Found a pump 44 mag...

[freddogs]

I was looking through the gunshops yesterday and i found a pump 44 mag rifle. It was a Vulcan (I never heard of one before) and in fairly good condition. It was a carbine lenght and a spring put tension on the slide. It had a plastic clip that seemed kind of cheap but the price was $350. What do you all think? Anybody used one of these? :?

[38-55]

I have had one for a number of years.  It is no tack driver, but it will place a bullet in a deers chest everytime.  It is used for Pennsylvania deer hunting.  Have never shot over 100 yards with it.  Have a straight 2 power scope with heavy crosswires.  Use 240 gr. hollow points with 296 powder.  The 44 in a rifle is very effective although. it can be rough on eating venison.  I yet to chase a deer shot with it, all shots have been just behind the shoulder, about half way up the chest.  I have shot a number of deer with this rifle.  I think it is a very good short range deer outfit.

[BattleRifleG3]

I have never heard of such a thing, but it sounds really cool.  Wonder if I'll run into one.

[targshooter]

I remember these Universal "Vulcan" 44 mag. pump action rifles. They were modified US M1 Carbines, cobbled so they were pump rifles. These were offered in the mid to late 1960s. I handled one in a local hardware store that sold such firearms in those days. Articles written in the gun rags suggested that this was the only way the carbine could be modified to handle the powerful .44 mag cartridge. I dunno, but the rifle felt like a beat to death trombone in your hands, and it rattled like dried peas in a tin can. I only saw one used ever, at a target range in Plainfield at Ray's Gunshop, and I believe it was headed to one of New Jersey's bays as a boat anchor. To say it wasn't a tack driver is being modest, as the gun appeared to be at best capable of about 12 inch groups at 100 yards. The shooter was shooting quite well with other rifles, so it wasn't him. He offered the rifle for immediate sale at 1/2 price and there were no takers.

[freddogs]

I didn't go back and buy it. It just seemed too  much. I checked it for rattle and everything seemed tight. It didn't seem  too user friendly for mounting a scope. The condition was excellent if it was that old. I guess I'll stick with my bolt action ruger that I would have had to sell to buy it.

[targshooter]

:-D
Freddog,
I've got piqued curiosity. What does a "Vulcan" go for these days? It was about a $70 gun in the mid sixties. They even went for less as they did not sell, getting sold at clearance prices. I believe the store was R&J Hardware, it was in Somerville Circle Strip Mall in Somerville, NJ. Of course, a new Universal or Plainfield carbine cost $75 back then, whereas a military could be had for $50.

[freddogs]

The one I looked at (in very good to excelent condition) was either $350 or $325. I didn't try to deal on it. An interesting gun. The sports shop that has it is usually competitively priced (for WI).