not subject to the recall.
The discovery stems from the safety lever itself and the area between the "safe" and "fire" positions on the lever. If the safety lever is between the two positions and is not fully engaged in either spot when the trigger is pulled, then the gun might not fire during the trigger pull.
However, the issue arises after the trigger is released. If users release the trigger and then move the lever up toward the "fire" position, then the gun may discharge.
Ruger stated that only a small number of the company's Mark IV rimfire pistols seem to be afflicted with this particular issue, and the company is not aware of any injuries that have stemmed from the misuse of the safety lever.
However, in the interests of safety, the company wants to recall all pistols that are potentially affected by this particular phenomenon and retrofit them with an updated safety device that prevents this issue from occurring.
The company is recalling all Ruger Mark IV rimfire pistols made before June 1, 2017. This includes the Mark IV Target, Hunter, Competition, 22/45, 22/45 Lite and 22/45 Tactical. The 2016 models affected by this recall feature serial numbers beginning with "WBR." The 2017 models that are being recalled have serial numbers beginning with "401."
All of the guns that are not subject to the recall have serial numbers beginning with "500." In addition, retrofitted pistols will also feature an "S" located inside the white dot that is seen when the safety lever is engaged on the pistol.
The company only wants users to send in the grip-frame assembly for the recall. The serialized barrel/receiver assembly is not required, and this simplifies the repair and return process. Ruger will handle all of the shipping and handling fees associated with the recall.
For more information, visit Ruger's recall website here.
Due to this issue, the company strongly recommends that Mark IV pistol owners not use their guns until it has been retrofitted or if it is determined that the gun is not subject to the recall.
The discovery stems from the safety lever itself and the area between the "safe" and "fire" positions on the lever. If the safety lever is between the two positions and is not fully engaged in either spot when the trigger is pulled, then the gun might not fire during the trigger pull.
However, the issue arises after the trigger is released. If users release the trigger and then move the lever up toward the "fire" position, then the gun may discharge.
Ruger stated that only a small number of the company's Mark IV rimfire pistols seem to be afflicted with this particular issue, and the company is not aware of any injuries that have stemmed from the misuse of the safety lever.
However, in the interests of safety, the company wants to recall all pistols that are potentially affected by this particular phenomenon and retrofit them with an updated safety device that prevents this issue from occurring.
The company is recalling all Ruger Mark IV rimfire pistols made before June 1, 2017. This includes the Mark IV Target, Hunter, Competition, 22/45, 22/45 Lite and 22/45 Tactical. The 2016 models affected by this recall feature serial numbers beginning with "WBR." The 2017 models that are being recalled have serial numbers beginning with "401."
All of the guns that are not subject to the recall have serial numbers beginning with "500." In addition, retrofitted pistols will also feature an "S" located inside the white dot that is seen when the safety lever is engaged on the pistol.
The company only wants users to send in the grip-frame assembly for the recall. The serialized barrel/receiver assembly is not required, and this simplifies the repair and return process. Ruger will handle all of the shipping and handling fees associated with the recall.
For more information, visit Ruger's recall website here.
