1962 RUGER 44 MAG CARBINE SERIAL NUMBERS

[WASATCH CHARLIE]

I noticed the first 44 carbines produced in 1961 went to approx.ser. #1360 then they went to over 65,000. in 1962. was there a block of serial numbers not used? i find it hard to believe that that 60 000 carbines were produced in 1962.

 

[RugerHound]

Yes, a large block!

1961 - 1 to 1338
1962 - 1339 to 8129, then jumped to 50000 through 65060

 

[WASATCH CHARLIE]

Yes, a large block!

1961 - 1 to 1338
1962 - 1339 to 8129, then jumped to 50000 through 65060

RH, THANK YOU FOR THE INFO. mine is a 1962 model. ser# 52xxx. brand new, had seven rounds of norma steel lead flat nose shot thru it. i bought a 1960 SBH ser#4120 from the same oldtimer. he did not like the recoil,so shot 1/2 box of 44 specials ,LRN thru it and retired it to his attic. got a couple other brand new in box guns from him. i got to meet him when almost everything had been sold. at least i lucked out on 4 firearms at rock bottom prices. thanks again GLENN/W.C. :lol:

 

[RugerHound]

Yes, a large block!

1961 - 1 to 1338
1962 - 1339 to 8129, then jumped to 50000 through 65060

RH, THANK YOU FOR THE INFO. mine is a 1962 model. ser# 52xxx. brand new, had seven rounds of norma steel lead flat nose shot thru it. i bought a 1960 SBH ser#4120 from the same oldtimer. he did not like the recoil,so shot 1/2 box of 44 specials ,LRN thru it and retired it to his attic. got a couple other brand new in box guns from him. i got to meet him when almost everything had been sold. at least i lucked out on 4 firearms at rock bottom prices. thanks again GLENN/W.C. :lol:

Congrats on the good stuff! Love finding stuff like that! :)

 

[WASATCH CHARLIE]

HELLO PETE i seem to be pretty lucky when it comes to collecting firearms. my shooting partner has a place over on broadway ave. APACHE JUNCTION. HE has spent the winter with his knees in the breeze and his chin in the wind on his new HARLEY. he is only 64,. just a kid. if he leaves the JACK and gingerale alone, he may find his way back up north with my conversion cylinder for my R.O.A. at months end. thanks again for the info. GLENN

 

[chet15]

Hey...that brings up a good question. Since Ruger skipped a large block of serial numbers and began again at 50000, it would seem that Ruger made some sort of internal parts change, or maybe a change in rifling? Anybody have a couple examples they can compare side by side (ine prior to 8129 and one with large serial numbers but after 50000?
Chet15

 

[RugerHound]

I've got a 3 digit if anyone in the Phx or Tuc area has a 50K + example. Be interesting to see what, if any differences there are. I can tell you that SN 412 features 12-groove rifling.

Best regards, Pete

 

[chet15]

On that 12-groove rifling, check the twist also. Sometimes that could be a difference.
Anybody else on a non prefix gun higher than 50000?
Chet15

 

[m77hunter]

I have one in the 81000 range, just checked and it's a 12 groove.

M77hunter

 

[El Numero Uno]

My Brother-in Law bought #50000 at the Dallas gun show many years ago. I think this was before we knew of the gap. Four zeros was the selling point.
He thinks KD ended up with it.

 

[chet15]

My Brother-in Law bought #50000 at the Dallas gun show many years ago. I think this was before we knew of the gap. Four zeros was the selling point.
He thinks KD ended up with it.

Wow! Cool stuff there.
I'll have to write KD by snail mail and see if he can find a difference. It would sure seem that there had to be some reason for such a large gap in numbers.
Chet15

 

[chet15]

Just got the reply from KD. He said there weren't any changes from the early numbers to the 50000 block, so just might have been a wild out of the blue directive by WBR for some reason.
Chet15