# Ruger Model 44

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Semi-automatic rifle

Ruger Model 44 Ruger Model 44 with scope Type Semi-automatic rifle Place of origin United States Production history Designer William B. Ruger Designed 1960 Manufacturer Sturm, Ruger & Co. Unit cost $108 (equivalent to $1,175 in 2025) (1960)[1] Produced 1960–1985[1] No. built Over 250,000[1] Variants RS, International, Sporter, 25th Anniversary Specifications Mass 5.75 lb (2.6 kg)[1] Length 36.75 in (933 mm)[1] Barrel length 18.25 in (464 mm)[1] Cartridge .44 Remington Magnum[1] Action Gas-operated, rotating bolt Feed system 4-round tubular magazine[1] Sights Folding rear leaf sight, gold bead front sight[1]

The **Ruger Model 44** is a [semi-automatic rifle](/source/Semi-automatic_rifle) [chambered](/source/Chamber_(firearms)) in [.44 Remington Magnum](/source/.44_Remington_Magnum)[2] designed and manufactured by [American](/source/America) firearm company [Sturm, Ruger & Co.](/source/Sturm%2C_Ruger_%26_Co.) It uses a 4-round tubular magazine and was produced from 1961 to 1985.[3]

## History

Designed as a close range carbine for [deer hunting](/source/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](/source/Ithaca_Gun_Company) prohibited them from doing so.[3][4] The design influenced the smaller and more popular [Ruger 10/22](/source/Ruger_10%2F22) model chambered in [.22 LR](/source/.22_Long_Rifle) that would debut in 1964.[2] The rifle was discontinued in 1985 due to high production costs.[3][5] Ruger does not offer any parts support for the Model 44.

The Ruger Model 44 was replaced by the [Ruger Deerfield carbine](/source/Ruger_Deerfield_carbine) introduced in 2000 and produced until 2006.[5] 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](/source/M1_Carbine),[6] which offered increased strength and lower production costs.[7] The Deerfield uses a [rotary magazine](/source/Rotary_magazine) similar to that used on Ruger's [.22 LR](/source/.22_LR) [10/22](/source/10%2F22) rifle.[6]

## Design

The standard model featured a [walnut stock](/source/Stock_(firearms)#Wood_stocks) and a barrel band similar to the Ruger 10/22 and the [M1 Carbine](/source/M1_Carbine), but using a solid top [receiver](/source/Receiver_(firearms)).[2] The front sight was a gold bead and the rear sight was a folding leaf-type. The receiver was drilled and tapped for [scope mounts](/source/Scope_mount). 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](/source/Ammunition). This became less of an issue as manufacturers of .44 Magnum ammunition offered jacketed rounds instead of traditional lead.[8]

Ruger offered several variants including the RS model that had factory [sling swivels](/source/Sling_swivel_stud) and a rear peep [sight](/source/Sight_(device)) close to the rear receiver lug. The International Model was similar, but lacked the rear peep sight and had a Mannlicher-type [stock](/source/Stock_(firearms)). The Sporter was the same, but made use of a Monte-Carlo style of stock. These three variants were dropped from production in 1971.[3] In the final year of production, Ruger offered a "25th Anniversary Edition" that featured a Ruger medallion embedded in the stock.[9]

## Images

		- The right side of the Ruger Deerstalker 44 Magnum semi-auto rifle.

		- The left side of the Ruger Deerstalker 44 Magnum semi-auto rifle, bearing the pre-lawsuit brand name, and the low 1000s serial number.

## References

- Wilson, R. L. (1996). *Ruger & His Guns: A History of the Man, the Company, and Their Firearms*. New York: Simon & Schuster. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-684-80367-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-684-80367-4). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [33820244](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/33820244).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWilson199668–69_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWilson199668–69_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWilson199668–69_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWilson199668–69_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWilson199668–69_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWilson199668–69_1-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWilson199668–69_1-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWilson199668–69_1-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWilson199668–69_1-8) [Wilson 1996](#CITEREFWilson1996), pp. 68–69.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Long1987_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Long1987_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Long1987_2-2) Long, Duncan (December 1, 1987). [*The Sturm Ruger 10/22 Rifle and .44 Magnum Carbine*](https://books.google.com/books?id=RpWzPAAACAAJ). Boulder, Colorado: Paladin Press. p. 11. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-87364-449-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-87364-449-5).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Shideler2009_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Shideler2009_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Shideler2009_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Shideler2009_3-3) Shideler, Dan (June 26, 2009). [*The Gun Digest Book of Modern Gun Values: The Shooter's Guide to Guns 1900-Present*](https://books.google.com/books?id=MWFXRDeFrpsC&pg=PA430). Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 430. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-89689-824-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-89689-824-0).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-rifleshooter_4-0)** James, Garry (September 23, 2010). ["Ruger Collector's Guide"](http://www.rifleshootermag.com/2010/09/23/featured_rifles_rs_ruger_collectors_guide_032009/). Rifle Shooter. Retrieved October 14, 2013. {{[cite journal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_journal)}}: Cite journal requires |journal= ([help](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:CS1_errors#missing_periodical))

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Taffin2006_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Taffin2006_5-1) [Taffin, John](/source/John_Taffin) (October 30, 2006). [*Gun Digest Book of the .44*](https://books.google.com/books?id=lFFQMbV59ooC&pg=PA240). Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 240. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-4402-2670-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4402-2670-0). Retrieved August 25, 2013.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-scoby_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-scoby_6-1) Michael Schoby (November 2006). [*Hunter's Guide to Whitetail Rifles*](https://books.google.com/books?id=I2A50VngxgQC&pg=PA126). Stackpole Books. pp. 126–. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-8117-3359-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-8117-3359-5). Retrieved August 25, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-krause_7-0)** [*The Gun Digest Book of Firearms Assembly/Disassembly Part IV - Centerfire Rifles*](https://books.google.com/books?id=VvxVe06GQtgC&pg=PA368). Krause Publications. December 15, 2003. pp. 368–. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-87349-631-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-87349-631-5). Retrieved August 25, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Staff2011_8-0)** Shideler, Dan (February 28, 2011). ["The Hammer of Thor"](https://books.google.com/books?id=f0bAG9mWgakC&pg=PA40). *Gun Digest Book of Deer Guns: Arms & Accessories for the Deer Hunter*. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 40. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-4402-2666-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4402-2666-3).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Lee2012_9-0)** Lee, Jerry (April 11, 2012). [*The Official Gun Digest Book of Guns & Prices 2012*](https://books.google.com/books?id=me1tha-egPkC&pg=PA1104). Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 1104. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-4402-2927-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4402-2927-5).

## External links

- [User Manual](https://ruger-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/_manuals/model44.pdf)

v t e Sturm, Ruger & Co. Rifles 10/22 American Rifle American Rimfire AR-556 Deerfield carbine Gunsite Scout M77 Mini-14 Model 44 Model 96 No. 1 No. 3 Police carbine Precision rifle SR-556 SR-762 Submachine guns MP9 Shotguns Gold Label Red Label Pistols American pistol Hawkeye LC9 LCP MK I MK II MK III MK IV P-Series Ruger-5.7 Security-9 SR-Series SR22 SR1911 RXM Revolvers Bearcat Bisley Blackhawk GP100 LCR Old Army Redhawk Security-Six Super Redhawk Single-Six SP101 Vaquero Wrangler Cartridges .204 Ruger .300 Ruger Compact Magnum .327 Federal Magnum .338 Ruger Compact Magnum .375 Ruger .416 Ruger .480 Ruger Subsidiaries Marlin Firearms

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ruger Model 44](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruger_Model_44) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruger_Model_44?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.