Guys, to clear up any misunderstandings I may have created by not being more specific in my original post..........
I'm looking to buy my wife a rifle. She wants an 'old-timey' 'cowboy' looking rifle & I want to find her something in a caliber that's not going to beat her to death every time she shoots it - she doesn't want a lever action "we already have one of those" so I thought a single shot might be cool.........I've been poking around on the internet seeing what's out there that might fit the bill & my two choices have come down to the H&R 45 Colt Classic Carbine or a used Ruger #3 in 44 magnum.............leaving aside pro's & con's of the cartridges themselves, I was just looking for user & owner info & feedback on the two rifles themselves - if you guys thought the Ruger was worth a few hundred dollars more than the H&R............
as it so happens, I have a line on a used #3 in 44 magnum - I'm keeping my fingers crossed that everything works out - that's Plan A - if I can't buy it, Plan B will be getting her the H&R & maybe getting a 44 mag or 30-30 barrel for it......
And, even if I do buy the Ruger, that little H&R looks so darned cool, I'm gonna start saving my nickles & dimes and will probably get one some time later this year.
Thanks for all your help & advice & comments & info!!!