Dearest Santa-Ruger

[mike-c]

Sure would like to see the classic 444 Marlin in a stainless number one with iron sights. For those of us that already shoot the 44 magnum, we already have cast lead and jacketed bullets. Further the 44 magnum is a well known deer slayer, how much better would be the 444. This cartridge has only been around since, 1964, but it is still a clssic round. It is a modern cartridge, and capable of bringing down anything within its effective range. It would also be a great hog and bear round, and with bearable recoil for most of us. The rifle should have the proper twist to handle big lead slugs.

Yes, I know this topic has been brought up before, and I am living proof that it will not go away. Further, I do not want to punch out a number three.

Mike-C

 

[BlkHawk73]

Always good to ask Santa but sometimes he just can't, or chooses not to bring what we ask for and leave it under the tree. In those cases, sometimes it's easier to simply ask for the means to have what we want made.
I do like the idea of a .444 #1S (or H even) but would prefer blued.

 

[mike-c]

Blue would be OK for those that want it, but I am one of those that likes stainless. While the number one is a small market, I am sure there is room for a limited run of 444's.

Mike 8)

 

[picketpin]

It'd take YEARS to sell 250.

I'm not even sure they are still making stainless receivers. With the exception of one or two rifles and the Lipsey runs the "K" or stainless rifles have been deleted from the line.

When you are filling a niche market and the going to the exspense of making two receivers one of which is a SLOW seller and accounts for significantly less than 10% of sales. Guess which finish/material/receiver gets canceled?

Probably ought to find a 44 Mag and have it punched. At least if you ever expect to own a 444 #1.

RWT

 

[mike7mm08]

Don't know about stainless as I too think the receivers are no longer being produced. But after Ruger chambered the #1 in 475 Linebaugh and 460 Smith and Wesson I think any caliber no matter how odd is possible. 444 would probable have a bigger market than both the 460 and 475.

 

[BlkHawk73]

Start gathering interest and present it to Lipsey's.

 

[Buckeye Bill]

I would buy one in Blue. .444 is a classic and I would not be able to pass on one.

 

[mike-c]

Greetings All,

No doubt, I asked for too much. After looking at the Ruger site, it appears that the stainless number one is not in the company line at this time. However, surely somebody in marketing or sales keeps up with this forum!!!

If they can tool up for the 17 Hornet, which has little use to me, why not the 444 Marlin which would be far more useful in the hunting fields!!! Further, they have tooled up for other cartridges whitch are basically useless to many.

Stainless does cost a bit more, harder on tooling, and takes a little more time to machine, but it is the best material to make guns out of because it will last several life times with just a minimum amount of care.

I reckon my next purchase will be a used stainless #1 because they are still available, or perhaps an Encore.

Mike 8)

 

[picketpin]

Mike-c: It isn't the time and exspense of the actually casting/machiing. The #1 is a niche market at best. THe stainless versions proved to be a niche market within the total niche market.

#1s, the guys that buy them to hunt and what's "practical" has little to do with total sales. The market it aging gun nuts that prefer blued/walnut and that's what they buy.

Sure some guys will buy stainless/walnut to hunt with but to be honest those aren't the guys that keep the #1 in production.

I've hunted for 50 plus years and have hunted with #1s since 1967. In all that time I never felt the need for stainless/walnut. To be frank had they offered it and the same rifle in blue/walnut, I'd have bought blued/walnut.

I own 40-50 #1s. Of that exactly two are stainless/laminate. A 204 "V" and a 7mm STW "B". The ONLY reason I own them in that caliber/configuration is because that's the only way they were offered. Had either been offered in blue/walnut that would have been what I bought.

The 7mm STW stainless/walnut is still in the box. I hunt with the one I built out of a 7mm Mag "S", in the late 80s.

I wouldn't look for the 444 for a couple reasons but the first would be that the top seller in the #1 is currently the 45-70. 444 may be nice but what does it do that a 45-70 doesn't do in a #1?

If my dream rifle was a 444 Stainless/laminate I'd be looking for a used rifle to make my 444 out of.

the best

Ross

 

[BlkHawk73]

Along with what picketpin said, which I do agree with by the way, I gotta ad a bit.

If they can tool up for the 17 Hornet, which has little use to me, why not the 444 Marlin which would be far more useful in the hunting fields!!! Further, they have tooled up for other cartridges whitch are basically useless to many.

The .17 Hornet is a brand new cartridge so that alone will get folks attention as opposed to a classic such as the .444 chambering. Sadly, while quite formidable, many do dismiss it as a classic and see no modern appeal. It also gets quite overshadowed by the .45-70 chambering. Marlins are a perfect example - how many do you see/hear discussions about in one chambering as compared to the other?
Now on with your methodology of substantiating the need for a .444 #1. Why when there's other chamberings that are far more useful? Look at just the limited chamberings in the #1 line. Plenty of others that are more versatile/useful than the .444.
Now this "many" you mention...well, as picketpin mentioned, the #1 is a niche market so there isn't a "many" compared to other styles, and models of rifles. also, as he stated, it's mostly older folks that are those buying the #1's. Have even had Ruger sales folks tell me the same thing, small market, older buyers, etc. Those are not generally the ones with a lot of disposable income or the drive to buy, buy, buy all the time. The #1 folks however are in general, the types that take the time and make the effort to properly care for their #1's. Hmmm, maybe that's why used ones are dar less common and they're most always in excellent condition when they are available.
Would such a creature sell? Perhaps but it would do far better in a blued/walnut configuration than a stainless/laminate style, one that's completely unnatural for the design and classic styling of the rifle. Maybe a good indication of this is the stainless ones were dropped while the blued ones remained. However, is such a creature is THAT important, re-barreling isn't a difficult task for a good gunsmith that knows what they're doing.

Oh, and if you know where to look, brand new stainless #1's are still available.

 

[mike-c]

Greetings,

Many thanks for all of the advice. SILLY ME, should have known not to ask for a 444.

Mike 8)

 

[trapperon]

Mike

You never know!!! I have always been hoping for the No. 1 in 348 Winchester. What a sweetheart that would be, but as in your caliber choice probably not in high demand either!

Ron

 

[winchester37]

There are always folks who desire a special caliber....from their first gun, one that was fun to shoot, many reasons....ALL VALID. Does it mean there would be a market? maybe.

I would like a #1 in 348 also, and the 444 sounds interesting. Are there calibers already available that are just as good? Sure, but the fun of this hobby is based on wants, not needs, and lots of guns are successful for no other reason.

If enough of us get on the Lipsey bandwagon you might have some success, especially with an uncommon caliber.

From my point of view, bring them all on....demand and sales will sort them out.

 

[Rockrat]

Find you a stainless gun and have it rebored. JES reboring, IIRC, does 444 Marlin and it would cost you $250 or a bit less