INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR BLUED & STAINLESS STEEL CALIBER .45ACP RUGER P97DC ® DECOCKER MODEL PISTOLS* *DO NOT USE THIS MANUAL FOR PISTOLS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL SAFETIES OR “DOUBLE ACTION ONLY” PISTOLS ! READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS IN THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THIS FIREARM For Product Service on This Model Please Call: (928) 778-6555 (See p. 21) STURM, RUGER & Company, Inc. Southport, Connecticut 06490 U.S.A.
WHY ARE WE INCLUDING A FIRED CARTRIDGE CASE WITH EVERY RUGER PISTOL AND REVOLVER? Certain states and jurisdictions now require that all newly manufactured pistols and revolvers must be accompanied by a cartridge case, which has been test fired from that gun at the factory. The case must be placed in a sealed container bearing certain information concerning this test cartridge.
FIREARMS SAFETY - YOUR RESPONSIBILITY SAFETY MUST BE THE FIRST AND CONSTANT CONSIDERATION OF EVERY PERSON WHO HANDLES FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION. This Instruction Manual is designed to assist you in learning how to use and care for your RUGER® P97 Decocker Model Pistols properly. Please contact us if you have any questions. Only when you are certain you fully understand the Manual and can properly carry out its instructions should you practice loading, unloading, etc., with live ammunition.
! WARNINGS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE ARE FOUND ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES: Locking Devices Alterations Decocking Lever Lead Exposure Ammunition Firing Handling 2 4 7 8 8 10 11 Unloading Slide Retraction Malfunctions Disassembly Lubrication Storage Parts Purchasers 12 13 15 16 19 20 22 OTHER CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS APPEAR THROUGHOUT THE MANUAL. FIREARMS ARE DANGEROUS WEAPONS READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS IN THIS MANUAL THOROUGHLY AND CAREFULLY BEFORE USING.
NOMENCLATURE Sights have high-visibility white dots both front and rear. Rear sights can be adjusted for windage. Slide’s open top design minimizes possibility of jamming, enables shooter to clear any malfunction easily by hand. Cartridges can be loaded singly if desired. Grooved, exposed hammer spur enables the shooter to cock the hammer easily for single-action firing if desired. To decock the pistol, depress the decocking lever until the hammer drops.
Slide Stop: When the last shot has been fired and the magazine is empty, the slide stop automatically holds the slide open. When there is an empty magazine in the pistol and the slide is retracted manually, the slide stop will also automatically hold the slide open. If a loaded magazine is inserted in the pistol when the slide is closed and the slide is then retracted fully, the slide stop will not automatically hold open the slide.
Additionally, the pistol has a separate internal firing pin block that will not allow the firing pin to move forward until the operator pulls the trigger. Never carry or holster the pistol with the hammer cocked, as a relatively light pull of the trigger will fire the pistol. When not actually shooting, always immediately decock (uncock) the pistol by use of the decocking lever.
! WARNING - LEAD EXPOSURE Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas, cleaning firearms, or handling ammunition may result in exposure to lead and other substances known to the state of California to cause birth defects, reproductive harm, and other serious physical injury. Have adequate ventilation at all times. Wash hands thoroughly after exposure. SHOOTING OR CLEANING GUNS MAY EXPOSE YOU TO LEAD AMMUNITION The RUGER® P97DC pistols are chambered for the .45ACP cartridge.
AMMUNITION (CARTRIDGES) NOTICE WE SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE OR INJURY WHATSOEVER OCCURRING IN CONNECTION WITH, OR AS A RESULT OF, THE USE IN RUGER FIREARMS OF FAULTY, OR NON-STANDARD, OR “RE-MANUFACTURED”, OR HAND-LOADED (RELOADED) AMMUNITION, OR OF CARTRIDGES OTHER THAN THOSE FOR WHICH THE FIREARM WAS ORIGINALLY CHAMBERED.
8. For greater accuracy and consistent trigger pull, the hammer may be manually cocked by the shooter before the first shot is fired. Keep your finger off the trigger while cocking the hammer! The hammer will be automatically cocked as described above for subsequent shots. ! WARNING - FIRING The slide automatically opens and shuts quickly while firing. Keep face and hands away from rear. Hot brass is ejected quickly and can burn you. Always wear shooting glasses and hearing protection.
! WARNING - HANDLING Do not load the pistol until you are ready to use it, and unload it immediately when you have completed shooting. (See “Unloading Warning” on page 12) If dropped or struck, the pistol may fire. Keep chamber empty unless actually firing! Use decock lever to decock pistol before moving with pistol or when not actually firing.
! WARNING - UNLOADING So that the pistol can be used as a single loader, it will fire whether or not a magazine is in the gun if a cartridge is chambered. Removing magazine does not unload pistol! To unload, first remove magazine, then pull slide to rear, eject chambered cartridge, and visually inspect chamber to be sure it is empty. Always point the pistol in a safe direction when loading or unloading. GUN WILL FIRE WITH MAGAZINE OUT TO UNLOAD WARNING: This sequence must be followed exactly as outlined.
! WARNING - SLIDE RETRACTION The slide should always be pulled rearward (“retracted”) by pulling the rear portion of the slide in the vicinity of the safety, the decock-only lever, or the serrations (depending upon model). Always keep fingers away from trigger! Never put any part of your hands or body over the muzzle while retracting the slide for loading, unloading, inspection, or clearing a malfunction.
TO RELOAD THE PISTOL 1. Firing all cartridges in the magazine and the chamber will cause the slide to automatically lock open. Keep the pistol pointed in a safe direction. Reloading can be accomplished by pressing inward from the left side of the magazine latch with the thumb or forefinger. The magazine will fall free of the pistol of its own weight. To avoid the possibility of damage to the magazine, do not let it fall to the ground unless rapid reloading is absolutely necessary. 2.
! WARNING - MALFUNCTIONS Any autoloading pistol may occasionally malfunction. If a cartridge hangs up, jams, or binds when being chambered, do not attempt to force it into the chamber by pushing or striking the slide. Carefully remove it. Most failures of a cartridge to feed or to chamber properly are caused by a damaged magazine, incorrect gun handling, insufficient lubrication, or improper ammunition.
a. Thoroughly clean the pistol, paying particular attention to the removal of accumulated grease and dirt. Use a bristle brush and solvent to remove grease and fouling from the breech-face, extractor, chamber, and feed ramp area immediately behind the chamber. b. Check to be sure that the magazine spring firmly returns the magazine follower to the top of the magazine. c. Check the magazine lips to be certain that they are free of nicks and burrs and that they are not deformed or cracked. d.
4. Remove fingers from ejection port. Grasp slide tightly. Now press down on slide stop and allow slide to move slowly forward until the vertical disassembly line on the frame is aligned with the vertical disassembly line on the slide (See Figure 4, below). Press in on right-hand end of slide stop and pull slide stop out of frame to the left until it is withdrawn completely out of the frame. (See Figure 5, below). 5. Push slide forward and remove entire slide assembly to the front. 6.
TO REASSEMBLE 1. BE CERTAIN CHAMBER AND MAGAZINE ARE EMPTY. 2. With slide held upside down, replace barrel and push it rearward into its locked position. 3. Replace camblock and recoil spring into position. Rear end of camblock seats against barrel lug. 4. Be certain that ejector is locked in its lower (forward) position and that hammer is in its fired (uncocked) position. 5. Replace slide onto frame. Partially insert slide stop into frame. 6.
CARE AND CLEANING Be Sure Gun Is Unloaded! BEFORE CLEANING, BE CERTAIN THE PISTOL AND ITS MAGAZINE CONTAIN NO CARTRIDGES. (See “Unloading Warning”, p.12) At regular intervals, or whenever the pistol has been exposed to sand, dust, extreme humidity, condensation, immersion in water, or other adverse conditions, disassemble, clean, and oil it. Proper periodic maintenance is essential to the reliable functioning of any firearm. To clean the pistol, proceed as follows: 1.
STORAGE GUNS SHOULD NOT BE STORED LOADED! USE THE LOCKING DEVICE SUPPLIED WITH THE PISTOL FOR STORAGE. (SEE PAGE 2) Do not keep the pistol stored in a leather holster or case. Leather attracts moisture, even though the holster or case may appear to be perfectly dry.
SIGHT ADJUSTMENT The RUGER® P97DC pistols are equipped with a rear sight which is adjustable for windage only. After the rear-sight lock screw has been loosened (for those pistols equipped with a rear sight lock screw), the rear sight can be drifted laterally in its dovetail on the top of the slide by tapping it with a wooden- or plastic-headed hammer or similar implement. Move the rear sight in the direction you want the shot to move on the target.
Enclose a letter which includes your name, address, telephone number, and serial number and model of the firearm. Describe in detail the trouble you have experienced with your firearm, or the work you wish to have done. Merely stating that the firearm “needs repair” is inadequate information. Please enclose copies of any previous correspondence. Work performed will bear a net minimum labor charge of $20.00 plus a $20.00 shipping and handling charge.
* * * * * * Part Name Barrel Blocker Lever Cable Lock, 14”, For Ruger Pistols Only Camblock/Recoil Spring Assembly Case, Cable Lock Included, Not Illustrated Decocker Lever Assembly, Left Decocker Lever Assembly, Left Decocker Lever, Right Decocker Lever, Right Decocker Lever Spring Decocker Lever Spring Pin, Not Illustrated Decocker Lever Spring Retainer Decocker Lever Spring Retainer Ejector Ejector Pivot Assembly Ejector Spring Extractor Extractor Firing Pin Firing Pin Block Firing Pin Block Plung
Part No.
* * * * PARTS SO MARKED MUST BE FACTORY FITTED Part Name Sear Pivot Pin, 2 Req’d. Sear Spring Slide Slide Slide Stop Assembly Slide Stop Assembly Trigger Trigger Bar Trigger Bar Spring Part No.
RUGER® P97DC EXPLODED VIEW 26
THE BASIC RULES OF SAFE FIREARMS HANDLING We believe that Americans have a right to purchase and use firearms for lawful purposes. The private ownership of firearms in America is traditional, but that ownership imposes the responsibility on the gun owner to use his firearms in a way which will ensure his own safety and that of others. When firearms are used in a safe and responsible manner, they are a great source of pleasure and satisfaction, and represent a fundamental part of our personal liberty.
A safe direction must take into account the fact that a bullet may penetrate a wall, ceiling, floor, window, etc., and strike a person or damage property. Make it a habit to know exactly where the muzzle of your gun is pointing whenever you handle it, and be sure that you are always in control of the direction in which the muzzle is pointing, even if you fall or stumble. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot. 3. FIREARMS SHOULD BE UNLOADED WHEN NOT IN USE.
5. BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET BEFORE YOU SHOOT. Don’t shoot unless you know exactly where your bullet is going to strike. Be sure of the bullet stop behind your target, even when dry-firing with an unloaded gun. If you are in the field hunting, do not fire at a movement or noise. Take the time to be absolutely certain of your target before you pull the trigger. 6. WEAR SHOOTING GLASSES AND HEARING PROTECTORS WHEN YOU SHOOT.
, 8. DON T SHOOT AT A HARD SURFACE, OR AT WATER. Bullets can glance off many surfaces like rocks or the surface of water and travel in unpredictable directions with considerable velocity. 9. NEVER TRANSPORT A LOADED FIREARM. Firearms should always be unloaded before being moved or placed in a vehicle. A suitable carrying case or scabbard should be used to carry an unloaded firearm to and from the shooting area. 10. AVOID ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES WHEN SHOOTING. Don’t drink until the day’s shooting is over.
A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF AN EXTRAORDINARY ACHIEVEMENT: RUGER FIREARMS One of the few American firearms manufacturers who’s management has remained unchanged since starting in business, Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. had its beginning in a small machine shop occupying a rented frame building in Southport, Connecticut. In January 1949, with an initial investment of only $50,000 and an idea, William B. Ruger and Alexander M. Sturm started production of a .
WHY NO WARRANTY CARD HAS BEEN PACKED WITH THIS NEW RUGER FIREARM The Magnuson-Moss Act (Public Law 93-637) does not require any seller or manufacturer of a consumer product to give a written warranty. It does provide that if a written warranty is given, it must be designated as “limited” or as “full” and sets minimum standards for a “full” warranty. Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.
