.44 Mag carbine(old) functioning problems.....

[Masterblaster1]

I just got one of these old Ruger carbines in 44 mag at the gunshow, My Uncle has one and it's an awesome deer gun because it's so light, and i've always wanted one. So i find this gun it what appeared to be good condition, no witness marks on reciever from a scope base, sharp rifling, very little bluing worn off the action release in front of the tirgger gaurd. So i took it home and loaded to test it and it, shot the first round fine but the action did not cycle completly closed on the next round causing the firing pin to not strike primer hard enough. My dad said the action sounded dry so I added some hoppes #9 and took it out and shot off 4 as fast as i could pull the trigger. This was about a week ago, the other day i took it out to shoot and it did same thing it did in the first place. This is my first semiauto so i need some advice on what to look for. First i am going to clean it really good and then try some hotter ammo. Can anyone recomend a good oil to use on a semiauto? I hope it doesn't need the gunsmith....

[jaybird]

I would bet it just needs a good cleaning. Mine tends to get dirty pretty quickly, and I also run into feeding problems when it is dirty.

Jim

[Rangr44]

Go online to  www.ruger.com and download the instruction manual, so you can completely disassemble the operating rod/gas piston and also clean the gas cylinder and the gas port betwixt the bore & the gas cylinder.

A previous owner might have fired lead bullets through it - which they won't tolerate.

[OLDHandgunner]

Like they said already. It sounds like it just needs a good cleaning. Totally strip it down and clean it up really good. Then give it a light wipe down with a good quality gun oil. I own several of these fine old Ruger 44's and they have never let me down over the years as long as you keep them clean and feed them the right ammo.

[adirondacker]

hey congrats on your purchase.i collect 44 carbines,they are a nice little rifle.one of the tricks is to use no more oil than necessary.more oil will only hold more contaminants,dirt,powder residue etc,and also gets thick when cold.i have the best luck with rem oil,it is very thin with a teflon base,either in a tube or aerosol.i apply with a lambswhool applicater trying not to leave to much extra.make sure all the grooves in the receiver are clean and the gas piston and housing as well.they sometimes are overlooked.
  as for ammo i handload with a 240 grn bullet.the 240 makes a nice combination for that rifle,i never had much luck with anything heavier,never had trouble with those loads operating the action.over the years i have killed a pile of deer with the 44,a couple out to at least 125 yds.
    keep it clean,it'llkeepyou happy,good luck,adker