Loaded-chamber Indicators on Rimfire Pistols

[Lone Star]

Ruger has reportedly recalled their Mk. III .22 until it can be determined whether that silly long loaded-chamber indicator along the left side is safe.
Some feel it may cause accidental discharges. It rests internally on the case rim.

Does anyone here recall whether Walther uses a loaded-chamber pin on their PP/PPK pistols? I seem to recollect that only centerfire versions have that little pin above the hammer, at the rear of the gun. I think the .22 version was thought to be too likely to fire accidentally if they included the pin.

Anyone know for sure?

Lone Star

 

[mete]

Having anything contact the rim of a 22 is dumb design. The Walther had a loaded round indicator for the center fire cartridges only , NOT the rimfire.

 

[Jim K]

The Walther .22 PP/PPK pistols do not have a loaded chamber indicator. I don't think it was due to concerns about accidental firing, but rather because the loaded chamber indicator on the top would have interfered with the firing pin and the fitting of parts and machining would have been more difficult. Also, I am sure they didn't feel the need, since the .22's were seen as target pistols, not as carry guns.

I believe a minor modification to the Ruger would take care of the problem, assuming there really is one. (One thought is to sink the indicator below the level of the receiver, and cut a "thumbnail" so it is visible.)

Jim

 

[LWS32]

P22 just has a slot so you can see into the chamber.

 

[Onmilo]

Having handled a couple of Mark 3 Rugers I cannot see how an accidental discharge could occur because of the loaded chamber indicator.
The extractor is on the front of the bolt at the breechface and it impinges on a the loaded chamber indicator by use of fulcrum theory.
When the extractor grips the chambered cartridge it is forced back against the chamber indicator which then slightly protrudes from the right side center of the bolt.
Even if someone took a hammer and a punch and smacked the loaded chamber indicator I doubt it would fire the loaded cartridge.
Now it may be possible to fire the chambered cartridge if the pistol was dropped muzzle down onto a hard surface under controlled conditions and if Ruger is indeed recalling the pistols, of which I personally have heard nothing about besides the web dribble, then it may be to make the pistols capable of meeting the goofy drop standards of states such as Massachusetts and California.
For all practical purposes the pistols is plenty safe for the rest of the states of which the citizens aren't so fumble fingered.

 

[searoom]

From Ruger Forum

It's a very dumb design to have a rimfire rim activate an indicator that projects outward from the barrel.

See this site for details ......As for banging the indicator , that's just what happened.

http://www.rugerforum.com/ubb/Forum32/HTML/001998.html

 

[searoom]

Ruger, left is right ,is right left

Onmilo wrote, "the chamber indicator which then slightly protrudes from the right side center of the bolt."


On the MkIII's that I have handeled the indicator is on the left of the reciever and colored red so that it is quite visible to the shooter when loaded.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Loaded chamber indicators are a stupid idea: they're a needless complication that encourages people to trust safety devices instead of checking pistols the way adults always have. Small wonder they've been mandated by the People's Republic of California.