Ruger P97 Double Action Only Instructions Manual

							RUGER®
P97DAO
“DOUBLE ACTION ONLY” MODEL PISTOLS*
INSTRUCTION
MANUAL 
FOR
STAINLESS
STEELCALIBER
.45ACP
*DO NOT USE THIS MANUAL FOR PISTOLS EQUIPPED WITH
MANUAL SAFETIES OR “DECOCKER MODEL” PISTOLS
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND
WARNINGS IN THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY
BEFORE USING THIS FIREARM
!
For Product Service on This Model Please Call:
(520) 778-6555 (See p. 19)
STURM, RUGER & Company, Inc.
Southport, Connecticut 06490 U.S.A.
THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL SHOULD ALWAYS ACCOMPANY THIS FIREARM AND BE
TRANSFERRED WITH IT UPON CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP, OR WHEN THE FIREARM IS LOANED
OR PRESENTED TO ANOTHER PERSON
V & KV (P97DAO)
7/99  
						

							This Instruction Manual is designed to assist you in learning how to use and
care for your RUGER®P97“Double Action Only” 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. If you have any doubts about your ability to handle or use a partic-
ular type of gun safely, you should seek supervised instruction. Such personal-
ized instruction is often available from gun dealers, gun clubs or police depart-
ments. If none of these sources can help you, write to the National Rifle
Association, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-7400. They will assist
you.
The person possessing a gun has a full-time job. You cannot guess; you cannot
forget. You must know how to use your firearm safely. Do not use any firearm
without having a complete understanding of its particular characteristics and
safe use. Remember: There is no such thing as a foolproof gun.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
General Information and Mechanical Characteristics  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Ammunition  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Operation of “Double Action Only” Pistols  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
To Load and Fire (with magazine)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
To Load and Fire (without magazine)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
To Unload  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
To Reload The Pistol  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
To Extract and Eject a Chambered Cartridge  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
To Clear a Malfunction (“Jam”)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
To Minimize Malfunctions (“Jams”)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
To Disassemble  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
To Reassemble  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Magazine Inspection and Care  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Care and Cleaning  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Sight Adjustment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Service and Parts Policy  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Parts Drawings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
The Basic Rules of Safe Firearms Handling  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
“Ruger” is a registered U.S. trademark.
FIREARMS SAFETY - YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
SAFETY MUST BE THE FIRST AND CONSTANT
CONSIDERATION OF EVERY PERSON WHO 
HANDLES FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION. 
3 
						

							WARNINGS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE ARE
FOUND ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES:
OTHER CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS APPEAR
THROUGHOUT THE MANUAL.
Alterations 4 Unloading 11
Lockable Storage Boxes 6 Slide Retraction 12
Ammunition 7 Malfunctions 14
Lead Exposure 7 Disassembly 15
“Double Action Only” 8 Lubrication 18
Firing 9 Storage 19
Handling 10 Parts Purchasers 21
FIREARMS ARE DANGEROUS WEAPONS -
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS
IN THIS MANUAL THOROUGHLY AND
CAREFULLY BEFORE USING.
GENERAL INFORMATION
AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The RUGER®P97DAOpistols are centerfire, “double action only”, maga-
zine-fed, autoloading, recoil-operated pistols chambered for the caliber .45ACP
cartridge.  They incorporate a different “linkless” design in the barrel
locking/unlocking system than earlier Ruger P-Series pistols, and feature a
streamlined slide and Isoplast
®polymer grip frame construction. They comply
with the requirements of the National Institute of Justice Standard-0112.00.
They include the following features with which users should be thoroughly
familiar:
4
!
WARNING - ALTERATIONS
DO NOT ALTER ANY GUN
This product was designed to function
properly in its original condition. Alter-
tions can make it unsafe. Do not alter any
part or add or substitute parts or acces-
ories not made by Sturm, Ruger & Co.
Inc.
! 
						

							NOMENCLATURE
Action:The action of the Ruger P97 “double action only” model pistols is of the
type that utilizes a tilting barrel design in which the barrel and slide are locked
together at the moment of firing. After firing, the barrel and slide recoil to the
rear a short distance while still locked together. After this initial movement, the
barrel is cammed downward from its locked position, permitting full recoil of
the slide and the extraction and ejection of the spent cartridge case. Upon return
of the slide to its forward position by the recoil spring, the barrel is cammed
back upward into its locked position in the slide.
The user of this or any autoloading pistol must always remember that when
fired, it automatically reloads and recocks itself, so that simply pulling the
trigger will fire the pistol again. Therefore, an autoloading pistol user must be
particularly conscious to always keep the pistol pointed in a safe direction.
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 maga-
zine 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. The user can actuate the slide stop 
mechanism to hold the slide open at any time by retracting the slide and 
pushing the slide stop up.
Sightshave high-visibility
white dots both front and rear.
Rear sights can be adjusted for
windage.
The magazine latchpermits positive retention
and quick removal of magazine.Slide stopholds the slide
open and is activated
automatically when last shot
is fired (if magazine is in
pistol), or can be manually
operated. Slide’sopen top design minimizes possibility
of jamming, enables shooter to clear any
malfunction easily by hand. Cartridges can
be loaded singly if desired.Spurless hammer. Does not
have a “full cock” position
and cannot be manually
cocked.
Serrationsallow easy retrac-
tion of the slide for loading
and unloading
5
Frameis a rigid one piece polyurethane
grip frame reinforced with long glass fiber.
“Double-action” only mechanism and strongly curved
triggerprovide that cocking and firing can be accom-
plished with a single pull of the trigger.
Oversize trigger guardpermits shooting with gloved hand.
Recurved trigger guard bow accommodates non-shooting
hand in two-hand hold. 
						

							6
The slide stop can be released by drawing back slightly on the slide and
depressing the slide stop thumbpiece. When the slide is released, it will move
forward under pressure from the recoil spring.
The slide stop is held in place by a spring detent. Therefore, when there is a 
loaded magazine in place and the pistol is jarred, the slide can fly forward and 
chamber a cartridge. For this reason and as an essential safety practice, the
user should always be careful to keep fingers away from the trigger and always
keep the pistol pointed in a safe direction.
Magazines:
Ruger .45ACP magazines are notinterchangeable with Ruger pistol
magazines of anyother caliber. Use of incorrect magazines in any pistol will
result in malfunctions. The RUGER®P97DAOcomes equipped with 8-
round capacity magazines. The 8-round magazine is identified by its’ stainless
steel follower, which is visible at the top of the magazine when it is empty. The
RUGER
®P97DAOwill also function correctly with Ruger 7-round .45 ACP
magazines. These 7-round magazines use a black plastic follower, also visible at
the top of the magazine when it is empty. Ruger .45ACP magazines are
unmarked as to caliber. All other Ruger centerfire magazines, which are similar
in appearance, are marked as to caliber (“.40 Cal.,” etc.)
DAMAGED, NON-STANDARD, OR IMPROPERLY
ASSEMBLED MAGAZINES SHOULD NOT BE USED.
THEY CAN CAUSE THE PISTOL TO MALFUNCTION.
!WARNING – LOCKABLE STORAGE BOXES
RUGER
DON’T LEAVE KEYS
IN THE LOCK
All Ruger pistols and revolvers are origi-
nally sold in a lockable box, with a key-
operated padlock. While it can help pro-
vide secure storage for your unloaded
firearm, any locking device can fail. The
ultimate responsibility for secure storage
must depend upon its owner and his or
her individual circumstances. Always
store firearms securely, unloaded, in a
secure location, separate from their
ammunition.
Never leave the keys in the lock. See
“Storage Warning”, p. 19.
A LWAY S
STORE FIREARMS SECURELY 
						

							WARNING - AMMUNITION
WARNING - LEAD EXPOSURE
7
AMMUNITION
The RUGER®P97DAO pistols are chambered for the .45ACP cartridge. Do
not attempt to load any other cartridges into the magazine or chamber of the
pistol.
The Ruger P-Series pistols are compatible with all factory ammunition loaded 
to U.S. Industry Standards, including high-velocity and hollow-point loads,
loaded in brass, aluminum, or steel cartridge cases. No .45ACP ammunition
manufactured in accordance with NATO, U.S., SAAMI, or CIP standards is known
to be beyond the design limits or known not to function in these pistols.
USE ONLY FACTORY AMMUNITION LOADED
TO U.S. INDUSTRY STANDARDS
Death, serious injury, and damage can 
result from the use of the wrong ammunition,
bore obstructions, powder overloads, or incor-
rect cartridge components. Even the strongest
gun can be “blown up” as a result of excess
pressure. Always wear shooting glasses and
hearing protection.
IMPROPER AMMUNITION
DESTROYS GUNS
!
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-STAN-
DARD, OR “RE-MANUFACTURED”, OR HAND-LOADED (RELOADED)
AMMUNITION, OR OF CARTRIDGES OTHER THAN THOSE FOR WHICH
THE FIREARM WAS ORIGINALLY CHAMBERED.
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, reproduc-
tive 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
!  
						

							8
OPERATION OF
“DOUBLE ACTION ONLY” PISTOLS
The model you have selected is equipped with a special trigger mechanism that
permits only “double-action” firing. The hammer does not remain cocked
between shots. The pistol can only be fired by a relatively long (“double-action”)
pull of the trigger which draws the hammer rearward and then releases it to fire
every shot.
It is important to note that even though the hammer will move to a forward
position as the slide returns forward after each shot, the mechanism of the gun
will not permit another shot to be fired unless the trigger is first released and
then pulled again.
The pistol has an internal firing pin block that will not allow the firing pin to
move forward to fire until the operator completely pulls the trigger. 
CAUTION: When firing the double-action-only pistol,be sure that the 
trigger is released completely to its fully forward position before
attempting to pull the trigger for a subsequent shot. If the trigger finger is
allowed to interfere with the full recovery of the trigger (preventing it from
moving through about the last one-eighth inch of its forward movement),
pulling the trigger will not fire the pistol. The trigger must be fully
released
after each shot is fired. This characteristic is also found on all modern double-
action revolvers.
!
Do not attempt to manually cock or“decock” the hammer! Since there is no
full-cock notch, the hammer will fall for-
ward when released,and if finger pressure
is applied to the trigger, the pistol can
fire. The automatic safeties that prevent
firing if the hammer falls are deactivated
if the trigger is pulled.Do not touch the
trigger unless you intend to shoot the
pistol!
PISTOL CANNOT BE
THUMB-COCKED
!WARNING - DOUBLE ACTION ONLY 
						

							TO LOAD AND FIRE (WITH MAGAZINE)
Practice this important aspect of safe gun handling with an unloaded pistol
until you can perform each of the steps described below with skill and
confidence. But before you do anything with the pistol, first read completely
through this manual.
1.  Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. (See “The Basic Rules
of Safe Firearms Handling,” page 25.)
2.  Press the magazine latch inward from the left side, and remove the magazine
from the frame.  NOTE:The magazine is designed to fall free of the frame of its
own weight when unloaded and the pistol is held in the normal firing position,
but you should always prevent possible damage to the magazine by not letting it
drop to the ground unless rapid reloading is absolutely necessary.
3.  Place eight (8) or fewer .45ACP cartridges into an 8 round magazine, or seven
(7) or fewer .45ACP cartridges into a 7 round magazine (see p. 6 for magazine
identification).
4.  Insert the magazine into the frame, taking care that the magazine is locked
in place by the magazine latch. Slamming the magazine into the frame forcibly
is not necessary.
5.  Hold the pistol firmly in the shooting hand but do not touch the trigger.
Keep the pistol pointed in a safe direction.With the thumb and forefinger of the
other hand grasp the rear of the slide and pull the slide to the rear as far as it
will go (See “Slide Retraction Warning” p. 12). When released, the slide will fly
forward to strip the top cartridge from the magazine and chamber it. The “dou-
ble action only” mechanism drops the hammer automatically as the slide moves
forward while simultaneously blocking the firing pin. There is no “full-cock”
position for the hammer, and the pistol cannot be fired in the “single action”
mode.
6.Remember that once you load the chamber, a pull on the trigger will cause
the pistol to fire. Be careful!
7.  The pistol is now ready to fire by a long “double-action” trigger pull for each
shot. Every time the trigger is pulled, the hammer will move backward. If the
trigger is completely pulled, the hammer will then fall forward and fire a car-
tridge in the chamber.
9
SLIDE OPENS FAST -
HOT BRASS EJECTED
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 - FIRING 
						

							8. Subsequent shots are all fired “double-action” until the magazine is empty,
the chamber being reloaded as the slide recoils from each shot.
9. In the event of a misfire, keep the pistol pointed in a safe direction,manually
retract the slide and eject the misfired cartridge. Then let the slide fly forward to
chamber another cartridge from the magazine. The pistol can then be fired by a
normal “double-action” trigger pull.
10.Immediately following the firing of a shot, and if a subsequent shot is not to
be fired at once, remove your finger from the trigger while the pistol is still
pointing in a safe direction downrange.
11. When the last cartridge loaded into the pistol has been fired, the magazine
follower presses the slide stop upward to engage the slide automatically holding
the action open.If the slide is shut, the shooter should always assume that 
there is a cartridge in the chamber!
Don’t rely on your memory to know if a gun or magazine is loaded. Visually
inspect the magazine and chamber.
12. During firing, you may notice that between shots the hammer comes to rest
slightly to the rear of its full forward position. This is normal and assists in the
accurate firing of subsequent shots in the “double-action-only” mode. Do not try
to further “decock” a loaded pistol! (See “Double Action Only” Warning, p. 8).
10
Do not load the pistol until you are ready to use it, and
unload it immediately when you have completed shoot-
ing.
(See “Unloading Warning” on page 11)
If dropped or struck, the pistol may fire. Keep chamber
empty unless actually firing! Always keep your finger
away from the trigger when moving with the pistol or
when not actually firing.
For maximum safety when carrying the pistol with a 
loaded magazine in place, the chamber should be empty,
the slide should be closed
. If placed into a holster,
check it to be sure that the slide is not retracted far
enough to either chamber a cartridge from the maga-
zine or cock the pistol.
The user should never depend on any mechanical device
to justify careless handling or permitting the pistol to
point in an unsafe direction. The shooter should always
be alert to the possibility of accidental discharge. The
only absolutely safe pistol is one in which the slide is
open, the chamber is empty, and there is no magazine
in the gun.
WARNING - HANDLING!
ANY GUN MAY FIRE IF DROPPED 
						

							TO LOAD AND FIRE (WITHOUT MAGAZINE)
In the event that the magazine is missing or for training purposes (where it is
desirable that only one cartridge be loaded and fired at a time for safety), the
pistol can be fired with the magazine removed. To do so, keep the pistol pointed
in a safe direction,grasp the slide, and retract it fully to the rear. Next, push the
slide stop upward so that the slide remains to the rear. Insert a single cartridge
directly and fully into the chamber. Taking care to keep the pistol pointed in a
safe direction, depress the slide stop. This will cause the slide to move vigorously
forward into the firing position. WARNING:The pistol is ready for instant use in
the double-action mode once the slide moves forward. Keep your finger off the
trigger until you are ready to fire! Note that the slide will not automatically
remain open if the pistol is fired without the magazine in place. WARNING:The
pistol will fire in the double action mode with the ejector in the forward or down
position; however, to ensure proper functioning, the ejector must be pivoted to
its rearward (upward) position when firing the pistol without the magazine.
11
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, thenpull slide to rear, eject chambered
cartridge, and visually inspect chamberto 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. Failure to
do so can result in the chamber being unintentionally loaded with a live
cartridge!
1.  The muzzle of the pistol must be pointing in a safe direction at all times,
and fingers should be outside of the trigger guard.
2.  Remove the magazine from the pistol by pushing in on the magazine latch.
REMEMBER that even though the magazine has been removed, a live round
remaining in the chamber can still be fired (see “Unloading Warning”, above).
3.  Hold the pistol firmly and grasp the slide. Retract the slide to its rearmost
position briskly to extract and eject any chambered cartridge. Always visually
double check that the chamber, breech-face, and the interior of the frame areclear of any live rounds.When the slide is fully retracted, push upward on the
slide stop, then allow the slide to move forward until it comes to rest with the
rear projection of the slide stop resting in the notch on the lower left side of
the slide.
4.  To close the slide, again check to be sure the chamber and breech-face are
empty.Pull the slide to its rearmost postion and release it. The slide will snap
forward. Keep fingers out of ejection port on top of slide! (See “Slide Retraction”
Warning p. 12).