Colt recalls some pistols

For owners of Colt pistols:

Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC has determined that the Slide Lock Safety and the Recoil Spring Guide Pad in certain Colt model pistols were not manufactured to Colt specifications and must be replaced. All of these Colt models were sold after March 2007 and the range of serial numbers affected by this product recall is as follows:

1911 WWI Replica (O1911) From: 4597WMK To: 5414WMK

1918 WWI Replica (O1918) From: 1001WWI To: 3431WWI

New Agent (O7810D) From: GT01001 To: GT04505

Combat Elite (O8011XSE) From: CG10000E To: CG11293E

Defender (O7000D) From: DR33036 To: DR35948

Talo Night Defender (O7000NDF) From: NDF0001 To: NDF0400

Read the full recall notice here.

Smith & Wesson recalls Walther PPK, PPK/S pistols

For those who may have Walther PPK or PPK/S pistols:

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE - February 20, 2009

PRODUCT:

Walther PPK and PPK/S pistols

DESCRIPTION OF THE HAZARD:

Smith & Wesson has identified a condition that may exist in certain PPK and PPK/S pistols which may permit a round to be discharged without the trigger being pulled. When the manual safety is disengaged, Smith & Wesson’s Product Engineering Group has determined that the possibility exists in certain firearms that lowering the hammer may cause a chambered round to fire.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRODUCT INVOLVED:

This recall applies to all Walther PPK and PPK/S pistols manufactured by Smith & Wesson from March 21, 2002, until February 3, 2009. The Serial Numbers of the pistol subject to this recall are as follows:

0010BAB - 9999BAB
0000BAC - 9999BAC
0000BAD - 9999BAD
0000BAE - 9999BAE
0000BAF - 9999BAF
0000BAH - 9999BAH
0000BAJ - 9999BAJ
0000BAK - 9999BAK
0000BAL - 5313BAL
0000BAM - 1320BAM
0000LTD - 0499LTD
0001PPK - 1500PPK
0026REP - 0219REP
0001WLE - 0459WLE

REMEDY/ACTION TO BE TAKEN:

STOP USING YOUR PISTOL AND RETURN IT TO SMITH & WESSON AT ONCE.
Any unintended discharge of a firearm has the potential for causing injury, and we ask that you stop using your pistol immediately.

To facilitate the repair of your pistol, please contact Smith & Wesson's customer service department to receive instructions for the return of your pistol to Smith & Wesson.

When you return your pistol to Smith & Wesson, we will replace the existing hammer block feature with a new part at no cost to you. Your firearm will be returned as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Article here. Contact and other info available at the link.

Ruger LCP Recall Info

For those that have Ruger LCP pistols:

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.

More info at the Ruger website here: http://www.ruger-firearms.com/LCPRecall/index.html

As an aside, it seems silly for Ruger to advocate that you carry the pistol with an empty chamber. This is a dangerous practice if the gun is carried for self-defense, where the gun must be instantly available to fire upon drawing.