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I bought a Ruger 44RS new in Sept., 1975. Took it hunting once (pigs), never saw any, shot 20 coconuts off of trees (Guam), cleaned it and put it back in the box. Never fired since. This morning I ran a swab down the bore and the barrell looks perfect - new, though I'm no expert. It's been in the box well over 40 years. The original receipt and 5 page manual/parts list are also in the box. I'm not a collector and have no use for the piece because I mostly shoot shotguns. The box is worse for wear because I've moved around, but the gun seems new. It has a sling and ghost ring adjustable sights. I have a copy of the original registration document in Guam. It was stored in my home which had central air.
I originally bought it as a bear-insurance carry-gun for trips to Alaska, because I wasn't very comfortable shooting 44 revolvers. In those days, long gone now, it was a popular Alaskan gun, light and portable and powerful enough.

I plan to trade it in for another gun, and would like some idea of what it's worth. I took it to a large national outdoors retailer for a trade and the guy at the counter advised me (quietly) to go somewhere else because I wouldn't get what it's worth there.
Tax and all, I paid just under $176 for it new. Any ideas?

Mike

What are you looking to get in trade? I may be interested and have lots of trading material.

I have one and wouldn't mind having another. Wanna double your money and sell it to me?

Thanks, Dinny

You'll never get what it's worth trading it for another rifle. Find out what it's worth, someone with knowledge will be along shortly, and put it up for sale here. You'll be way ahead than if you trade it.
And I'm talking trading with a dealer for a new rifle. You may find what your looking for here trading with someone who wants a 44RS, and come out just fine.

I bought one new about the same time but I only paid $117. For what it is worth, I see them around from time to time. They're usually priced around $800 in nice condition. With the box, might bring a little more.

Some of these have bids for a rough idea:
https://www.gunbroker.com/Semi-Auto...;Condition=4&Sort=13&PageSize=48
Completed auctions with bids show them from $500 to $1000 for mint or special models.

I sold one (with the factory receiver sight) on Gunbroker a year or two ago for about $700. It was in decent, but not near perfect, condition.

I sold my RS last year for $650. It was in very good condition and I had to sit on it for awhile to get that price.

Just remembered I sold this one here for $650 shipped:
https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/13292590/1

I’ve got a Sako Forester .243 Varmint made in ‘59 bofers steel that I’d be interested in trading. PM if interested

The fellows over on Rugerforum.com would be able to give you a pretty fair estimate of value. You could also check the price that they are getting on Gunbroker. Be sure you look at what they are selling for, not asking price. Prices there can also reflect the way the guns are listed and sometimes an odd case of bidding fever, but they can give you a sense of the value.
If you are interested in a trade, I have a Whitworth Express American Field in 7mm RM that i think is in the same value range, that I might be interested in trading.
PM me if that is of interest.
BFLY

This is the only sold carbine on Gunbroker:

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/793962816

with everything you have with it, i wouldn't take a dime under 800. They are great guns with high power ammo. i have two & no desire to part with either one. good luck with your sale or trade.

Thank you. Lot to think about. I think I'll drive it to Austin and see if McBride will give me $800 on a trade in for a new Citori CXT - which I'm in the market for. My 44 looks good enough in the box to be used in a display case, actually. If he won't take it, I'll bring it back and sit on it some more. It's not depreciating, at least.
McBrides is a good shop - supports his church, and has to make a profit to pay his people and expenses.
Thanks a million for all the replies, I would have been happy with 500.

Please let me know where to send the $500??

Trade for like new Beretta A390 Silver Mallard in the Box. 2 boxes of shells through it, layed in a blind for a couple hours, no birds flying, cleaned and put away. Haven't hunt geese or ducks since, similar situation.

PM sent.