The Post-Recall Ruger Mark IV

Everyone who owns the excellent Ruger Mark IV 22 pistol should be aware of the safety recall – and should be in line to get their guns updated. A Ruger Mark IV Target has just made the trip back from the recall, making it a good time to take it to the range and see what's changed.

There are certain guns in the line that were found to fire if the safety lever was moved only part-way between "fire and safe" and the trigger pressed then released. Failing to get potential problem corrected and transferring the firearm – a trade, outright sale or if your family disposes of it after they dispose of you – raises the possibility of a senseless tragedy. If your gun is eligible and you haven't moved to get it corrected, go to the recall website and take the short time to "get in line" for repairs.

Ruger won't send you the return packaging until they're sure they can get your property in, get the parts replaced and ship it back.

There are only two parts being replaced and all you have to return is the lower – sans any after-market add-ons and goodies. Ruger returns the lower receiver and adds a new Mark IV magazine.

I got in line before the Independence Day holiday and shortly got an email notice to expect packaging. It arrived and it was short work to package the lower for shipment. As the lower isn't the part with the serial number, it's not a 'firearm' under the law. This means it goes – and returns – via US Mail.

A box arrived at our PO Box containing the lower receiver and a new magazine. There was a nice note from Ruger, in thanks that the frame had been returned for the safety update. The receiver, packed in bubble-wrap, had a new magazine partly inserted. The letter "S" on the left side of the receiver, visible when the safety is "on," was in a white dot. That's the marking you look for to determine your pre-June Mark IV is updated.

I collected the upper and some ammo, taking the whole mess to the range early in the morning. It was already 75°F and the relative humidity was 85%. The shooting glasses fogged, everything left out was damp to the touch and it had the makings of being an uncomfortable day.

I sought to determine two things from the trip: the difference in trigger or safety manipulation on the gun and reliability. I used Federal Premium Hunter Match, CCI Standard Velocity and Remington Thunderbolt ammo. While I wasn't checking zero, grouping is a fair measure of trigger manipulation, so I used the handy, light "Nest Rest" Shooting Rest from Birchwood Casey.

I could detect no difference in trigger press or effort required to move the safety lever on or off. The gun shot about like it did before – but I need to move the rear sight leaf a bit left, it appears. I know. I wasn't trying to check the zero on the gun.

The reliability was as before and I used the new magazine exclusively. The others were a known quantity. The only reliability issues were failures to fire with Remington Thunderbolt: there were four failures. Three ignited on the second try. There were no ignition issues with Federal Hunter Match or CCI Standard Velocity.

It took a few weeks to get the lower receiver back. I got a new magazine and a gun that's safety certified by the manufacturer. I think that's a fair trade.

If you have a pre-June Mark IV and haven't gotten it turned in for repairs, do so. You won't be sorry.

Republished from The Outdoor Wire.