Ruger Model 44

{{Infobox Weapon |name=Ruger Model 44 |image= Ruger Deerstalker44.JPG |caption= Ruger Model 44 with scope |origin= United States |type= Semi-automatic rifle |is_ranged= yes |designer= [[William B. Ruger]] |design_date=1960 |manufacturer=[[Sturm, Ruger & Co.]] |production_date=1960–1985{{sfn | Wilson | 1996 | pp=68–69}} |number= Over 250,000{{sfn | Wilson | 1996 | pp=68–69}} |unit_cost=$108 ({{Inflation|US|108|1960|fmt=eq}}) (1960){{sfn | Wilson | 1996 | pp=68–69}} |variants= RS, International, Sporter, 25th Anniversary |spec_label= |weight= {{convert|5.75|lb|kg|1|abbr=on}}{{sfn | Wilson | 1996 | pp=68–69}} |length= {{convert|36.75|in|mm|abbr=on}}{{sfn | Wilson | 1996 | pp=68–69}} |part_length= {{convert|18.25|in|mm|abbr=on}}{{sfn | Wilson | 1996 | pp=68–69}} |cartridge= [[.44 Remington Magnum]]{{sfn | Wilson | 1996 | pp=68–69}} |action= [[Gas-operated]], [[rotating bolt]] |feed= 4-round [[Magazine (firearms)#Tubular|tubular magazine]]{{sfn | Wilson | 1996 | pp=68–69}} |sights= Folding rear leaf sight, gold bead front sight{{sfn | Wilson | 1996 | pp=68–69}} }}

The '''Ruger Model 44''' is a [[semi-automatic rifle]] [[Chamber (firearms)|chambered]] in [[.44 Remington Magnum]]<ref name="Long1987">{{cite book|last=Long|first=Duncan|title=The Sturm Ruger 10/22 Rifle and .44 Magnum Carbine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RpWzPAAACAAJ|date=December 1, 1987|publisher=Paladin Press|location=Boulder, Colorado|isbn=978-0-87364-449-5|page=11}}</ref> designed and manufactured by [[America]]n firearm company [[Sturm, Ruger & Co.]] It uses a 4-round tubular magazine and was produced from 1961 to 1985.<ref name="Shideler2009">{{cite book|last=Shideler|first=Dan|title=The Gun Digest Book of Modern Gun Values: The Shooter's Guide to Guns 1900-Present|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MWFXRDeFrpsC&pg=PA430|date=June 26, 2009|publisher=Gun Digest Books|location=Iola, Wisconsin|isbn=978-0-89689-824-0|page=430}}</ref>

==History== Designed as a close range carbine for [[deer hunting]] in dense woods, Ruger released the Model 44 Carbine in 1961 as the "'''Deerstalker'''", a moniker it used until 1962 after which a lawsuit brought by the [[Ithaca Gun Company]] prohibited them from doing so.<ref name="Shideler2009"/><ref name=rifleshooter>{{cite journal|first=Garry|last= James|title=Ruger Collector's Guide|publisher=Rifle Shooter|date=September 23, 2010|url=http://www.rifleshootermag.com/2010/09/23/featured_rifles_rs_ruger_collectors_guide_032009/|accessdate=October 14, 2013}}</ref> The design influenced the smaller and more popular [[Ruger 10/22]] model chambered in [[.22 Long Rifle|.22 LR]] that would debut in 1964.<ref name="Long1987"/> The rifle was discontinued in 1985 due to high production costs.<ref name="Shideler2009"/><ref name="Taffin2006">{{cite book|first=John|last=Taffin|authorlink=John Taffin|title=Gun Digest Book of the .44|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lFFQMbV59ooC&pg=PA240|accessdate=August 25, 2013|date=October 30, 2006|publisher=Gun Digest Books|isbn=978-1-4402-2670-0|page=240|location=Iola, Wisconsin}}</ref> Ruger does not offer any parts support for the Model 44.

The Ruger Model 44 was replaced by the [[Ruger Deerfield carbine]] introduced in 2000 and produced until 2006.<ref name="Taffin2006"/> The Deerfield is a brand new design and has little in common with the Model 44. While the Model 44 featured a solid-topped receiver, the modern Deerfield carbine has an open-top design more resembling the [[M1 Carbine]],<ref name=scoby>{{cite book|author=Michael Schoby|title=Hunter's Guide to Whitetail Rifles|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I2A50VngxgQC&pg=PA126|accessdate=August 25, 2013|date=November 2006|publisher=Stackpole Books|isbn=978-0-8117-3359-5|pages=126–}}</ref> which offered increased strength and lower production costs.<ref name=krause>{{cite book|title=The Gun Digest Book of Firearms Assembly/Disassembly Part IV - Centerfire Rifles|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VvxVe06GQtgC&pg=PA368|accessdate=August 25, 2013|date=December 15, 2003|publisher=Krause Publications|isbn=978-0-87349-631-5|pages=368–}}</ref> The Deerfield uses a [[rotary magazine]] similar to that used on Ruger's [[.22 LR]] [[10/22]] rifle.<ref name=scoby />

==Design== The standard model featured a [[Stock (firearms)#Wood stocks|walnut stock]] and a barrel band similar to the Ruger 10/22 and the [[M1 Carbine]], but using a solid top [[Receiver (firearms)|receiver]].<ref name="Long1987"/> The front sight was a gold bead and the rear sight was a folding leaf-type. The receiver was drilled and tapped for [[scope mount]]s. The rifle was fed via a 3 round tubular magazine.

The chief complaint of the rifle was that the gas ports quickly fouled when using lead [[ammunition]]. This became less of an issue as manufacturers of .44 Magnum ammunition offered jacketed rounds instead of traditional lead.<ref name="Staff2011">{{cite book|last=Shideler|first=Dan|title=Gun Digest Book of Deer Guns: Arms & Accessories for the Deer Hunter|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f0bAG9mWgakC&pg=PA40|date=February 28, 2011|publisher=Gun Digest Books|isbn=978-1-4402-2666-3|page=40|chapter=The Hammer of Thor|location=Iola, Wisconsin}}</ref>

Ruger offered several variants including the RS model that had factory [[Sling swivel stud|sling swivels]] and a rear peep [[Sight (device)|sight]] close to the rear receiver lug. The International Model was similar, but lacked the rear peep sight and had a Mannlicher-type [[Stock (firearms)|stock]]. The Sporter was the same, but made use of a Monte-Carlo style of stock. These three variants were dropped from production in 1971.<ref name="Shideler2009"/> In the final year of production, Ruger offered a "25th Anniversary Edition" that featured a Ruger medallion embedded in the stock.<ref name="Lee2012">{{cite book|last=Lee|first=Jerry|title=The Official Gun Digest Book of Guns & Prices 2012|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=me1tha-egPkC&pg=PA1104|date=April 11, 2012|publisher=Gun Digest Books|location=Iola, Wisconsin|isbn=978-1-4402-2927-5|page=1104}}</ref>

==Images== <gallery> File:Ruger Deerstalker44 r.JPG|The right side of the Ruger Deerstalker 44 Magnum semi-auto rifle. File:Ruger Deestalker44 l.JPG|The left side of the Ruger Deerstalker 44 Magnum semi-auto rifle, bearing the pre-lawsuit brand name, and the low 1000s serial number. </gallery>

==References== * {{cite book | last=Wilson | first=R. L. | title=Ruger & His Guns: A History of the Man, the Company, and Their Firearms | publisher=Simon & Schuster | publication-place=New York | year=1996 | isbn=0-684-80367-4 | oclc=33820244}} {{reflist}}

==External links== * [https://ruger-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/_manuals/model44.pdf User Manual]

[[Category:.44 Magnum firearms]] [[Category:Semi-automatic rifles of the United States]] [[Category:Ruger rifles]] [[Category:Rotary magazine firearms]]