Seems time for Ruger to reintroduce the 44 Mag carbine

B

Balrog

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Nov 28, 2008
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Given the popularity of pistol caliber carbines, it seems like it would be a good time for Ruger to introduce the discontinued 44 magnum carbine it produced 20 years ago. Maybe do a 357 mag version also. I would be very interested in one. Used ones are getting harder to find in good condition.
 
I see Ruger PC Carbines all over the place, people love 'em. I can't believe .357/.44 mag carbines wouldn't sell, especially in our current culture. They would probably have 10,000 pre-orders the first day-IF they kept the cost equivelent to the PC Carbine.

Thinking: How hard would it be to add two additional calibers-even if it had to be a limited run? Only issue would be magazine capacity and whether or not they would reintroduce the rotary mags for the magnum rimmed cartridges?

Bottom line: I would look at one for sure.
 
Jonah77 said:
I see Ruger PC Carbines all over the place, people love 'em. I can't believe .357/.44 mag carbines wouldn't sell, especially in our current culture. They would probably have 10,000 pre-orders the first day-IF they kept the cost equivelent to the PC Carbine.

Thinking: How hard would it be to add two additional calibers-even if it had to be a limited run? Only issue would be magazine capacity and whether or not they would reintroduce the rotary mags for the magnum rimmed cartridges?

Bottom line: I would look at one for sure.
Click to expand...
9mm PCCs sell by the boatload because the ammo is cheap and they take common/cheap high-cap magazines (usually Glock).
The .357/.44 rotary mags could be put back into production and weren't that expensive, but capacity was only 3-5 rounds, severely limiting their use for home defense. They ain't exactly quick to change, either.
I don't think the rotary mags feed Specials, either .38 or .44 very well either, also a debit against them.
So, they would likely need a whole new (and proprietary) magazine to attract HD customers.

The current PC frame is probably too scantly built to handle .357, let alone .44 and would require a whole new (and heavier/more expensive) platform.

I think it much more likely they would offer a 10mm at some point to those wanting more punch, especially since the cartridge is enjoying something of a renaissance.
 
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Jonah77 said:
I see Ruger PC Carbines all over the place, people love 'em. I can't believe .357/.44 mag carbines wouldn't sell, especially in our current culture. They would probably have 10,000 pre-orders the first day-IF they kept the cost equivelent to the PC Carbine.

Thinking: How hard would it be to add two additional calibers-even if it had to be a limited run? Only issue would be magazine capacity and whether or not they would reintroduce the rotary mags for the magnum rimmed cartridges?

Bottom line: I would look at one for sure.
Click to expand...
The rotary mags are still in production.
Jim Watson said:
The antis didn't get an automatic ban, either.
Now that Ruger owns Marlin, they might not be motivated to compete with themselves.
Click to expand...
I don't really consider a semi auto 44 mag to be in competition exactly with a classic style lever action.
 
Balrog said:
Given the popularity of pistol caliber carbines, it seems like it would be a good time for Ruger to introduce the discontinued 44 magnum carbine it produced 20 years ago. Maybe do a 357 mag version also. I would be very interested in one. Used ones are getting harder to find in good condition.
Click to expand...

Ruger still makes PCC carbines in .44 and .357. They just aren't autoloaders.

Ruger® 77-Series 77/44® Bolt-Action Rifle Models

www.ruger.com www.ruger.com

Ruger® 77-Series 77/357™ Bolt-Action Rifle Model 7419

www.ruger.com www.ruger.com
 
Jonah77 said:
$1200…

“Too rich for my blood” is an understatement…

Lol
Click to expand...

Have you noticed the current MSRPs for the PC Carbines?

Ruger® PC Carbine™ Autoloading Rifle Models

www.ruger.com www.ruger.com

Not to mention that none of them look quite like this.
1.jpg
 
NIGHTLORD40K said:
9mm PCCs sell by the boatload because the ammo is cheap and they take common/cheap high-cap magazines (usually Glock).
The .357/.44 rotary mags could be put back into production and weren't that expensive, but capacity was only 3-5 rounds, severely limiting their use for home defense. They ain't exactly quick to change, either.
So, they would likely need a whole new (and proprietary) magazine to attract HD customers.

The current PC frame is probably too scantly built to handle .357, let alone .44 and would require a whole new (and heavier/more expensive) platform.

I think it much more likely they would offer a 10mm at some point to those wanting more punch, especially since the cartridge is enjoying something of a renaissance.
Click to expand...
Very good points I hadn’t considered.
 
chicharrones said:
Have you noticed the current MSRPs for the PC Carbines?

Ruger® PC Carbine™ Autoloading Rifle Models

www.ruger.com www.ruger.com

Not to mention that none of them look quite like this.
1.jpg
Click to expand...
Oh I LOVE the look of the M77. But they were getting near msrp for them when I was looking, if you could even find one in stock.

I paid under $600 out the door with background check and paperwork for a basic PCC maybe a year ago?

Not sure what the street prices are today.
 
Jonah77 said:
Oh I LOVE the look of the M77. But they were getting near msrp for them when I was looking, if you could even find one in stock.

I paid under $600 out the door with background check and paperwork for a basic PCC maybe a year ago?

Not sure what the street prices are today.
Click to expand...

Still around $600 for the basic model around here. Priced as a commodity, it would seem.
 
Jonah77 said:
I see Ruger PC Carbines all over the place, people love 'em. I can't believe .357/.44 mag carbines wouldn't sell, especially in our current culture. They would probably have 10,000 pre-orders the first day-IF they kept the cost equivelent to the PC Carbine.

Thinking: How hard would it be to add two additional calibers-even if it had to be a limited run? Only issue would be magazine capacity and whether or not they would reintroduce the rotary mags for the magnum rimmed cartridges?

Bottom line: I would look at one for sure.
Click to expand...
They've already done it, twice. The reason they are no longer made is because they did not sell well enough to justify their presence in the catalog.


Balrog said:
I don't really consider a semi auto 44 mag to be in competition exactly with a classic style lever action.
Click to expand...
Of course it is. They're both short range hunting rifles with identical applications.
 
What's a thread about .44 mag rifles without a picture or two...

Two of my favorites at the local watering hole...

Deerfield and M77...both in .44 mag...There would be a .357 version there if it was made in wood and blued...

jMXZ0Vl.jpg


With that mag inserted the Deerfield or the M77 (it fits BOTH) are capable of throwing 2640 grains of lead down range as fast as you can pull the trigger or cycle the bolt in 240 grain intervals.

idfFJMi.jpg
 
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Frulk said:
What's a thread about .44 mag rifles without a picture or two...

Two of my favorites at the local watering hole...

Deerfield and M77...both in .44 mag...There would be a .357 version there if it was made in wood and blued...

jMXZ0Vl.jpg


With that mag inserted the Deerfield or the M77 (it fits BOTH) they're capable of throwing 2640 grains of lead down range as fast as you can pull the trigger or cycle the bolt in 240 grain intervals.

idfFJMi.jpg
Click to expand...
Love the Deerfield!
Big $$$$ now....😍
 
I would want one if it had the flush rotary magazine to facilitate palm carry, looked like a hunting rifle and not a pretend AR tacti-rifle and was decently accurate at least equivalent to a Marlin/Rossi lever gun of same caliber. I will take it in stainless with a plastic boat paddle stock.
 
CraigC said:
They've already done it, twice. The reason they are no longer made is because they did not sell well enough to justify their presence in the catalog.



Of course it is. They're both short range hunting rifles with identical applications.
Click to expand...
I already have a Ruger 77/44 and a Henry 44 mag lever action. Having a 44 mag semi auto would be a nice addition for many people. If done properly, it could even approximate the Thumper rifle that Jeff Cooper talked about.
 
CraigC said:
They've already done it, twice. The reason they are no longer made is because they did not sell well enough to justify their presence in the catalog.
Click to expand...
What year were they discontinued?

As best I can tell-2007?

Awhile ago.
 
I don't keep track of such things but Ruger has developed two distinct designs for a .44Mag semi-auto. The first had to be milled from billet, the second compatible with investment casting.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see one. I'd like to see something as adaptable as the 10/22, chambering the rimless AutoMag cartridges with up to 20 or 30rd magazines. Something that could be dropped into a walnut sporter stock as easily as an AR-type chassis. I just don't see a market for it. Now it will have to compete with the various AR-based straightwall cartridges that outperform it, which it didn't before. Not many would go that route when a .450BM AR15 upper is easily procured and can finish out at 6-6.5lbs. Making it even more uphill.
 
CraigC said:
I don't keep track of such things but Ruger has developed two distinct designs for a .44Mag semi-auto. The first had to be milled from billet, the second compatible with investment casting.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see one. I'd like to see something as adaptable as the 10/22, chambering the rimless AutoMag cartridges with up to 20 or 30rd magazines. Something that could be dropped into a walnut sporter stock as easily as an AR-type chassis. I just don't see a market for it. Now it will have to compete with the various AR-based straightwall cartridges that outperform it, which it didn't before. Not many would go that route when a .450BM AR15 upper is easily procured and can finish out at 6-6.5lbs. Making it even more uphill.
Click to expand...
Everything you say makes perfect sense. Except to *Boomers* LOL. We don’t follow logic, we follow nostalgia.

We also have quite a bit of cash, and are responsible for a lot of revenue purchasing firearms designed over 100 years ago.

So…there may just be a market for 5 round, rotary mag, walnut stocked, semis in magnum pistol cartidges.

Despite the fact that there are more logical and economically sensible options.

(But I’m not holding my breath that Ruger will make them!)
 
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