Welcome to at this time’s Photograph of the Day! The Ruger Mannequin 44, initially marketed because the “Deerstalker” till a lawsuit from Ithaca Gun Firm pressured a reputation change in 1962, represents an vital chapter in American looking firearms. Launched in 1961, this semi-automatic carbine chambered in .44 Magnum was particularly designed for deer looking in dense woods the place pictures can be at comparatively shut vary. The Mannequin 44 featured a particular walnut inventory, solid-topped receiver, and a 4-round tubular journal loaded from the underside shotgun-style. Its 18.5-inch barrel and general compact dimensions made it exceptionally helpful in thick brush. The design would later affect Ruger’s wildly profitable 10/22 rimfire rifle launched in 1964. Regardless of Elmer Keith’s excessive reward calling it “a most wonderful preventing weapon in shut fight for any peace officer or the navy,” the Mannequin 44 gained its fame primarily as a looking device. Its principal limitation was the fuel port system’s tendency to foul when utilizing lead ammunition, although this grew to become much less problematic as jacketed .44 Magnum rounds grew to become extra frequent. After a 24-year manufacturing run, Ruger discontinued the Mannequin 44 in 1985 as a result of excessive manufacturing prices. The corporate would later return to the .44 Magnum carbine market with the Deerfield in 2000 (discontinued in 2006), adopted by lever-action and bolt-action choices together with the 96/44 and the Mannequin 77/44. For handloaders, these Ruger carbines have particular ammunition necessities, notably relating to general cartridge size and bullet building, with some fashions being notably selective about which masses they’ll reliably cycle.
“Ruger .44 Magnum Semi-Computerized Carbine.” Rock Island Public sale Firm, https://www.rockislandauction.com/element/5007/706/ruger-44-magnum-semiautomatic-carbine. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
