RUGER(r) ISSUES PRODUCT SAFETY WARNING AND RECALL NOTICE OF SR9 PISTOL

[ampes2004]

Small setback for good gun.  I'll shoot my glock for the week it is gone, take my extra mag with a grin for saving 35 bucks, and life goes on.

Credit Ruger for making the recall easy.  2 minutes to read the recall, and fill out the online form.  They send you everything when "they" are ready for a quick turnaround, so there is no guessing or trying to keep track of where they are.

[jaybet]

Went to our bi-weekly gallery pistol shoot tonight, but left my SR9 home. I'm waiting for them to send me the box to send it back for the recall. I didn't feel like it would be very cool to bring a recalled weapon along with me to the shoot.
So Here I am with my second BRAND NEW Ruger since Christmas that I can't use until it gets sent back to fix. I'm starting to wonder a little bit. Maybe it's bad luck, or maybe the GP 100 isn't what it used to be and the SR9 is a sign of the new way of doing things at Ruger.
Boy, I'd sure like a sign that my faith isn't in vain. ...and I doubt that a new magazine will do much to inspire that faith.

[DanPostit]

I own a KP-97, Blackhawk, MK-II, Security Six, couple of 10/22s, and have owned a Mini-14.  I was asked for advice by a friend on a 9MM purchase, and told him that I liked the thumb safety on the Ruger, it is made in U.S. and has Ruger reputation for being over-built and safe.  He decides to get the SR-9 after comparing other 9s and a week later this recall!  I am reminded of why I am becoming more and more reluctant to give advice as I get older!

Anyway, I think Ruger is going to make it right, but I remember going on about how "this time Ruger tested out the new design to work out the bugs" and "for once, they had a bunch ready for delivery instead of creating interest and not seeing them at gun shows for 6 months"..... well, it begs the question-- how did this problem get by the test and evaul process?

I do want to use this oportunity to make my case for thumb safeties.  I like them, and I see them get called "superfluos" and other things.  Well, let me say that many people who are not familiar with handguns, and who would shriek at a "cocked and locked" 1911 as being dangerous, and totally unaware that the plastic striker-fired pistols are actually cocked and "unlocked"!
Now, considering a series 80 1911 with firing pin safety it is equivolent.  While the grip safety is a nice feature, it can be defeated easily by pressing the hammer down on the beavertail, or if you were to pick up a 1911 between your finger and thumb pinching the grip safety and trigger at the same time.....unless the thumb safety is engaged!

The thumb safety allows the weapon to be placed in a mode that blocks inadvertent pull of the trigger, and at the same time permits quick switch to ready to fire mode!   That is it pure and simple! 

If you want some more enlighting info ( pics included) check out this story of a Sheriff's Dept. who inavertently had his glock discaharge while in his holster!  this could have been prevented with a thumg safety!
Read this story: http://www.alphecca.com/mt_alphecca_archives/002052.html

Hope this opens some eyes!

[ericire12]

If you want some more enlighting info ( pics included) check out this story of a Sheriff's Dept. who inavertently had his glock discaharge while in his holster! this could have been prevented with a thumg safety!
Read this story: http://www.alphecca.com/mt_alphecca_archives/002052.html

Hope this opens some eyes!

I'm sorry, but this is not a good example if you are wanting to tout the greatness of thumb safeties and/or bash DAO pistols for not having them.

When he holstered his weapon the draw string attachment (of his jacket) became lodged in [the] trigger guard. This deputy then went some period of time and went home. When he removed the paddle holster the draw string pulled tight and discharged the weapon with the firearm in the holster.

The fact is, this is an example of operator error and not an example of a shortcoming of the gun's design. A drawstring, a jacket's zipper, or any other article of clothing could have just as easily disengaged a thumb safety and thus create a scenario where there was an accidental discharge. The guy still would have shot himself and it still would have been his own fault.

DAO guns are incredibly safe, and  have probably saved more Cops and/or people who use them as CCWs then there have ever been injuries due to accidental discharges. When your life is on the line, draw and shoot is faster and far more effective then draw, disengage, and shoot will ever be.

Its just my opinion, but I personally have more trust in the safety of a DAO style handgun then I ever would one with a thumb safety and a short trigger pull.   

About the only thing a thumb safety is good for (vs DAO) is stopping a gun from going off if a little kid happens to discover it and just pulls the trigger...... and we all know it should never have to come to that.

[DanPostit]

Well, let state again....these striker fired pistols are not DAO!  I like DAO, in fact I have a Taurus 24/7 ( original, not pro) and it is a true DAO.  I have had an XD, M&P, shot the new SR-9 and the trigger pull does not cock the striker, the striker is cocked by the slide on closing.  If you have to rack the slide to reset the trigger, then it is not DAO!

My point is most new shooters don't realize this.  A C&L 1911 is safer than a cocked striker by virtue of the thumb safety.  People see a cocked hammer on the 1911 and get scared, but the striker is cocked and you can't see it (XD has indicator).   

I have researched AD with Glocks, and I am still trying to get data on ADs with the old LE standby DA revolver ( which I also feel is safer than the striker pistols).

No system is perfect, I don't trust mechanical safeties.  I am just making people aware that the striker pistols are not true DAO if that is what they are expecting.

We carried 1911s with empty chamber before we switched to the M-92 Berettas in the Military.  If the 1911 was condition 1, we had a thumbstrap between hammar and FP.

[Sponsor]

[ericire12]

Well, let state again....these striker fired pistols are not DAO!

I understand that. The SR9 has a much shorter trigger pull then a true DAO revolver or other auto loading pistols like the Glock (Which has a very long trigger pull that lends itself to the same level of safety as a true DAO). However, A thumb safety is not the end-all be-all of gun safety and can very easily be accidentally disengaged leaving open the possibilities of an accidental discharge. (and those chances double with as many ambidextrous safeties as there are on pistols nowadays)

The example you gave referencing the Glock that had a draw string from a jacket lodged in the trigger guard is a poor reason to bash  a gun design like the Glock's. No gun is fool proof - thats why we have "Rule #1". Your example was one of operator error, and the user could have just as easily accidentally disengaged a thumb safety when he reholstered and he still would have gotten injured. I'm sorry, but I think you have made the classic mistake here of "Blaming the guns" and not the careless way in which it was used.

If the guy's clothing had gotten tangled in a piece of farm equipment and he lost his arm or leg due to the mishap we wouldn't just jump to the conclusion that the equipment was to blame would we? No, it would be his own carelessness and/or improper usage of the machinery. The same is true here. The gun did exactly what it was designed to do - go bang when ever the trigger is pulled. This example might be a good one for wanting better designed trigger guards, but it doesnt really make a strong case for thumb safeties.     


And for the record...... You never stated in the first place that "these striker fired pistols are not DAO!".

[DanPostit]

Well, let me say that many people who are not familiar with handguns, and who would shriek at a "cocked and locked" 1911 as being dangerous, and totally unaware that the plastic striker-fired pistols are actually cocked and "unlocked"!

I think you have good points.
I am often asked for advice by friends who are first time gun buyers, and when I suggest a good DA revolver, they look like I am a dinosaur!  They want the "wonder guns " they see on TV.  I have taught a number of people to shoot safely, and proficiently with a DA  .38 special revolver in about 3 hours.  For people who are going to take the time and interest to master an auto loader, I think a Glock is a great weapon.  I don't have one because I shoot lead re-loads, and Glock warns against this....although I do hear of people shooting lead bullets in a 21 .45 ACP with no problems.

We are getting away from the topic of the Ruger Recall, which stated that the SR-9 could fire if dropped with the thumb safety off (which is what got me started on this).

I will just conclude my point with a question:  Would you carry a 1911 with the hammer cocked and the thumb safety off?
If not, why not?

Enjoyed the exchange!

[ericire12]

I will just conclude my point with a question:  Would you carry a 1911 with the hammer cocked and the thumb safety off?
If not, why not?

Enjoyed the exchange!

I would not carry any gun with a short trigger pull (like a 1911) with its safety off.

However, I would have no problem carrying a DAO revolver, a Ruger LCP (DAO), a Kahr (DAO), a Kel Tec P-3AT (DAO) or any model Glock even though they all have no thumb or cross bolt safety. They are all incredibly safe handguns because of the very long and/or heavy trigger pulls associated with these weapon designs.

Glocks, in fact, have 3 safeties which are deactivated when the trigger is pulled - and automatically activated when it is released:

1. TRIGGER SAFETY
* prevents inadvertent firing by lateral forces on the trigger. Releasing the trigger will automatically reactivate the safety.

2. FIRING PIN SAFETY
* blocks the firing pin channel, rendering the igniting of a chambered cartridge by the firing pin impossible. The firing pin safety is only pushed upward to release the firing pin for firing when the trigger is pulled and the safety is pushed up through the backward movement of the trigger bar. Releasing the trigger will automatically reactivate the firing pin safety. (Not exactly "cocked and unlocked!") 

3. DROP SAFETY
* prevents unintentional firing of a shot through hard impact such as accidentally dropping it out of a helicopter (Search uTube).

[HAWKFISH]

Isn't this a Ruger post? ..lol.  oh well..  I hate to get on a tiriate.. but after reading over this post and exchange about Ruger.. then turning into carrying "cocked and locked", etc. and then to glock.. which is noted in the following:

If you want some more enlighting info ( pics included) check out this story of a Sheriff's Dept. who inavertently had his glock discaharge while in his holster!  this could have been prevented with a thumg safety!
Read this story: http://www.alphecca.com/mt_alphecca_archives/002052.html

I must say after reading that article... it doesn't matter whether it is a revolver, 1911, Glock, DAO, SA, whatever.. stupid is stupid. Once again Glock got a black eye (yeah everyone is probably going..ah here goes hawkfish again..so i'll be brief) because of someone being stupid. LEO, civilian, military, or whatever.. if you get something like a drawstring caught up in your trigger ..on a cocked and loaded gun and then holster the loaded and cocked gun..with something touching the trigger and then..walk off.. and later on when you go to remove your jacket with the drawstring of the jacket pulling tight on the trigger of the "cocked and loaded gun".. and it goes bang.. DON'T BLAME GLOCK! or any other gunmaker. That's just stupid. And then write an article about it.. titled "Warning on Glocks."  How about warning "I'm and idiot that shouldn't be carrying a gun period!

I hate to ruin a Ruger posting.. but I feel that should be pointed out for everyone here on this forum to read.. that's just basic gun common sense people.  Grrr..

[uhpretired]

I just hope that Ruger does not recall my new LCP.