SR-22 safety button operation

Markie · Nov 26, 2011

Hi, Ive' just stripped down my Ruger SR-22 for the first time for cleaning it and then reassembled it. When I check the safety if the bolt action is in the forward or rear position the safety button will move fully from off to on and back . However with no round in the chamber and no magazine fitted with the safety off and the bolt action forward once I pull the trigger then the safety will only go to the mid position. Any suggestions why this is so please

BlkHawk73 · Nov 26, 2011

Well, no need to remove the safety assembly even during a full cleaning but... Ahhhmmm, try rotating the safety, sometimes it is turned during reassembly and doesn't allow proper operation.

Markie · Nov 27, 2011

Hi, thanks for the reply, I only stripped the rifle as per the manual didn't touch the safety assembly. It's only when the working parts are in the forward position and the trigger pulled once that this occurs. If I pull back the working parts and lock in the rear position it works again fine. Is it because the rifle hasnt actually fired a round that this is only an issue when there is nothing in the chamber ? Tried turning the safety button but no effect.

wwb · Nov 27, 2011

Too lazy to get a 10/22 out of the safe to check, but I'm pretty sure bolt position is irrelevant. I believe if the hammer has fallen, the safety will not engage... but if the hammer is in the cocked position, the safety will engage.

BlkHawk73 · Nov 27, 2011

wwb is correct!

Unless the hammer is rearward (cocked) the safety will not fully engage. It will move 1/2 way. It would need to be coked to fully engage.

Just grabbed a couple assemblies and checked.

Markie · Nov 28, 2011

Thanks wwb & BlkHawk73 - that seemed like the answer but just wanted to be sure as it was the first time I'd stripped the rifle - many thanks to both of you for taking the trouble to reply.

dacaur · Dec 4, 2011

many guns are like that, including rugers .22 pistols, 1911 pistols, my kel-tec sub 2000, among many others.... I have handled more guns that you cannot engage the safety unless its cocked that those that can....