Ruger Deerfield .44mag. Crazy Pricing??

ronecol

ronecol

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It seems these rifles are now selling $2500 to $3000 - about a 400% increase since their retail of around $725.

What's the attraction that warrants this? It's not that there are no other .44mag options.

I'm really curious who are those paying these crazy prices? Or are the prices crazy?
 
Collector pricing now, for likely well-used items. This is one rifle that I wish Ruger would or someone would resurrect maybe in a slightly improved version. It was a handy little carbine back in the day.
 
There is one up for trade on another site. Not sure what he's looking for value wise for a trade.....but I expect the increase in value could have to do with expected forthcoming bans and the fact that it's a semi, pistol cal that's unlikely to get axed.
 
You're referring to the detachable magazine .44? I don't think these were made for very long. Not at all common.
The older tubular magazine carbines turn up more often, but are still not plentiful.

Either way, they are niche firearms with a following. This is probably responsible for driving the prices.
 
I'm sure there would be a market for it. Fairly complicated though, price might be too high.
I certainly like mine.
 
Detachable mag is hard to find and fetch a premium. No different the some of the older stuff like colt wheel guns etc.

I wish Ruger would reintroduce the the detachable mag model.
 
A detachable magazine is a convenience.
The first tubular ones had to be unloaded by cycling the rounds through the action. Later version, like mine, can be unloaded out the bottom.
 
tiriaq said:
You're referring to the detachable magazine .44? I don't think these were made for very long. Not at all common.
The older tubular magazine carbines turn up more often, but are still not plentiful.

Either way, they are niche firearms with a following. This is probably responsible for driving the prices.
Click to expand...

Here's a bit of trivia....

Carbine
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The Carbine .44mag was first introduced in 1961. It was the first of Ruger's entry into the long gun market. It was discontinued in 1985 due to high production cost. Some 250,000 were made. It was NEVER named the "Deerslayer". It was briefly named the "Deerstalker".

The design was changed in 1975 beginning with serial no. 102-04751 to include a cartridge release function to allow unloading from the loading port rather than having to cycle the action to unload. Therefore Carbines with serials below 102-04751 are much less desirable.

Deerfield
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The Deerfield 99/44 was manufactured from 2000 to 2006 and only 17,500 were made. The vast majority were sold in the U.S. - thus their scarcity. It is designed roughly on the Mini 14. It was built on the Mini 14 line and production of the Mini 14 was temporarily suspended while the one and only run of the Deerfield was made.

(These are both mine - both will go to grandsons)
 
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I had one for years. Was actually the first gun I bought off of the EE. Fun little gun. The tubular magazine with the release.

Traded it for a what I would consider pretty close to new #1 in 300 win.

Still happy with that trade.
 
I just moved a tube mag. .44 for decent money and it sold instantly. If you ever want to determine values, look at Elwood Epps. The odd time a deerfield with removable mag comes up, it sells for $2400ish plus tax on Epps site and it doesn’t last a day. The tube fed ones go for a lot less than a Deerfield, but they sell quickly at prices sometimes approaching $1500 depending on condition. It amazes me that they get $2500 for a tavor, but people pay it.
 
Was my dream rifle when I was younger. Couldn’t afford it. Then when I had a better job and more money I found out they discontinued them. I hunted the used market for about 5 years until I found one for a decent price that wasn’t beat up. I paid $800 and have no intentions of selling it. I like the 44 Rem mag especially in a semi
 
Such a cool little rifle. Discontinued do to high production costs I seem to remember and/or not enough people bought them at the time to warrant continued production?

Edit: I just read ronecol's post.
 
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I love mine,can't see me ever selling it .i know if it ever needs parts a guy will have to hope n pray they know an engineer who is a gunsmith lol.Our local gunsmith is such a guy thankfully.
 
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