It is my understanding that you can ship firearms directly to manufacturer, but have to use FedEx or UPS, and they can ship it directly back to you.  To be safe, I would advise Ruger that IF they send you a replacement with different serial number, that they need to ship to an FFL.  In my buddy's case, I believe the first he learned about being sent a new handgun as warranty replacement was when the LGS called him to let him know they got the gun back from Sig and that he had to register like a new firearm.  I doubt Ruger knows the local laws, so best to be safe and communicate with them. 

For when I sent my handgun back to HK for service, I was given the option to ship directly via FedEx and UPS.  I ended up going through a LGS/FFL and they sent via USPS to be safe.  HK ended up swapping trigger group, so same gun was sent back. 

Serial numbers don't go on the long gun permit.  To me, that makes all the difference.  Handgun permits record the serial number. Once approved, the serial number can't be changed.  Need a new permit.

I assume you had a valid long gun permit at the time.

I distinctly remember HPD writing down the serial numbers of my long guns on my registration permits. They were a bit puzzled trying to figure out what the serial was on my Russian VEPR import. I’ll have to go through my files to verify.

So much speculation in this thread

I distinctly remember HPD writing down the serial numbers of my long guns on my registration permits. They were a bit puzzled trying to figure out what the serial was on my Russian VEPR import. I’ll have to go through my files to verify.

You're jumbling up the two processes/papers.

The permit comes first. It PERMITS you to acquire a firearm.

REGISTRATION is required for all firearms regardless of how or where you acquired them.  You don't need a permit for guns you already own (as in brought to Hawaii from out of state), but you do have to register them.

No such thing as a "registration permit".  it's either a permit, or a registration form.

South speculation in this thread

South speculation?

I was just sharing personal experiences and that of a good friend. Since you obviously know how it all works, so how about you enlighten us cretins?

South speculation?

I was just sharing personal experiences and that of a good friend. Since you obviously know how it all works, so how about you enlighten us cretins?

Speculation (noun): the forming of a theory or conjecture without firm evidence.

His entire comment was baseless opinion.

Unless there is something really wrong with the frame, I doubt you’ll get a new one. There are a few things that could cause a problem with revolvers. Barrel, cylinder, timing, fitment issues, rear sight, etc. If all those things are good, they will put a taller front sight blade on it and call it good.

I checked for aftermarket front blade sight but couldn't find any that looked like they were taller.
I know on some revolvers the barrel screws into the frame but this one has a frame that goes around the barrel and the barrel is a sleeve that is either pressed or screwed in. Not sure if there is any room for adjustment or what on this type of set up.

It's a new gun, so ....

You'll have to sign an affidavit stating what happened to the registered gun so they can mark that registration void.

Then I'm 99% sure you'll have to go through the permit process again.

To be safe, you should have Riuger ship the handgun to your FFL, not direct to you.  Legally, you can ship a gun to a gunsmith/manufacturer for work and have it returned.  The returned gun will not be the one you shipped.  So, use an FFL.

Once the FFL has the gun, it's like any other acquisition:  get the serial number from the FFL, then run to HPD to apply for another permit.

I guarantee the lawmakers never imagined this scenario (they don't seem to understand much about guns to begin with), so you're stuck with:

"(a)  No person shall acquire the ownership of a firearm, whether usable or unusable, serviceable or unserviceable, modern or antique, registered under prior law or by a prior owner or unregistered, either by purchase, gift, inheritance, bequest, or in any other manner, whether procured in the State or imported by mail, express, freight, or otherwise, until the person has first procured from the chief of police of the county of the person's place of business or, if there is no place of business, the person's residence or, if there is neither place of business nor residence, the person's place of sojourn, a permit to acquire the ownership of a firearm as prescribed in this section."

They ask for the handgun serial number for the permit for a reason.  I doubt that reason is known or makes sense, but the result is your original permit was approved for one numbered Ruger LCRX.  The serial number can't be changed on the permit after approval.  The only path forward is to apply for a new permit.

If someone at HPD (Suzie) has a "work-aroiund", it would be nice if you shared it, but so far, I've not seen anyone else post one.

Thanks for the advice. I already dropped it off at the store and I am sure he sent it in by now.

The other advantage to going through an FFL is I don't have to play tag with the UPS guy because a signature is required.

When it comes to pistols I figure once you have two, no point in the waiting period. After all I only have two hands, can't fire more than two at once!