Ruger 44 mag carbine at the range

[mikerjf]

One of these in 357 would get my wallet open PDQ. Ruger makes plenty of companion handguns. And I read somewhere that most of the design work is essentially done... e.g. for a rotary mag version they use the 77 mag, etc.

 

[22shtur]

took my 44 carbine to a state range today with a shooting buddy, and with him spotting, with a 4X Leupold AR scope on it, took only a few rounds to precisely zero for 100 yards. I don't hunt, and my range only goes out to 100 yards, so for fun and "consistency" that is what I zero all my rifles for. I think next trip, will see what the trajectory of my 240 Hornady XTP's is at intermediate ranges, just for fun. Loaded Win 296.

So what kind of accuracy did you get, group size?

 

[ajgunner]

Reading that ad about shooting an elderly Gorilla and admitting it's intelligent, kind of made me sad.

Keep in mind that this was the early 60's and nobody knew what we know today. It makes me wonder if this mount is still around in a museum somewhere.

 

[SF VET]

22... good enough to keep flipping beer cans on the berm at 100 yards. We were hungry and wanted to get something to eat for lunch. Went to Nichols near Rock Hill SC, a really big "gun store."

I am going to do more precise mid and max range trajectory tests soon. If Ruger made a 357 mag companion to my 44 I would buy one in a heartbeat.

SF VET

 

[10Mad]

The problem is they cost so much to manufacture. But people are desensitized to high gun prices, so it might sell. I don't think I'd take less than $2k for mine. NOT because it's worth that much. I just like it that much.

In contrast, 350 Legend and 450 Bushmaster, both excellent hunting rounds, can be made cheaper in the AR platform. Ruger had tremendous success selling these as factory guns which would preclude the return to expensive and complicated machining.
I've had both versions of the Ruger 44. Given the cult like status of these and the fact I actually like to hunt made them too valuable to actually use. I built my 2 dream deer guns in AR 350 legend complete with Leupold glass and a lifetime of ammo with the sale of the Deerfield.

 

[ajgunner]

If Ruger made a 357 mag companion to my 44 I would buy one in a heartbeat.

SF VET

Hopefully you would be in line right behind me.

Would love to have both carbine and lever in 357 to pair with my Ruger 44's.

 

[ajgunner]

Found another advertisement for the 44 carbine. This is from a Guns magazine from December 1963. Notice at the time it says this was Ruger's first and only rifle. Next time I fire up the time machine, think I will take some extra cash along and buy a crate full of these to bring back to the future.

 

[mauser9]

Great pic of the ad ajgunner. Price seems more like pocket change these days! Super handy rifles for brush or close cover. Glad I got to fire a couple of them way back.

 

[6518John]

The problem is they cost so much to manufacture. But people are desensitized to high gun prices, so it might sell. I don't think I'd take less than $2k for mine. NOT because it's worth that much. I just like it that much.

I bet if Ruger started making these again they would have to run a line 24-7 to meet demand. They were such a handy rifle—woods hunting, tractor/ATV/truck gun, home defense, etc.

 

[Bald1]

In contrast, 350 Legend and 450 Bushmaster, both excellent hunting rounds, can be made cheaper in the AR platform. Ruger had tremendous success selling these as factory guns which would preclude the return to expensive and complicated machining.
I've had both versions of the Ruger 44. Given the cult like status of these and the fact I actually like to hunt made them too valuable to actually use. I built my 2 dream deer guns in AR 350 legend complete with Leupold glass and a lifetime of ammo with the sale of the Deerfield.

The problem is it's an AR platform. I own several but they have no soul. No history. It's a super rifle with unlimited potential but there's no blued steel and walnut. When I pick up my 44 carbine or dads old model 12 I feel like I'm in a time warp back to when guys wore Woolrich plaid and deer hunter from the ground. By the way I still wear Woolrich red and black when it gets cold. I'm the butt of a lot of jokes at deer camp.

 

[SF VET]

Scoping my 44 mag Ruger

I just couldn't find a way to shoot or zero my new-to-me Ruger with the open sights on the rifle; tried my bifocals and Rx ballistic shooting glasses, so decided to move a spare AR Leupold to it. At first, had trouble sourcing the proper rings/mounts, but then found on Ebay a new set precisely for my rifle. Was easy, and works great for my aging eyes. By the way, I made up a wooden rifle bench device for working on my rifles, just takes a moment to clamp it to my work bench, pad the two ends to securely hold whatever firearm I want to work on, usually sights and cleaning, and whatever.

I did nor want a dot optic or big bulky scope on my rifle, that sort of sighting device just seemed too "modern" or just out of place on my carbine.

Works for me... SF VET

 

[Engine49guy]

On a side note for those interested while this is from memory IIRC there were was a change in late production 44 carbines, earlier versions have two screws in the top of the receiver that holds a part inside, late version have what looks like two plugs there that IIRC were some sort of rivet .

I have heard the 44 carbine was Rugers first rifle and that the 10-22 came after as a companion piece.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

A note on Cast Bullets in the Original 44 Ruger carbine. The warning is for people that don't clean their rifle. You can shoot jackets and probably never clean as long as you keep action lubed. I have bought these rifles on the cheap because they had "problems". The problem was always gas port and lead bullets. Most handloaders are smart enough to know what problem is.
Joe Sixgun buys factory lead ammo without giving it a thought. This mostly because Lead Bullet is the cheapest box of 44mg. Doesn't maintain the rifle and in a couple or three years when he pulls it out of the closet, it has problems. Nothing a deep cleaning won't cure. I have never bought one of
these with problem that looked like it had ever been out of the stock. As all early Ruger products, they are hard to beat.

I've owned 2 over the years. Shot a lot of cast bullets through them with zero problems.

 

[SF VET]

mine has two screws in the top of the receiver, with cautions about being sure not to unscrew them, thinking they are part of a scope ring mounting. But they are bigger than the scope screw holes anyway. I think this and an M1 Carbine are just great firearms. I reload for both. SF VET

 

[ajgunner]

I have heard the 44 carbine was Rugers first rifle and that the 10-22 came after as a companion piece.

If you read the advertisement that I posted above, it confirms that the 44 carbine was the first rifle that Ruger produced in 1963. The 10-22's were shortly behind it with some coming out in 1964, then they really hit the streets in 1965 with full production.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I did not want a dot optic or big bulky scope on my rifle, that sort of sighting device just seemed too "modern" or just out of place on my carbine.


Works for me... SF VET

Nice look; my Penn's Woods "Brush gun" (Ruger 77/357) and CZ 527 FS/mannlicher (.223/5.56) all wear small Leupold 1-4x20 scopes.