Ruger issued a product safety bulletin for certain Ruger American Pistols chambered in 9 mm after the discovery that some of the handguns may exhibit premature wear of the locking surfaces between the slide and barrel. The issue, if ignored, can result in a crack developing near the ejection port of the slide. This typically does not occur at round counts below 10,000.
The condition is easily identified during routine maintenance and cleaning, and the crack should be visible long before the pistol becomes unsafe to shoot. Ruger reaffirmed the company's commitment to safety and is asking owners of Ruger American Pistols chambered in 9 mm to inspect their handguns for excessive wear or cracks and, if necessary, to sign up for a free retrofit. Ruger American Pistols chambered in .45 ACP are not subject to this Safety Bulletin.
Those Ruger American Pistols in 9 mm with serial number prefixes “860” and “862” are subject to this Safety Bulletin and should be inspected. Owners should also visit the Ruger American Pistol Retrofit website to look up the serial number to determine if theirs is subject to this Safety Bulletin. The web page also provides additional information, including details on how to inspect the pistol to determine whether the retrofit is necessary, FAQ and convenient links to sign up for the retrofit if one is required. You can also contact customer service by calling (800) 784-3701 with questions or concerns.
Replacement components are being built, and consumers who sign up will be served on a first-come, first-served basis. Those consumers will be sent a U.S. Postal Service box with a prepaid shipping label and detailed packaging and shipping instructions. The consumer should return only the barrel/slide assembly to Ruger. The company will inspect the barrel/slide assembly and install new components as needed, free of charge. Every effort will be made to return each barrel/slide assembly within one week from the day it arrives.
Ruger reminds consumers that periodic inspection of any firearm is important to ensuring its safe operation. 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.
