The Ruger 44 Carbine. Hopefully a "consolidated" info thread

[1RugerFan_33]

Well, here it is: I don't have one. Yet. I'm watching the auction sites, trying to get a handle on prices...trying to get all the info I can on these things.

See...I gave up the 44 a few years back, for 45 colt (Bisely & Win. Trapper)...and tho I couldn't be happier...or @ least thought I was...I've decided the 44 carbine is going to be IT for me, for a whitetail rifle, here in WI.

I'm prolly the only guy willing to "bring back" another caliber to the stable of others i already shoot, not because I want the caliber all that much (least not well enough to own half dozen in same caliber)...but solely because of the gun it's chambered around :lol: . Otherwise I thought I was done with the 44 :roll: .

Heck, just last week I bought a box of WWB 240gr jsp home. And I know the sling I want. And the scope is here that I'm gonna use; bought off a forum member here awhile back, for just this purpose (Leupold M8 3x).

All this I know. And I don't even own one yet :roll: :lol:

I've never had a dedicated hunting rifle, even tho I've a safe full of guns...gotta say I'm excited @ the prospect .

But, "everything else"? THAT, I do not know; all there is to know about the Ruger 44 Carbine.

So this is where y'all come in: Pics; stories; technical info/things to know & watch for/look for (are there better models/years to watch for than others...? )...shoot, if you even have any leads, I'd appreciate it...tho i dunno if i have enough in my budget yet for what is required for a nice clean unmolested shooter...used is fine, but hell, if it's only a bit more difference in price to score NIB...who knows?

I'm betting you guys do, and more . Thanks for helping a fellow out...

 

[Old Judge Creek]

I sincerely hope you find one and that it serves you long and well. My best advice is to not become discouraged.

As well, I recommend you stash back more money than you think it might cost so you won't end up like Maxwell Smart ("... missed it by <that> much!").

Good Hunting, Pard!

 

[1RugerFan_33]

Thanks, Old Judge Creek, for the sage advice...been there & done that, in the past...this time I'm hoping to have my ducks in a row, when the time comes. No worries about discouragement, tho...half the fun for me is in the hunt, once I have my mind set!

Hitman...yeah, brush country pretty much is all I see in Northern WI; so went my thinking when deciding to find my own 44 Carbine. That sure is a nice one you have; I even found those mounts already, lol. And yes, I do plan on contacting Scott/Mr Deerstalker when the time comes. I've had the good fortune of "meeting" him through a karma and speaking with him; hoping he'll be able to point me in the right direction...

 

[Chief 101]

I have one circa '74, not quite as clean as the one pictured but close. It has a nice butt-pad and an old Weaver 4x scope. It shoots real good with a variety of jacketed and cast bullets 180gr-260gr. It is easy to disassemble so I have no problem shooting hard cast, no problems at all with gas port contamination yet. I think you are making a good choice as I think out to 100yds it is plenty capable of doing what you want...and easy to carry.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muV5e-3E4Dg

 

[don44]

Chief 101 is right, and the one I have is very accurate with 240 gr JSP's !

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I'm prolly the only guy willing to "bring back" another caliber to the stable of others i already shoot, not because I want the caliber all that much (least not well enough to own half dozen in same caliber)...but solely because of the gun it's chambered around :lol: . Otherwise I thought I was done with the 44 :roll:

The older Ruger Carbines are more scarce, more fragile and harder to find parts for than the newer Deerfields. The 77/44's (bolt guns) are in current production and available in blue and stainless.

 

[joihan777]

1RugerFan_33,
I hear ya. The .44 mag seems a great choice. Although I've written Ruger CEO Michael Fifer twive with a suggestion to restart Deerfield production, I've received no response. I even think a DeerField in .500 S&W would be smart too, for folks up in Alaska. (ElkField?)

The 2000-2006 DeerFields had a 4-round magazine. OK for hunting but for predator security I wonder if a larger magazine can be had. Maybe even a 10-round 'banana' style magazine? I saw a youtube somewhere where a fellow had rigged a Desert Eagle magazine to feed a Ruger .44 carbine.... not sure about that though.

I too am looking for a Ruger .44 carbine (magazine type). If you find a good price and pass it over, let us know please???

Good luck!

 

[SteelShooter]

Suggest you post a want to buy add in the CLassified section here.

If you look at Gunbroker the old Deerstalkers command a higher price as compared to the Carbines (integral magazines). Prices range from high $400's to $1200+, based on condition and rarity.

Your add should suggest the condition you are after. On the later produced Deerfields (Mini-14 design with removable magazine 77/44), they command a price in the $900 to $1200 range on GUnbroker.

People here are much nicer and more familiar with the market. COntacted a gentleman here and purchased one of the Deerfields in great condition 95% for $600.00. Have been after one for these for several years, and delighted to get one. FOr me it will be a shooter, and I'll modify with different front sight, and rear peep sight to my preference. Will be a brush gun (dark timber), using 240 Gr JHP's loaded to factory specs.

Great people here, be patient and you'll get what you are after, sometimes much faster than you think!

Good luck!

 

[ElToro]

heres my '66 vintage. i too have a leupold M8 3x
it came with the old school weaver pivot mounts that scope tips off. surprisingly they are pretty firm.
mine doesnt cycle 180s. however WWB 240s are dead on out to 50-75 yards. put the cross hairs on whatever you want to blast and pull the trigger. we were out at some BLM land one time and somebody had left a bag of oranges. we set them up on a fencepost and marched off some yardage. my wife would hit one and the orange juice mist would blow back and she'd laugh like a loon. its fun to have a non shooter get that reaction especially in a low recoil accurate rifle.

 

[sigp220.45]

Here's mine:







Mine is an older one that came with the "sourdough" front sight. The white plastic insert fell apparently fell out and was replaced with this steel ball by some previous owner. Works great.



I've read they're built to shoot 240 grain bullets, but mine does fine with 180s as well. Its a load of fun to shoot, and the 4 round tubular magazine doesn't bother me a bit.

And no thread on these fine rifles is complete without the world's greatest gun advertisement:

 

[1RugerFan_33]

That ad; the story...fascinates me....

Well, looks like i jus' missed a fine one, with an ever FINER pricetag, today, right here in the classifieds... !...

So thanks for the pics! Anybody got anymore stories/info to share, please chime in! 8)

 

[Jim Puke]

I wish I had mine back...so I could sell it again. I liked the concept and it was accurate for what it was, but mine frustrated me to no end with incessant magazine problems and I sold it back in the 80's. I know most of them are reliable, so keep up the search and be prepared to buy as soon as you see a decent deal on one...and enjoy it.

 

[pete44ru]

.

All anyone considering buying a used .44 Carbine (tube magazine) needs to know is whether or not the tongue(s) cast into the front end of the triggerguard housing are missing (cracked off) or even just cracked - since the housing's have long been made of unobtainium, and are not repairable.

When the lugs/tongue(s) are cracked or gone, the front of the housing will float under recoil & convert your autoloader into a single-shot jammer.

The only way to determine the condition of the above, short of disassembling the gun & inspecting the front of the removed housing (where it hooks into the bottom of the forward section of the receiver) would be a tactical manipulation of the parts.

I accomplish that via tucking the buttstock under one arm, belly-up, holding the forestock with one hand, and grasping the forward end of the housing with one finger inside the loading gate & another finger/thumb outside.

Any flexing or wriggle is a deal-breaker.


.

 

[trowber24]

.

All anyone considering buying a used .44 Carbine (tube magazine) needs to know is whether or not the tongue(s) cast into the front end of the triggerguard housing are missing (cracked off) or even just cracked - since the housing's have long been made of unobtainium, and are not repairable.

When the lugs/tongue(s) are cracked or gone, the front of the housing will float under recoil & convert your autoloader into a single-shot jammer.

The only way to determine the condition of the above, short of disassembling the gun & inspecting the front of the removed housing (where it hooks into the bottom of the forward section of the receiver) would be a tactical manipulation of the parts.

I accomplish that via tucking the buttstock under one arm, belly-up, holding the forestock with one hand, and grasping the forward end of the housing with one finger inside the loading gate & another finger/thumb outside.

Any flexing or wriggle is a deal-breaker.


.

Is this pretty obvious when you shoot the gun? If anyone has pictures of the broken tongue please post them. I ask because I just bought a .44 Carbine from an out of state gun shop and would like to make sure the tongue is not broken when I receive the gun this week. There is a a 3 day return policy on the gun. Thanks!