44 carbine semi auto

[Joe S.]

A friend gave me two to help him sell. I am going to be listing these on Gunbroker soon, but I was on Ruger's website last night and I noticed there are three different listings for these guns. I found the one I needed by the serial number (102 prefix) but I am wondering if there are differences in the non prefix/100 prefix guns, and the 102/103 prefix guns. This is how they are separated on Ruger's site). Both have internal mag tubes, unlike the later Deerfields with the rotary mags, but what other differences?

Thanks
Joe

 

[hittman]

Which stocks and sites do they have?

 

[Joe S.]

Just hardwood stocks and factory blade sights. One has non factory williams peep. Is that the difference!

 

[dfletcher]

A friend gave me two to help him sell. I am going to be listing these on Gunbroker soon, but I was on Ruger's website last night and I noticed there are three different listings for these guns. I found the one I needed by the serial number (102 prefix) but I am wondering if there are differences in the non prefix/100 prefix guns, and the 102/103 prefix guns. This is how they are separated on Ruger's site). Both have internal mag tubes, unlike the later Deerfields with the rotary mags, but what other differences?

Thanks
Joe

The "later gun" using a rotary magazine would be the 99/44 and I'd not equate that as being a variation of the tube fed 44. It's more of a "Mini 14 meets 44 Magnum chambering" than related to the earlier 44 Carbine. They're harder to find, shorter production run I'd assume and generally go for more. I wouldn't link the value of the earlier guns to the 99/44.

I had a 99/44 for a while and they're an OK gun, sought after a bit. But I'd prefer the earlier carbine. Better wood and unlike the 99/44 has a "closed" receiver that's easier for scope mounting and (JMO) may add a bit of rigidity to the gun. Accuracy with the 99/44 was always lousy for me, the few earlier carbines I've shot did OK. A downside to the earlier version is parts. If something breaks it's very difficult to find a replacement part.

Value on the early carbines varies quite a bit by region. Not very popular out west where ranges can be longer, I see alot of them back east though. Maybe the popularity of pig huntig and some states having "pistol cartridge" deer seasons makes them more desireable.

 

[Joe S.]

Thanks a lot. My main question is what is the difference between the two earlier models. As they are listed separately on Ruger's information page on their website

 

[Chief 101]

As far as I know Joe some minor modifications on a couple of the internal parts that are interchangeable. After that, I don't know. I have the later model made in '74 I believe. I believe mine has well under a thousand rounds of load workup/sight setting and hunting ammo thru it, mostly cast bullets...flawless and good rifle for what it is designed for.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

The bolts are different between the two early carbines. This article will show some of the differences.

http://hunting.about.com/od/guns/ig/Ruger-44-Carbine-Instructions/

I believe there was a difference in the ability to unload the tube mag without cycling the gun. Perhaps differences in the rear sight. ...and of course some of the very early ones were called 'Deerstalkers' but Ruger had to stop that because of a lawsuit from Remington and Ruger then labeled them as '44 Carbine'.

 

[Tomcatt57]

I believe the lawsuit was from Ithaca Gun Co. due to their Deerslayer...
Tomcatt

 

[Joe S.]

Thanks yall