Ruger P97DC Frame Crack!

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mastiffhound

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I was in the middle of cleaning my P97DC and noticed a crack in the frame just below the barrel on the slide release side of the pistol. This was the first pistol I ever purchased so I'm kind of attached. Is this something ruger will fix, is it under warranty( I can't find any warranty info on this), and is this a common problem? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
Ruger doesn't have an official warranty, but they have a de-facto promise to stand behind their guns for life.

Call them and they'll almost certainly make it right.
 
I've never had to call a firearms manufacturer before, guess I've been lucky. Well here goes nothing. Thanks for the quick reply mgmorden.
 
From what I have heard, Ruger does take care of any issues. One of the better companies, based on my readings of various posts/forums anyway. The recommendations for the new SR1911 that people keep posting always include the line of if something does happen Ruger will make it right, I'm sure they will do the same for you.
 
Since Ruger discontinued the 97's seven years ago, it will be interesting to hear what they say.
 
Be aware that if they have to replace the frame, there me be additional fee and processing to have the new gun transferred into your name.

I would think, if they no longer have any P97 frames, they will offer you a P345.

Good luck and I'm also looking forward to seeing Ruger's reaction
 
Be aware that if they have to replace the frame, there me be additional fee and processing to have the new gun transferred into your name.
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Maybe it's a state thing, but on a federal level a manufacturer is allowed to replace a firearm without it being considered a transfer. I've known several people that have had to get a whole gun replaced because the original was a dud. Never needed to actually do a transfer as it was considered a manufacturer's replacement.

That said, I THINK that only applies to a direct replacement. If they are out of the P97 frames and they offer to swap it for a P345 then that may indeed require some paperwork.
 
Hmmm,
REALLY want to hear the rest of this story!
And yes, I have a P97....... which I have had for almost 10 years now, and so far, it's doing fine...:cool:

Pud
 
Be aware that if they have to replace the frame, there me be additional fee and processing to have the new gun transferred into your name.

I would think, if they no longer have any P97 frames, they will offer you a P345.

Good luck and I'm also looking forward to seeing Ruger's reaction
Click to expand...

IIRC if it is a replacement it can be shipped directly to you. Colt sent me a replacement gun directly to my house in VA.
 
I too will be interested to hear what happens with this. I have a P97DC - never a problem with it except the one I created when I dropped the slide on the garage floor while cleaning - shearing off the rear sight blade. Ruger sent me a replacement sight free of charge. The online parts catalog had the rear sight listed for something like $30 at the time. With customer service like that, they have me as a customer for life.
 
They will make it right they always do. Please keep us updated though because if they are out of P97 frames I would also like to know what they offer you.
 
I took the ruger to the dealer today to be shipped. Ruger said I might get a new gun with a new serial number so I have to a background check if that happens. I was fine at first but then remembered all the recent problems I've heard about new pistols they have produced. I really like that ruger was sad to see it go. Hopefully they have a replacement frame. This has been nothing but a stupidly reliable pistol, it would fire a stick if it powder and primer behind it.

I have had some junk before but the P97 has been a gem. Also it is not the only ruger I own. That little pistol made me comfortable enough to get a 10/22, super blackhawk, and a sr-556. I feel all are quality made firearms, although not as expensive as others. I can also say they are made with better quality than some other manufacturers. I have grown very attached to all of them save the sr-556 because ar's make me nervous. I just like steel and wood, call me old fashioned. The sr-556 is growing on me though. The last thing is they are American made. That means by my buying those firearms some guy put food on the table, paid his house payment, got his kid braces, ect. That makes me feel good.
 
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I was fine at first but then remembered all the recent problems I've heard about new pistols they have produced.
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The successor to your gun is the P345, which while it has a grip that looks a lot like SR9/LCP (basically, their new guns), the actual design is firmly still based on the old P-series. No worries there. That said, there's nothing really wrong with their newer guns either. Yes, they had a few issues, but the ones they did have weren't major, wouldn't have affected reliability, and were the type of things that many manufacturers would have likely not bothered with the voluntary recall over.

Ruger makes good stuff and stands by it.
 
The successor to your gun is the P345, which while it has a grip that looks a lot like SR9/LCP (basically, their new guns), the actual design is firmly still based on the old P-series. No worries there. That said, there's nothing really wrong with their newer guns either. Yes, they had a few issues, but the ones they did have weren't major, wouldn't have affected reliability, and were the type of things that many manufacturers would have likely not bothered with the voluntary recall over.

Ruger makes good stuff and stands by it.
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There really is no worry in buying from Ruger due to how they treat customers. Same goes for Smith, Springfield, Kel-Tec, etc. About the worst you have to fear is waiting around for your gun to be fixed.

I've had one repair experience with Ruger. They never asked or cared whether I was the first owner or how old the gun was. They instantly apologized for the issues, promised they'd make it "the reliable gun you thought you'd purchased," and e-mailed me a shipping label maybe 10 minutes later. Never asked for serial number, receipt, none of that nonsense. Not sure what else one can ask for.

Had an experience with Kel-Tec too. Needed a new extractor. Dude on the phone didn't ask for ANY info other than my address, and shipped it right out to me. They literally shipped me parts without any proof whatsoever that I even owned the gun.

Companies like that, eh, not much to worry about.
 
I was fine at first but then remembered all the recent problems I've heard about new pistols they have produced.
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Two things: One, beware internet gossip about how awful something is. There are a lot of people that have it out for Bill Ruger because of something he said many, many years ago. They are entitled to hold a grudge, I guess, but unfortunately that grudge often extends over into needless and unfounded slamming.

The second thing is, there have been some recalls, but if Ruger needs to send you a new gun, you will not need to worry about those recalls at all. Those problems have been taken care of, and I feel certain they will send you a fully functioning gun if thats what it takes.
 
Threads like this make me wish I owned more Rugers (I have a P90 that I love). Glad to hear they treated you well. The firearms/sportsmen industry is one of the few ones left with some great customer service. Of course not all of the companies, but a fair number of them really care about the quality of their product. I appreciate that.

I'll be curious to know the final outcome.
 
I don't know Ruger policies, but on some occasions, S&W has replaced a frame with a new one and simply marked the new one with the old serial number. Of course that assumes the gun was in current production or there were unnumbered replacement frames available.

Jim
 
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