This is a sneak peek at another future article. As always, comments are welcome.

John

Ruger .44 Magnum Semiauto Carbines



The .44 Magnum cartridge, when fired in a light carbine, is a marvelous short-range game-getter. It’s especially effective on deer, black bear, feral hogs and the javelina of the Southwest. However, as I can personally attest, firing a light lever action or single shot rifle in that caliber will leave you with a bruised shoulder that you’ll feel for weeks. Way back in 1960, however, Bill Ruger, working closely with famed designer Harry Sefried, found the solution: a .44 Magnum self-loader in which the action absorbed much of the recoil, making it more comfortable to fire and offering quick follow-up shots. Weighing in at 5 pounds and 12 ounces, it was handy to pack and quick to bring into action. Although most folks today are not aware of it, this was only the first of two distinct models that had quite different actions.

The first model was introduced in this manner: “America’s newest game rifle…Proven on the plains of Africa, the RUGER ‘Deerstalker’ carbine is a technological breakthrough for the benefit of American sportsmen…proven not only on Whitetails in North American, but on Leopard, Hyena, Wart Hog, Topi and many other species in Africa…developed to provide the sportsman with the best possible rifle for hunting deer and other medium-sized game in brush country.”

Bill Ruger did indeed personally test this gun on a variety of African game, including killing a leopard with one shot at 100 yards. Accounts and photos were extensively used in Ruger advertising.

The carbine measured 36 ¾” overall. The 18 1/4” barrel (later lengthened to 18 ½) had 12 rifling grooves with a 1 turn in 38” twist. The receiver was machined from chrome-molybdenum steel. The tubular magazine held 4 rounds, and was filled through an opening in the bottom of the receiver, just forward of the trigger guard. It used a short-stroke piston to drive an internal slide which rotated the bolt to unlock the breech from the receiver. The bolt remained open after the last shot was fired, and could be released with a latch ahead of the trigger guard. There was a cross-bolt safety in front of the trigger that locked both the sear and the internal hammer. Lyman front and rear sights were standard, and the top of the receiver was drilled and tapped to accept Weaver-type scope mounts.

The standard carbine stock was oil-finished American walnut. International (full length) and Sporter style stocks were offered as options. Both of these had sling swivels and pistol grip caps, and were checkered at the wrist and forend.

Retail prices in the 1960 catalog were $108 for the standard, $118 for the sporter, and $128 for the international model. The guns themselves began to be distributed in September, 1961. It’s worth noting that a virtual look-alike clone of this carbine in .22 Long Rifle caliber was offered in 1964, the Ruger 10/22 carbine, which continues in Ruger’s lineup to this day.

The initial name “Deerstalker” was not used on the carbine for long. It seems that the Ithaca Gun Company had a “Deerslayer” shotgun, and according to Ruger, “…to avoid any hard feelings, we changed our rifle’s name to simply ‘the Ruger 44 Carbine.’”

The carbine proved to be nearly indestructible, built “like a tank” in the tradition of most Ruger guns. Two samples were sent to the H.P. White Laboratory in Maryland to see what it would take to blow them up. Even with a full case of fast-burning Bullseye powder, generating over 100,000 pounds per square inch of pressure, the guns held together, although a ring in the chamber was generated. One caution had to be observed in the use of the guns; only jacketed bullets were recommended. Shaved lead from lead bullets would foul the gas port, leading to malfunctions that would be very difficult to remedy.

This first Ruger carbine was made through 1985, with a production total of over 250,000. A final 25th anniversary model was made, with a Ruger “phoenix” medal in the stock. The gun was finally dropped from the Ruger lineup due to increased production costs. This left a gap in the autoloading .44 niche for 15 years, when in 2000, the company launched the second version of the genre, the “Deerfield” .44 Magnum semiauto carbine.

Capitalizing on its experience with the successful Mini-14 .223 carbines, Ruger decided to apply the strong and simple M1 carbine-style action to work with the .44 Magnum cartridge. Adapting the action of the Mini-14 to .44 Magnum was simple enough, but inasmuch as the .44 is a rimmed cartridge, a box-magazine feed system was out of the question. The rims would catch on each other as they moved upward and forward in a conventional box magazine. The answer was right there in front of them – the rotary magazine of the 10/22 carbine (itself based on the Savage Model 99 rifle) was made specifically to deal with rimmed cartridge feeding. The decision was made to craft a similar 4-shot rotary mag in .44 Magnum. This was done. It was discovered that two problems existed with the action. First, the exposed operating rod’s movement could be restricted with the support hand on the forend. This problem was solved with a black polymer covering shield which also serves as a top handguard. A Ruger crest is molded into it. Secondly, because the M1-type action ejects empty cartridges upward, a scope mounted over the action would be hit repeatedly by the ejected brass. The solution here was a leather “scope protector” which was provided with each rifle. It could be fitted around the scope turrets to protect them from the impact of the brass. This was a bit less than elegant, but it worked with most scopes. The action does not lock back after the last round is fired, but a pin in the bolt handle like that on the military M1 carbine can be pushed down when the bolt is retracted to keep it there. A crossbolt safety nearly identical to the original is utilized.

The Deerfield “99/44” carbine resembles the original carbine in general configuration, but measures a full 37 inches, just ¼” longer. The stock, no longer having to conceal a tubular magazine, is somewhat slimmer. The standard carbine configuration includes front and rear quick-release sling swivel mounts. A folding aperture rear sight mounted closer to the eye on the rear of the receiver is provided, and can be removed when a scope is mounted. As with the original carbine, optional International and Sporter stock configurations were available. This newer gun weighs 6 pounds and three ounces, a bit heavier than the original. It has an 18 ½” barrel with a 1:20 twist, and six-groove rifling versus the old 12-groove type. Ruger scope rings and one magazine were included with each rifle when new, and the introductory retail list price was $649.

This carbine proved to be quite accurate, with one-inch 50-yard three-shot groups being common with most ammunition. Within 100 yards, like its predecessor, it’s a very handy and effective medium game dropper.

This gun could have had an alter ego as an effective defense carbine if a high-capacity magazine had ever been designed for it, perhaps similar to the current Ruger BX-25 .22LR mag that works so well in the 10/22 carbine. Sadly, that possibility was never explored, and with lackluster sales, the Deerfield 99/44 passed into history in 2006. Production figures are sketchy, but it appears that roughly over 18,000 of these guns were manufactured.

Today, both Ruger .44 Magnum autoloading carbines are experiencing resurging demand on the collector market, and with those who would find them ideal for hunting in the brush. They are becoming a challenge to find, as their owners tend to hang onto them. “As new” in-the-box examples have become quite pricey lately when rarely found. These interesting rifles have now become classics for which a modern-day equivalent does not currently exist.

(c) 2014 JLM

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

John ... Another wonderfully written, and timely article. A recent thread discussed a forum member's Ruger .44 carbine and it piqued my interest as an alternative to the .44 Magnum level gun. JM stamped Marlins have become rather pricey over the past year +, and the Ruger .44 carbine offers a nice alternative, albeit without the nostalgia of the lever action.

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I'm with the banned ...

[quote=PALADIN85020;138208561]This is a sneak peek at another future article. As always, comments are welcome.



Nice clear write up, THANKS

I have one (sportier), it was given to me by my hunting companion/best friend’s widow when he died a few years back.

Gun was purchased new in mid 70s & surprisingly accurate and he turned a lot of deer into venison. He had a Redfield 2 1/2 with pivot mounts and yes I know those mounts had a bad rep but he had a good tight one and no wandering zero.

It now rests in a place of honor in my safe and I did shoot it last year and it’s still on!.

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

I have a j.m. stamped Marlin but keep looking for a good deal on one of the ^^^ just because I love the looks of that Ruger

I have seen many used examples of the first type for sale over the years.
I had always heard they had functioning problems so I never took a chance. When I was about 10yrs old I shot one, It was my first time shooting a center fire cartridge. I remember instant pain, after one shot I was done. I guess because of that experience I always wanted to try it again.

Well done John.

Interesting and well done. It just so happens a local auction has two of these carbines, one looks to be an early one. I may have to take a second look at them after reading your write-up.

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BCCI Life Member #2068

I have the post Deerstalker model purchased in the early 70s. I had a professional gunsmith checker the stock for me and it is a work of beauty and practicality. I didn't know at the time that the rifles would someday be collectable so I guess I hurt its value.
But, I could rest the gun on my lap while on stand and it doesn't attempt to slide off.

That's a new one to me. Anything that has 'carbine' in the description is A-OK. Whatever I shot I would like it work in a lever action but semi is a good way to go.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Nice article.

I owned a Ruger .44 carbine in the 70's. Fun little gun. As long as I used the right powder (avid reloader back then) and jacketed bullets, the little carbine ran like a top.

Only things I thought they could've done better was to use a box magazine instead of the tube magazine, and revise the stock to change the angle of the recoil. That little .44 had some kick that was out of proportion to its size and being chambered in a shoulder gun.

I enjoyed shooting my .444 Marlin more than the little Ruger.

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Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

Nice write up John. I have an original Deerstalker with special wood that was a gift from Bill Ruger to my father. It became his favorite deer and black bear rifle until he became to old to hunt. He loved that rifle, and the 44 magnum cartridge. Years back, I used that rifle to take a Maine whitetail in my dads honor. It has since sat in the safe, as I tend to scratch up rifles I use, and my dad kept such good care of that rifle thru a lot of hunting seasons of use.

They are very reliable with the load they are designed for - a 240 grain full power jacketed bullet load. Proper OAL is important in these rifles for reliability.

Fastbolt is right about the stock design, at least for me. No matter how I hold it, that comb smacks me in the cheek pretty good.

Larry

Bought one a few years ago for $280.00 with the plan of giving it to my grand kid's, With Michigan's new law for deer hunting that little .44 will be carried by their Great Grand father next Saturday for the gun deer opener. Was sighting it in today and gotta say it's a sweet little thing! By the way the two grand daughters are 2.5 and 5 years old so it will be a little while.

My home state of Ohio is having it's first rifle season for deer.
It was announced this spring, the .44 mag is one of the legal
limited cals. You think collector prices are high? Don't come to
Ohio, Ruger .44mag. in any condition are bringing 800 and up.
Any name brand repeater in a legal cal. Outrageous. First of year
You could pick up a nice one for 3 to 400 bucks. Law specifies
.38 cal or larger, straight case, 3 shot, At least we don't have
to use shotgun.

They are great guns. I've wanted one since I saw the gorilla ad as a kid, and finally ran into one a few years ago.



The early ones had the "sourdough" front sight.



On mine, the white part must have fallen out somewhere, and an enterprising previous owner put in a steel bead. Works great.





The standard rear sight was the usual one that is also found on 10/22s.



I'm not sure what I'll do with it, but I'm not getting rid of it any time soon.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

Great write up. I've always wanted one of those and pair it up with my 629.
I believe I've missed the boat on it price wise and will have to be content with my 1894. BUT, if I were to find a nice one at a good price.....

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“Look life in its iron face”

Thanks for the article,very informative.

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Hue 68 noli me tangere

I've always suspected that Bill Ruger, upon seeing the popularity of the M1-carbine and efforts to convert them into practical hunting arms, must have guessed that a carbine built along M1 carbine lines, firing a decent cartridge, would sell.

I have no documentation for this but just an educated guess.

Great write up on a great little gun. My brother has had an older one for years and has taken many deer including his first one with it. I've had a standing offer to buy it if he ever sells it but doubt that'll ever happen.
I should have looked for another as now they're very expensive here as we can also use them in our southern Michigan zone this year.

Great article! Sounds like a handy carbine to have. Hmm.....

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Cheers, Charles
SWCA #2442