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Ruger-57™ Safety Bulletin

Ruger-57™ Safety Bulletin

Ruger has discovered that a small number of Ruger-57 pistols may have right safety levers that do not meet our specifications and may be prone to cracking. Although only a very small number of pistols appear to be affected, Ruger is committed to safety and is asking owners of Ruger-57 pistols to perform a routine function check of the safety lever to ensure its proper operation. If the function check confirms that the safety lever is operating properly, no further action is required. If you find that your pistol's safety lever is not functioning properly, please sign up for this retrofit. View Safety Bulletin PDF

Ruger-57 pistols with a serial number of 642-26275 and above are not affected by this Safety Bulletin.

Products Subject to This Safety Bulletin

Potentially affected pistols include any Ruger-57 pistol with a serial number of 642-26274 or lower (including all Ruger-57 pistols with a “641” prefix). If your Ruger-57 pistol is within this range (641-00000 to 642-26274), you should follow the inspection procedure outlined below to determine whether your pistol requires a retrofit. Ruger-57 pistols with a serial number of 642-26275 and above are not affected by this Safety Bulletin.

Description of the Issue

In some rare instances, the internal "leg" of the right safety lever may crack or break, rendering the manual safety ineffective. If present, this condition may cause the manual safety to appear to be functioning properly when it is not. Although Ruger already instructs owners of Ruger-57 pistols to perform a function check before each use, we are requesting that all owners of potentially affected pistols perform this safety inspection immediately.

How to Inspect Your Pistol

BEFORE YOU BEGIN, BE SURE YOUR PISTOL IS UNLOADED AND THERE IS NO LIVE AMMUNITION IN YOUR WORKSPACE.

  • With the pistol pointed in a safe direction, remove the magazine and place the manual safety in the "fire" position.
  • Retract the slide and lock it to the rear using the slide stop.
  • Visually and physically inspect the chamber to ensure there is no ammunition present.
  • Retract the slide slightly and release to allow the slide to close on an empty chamber.
  • Engage the manual safety (see Figure 1) by pushing up on the safety lever. Ensure it moves up fully and "clicks" into place.
  • With the pistol pointed in a safe direction, pull the trigger firmly, but do not force it beyond the point where you meet resistance. The trigger should be blocked and the hammer should not fall (see Figure 2A).

NOTE: If your pistol PASSES the function check (trigger is blocked and hammer does not fall) NO FURTHER ACTION IS REQUIRED.

If your pistol FAILS the function check (with the manual safety engaged, you are able to pull the trigger and the hammer falls – Figure 2B), PLEASE DO NOT USE YOUR PISTOL. SIGN UP FOR THE RETROFIT OR CALL US AT 336-949-5200.

Ruger reminds consumers that periodic inspection and function checks of any firearm is important to ensuring its safe operation. It is important to frequently perform regular function checks as described in your instruction manual, and to clean and inspect your firearm after each range session. Proper maintenance increases the longevity of your firearm and will allow early detection of worn or broken parts.

Ruger also reminds consumers to 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: Perform the function check. If your pistol PASSES the function check, no further action is required.

STEP 2: If your pistol FAILS the function check (you are able to pull the trigger and release the hammer with the manual safety engaged), please do not use your pistol. Sign up for the retrofit below or by phone at 336-949-5200.

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

STEP 4: We will perform all required safety updates and will make every effort to return your pistol within one week of when we receive it.

Sign Up For Retrofit

  
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why has Ruger issued a Safety Bulletin for the Ruger-57 Pistol?
We have discovered that a small number of Ruger-57 pistols may have right safety levers that do not meet our specifications and may be prone to cracking. If present, this condition may cause the manual safety to appear to be functioning properly when it is not. Although only a very small number of pistols appear to be affected, Ruger is committed to safety and is reaching out and asking owners of Ruger-57 pistols to perform a routine function check of the safety lever to ensure its proper operation and, if necessary, sign up for this retrofit.

Which Ruger-57 Pistols are subject to the Safety Bulletin?
Potentially affected pistols include any Ruger-57 pistol with a serial number of 642-26274 or lower (including all Ruger-57 pistols with a "641" prefix).

How can I tell if my Ruger-57 pistol is affected?
Please note that only Ruger-57 pistols with a serial number of 642-26274 or lower (including all Ruger-57 pistols with a "641" prefix) are subject to the Safety Bulletin. If your Ruger-57 pistol is within this range (641-00000 to 642-26274), it is subject to this Safety Bulletin and you should inspect it using the simple function check of the manual safety described below. Note that a video demonstrating the inspection is available above.

Before you begin, be sure your pistol is unloaded and there is no live ammunition in your workspace.

- With the pistol pointed in a safe direction, remove the magazine and place the manual safety in the "fire" position.

- Retract the slide and lock it to the rear using the slide stop.

- Visually and physically inspect the chamber to ensure there is no ammunition present.

- Retract the slide slightly and release to allow the slide to close on an empty chamber.

- Engage the manual safety by pushing up on the safety lever. Ensure it moves up fully and “clicks” into place.

- With the pistol pointed in a safe direction, pull the trigger firmly, but do not force it beyond the point where you meet resistance. The trigger should be blocked and the hammer should not fall.

- If the trigger is blocked and the hammer does not fall, no further action is required, but you should regularly perform this, and all other function checks described in your instruction manual as a part of your normal inspection process.

If, with the manual safety engaged, you are able to pull the trigger, the hammer falls, or if you are unsure, please do not use your pistol and immediately sign up for the retrofit or call Customer Service at 336-949-5200.

What should I do if I think my Ruger-57 pistol is affected, or if I’m not sure?
If your Ruger-57 pistol falls in the subject serial number range (below 642-26274, including all "641" serial number prefixes) and you have performed the function check as outlined in the Safety Bulletin and found that you are able to pull the trigger and the hammer falls with the manual safety engaged, or if you are not sure, please stop using your Ruger-57 pistol and sign up for the retrofit or call 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 simply involves replacing the right safety lever in your pistol, so no aftermarket parts should be impacted.

What parts are being replaced as part of the safety retrofit?
We will install a new right safety lever that meets our specifications.

Will the original safety lever be returned to me?
No. The only part we plan to replace is the right safety lever and we will not be returning the original lever to you. If we discover that other repairs are required, we will perform those as well and keep the original parts, if any.

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 Ruger-57 pistols are actually affected, so the probability that yours is affected is very small. To determine whether a return is necessary, we are asking that owners of potentially affected Ruger-57 pistols perform the function check outlined in the Safety Bulletin. If your pistol passes the function check, there is nothing more you need to do at this time. However, if you find that your pistol fails the function check, 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 Ruger-57 Pistol for the retrofit?
If you perform the function check and determine that your pistol requires service, you can sign up for the retrofit or call 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 not be used for any purpose other than this retrofit and will remain confidential.

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 642-26274 or lower - including all Ruger-57 pistols with a “641” prefix). If your pistol is subject to the Safety Bulletin, you should perform the function check described in the Safety Bulletin to determine if it requires the retrofit. If it does, you should sign up for the retrofit. We are in the process of providing parts to your in-country distributor, who will perform the retrofit once parts are available to them.

Must I ship the gun to you via a Federal Firearms Licensee (or Firearms Retailer)?
No. However, bear in mind that the pistol will be returned to the address from which it was received, and a signature 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 Ruger-57 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 or handling 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 Ruger-57 Pistol before I send it in?
No. If you perform the function check and determine that the retrofit is required, you should stop using your pistol and not use it again until the retrofit has been performed. Of course, if your pistol passes the function check and the manual safety is operating normally, 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?
While we do not believe using an FFL is required, you can ship your pistol through an FFL. 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 make arrangements 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.