Ruger LCP Recall

[Guest nofearracer]

If this has been posted before forgive me(did a quick search to make sure), but I just visited ruger website www.ruger.com. At the top of the home page they have a link about the recall reguarding an issue with the LCP. Apparently sometimes the gun will fire if its dropped on a hard surface with a round in the chamber. It affects the guns with the prefix 370-xxxxx on their serial number.

[Guest db99wj]

Wow, first the SR9 had a recall with a similar issue and now the LCP.

Thought this was interesting

We want to remind gun users that, for maximum safety when carrying any pistol with a loaded magazine in place, the chamber should be empty, and the slide should be closed. Any gun may fire if dropped or struck.

[Luckyforward]

Wow, first the SR9 had a recall with a similar issue and now the LCP.

Thought this was interesting

Very interesting . . . sounds like legal CYA . . .

[Burboy]

Kudos to Ruger for not trying to sweep it under the rug by calling it an "Upgrade" like a certain Smyrna, GA company that rhymes with crock... as in "what a ...".

[Guest db99wj]

Very interesting . . . sounds like legal CYA . . .

Agreed. I hate that Ruger is having these problems. Other than the trigger feeling like a bag of chips (very crunchy when I dry fired only one) on the SR9, they didn't feel too bad to me. The LCP, well, heard lots of good things about the fit finish and reliability from folks on here. Hate they are having the problems.

[Luckyforward]

I agree . . . I am a Ruger fan, and hate they are having difficulties. Never owned one of their autos, though.

[Guest tnmale46]

well dang it

[ninja128]

just checked mine......it does have that prefix!!!

Scary that I've been deep carry in front pocket for 2 mths with round in chamber. I'm going to the site to see what to do. Thanks for the heads UP...I have 3 kids and would NOT want a accident to happen..............to my family or ANYONE elses. thank you ..thank you....thank you.

[Guest nofearracer]

Id think most existing ones have that prefix, I just picked up mine saturday from the guys at gun depot and its included in the recall. It was made around september 19 according to the test fire casing packet. I put 200 rds through it with out a hiccup, and I was happy with it. I just started pocket carry of it today, but now I guess Ill go back to my old Kel Tec 3AT until I can get it fixed.

[BryanP]

Yet another reason I'm glad I waited on getting one of these. Never buy a new product the first year is out.

[waynesan]

We will install the new hammer mechanism, plus some other functional upgrades that we added since the LCP’s introduction, and return your LCP to you, all FREE of charge. When we do, we also will send you a FREE magazine with the new finger grip extension as a “thank you†for your patience and cooperation. We will make every effort to return your pistol within one week of receipt.

Assuming that the "fix" is done right, that's not too bad to get one of the magazines with the extension. Its not like I'll be without a gun until it gets back. I hate that this has happened but it looks like Ruger is doing the right thing and trying to do right by its customers.

[Oh Shoot]

I thought it was a known "feature"; no firing pin block.

Seen it discussed a lot on defensivecarry and other forums.

Supposedly has to be dropped from higher height than a person's hand, so wasn't considered much of an issue.

The LCP manual DOES state that it can fire if dropped, eh?

- OS

[Guest Major Pain]

What luck. The first auto I've bought in 15 years and it gets a recall. At least I'll save 25 bucks by not having to get a second mag since they are sending a free one. About 350 rds through mine and no problems. I carry it as a bug so don't have to do without my main squeeze.--MP

[dralarms]

Dang, I've got 2 of em in the recall.

[wjh2657]

Another good reason to carry a S&W J Frame or Taurus 85 with transfer bar!

[GLOCKMEISTER]

heres the actual email I got about it yesterday...

Ruger has recently received a small number of reports from the field indicating that LCP pistols can discharge when dropped onto a hard surface with a round in the chamber. We are firmly committed to safety and would like to retrofit all older LCP Pistols. The retrofit involves installation of an upgraded hammer mechanism at no charge to the customer.

We want to remind gun users that, for maximum safety when carrying any pistol with a loaded magazine in place, the chamber should be empty, and the slide should be closed. Any gun may fire if dropped or struck.

How to determine if your pistol needs the retrofit: All LCP pistols bearing prefix “370” (that is, serial number 370-xxxxx) may be affected. Newly manufactured and retrofitted “370” prefix LCP pistols with the new hammer mechanism installed have been marked with a diamond in the flat portion of the slot just behind and below the hammer as show to the right. Going forward, new pistols will be marked with the serial number prefix “371” (serial number 371-xxxxx). Pistols with the “371” prefix are not affected.

How to arrange to have your pistol retrofitted:

Step 1 - Contact us and provide your name, address, telephone number and LCP serial number.

To sign up for the FREE safety upgrade:

Click Here to sign up immediately using the on-line form.

You may also sign up by using any of these alternative methods:

E-mail:

LCPRecall@ruger.com

Fax:

(928) 541-8873

Phone:

LCP Recall Hotline

1-800-784-3701

(available Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EDT)

Step 2 - The new parts are being built and we will retrofit LCP pistols on a first-come, first-served basis as soon as they are available. When we are ready to retrofit your pistol, we will send you a shipping label and package with instructions so you can return your pistol to us FREE of charge.

Step 3 - We will install the new hammer mechanism, plus some other functional upgrades that we added since the LCP’s introduction, and return your LCP to you, all FREE of charge. When we do, we also will send you a FREE magazine with the new finger grip extension as a “thank you” for your patience and cooperation. We will make every effort to return your pistol within one week of receipt.

Thank you,

Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.

[molonlabetn]

Sounds like it's more of a sear jumping problem than a firing-pin rebound problem, since they are replacing the hammer.

Ouch, 0 for 2 on the new pistols, Ruger... That's dissapointing.

Sounds like they are doing everything they can to make it right though. Whatever happened with the SR-9 stuff, are they even still making them?

[PackinMama]

Another good reason to carry a S&W J Frame or Taurus 85 with transfer bar!

I have and carry both of these.....what's a transfer bar?

[Guest db99wj]

Sounds like it's more of a sear jumping problem than a firing-pin rebound problem, since they are replacing the hammer.

Ouch, 0 for 2 on the new pistols, Ruger... That's dissapointing.

Sounds like they are doing everything they can to make it right though. Whatever happened with the SR-9 stuff, are they even still making them?

Appears that they are, the SR-9 is the first thing you see on their website. The quote they use on the website is "Ruger took the SR9 back to the drawing board, and the results are impressive" Guns & Ammo Magazine

[Oh Shoot]

I have and carry both of these.....what's a transfer bar?

All modern double action revolvers use a little area of metal over the firing pin; the hammer contacts this piece of metal which presses the firing pin. This "bar" only is in place when the cylindered round and trigger are in full sync, ready to fire. The bar is NOT in place at other times over firing pin, so that if dropped, nothing can push against the firing pin.

Unless you have a fully enclosed hammer model you can look down under hammer and see the "bar" come up in place over the rounded aft end of the firing pin.

Many single action revolvers like "cowboy" guns, and old revolvers (pre 1960's) in general, a projection on the hammer IS the firing pin, and if down on a live round could fire the round in the chamber if dropped.

- OS

[Guest Rugerman]

Wow....just wow. I am shocked that this has happened twice in a row. They need to hold of any new releases of models for a while.

[Guest Rugerman]

Going to sticky this for a while.

[BryanP]

I used to have a nice animated .gif that illustrated just how a transfer bar safety functioned. I can't seem to find it, but if I do I'll post it for you.

Edited October 30, 2008 by BryanP

[PackinMama]

All modern double action revolvers use a little area of metal over the firing pin; the hammer contacts this piece of metal which presses the firing pin. This "bar" only is in place when the cylindered round and trigger are in full sync, ready to fire. The bar is NOT in place at other times over firing pin, so that if dropped, nothing can push against the firing pin.

Unless you have a fully enclosed hammer model you can look down under hammer and see the "bar" come up in place over the rounded aft end of the firing pin.

Many single action revolvers like "cowboy" guns, and old revolvers (pre 1960's) in general, a projection on the hammer IS the firing pin, and if down on a live round could fire the round in the chamber if dropped.

- OS

Thanks for the explanation OS! I basically knew how that worked....I just didn't know that it was called a transfer bar.

[Oh Shoot]

Thanks for the explanation OS! I basically knew how that worked....I just didn't know that it was called a transfer bar.

Cool. I have an old H&R .22 revolver that has sort of an "opposite transfer bar" system. Has a shim that is always in place UNTIL cocked, to prevent the rim fire hammer from contacting the round if dropped, then the shim (or transfer bar) moves out of the way so hammer can contact the round.

- OS