Ruger 44 Carbine

[jc2721]

I just picked this up at my favorite LGS:



The shop was nice enough to hold it for a day while i did some research---I was a bit surprised at how much these are going for (+/- $1200) but money/value wasn't the primary point of interest; I've never owned or shot one in 40+ years of shooting/collecting and I'm now at the point where different guns are interesting to me.

Anyway, the condition was very good, no cracks in the stock (a few dings and a fair amount of light scratches on the off-side) and the piston slides freely. Bore was clean and shiny, so it came home with me.

What do you think? Have one? Shot one? Reliability?

 

[jc2721]

S/N is 102-81XXX, any idea of the year of manufacture?

 

[Chubbs103]

I've always liked the idea of these. I've handled one, but never shot one.

 

[s&wchad]

I have a .44 Carbine and a .44 International. Cool little guns!

The Carbine is scoped with a 1.5-5X Leupold and shoots one ragged hole at 50 yards. It functions just fine with 240 grain jacked soft points.

 

[fishwishin]

I have had two in my lifetime and I regrettably let them both slip away. You have a very clean one and I know you will be very happy with it.

 

[TJm15.38]

What do you think? Have one? Shot one? Reliability?

That's a great find. I was a fool to get rid of mine in the late 90's. The Ruger .44 Carbine I owned would shoot 1.5 to 2.0 MOA at 100 yards with a fixed 2.5X Lyman scope. These are quality guns using a similar gas system as a M-1 Carbine (short gas piston/operating rod). The receiver was machined from a solid block of 4140 steel, and the gun was not cheap to build. Probably why they ceased production. The only thing that will screw these guns up is shooting pure lead bullets which tend to lead up the gas port. I shot heavy bullets; 240 grain jacketed hollow point or soft nose (usally Remington). Enjoy. Give us a range report when you can.

 

[s&wchad]

S/N is 102-81XXX, any idea of the year of manufacture?

1980

Serial Number Lookup

It's tricky to find. Enter the serial number and it will say they were unable to locate that number. Below that message you'll see a checkbox for approximate starting serial numbers. Click on the box and select ".44 Carbine Rifles".

 

[ChattCat]

Have owned three and regret parting with all three. Handy, light and a joy to shoot. Found that 240 grain bullets work the best. Yes they are pricy now days but what isn’t! Those made before 76 were the best. The early 60s models rock.

 

[rockquarry]

I bought one new in the mid-late 1970s and later bought a used early gun. They will shoot cast bullets as well as jacketed ones. Cast cause no problem with the gas port, at least that was my experience. Some who say otherwise may have no experience here, repeating only what they have heard.

Regarding cast bullets... as I recall (got rid of these guns years ago so memory may be a little lacking on some aspects), I had to seat bullets considerably deeper than I did for my handguns; the longer-seated cartridges would not function through the Ruger's magazine. Having to use two different seating lengths for different guns was a definite disadvantage for me.

As I recall, the Rugers were reasonably accurate, but were, at best, 75-100 yard hunting carbines. This is a limiting factor for some users, but adequate for others.

I never used my carbines on game, but there is little question the cartridge would be plenty effective for deer-sized animals regardless of the bullet type or weight.

 

[mikerjf]

This would be a huge hit in 357… dunno why they never did.

 

[REVCHARLIE]

I owned one back in the late 70s and early 80s. I used to load 180gr hot loads that made big holes in Whitetails.

 

[Bald1]

I bought one of the original Deerstalkers dated to 1965. Seller used to hunt with it in Adirondack Mt region of NY. It had a fixed 6x Nikon on it which I promptly removed and installed a Skinner Peep Sight and taller front blade. I’ve shot a few doe with it and my son shot a destructive Muskrat with it. I have to hide it from my son because he keeps saying what a great hog gun it would be. He lives in Texas, and he hog hunts lol. The clogged gas port is a “thing” when shooting lead bullets. But you simply run a pipe cleaner in port and it’s good to go. Mine has never failed because of it. But port does collect gunk. Before taking scope off I could get 2” groups at 100yds. They’re a little bigger with peep sight. Mine likes good old fashioned Winchester white box ammo.

 

[dave1918a2]

I had an International years ago. 68 or so. Friend had a standard model. Both shot well. Like a Desert Eagle, they both had a lower limit and an upper limit to handloads.

 

[6string]

Be aware that the "Achilles Heel" of the Ruger .44 Carbine. The trigger housing has a tab for the magazine which is known to frequently crack.
Parts are long depleted. Attempts to devise repairs are generally considered to be not satisfactory.

 

[Gamecock]

Factory ammo only. No reloads. They don't like reloads.

 

[rockquarry]

Factory ammo only. No reloads. They don't like reloads.

The two I had worked fine with reloaded ammo; no jamming or other trouble and they worked well with cast bullets. In fact, I don't recall shooting factory ammo through either of my guns, though I think I used a very few jacketed bullets in my handloads. What were the problems you experienced with reloaded ammo?

 

[gmiller0737]

I just picked this up at my favorite LGS:



The shop was nice enough to hold it for a day while i did some research---I was a bit surprised at how much these are going for (=/- $1200) but money/value wasn't the primary point of interest; I've never owned or shot one in 40+ years of shooting/collecting and I'm now at the point where different guns are interesting to me.

Anyway, the condition was very good, no cracks in the stock (a few dings and a fair amount of light scratches on the off-side) and the piston slides freely. Bore was clean and shiny, so it came home with me.

What do you think? Have one? Shot one? Reliability?

Have one mine is from the mid 80's later models (like mine ) have a button in the loading port so you can unload the magazine without working every round through the Chamber,Avoid Lead Bullet loads they can clog the gas system & stick with bullet weights around 240 grain I know the 180 grains are not accurate something to do with the rifling twist rate,Zero operational issues in mine ever as long as the right ammo is used.

 

[gmiller0737]

The two I had worked fine with reloaded ammo; no jamming or other trouble and they worked well with cast bullets. In fact, I don't recall shooting factory ammo through either of my guns, though I think I used a very few jacketed bullets in my handloads. What were the problems you experienced with reloaded ammo?

That's about all I use in Mine but no lead bullets they can shave lead as the bullet passes the gas ports & eventually can clog the ports,I use 240 grain Hornady JHP & #2400 Powder in My Loads

 

[NYlakesider]

I was given a early 70s model about 20 years ago. It belonged to my lifetime best friend and hunting companion. His wife gave it to me after he died.

It has a low powered scope on a pivot mount and that gun accounted for a lot of deer. Bill was a excellent shot and he had a good locking scope mount, up to about a 125 yards he made it look easy.

Rest in peace buddy!

 

[dmar]

I used to hunt with one when I was a teenager. Shot great, and was reliable. I had a fixed 4x scope on mine. Dropped whitetails very well…