Your Privacy Choices
When the Ruger-57 burst onto the scene in late 2019, it made quite a splash. For around two decades, there were very few models of firearms using the 5.7x28mm cartridge – chiefly just FN’s own P90 and Five-seveN variants, which were developed starting in the late ’90s in conjunction with the round. Though a handful of other manufacturers have added support over the years, the pickings have remained relatively slim. It makes sense, then, that Ruger‘s release of a 5.7-caliber handgun priced significantly lower than FN’s option (a $799 MSRP versus $1199) got people excited. It was well-received, and both TFB’s and TFBTV’s reviewers had positive things to say about it. For those readers who have them, we hope you enjoy them, but be warned: a safety issue has been discovered. See the following bulletin from Ruger regarding a potential problem with the manual safety lever.
The problem can cause the manual safety not to be engaged when it appears that it should be.
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 and, if necessary, 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).
- 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 AND THE HAMMER FALLS (SEE FIGURE 2B), OR IF YOU ARE UNSURE, PLEASE DO NOT USE YOUR PISTOL AND IMMEDIATELY SIGN UP FOR THE RETROFIT BELOW 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: If your pistol fails the function check listed above (you are able to pull the trigger and release the hammer with the manual safety engaged), please do not use your pistol, and sign up for the retrofit below or by phone at 336-949-5200.
STEP 2: Our Customer Service team will issue you an RMA and send you a pre-paid shipping label to return your pistol for service.
STEP 3: We will perform all required safety updates and will make every effort to return your pistol within one week of when we receive it.
Only Ruger-57 pistols up to serial number 642-26274 may be affected. If your gun’s number is above that, you should be good to go.
Kudos to Ruger for handling this hiccup with good professionalism and customer service. Do you own one of these 5.7-cal pistols? Have you experienced any problems with your safety, or is yours good to go? Outside of this retrofit issue, how has the gun been for you? Would you like to see additional models, or more aftermarket support for this gun? What does it need, if anything? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! See you at the range.
