Ruger (NYSE-RGR) has issued a safety bulletin for Ruger Precision Rifles in a specified serial number range. Please note that this is NOT a recall, but a safety bulletin that only affects SOME Ruger Precision Rifles. Rifles that have a polymer bolt shroud are not affected by the safety bulletin and do not exhibit the same issues as the aluminum shroud equipped rifles.

If you own a Ruger Precision Rifle that falls into the serial number range of 1800-26274 to 1800-78345 or 1801-00506 to 1801-30461 regardless of what the rifle is chambered in, it may exhibit the symptoms that prompted the safety bulletin.

Ruger tells us that they have recently learned that some Ruger Precision Rifles can experience interference between the back of the firing pin (known as the cocking piece) and the aluminum bolt shroud. It is reported that when that interference occurs in rare cases it can interfere with the normal operation of the firing pin. If the cocking piece and the bolt shroud interfere, the rifle could experience light strikes to the primer or in even more extreme cases, not firing when the trigger is pulled, then discharging when the bolt handle is touched.

Rifles that have more than 100 rounds fired are more likely to not experience this condition and Ruger is putting a program in place to offer owners of these rifles a replacement bolt shroud at no cost. We have posted the press release below:

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE-RGR) has issued a Safety Bulletin for certain Ruger Precision Rifles. Ruger recently learned that some Ruger Precision Rifles may experience interference between the aluminum bolt shroud and the cocking piece (also known as the firing pin back). In rare instances, the interference can disrupt the firing mechanism and cause it to not function properly. This interference can potentially lead to light primer strikes or, in extreme cases, the rifle may not fire when the trigger is pulled. If the rifle fails to fire when the trigger is pulled, it may fire when the bolt handle is subsequently lifted. In rifles where this condition exists, the issue often resolves itself as the parts wear and the interference is reduced. Therefore, rifles that have fired more than 100 rounds with no issues or concerns are unlikely to be affected, and no additional action is necessary.

Although only a small percentage of rifles appear to be affected and the Company is not aware of any injuries, Ruger is firmly committed to safety and is offering free replacement aluminum bolt shrouds for affected rifles in order to eliminate the possibility of such interference. Ruger Precision Rifles (regardless of caliber) that have an aluminum bolt shroud and fall within the following serial number ranges are potentially affected: 1800-26274 to 1800-78345 or 1801-00506 to 1801-30461.

Not all rifles within these serial number ranges are affected; this Safety Bulletin does not apply to Ruger Precision Rifles with polymer bolt shrouds. Ruger encourages anyone with a Ruger Precision Rifle that has an aluminum bolt shroud and a serial number within the above ranges to visit Ruger.com/RPRSafety and use the lookup tool to determine whether their rifle is potentially affected.

Although all Ruger Precision Rifles with aluminum bolt shrouds within the above serial number ranges are potentially affected, most rifles will never experience this issue. Ruger Precision Rifle owners who have ever experienced light primer indents or failure to fire should visit Ruger.com/RPRSafety to sign up for the safety offer and obtain additional information.

When consumers sign up, Ruger will ship the replacement bolt shrouds on a first-come, first-served basis. Actual delivery will depend upon demand, as Ruger is currently manufacturing replacement bolt shrouds for this program.