Ruger No. 3 in .44 Magnum

[Cherokee Mike]

It's my understanding that Ruger No. 3's in .44 Magnum are fairly rare. I have one that I purchased at a Tulsa gun show in the 1980's, and I don't remember seeing another one at a gun show since then.

Another forum member recently told me only 200 No. 3's were manufactured in this caliber. I contacted Ruger and they replied they don't release their production figures.

Is there a book or an article on No. 3's that mentions the exact production number in .44 Magnum caliber? I would like to have something in print to confirm it's limited status for my firearms records.

Thank you.

 

[El Numero Uno]

The .44 Magnum is definitely the rarest of the cataloged calibers of the No.3.
Anyone who tells you that 200 were made is: 1) making it up; 2) confused about what they read where someone estimated or guessed how many were made, or 3)trying to impress you that they know something they don't.
I have been in several discussions on estimating the number of No.3's in .44 Mag. I always thought that the 200 number was too low. I doubt it was more than 1000, which would be less than 4% of the No.3 production. A better estimate could be made if someone had a bunch of .44 Mag serial numbers and could tie down the number of production runs and ship dates. How long it was in the Catalog would also be of help in this estimate.
What the Factory told you is FACT; they don't release production numbers. Now, some Factory Commeratives and Distributor Exclusives have a production quantity known-approximately.
Lastly, Welcome to the Forum. You have a nice Ruger!!

 

[Cherokee Mike]

El Numero Uno,

Thanks for the good information and advice. I'm pleased that I have something in my motley gun collection that is unusual and shares a beef steak description of being medium rare. :lol:

I look forward to reading the forum messages and participating in some interesting discussions.

Cherokee Mike

 

[chet15]

Yes, as El Number Uno mentioned...the 200 figure only comes from things passed down through the years.
Whatever the number, the #3 in .44 Mag. is rare.
Chet15

 

[G2]

Yes, as El Number Uno mentioned...the 200 figure only comes from things passed down through the years.
Whatever the number, the #3 in .44 Mag. is rare.
Chet15

Well I must say I am one of the Guilty :oops: of passing down the 200 figure.

yes a Regurgitation on my part aparently.

El Numero Uno
2) confused about what they read where someone estimated or guessed how many were made

Forgive me... and to those that I have passed this info along Send your guns back for a FULL REFUND ! :wink:

I will not commit this Error anymore. Good to know, and be corrected.

 

[Cherokee Mike]

chet15,

I've always liked .44 Magnum firearms, and I have a small collection of carbines. In addition to the No. 3, I have some other less-common models:

- Remington bolt-action Model 788 in .44 Magnum.
- Universal "Vulcan" Model 440 pump-action in .44 Magnum.
- Early model Winchester Model 94 in .44 Magnum.

I lived in Tulsa during the 1980's, and I tried to visit every major gun show during that time.

Cherokee Mike

 

[chet15]

Yes, as El Number Uno mentioned...the 200 figure only comes from things passed down through the years.
Whatever the number, the #3 in .44 Mag. is rare.
Chet15

Well I must say I am one of the Guilty :oops: of passing down the 200 figure.

200 probably is too low as you certainly hear of #3's in .44 Mag. a lot more often than the SC4 4-5/8" OM Super Single-Six which DID have 200 made. I suppose a person could take the number of #3's they've heard of in .44 Mag (actual sn examples) and compare with the total number of SC4's known today (somewhere around 20) and come up with a reasonable estimate....but is still only an estimate.
In addition, I'd be willing to bet that a larger percentage of the population knows what a #3 in .44 Mag is and the same would not be true of the SC4. So the #3 gets the "bragging factor" in that scenario.
Chet15

 

[chet15]

An old thread, but thought I would update.
There were at least 867 in .44 Mag. Did some research on this a couple years ago through Ruger's serial number lookup page. Ruger didn't have all the shipping dates noted for several different block of 50 however while looking this info up, so there may be as many as 1,000 #3's in .44 Mag.
There are also 2 or 3 #3's in .44 mag. that were shipped as barreled actions!!
Chet15

 

[contender]

Excellent update Chad!!!!!!

 

[daveag.]

What year was the Number 3 dropped from lineup?

 

[G2]

What year was the Number 3 dropped from lineup?

1986

 

[arcticruger]

An old thread, but thought I would update.
There were at least 867 in .44 Mag. Did some research on this a couple years ago through Ruger's serial number lookup page. Ruger didn't have all the shipping dates noted for several different block of 50 however while looking this info up, so there may be as many as 1,000 #3's in .44 Mag.
There are also 2 or 3 #3's in .44 mag. that were shipped as barreled actions!!
Chet15

Ahh.. there is light at the end of the tunnel ;)

 

[chet15]

That list of serial numbers used to appear here somewhere...

 

[hittman]

Sticky in the Collecting Section

Thread 'ALL COLLECTOR INFORMATION IS NOW HERE'

May 15, 2022

Post Your .44 FLATTOP November shipped Blackhawks!!

https://www.rugerforum.com/threads/post-your-44-flattop-november-shipped-blackhawks.238187/

BKH47 list

https://www.rugerforum.com/threads/bkh47-list.228951/

Lightweight Serial Numbers

https://www.rugerforum.com/threads/lightweight-serial-numbers.128084/

Serial numbers S47-6 1/2"

https://www.rugerforum.com/threads/serial-numbers-s47-6-1-2.146854/

10" .44 flattop numbers..

https://www.rugerforum.com/threads/10-44-flattop-numbers.151334/

RUGER RECORDS NEW...

• Dan in MI
• Replies: 1
• Forum: Ruger & Other Firearm Collecting

• 

 

[NH Rugerman]

I, at one time, owned one of the Ruger#3’s which shipped as a barreled action only. But I sold it along with a 25th Anniversary 44 carbine and a FG Sporter stocked 44 carbine when I needed a down payment for my house after losing my business.

 

[jyo]

In the early 90s, while I was managing a gun store here in L.A. California, I started looking around for a Ruger 44 Mag semi-auto rifle to pair with my Ruger OM Flattop 44 revolver... I called a few dealers in our area that we were friendly with and asked if they had a Ruger 44 rifle---one said yes---he said it was in fine condition with the original box, so I told him to hold it for me and I would drive over there in a couple of days with cash... That weekend, I drove 56 miles to the gun store/indoor range operated by an old friend and a customer of various supplies from our store. When I arrived (carrying a box of 44 Mag ammo as this was a range), the owner went into the back room and came out carrying a Ruger rifle box! The box had seen better days, but the rifle inside was near new, EXCEPT that it wasn't a semi-auto 44 carbine, it was a Ruger #3 single-shot 44 rifle! I was very surprised, but I already owned a couple of #3 rifles and liked 'em a lot! I didn't even know Ruger made them in 44 Mag, but bought it for the friendly price of $400. bucks on the spot! Still have it...!