Ruger 44 Carbines

Status
Not open for further replies.
F

Flynt

Member
Joined
Aug 17, 2003
Messages
485
Location
Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex
I'm referring to the original gas-operated semi-autos that came out in the 60's. I'm thinking that one of these would make a great hog gun.

I know they've been discontinued for a long time. Are they considered good guns? If I bought one, would I be able to get parts for it? Thanks.
 
i think the semi auto was discontinued in the 1980s. They started making the lever actions maybe 10 years ago. For parts availability call Ruger Customer Service.
 
Rugger made two different 44 carbines, the earlier one and later on the Deerfield, which by the way has also been discontinued. I can't comment about the earlier but the Deerfield makes an excellent 100 yard deer gun and loaded right should be OK for hogs. I believe that Ruger suggests that you shoot only jacketed bullets in both as the lub on cast bullets tends to gum up the gas system of the guns.

rj
 
There are actually three different ones.

The original Deerstalker carbine.
http://www.cabelas.com/gun-inventory---glendale---fine-rifle---1466863-rugdeerstlkr44m.shtml

The new & improved .44 Carbine.
http://www.cabelas.com/gun-inventory---dundee---fine-rifle---1456474-rugr44carb-dun.shtml

And the Mini-14 based and completely different 99/44 Deerfield carbine made recently.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/ruger_deerfield.htm

The original Deerstalker was a pretty darn good gun.
The later .44 carbine, maybe not so much.
The newer Deerfield 99/44 didn't prove to be so hot for whatever reason.

rc
 
I was referring to the original Deerstalker and the "new & improved carbine." However, from my limited reseach, it would appear that they are the same gun. Apparently another manufacturer already had rights to "Deerstalker."
 
I had one of the originals that I loved dearly. Two of them, now that I think of it. Hard times forced me to sell them. Both functioned perfectly.

IIRC, there was reports of the gas system plugging up causing cycling problems on the original ones. It wouldn't stop me from buying one if I ever saw one available.


Dave
 
I had a early ruger. It worked every time without a hitch. Only problem was it shot pie plate groups at 100 yds. with a scope. I think it would make a most excellent hog gun.
 
it would appear that they are the same gun.
Click to expand...

AFAIK, the "new and improved" carbine had a button beside the loading ramp that permitted unloading without cycling the rounds through the action.

(I have two of these, and I have seen pictures of the original, without the button.)
 
Amazingly hard to come by at the moment as well. Been trying to get one for a bud off GB and other auction sites. They are going for $650-800. He wants only the "NEW" version do to the the magazine change. Been pulling my hair finding him one at a decent price.
 
Last edited:
I have the older one. Bought new back in the day. Tube fed. I guess it is probably my favorite rifel. I have killed a lot of deer with mine. It is good to every bit of 100 if not more.

Doesnt like the cheap 50 packs of ammo. I like Winchester 250s but about any hunting factory ammo has been good. I have killed deer with just about everything from 180s up to 300 cast.

Very short quick and makes them DRT.
 
Apparently another manufacturer already had rights to "Deerstalker."
Click to expand...
Nope, Ithica had the "deerslayer" and said the "deerstalker" was to close, Ruger dropped the name before court.
 
I had one of the original "improved" models and liked it a lot. I always wanted to put a full length mag tube on it for a 10 shot capacity.
 
My brother has one with the sporterized stock. Not sure when it was made, but it is one fine shooting little carbine. He scoped it and has taken several deer with his using the 270 grain bullet. Fine little rifle.
 
I'll never forget the day at the range when my wife picked up the .44 thinking it was her 10-22 and cranked off a round.
 
My mother had one not sure what happened to it, she died 1st then my step dad, have to ask my step sister where it went.
I used to fly home and borrow it for deer hunting, good shooting rifle I don't recall any problems with it, I know they used it for many years.
 
Yep, they don't run right when they're dirty. I had feed problems that were very hard to diagnose, and it turned out to be accumulated WD40 "gum" in the magazine tubes. Both rifles had the same symptoms, and the one I bought off the Internet had it worse. Once the sticky residue was cleaned out, the timing of the magazine was restored to original and the feed problems went away.

(I thought about magazine capacity, too. Unfortunately, any attempt at lengthening is stopped by the gas mechanism, which is directly forward of the magazine. The "operating rod" wraps around the magazine tube, but is driven by the piston hitting the front of it.)
 
I don't remember folks who owned them thinking very highly of them at the end of the day.
Click to expand...
Mine was a POS for a couple of years till i figured out what ammo to feed it. The internet is makiing those little things come back to life
 
One more question: I've noticed pictures on Gunbroker and GunsAmerica of scopes mounted with a base on the receiver and a base on the barrel, near the receiver. This seems to require a pretty long scope, out of proportion to the rifle. Is this the only way to mount a scope? Is the receiver not drilled for two mounts? Also, can I still find the mounts? Thanks.
 
both of mine are drilled for scopes from the factory. yes mounts are available, mine are redfield
 
The receiver is drilled & tapped for two bases or a one-piece base with four screws.
Weaver 47 and 68 bases fit the Ruger 44 Carbine Deerstalker.
There are probably other brands as well.

1456474_rugr44carb_09l.jpg

ruger44carbines01w.jpg


rc
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

T
  • Locked
Ruger .44 mag semi auto buy
Replies
16
Views
4K
jim in Anchorage
J
K
  • Locked
semi 44 mag carbines -- any other than Ruger?
Replies
23
Views
4K
Billybluesky
B
T
  • Locked
Ruger .44 mag carbine chromed
2
Replies
46
Views
3K
Hookeye
H
B
Seems time for Ruger to reintroduce the 44 Mag carbine
2 3 4 5
Replies
102
Views
3K
Taurus 617 CCW
T
B
  • Locked
Any chance Ruger will ever make these again?
2
Replies
29
Views
3K
DrDyno
D
Back
Top