Seems time for Ruger to reintroduce the 44 Mag carbine

[BreechFace]

As was said it would make more sense for Ruger to produce one in 10mm, cheaper brass and ammo costs, doesn't have the punch of 44mag, but the other positives of the 10mm would outweigh that in an autoloader.

And as was said, it's too easy to procure a 450 Bushmaster which dwarfs the performance one can expect from a 44mag in a 16" barrel.

450BM 2,100fps 250gr
44Mag most reports out of 77/44 have been in the 1,700fps with a 240gr.

Nearly 20% greater velocity in comparable bullet weight.

It would be nice for a limited run for the wheel gun guys. I just don't see it happening.

 

[dogtown tom]

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.

Our "current culture" wants 9mm in a pistol caliber carbine.
-It's inexpensive compared to any other centerfire pistol cartridge.
-Cheap Glock mag compatibility by several manufacturers.......THAT'S what has caused the abundance of PCC's.
-.40 PCC's are outsold 100:1 by 9mm as it is....maybe closer to 500:1
-.45 PCC's it may be 5000:1

A .357mag or .44 semi auto would be a very tough sell.
-limited magazine capacity in previous Ruger designs and the magazine design is key.
-a significantly more expensive cartridge. No one want to do a mag dump with either.

They would probably have 10,000 pre-orders the first day-IF they kept the cost equivelent to the PC Carbine.

Unlikely.

 

[BreechFace]

I see something like this being a good seller with some refinements. For all the "blue steel and wood furniture folks."

Disregard the obnoxious brake at the end. But come out with a pistol patterned lower as well and good wood stock options and I think it would bridge the gap between new and old.

Some refinements that would make it better for the desired customer market:

Side charger
Figure out a finish that mimics bluing or stainless on the receivers and barrel
Back up irons

 

[Balrog]

I know they have made them in the past and they are out of production, presumably because of low sales, I guess. But the Ruger PC carbine is a reboot also, which was taken off the market in the past for low sales, so maybe its time to try again with the 44.

 

[Balrog]

Our "current culture" wants 9mm in a pistol caliber carbine.
-It's inexpensive compared to any other centerfire pistol cartridge.
-Cheap Glock mag compatibility by several manufacturers.......THAT'S what has caused the abundance of PCC's.
-.40 PCC's are outsold 100:1 by 9mm as it is....maybe closer to 500:1
-.45 PCC's it may be 5000:1

A .357mag or .44 semi auto would be a very tough sell.
-limited magazine capacity in previous Ruger designs and the magazine design is key.
-a significantly more expensive cartridge. No one want to do a mag dump with either.




Unlikely.

Oh I dont think a 44 mag semi auto carbine would really be bought to compete with a 9mm carbine. You definitely woldn't mag dump it. But then, you wouldn't mag dump a 450 Bushmaster either, though you might a 556 AR.,

 

[dh1633pm]

Who doesn’t already have a Ruger M44 Carbine? Mine is tube fed. Was on my list of things to sell this year. Getting out of the 44 magnum game.

 

[CraigC]

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

Except there isn't and Ruger already knows that. It's going to be even less now than it was when the last version was discontinued. I have over a dozen .44Mag's and even more .44Spl's, including leverguns in both chamberings and I wouldn't buy a new version of the Deerfield. I will take one of the new Chiappa fast twist 1892's though.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

The last Ruger .44 was similar to the Mini-14/30---sold right next to and priced the same as them also.

I would have been all over it, if it came with a more than 5 round mag-----more like 15 to 20. With an autoloader the fun is just getting started at 5 rounds.

Why get that when you can just get a Mini-14 for the same money? Probably never happen---the lever action would seem more possible but then again why not just get the Marlin. I should have picked up a .22 mag 96 while they were made.

 

[Jonah77]

Except there isn't and Ruger already knows that. It's going to be even less now than it was when the last version was discontinued. I have over a dozen .44Mag's and even more .44Spl's, including leverguns in both chamberings and I wouldn't buy a new version of the Deerfield. I will take one of the new Chiappa fast twist 1892's though.

“I surrender”

You, Sir, may have the field!

 

[jmr40]

My brother had the Ruger lever action 44 mag briefly. It wasn't very accurate nor reliable. I shot it some and after that experience I can see why they were never popular.

 

[Balrog]

The last Ruger .44 was similar to the Mini-14/30---sold right next to and priced the same as them also.

I would have been all over it, if it came with a more than 5 round mag-----more like 15 to 20.

Why get that when you can just get a Mini-14 for the same money? Probably never happen---the lever action would seem more possible but then again why not just get the Marlin. I should have picked up a .22 mag 96 while they were made.

Yea i don't see much market for the Ruger lever action either especially now that they own Marlin. Semi auto would be the way to go. I can see why someone that already owns a bunch of lever action 44s wouldnt be interested in a semi auto.

 

[jmorris]

$1200…

“Too rich for my blood” is an understatement…

Lol

And that's the rub, when they did make them, not enough people picked them for the same reasons.

 

[Jonah77]

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 just realized I may have caused an unintended disconnect between my posts and some of the replies...not that it matters-but to clarify-

My statements were to the above highlighted part of the OP. I don't own any .44 Magnums, but have .357 Magnums. So I will concede anything I may have said has no real bearing on the conversation from a .44 perspective.

My interest would be in a .357 version that would be competitive with a .38/.357 lever gun and the PCC 9mm offerings. Given the sales of .38/.357 lever guns, I think the .357 may be more viable.Even a 5 round version wouldn't be too bad. I have a 5 round CZ527 in 7.62x39 and I enjoy that just fine.

I back out slowly now...LOL.

Carry on.

 

[CraigC]

“I surrender”

You, Sir, may have the field!

Sorry, I'm not trying to be a party pooper. There's a lot of guns I'd like to see made for personal reasons but wouldn't have the market to sell more than a few dozen guns.

 

[Jonah77]

Sorry, I'm not trying to be a party pooper. There's a lot of guns I'd like to see made for personal reasons but wouldn't have the market to sell more than a few dozen guns.

We are good, man! Just a little bust. Everything you said is true, and certainly makes sense-fiscal and otherwise.

Never hurts to hash this stuff out, and I always learn something.

Happy New Year to you and yours!

 

[kidneyboy]

Everything you say makes perfect sense. Except to *Boomers* LOL. We don’t follow logic, we follow nostalgia.

This may be the most true statement I have ever seen on this site.

 

[Speedo66]

Some might say the Mini-14 doesn’t make sense, especially at the current price disparity, but they continue to sell them.

Not everyone is a plastic and aluminum fan, and many states don’t consider them “assault weapons”. The AR is not the answer to everything.

And a lever action is not a substitute for someone who wants a semi auto, regardless of caliber similarity.

 

[Gordon]

I think a good 16 1/2 gas operated carbine that can handle lead bullets with a double feed 8 round fixed drop style magazine in .357 and .44 mag would be great. A slight modernization of the SKS should work. Offer it with a folding or fixed Wood or Plastic furniture and Integral 1913 rail . Eight rounds in a tool required to detach mag would keep the total ammo load capabilities to 9 , under any proposals I'm aware of . The mag should be able to be loaded from top or when swung down. Weight under 7 points and closer to six pounds .

 

[luv2safari]

One thing Ruger better not do is advertise this gun this way!

 

[MikeInOr]

I would like to see the removable barrel system of the Ruger PC carbine in a 44 mag with a swappable 50ae barrel that used Desert Eagle magazines. I would have to buy one!

Maybe Kahr (i.e. Desert Eagle) will step up and make one, they already own the 357/44/50 locking bolt design and manufacturing equipment. Heck, the DE already has a stationary barrel. All they need is a grip that will take a removable stock.

 

[shuvelrider]

Seems like Ruger could just use the Ruger Scout platform and offer it in .44 mag to satisfy the nostalgia crowd, and another caliber for the straight-walled cartridge hunting crowd. I enjoy mine in .450BM as a handloader, some don't care for the "blast" of that round, .44 mag could be an option.

 

[adcoch1]

Who doesn’t already have a Ruger M44 Carbine? Mine is tube fed. Was on my list of things to sell this year. Getting out of the 44 magnum game.

You must let us know when you advertise it. I let mine go years ago and I miss it... Can't find one anywhere...

 

[ECVMatt]

I would love one! One in each caliber....

 

[earlthegoat2]

Wouldn’t mind that Universal 440 slide action 44 Mag in the picture above.

I have wonder just how rare those are as I have never heard of it.

I would love an IMI Timberwolf in 44 Mag that didn’t cost a kings ransom.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Who doesn’t already have a Ruger M44 Carbine? Mine is tube fed. Was on my list of things to sell this year. Getting out of the 44 magnum game.

Hey, I got one. tube fed and made "In the 200th year of American Liberty". I think it's a wonderful rifle, don't hunt with modern stuff anymore, but as it was a gift from the wife when we were newly weds, it's not going anywhere. But, in the past, it was my best and favorite deer rifle. I think I got more deer with it, than any other rifles before or since. Quite a few coyotes too. I really enjoyed that rifle, what a joy and pleasure to carry. It is very light. A bit over five pounds? I forget. And it sure killed well.

These days, I don't think (I'd bet lots of $$$) it would ever sell as a hunting rifle, and of course magazines and high capacity is the rage now. And the .44, as powerful as it is, is not ideal (to say the least) or desired for any kind of home or self defense. I think the time has come and gone for the .44mag in such a package as the OP envisions.