Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Best Value 44 mag carbine

Which is the best value 44 mag carbine? Rossi, Marlin, or Henry. I want one that is light and fast pointing. I also prefer a peep sight instead of traditional. Price is also a consideration. I also prefer stainless steel.

In stainless my first pick would be a Marlin 1894 however they haven't been made in years and Ruger hasn't announced a stainless version as yet. It would be the most expensive option due to supply and demand 'till Ruger makes one, if they ever do. Second would be the Henry Big Boy All-Weather which is hard chromed rather than stainless. Last in my book would be a Rossi


*Not a Gunwriter, just my opinion as a hunter/shooter

Does anyone have all three and can make comparions? I looked at a Henry, but it was heavy. I do like a Marlin. Rossi seems very light, but the sights can blot out a target at 100 yards from what I read. I have used a ghost ring sight on a Marlin 4570, and it was very accurate at 100 yards. However 45-70 is expensive to reload and shoot compared to a 44 mag. All the deer I have shot have been less than 100 yards, so don't need really long range, just light and quick.

WHY oh WHY doesn't PSA or someone else resurrect the old Ruger .44 Deerfield ????? Long since off patent and they would sell like HOTCAKES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PSA makes copies of everyone else's stuff.

I can't imagine there's a 10 cent difference between loading a 45-70 and 44 Mag.

Start looking for a pre cross bolt safety 1894 blued JM MARLIN pay the price and no whining. Mb

Would agree, plus they're more available. I really enjoy my stubby little blaster shooting cast and coated bullets over a little Unique or 5744.

Wait….WHAT?….hold on a minute my ears are ringing and I just swallowed a crown and 2 fillings…. 😂

what about a 44/77 Ruger in SS

Nah, it's a pussycat with a 405gr coated hardcast at 1000 fps. Screw on the Hybrid and it's hearing safe

Hard to find a Marlin in 44 stainless much less a Ruger. Want a lever not a bolt gun. 4570 uses far more powder than a 44 mag. Powder is approaching $50 a lb. now. Average of 140 shells from a lb. of power for 4570 and 350 shells for 44 mag from a lb. of powder. Over twice as many shells. Sure primer and bullets may be about the same. I keep or find my own brass. I can get more value out of reloading my 308 than the 4570. More bullet types available and less powder too. Besides 4570 is overkill for eastern woods deer.

I think this one was a good value. Traditional sights, a peep, and has a lever too. Magazine capacity is kinda skimpy…..

All depends on how you load it. A pound of Unique will get you 583 rounds @ 12 grains per load. A bit over 1000fps out of my rifle and a ball to shoot. Sure, if you want to load it to the max it'll eat more powder and you'll pay the price in both dollars and hematomas. I have a couple .44 leverguns (Ruger 96/44 & Marlin 94) but the 1895 Trapper has more fun factor to me. That said, if Ruger comes out with an 1894 Trapper-style (stainless, short & threaded) in .44 I'll grab one of those too! Overkill? There's only one level of dead.

No flies on a Marlin 45 Colt

Nope.

WHY oh WHY doesn't PSA or someone else resurrect the old Ruger .44 Deerfield ?????

If they made one in .45 colt I would be buying at least two of them. There would be one hell of a market if someone started making these in .357/.38, .44 mag, and .45 Long Colt.

That said, I have a 16" Puma/Rossi in .45 Colt that is the go to all around choice for ranch duty at the house and out and about as a truck gun. I have killed more hogs with this than anything else. It just plain works, and works well. Super handy, never a malfunction, and accurate enough out to 100 yards for deer hunting. It has served this role for years and could not be happier.

Not sure if and when they will come out but I’d like a stainless Marlin

sold my 2005 here 'bout 4 yrs ago

Would like one in 44 but the one i have in 38/357 will get the job done and be fun shooting while bagging dinner.

It is not stainless but it cleans easy.

Not a gun writer either.
I own several Marlins including a stainless.44 magnum. Nothing bad to say about any of them. I own two Rossi ‘92 copies in stainless. Nothing bad to say about them either, in fact I kinda prefer them. Their sights can be easily altered or swapped.
Never got past handling a Henry In the store & shooting a buddy’s. Nothing good to say about those heavy, over-touted soulless chunks. Wanted to like them since they were more available in .41 magnum at one point, but not for me.