Ruger Semi Auto .44 mag Carbine

shotbyspike · Jul 31, 2012

Hey I've been watching videos of these on youtube. I was wondering how many different models of these did ruger make ? Any specific reason why they stop making these ?

mike7mm08 · Jul 31, 2012

They made two models. Well two models and variations of the first model. The original carbine was a tube fed version that at first glance looks like a 10/22. I will no get into all the details, don't feel like typing. But mechanically they all were about the same with some minor internal changes through the production years. They were offered with various types of stocks. The early ones I believe around the first 3000 produced were stamped deerstalker on the receiver later ones were stamped 44 carbine. This was because of copyright lawsuit brought against Ruger by Ithica. As for them stopping production I have not heard any real reason. My suspicion is production costs. As they were popular throughout their production run of aprox 25 years.

Second version is the Deerfield carbine sometimes referred to as a 99/44. These look like M1 carbine slash Mini 14. Neat little gun that never was popular. I love mine. Biggest complaint I heard and the reason I think they were unpopular was the magazine capacity. These used a 4 round rotary mag. People wanted more rounds on board a semi auto.

suckersrus · Aug 1, 2012

And the second version was made to shoot the 240 grain bullets.

The lever-action, on the other hand, will feed them all.

So you need one of each.

mike7mm08 · Aug 1, 2012

The original carbine was designed around the 240 grain bullet. Other than lead it was pretty much the only available bullet at the time of it's design. The later magazine fed 44 rifles are governed by magazine length as to what they can shoot. But just because they will cycle does not mean a particular load will shoot well. My 96/44 will shoot anything that will feed through it. My deerfield only shoots 300 grain XTP hornadys accurately and cycles them just fine.