Not a Grail gun, but.....

[SF VET]

As always for me, a long story. I was in Lincoln, fall of '66, a sophomore at NU, when for some long forgotten reason, decided to buy a Ruger 1022. So, went to a sporting goods store on O Street, and walked out with my 1022. Was married soon thereafter, and she and I shot it a lot. We would drive my MGB way out into the country, and find some creek bed or the like, and blast away with a 50c box of LR. I think I paid something like $50 for it. Eventually, I put a tiny primitive scope on it, and left it on a rifle rack at my parents home when about five years later I deployed to Vietnam. It was mine, as my first wife was long gone. As I have related, when I got back and took it down and cleared the action, it ejected a live round. All those years, that loaded rifle had rested quietly on the wall, just waiting...

I still have that early 1022 and enjoy shooting it, although the "toy "scope is long gone. No one would buy it for fifty cents on a garage sale, so it went away.

Within a few years, I wanted its companion, its "big brother" as it were, the 44 mag carbine. And for decades, wanted the mag, but just couldn't find one, or had other life priorities. In the past decade, I earnestly began to search for one, as they rose in price, and scarcity. I have had several LGS on the look out for one. Kept checking the on-line auctions and Gun Broker and the like

They seem to sell in the $1200+ range, with as much as an 18% "Internet Fee" plus FFL and shipping costs. Two weeks ago, dropped by my local Cabelas, and asked the Gun Library guy if there might be one somewhere in their system. Sure enough, one had just come into a Cabela's up in Minn. Called, ordered it to be sent to my store, and yesterday picked it up. It is a 1970 gun, in really nice condition and spent yesterday afternoon at my work bench, disassembling and cleaning it, with my lap top next to me watching a U Tube about how to do so. The bore is perfect, and the rest is likewise just a little dirty. I have everything I need to make my own 44 mag rounds for it, excepting brass, and for that, also bough a box of 240 grain, so I can shoot it and have some brass to "roll my own."

All in, my rifle was right at a thousand, out the door. Plus the "points" for the next item there and a $50 discount for being a Veteran. I took the case I for my 1022 back in Lincoln with me to pick it up; it just seemed the right thing to do.

So.... here is my long sought Ruger 44 mag carbine, resting on its little brother's case, both on the fender of my 1952 M37 army truck .

Stay safe, and all the best... SF VET

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

DON'T shoot anything but jacketed bullets in that thing-lead will clog the gas ports

 

[Ruger 13]

Nice truck!

 

[Tex1001]

I finally got one about 5 years ago and love mine. When I was acquiring spare parts Numrich had a PISTON PLUG SET SCREW (ADJUSTABLE SLIDE) shown on their IPB. No one can tell me what this screw does or how to adjust it.
It doesn't detract from the fun of the rifle at all.
It's a shame that this little rifle wasn't popular enough to stay in production. Totally under appreciated.

 

[LVSteve]

I finally got one about 5 years ago and love mine. When I was acquiring spare parts Numrich had a PISTON PLUG SET SCREW (ADJUSTABLE SLIDE) shown on their IPB. No one can tell me what this screw does or how to adjust it.
It doesn't detract from the fun of the rifle at all.
It's a shame that this little rifle wasn't popular enough to stay in production. Totally under appreciated.

I wonder if the part you refer to is an aftermarket device that allows some adjustment of the gas system. There is a similar widget for the Garand.

Those rifles are certainly appreciated these days. The Ruger 44 carbine and the Marlin Camp 9 both command insane money on GB and at estate auctions.

 

[sigp220.45]

Very cool!

I found mine several years ago at Ron Peterson's gun store in ABQ. They had just put it out and it when I picked it up a guy near me groaned and then followed me around hoping I'd put it back. If I had popped an aneurysm that gun wouldn't have hit the ground.

Congrats, and if that isn't a grail gun I'd love to see what is.

 

[Tex1001]

I wonder if the part you refer to is an aftermarket device that allows some adjustment of the gas system. There is a similar widget for the Garand.

Those rifles are certainly appreciated these days. The Ruger 44 carbine and the Marlin Camp 9 both command insane money on GB and at estate auctions.

I'm referring to part #47 on Numrich's factory IPB. It screws into the blocking plug and limits piston travel at rest. It's a factory part on later models.
NO ONE, including Ruger factory personnel know its purpose and how to adjust it.

Their prices show that they are definitely appreciated these days, sadly not as much in the past when they could have been kept in production.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I knew a Class III dealer in the 1970's that claimed, If the 44 Carbine had been clip fed. It would be the third most popular assault rifle in the world!

Ivan

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

DON'T shoot anything but jacketed bullets in that thing-lead will clog the gas ports

ABSOLUTELY WILL NOT!.......Bet you never had one or shot one with lead bullets. You are repeating an old UNTRUE wive's tale.

I had an early Ruger .44 auto rifle and I shot LOTS of lead bullets in it. It never missed a lick.

I also shoot lead bullets in a Mini-30, several M1 carbines and Garands. Again with no problems. Please name one instance when lead bullets clogged the gas port in any gas operated semi-auto rifle.

 

[2152hq]

I finally got one about 5 years ago and love mine. When I was acquiring spare parts Numrich had a PISTON PLUG SET SCREW (ADJUSTABLE SLIDE) shown on their IPB. No one can tell me what this screw does or how to adjust it.
It doesn't detract from the fun of the rifle at all.
It's a shame that this little rifle wasn't popular enough to stay in production. Totally under appreciated.

It's to adjust the piston when first installed (assembled) into the rifle.
It normally never needs to be further adjusted.
On rare occasions, it may need to be 'reset' if the rifle starts to give problems with ejection/feeding issues. Anything related to the amt of piston movement and the amt of gas bled off from the bbl.

Simple to reset.
With the rifle unloaded of course..
Hold the bolt open.

Back the set screw out a turn or so.
Then close the bolt on the empty chamber.
It should close all the way.

Now slowly tighten the set screw back into the block and watch the Bolt Charging Handle closely.
When you see the Bolt Charging Handle start to move,,stop tightening the set screw.
And then back it off 1/8 of a turn.
Then leave the set screw in that position.

That is the technique the factory assemblers used to set the rifle up and is designed for best performance with factory ammo.
Keeping the system clean and not over lubed helps to keep them working well.

Lead bullet loads generally don't do any harm to gas op systems, the Ruger included.
Some may lead the bore. That's possible in any combination of lead bullets & any particular firearm barrel. But the potential for the lead to actually plug up the gas system is low.