AKA "Deerstalker" and "10/44"....they're all the same thing, made 1961-1986.
The basics: it is a gas-operated, cal. .44Mag, 4-shot tubular magazine short carbine with 18-1/2" barrel and weighs in at 5-3/4lbs. Ruger made 'em from 1961 to 1986....it came with several stock styles over the years: Standard Carbine, International (Mannlicher-style) and Sporter (Monte Carlo-style).
According to 18th Edition _Gun Trader's Guide_ the various models are valued as follows: Standard Carbine - $365 (Excellent), International - $550 (Excellent) and Sporter - $360 (Excellent).
My experiences with my own Ruger .44Mag "Deerstalker" have been entirely positive from the day I bought it back about 1963....it was purchased as a companion piece for my Ruger .44Mag Blackhawk (old model) SA revolver.
Here are a few of my personal observations you might find of interest.
Due to the design of the action and stock this very nifty little carbine had an extremely short tubular magazine positioned under the barrel and enclosed by the stock's forend. The capacity of this tubular magazine was FOUR (4) cartridges and no more....regardless of what you may have heard elsewhere.
The overall capacity of the carbine itself was five (5) cartridges....four in the tubular magazine and one chambered. This was normal carry condition recommended by Ruger when hunting....and stated so in the Carbine's manual.
My usual loading sequence when hunting was as follows:
Engage safety (small pushbutton on trigger guard), pull back operating handle (it locks in the open position), insert one cartridge directly into firing chamber, press bolt release located at bottom of receiver thus closing the action, turn carbine over and insert four cartridges thru loading gate on bottom of receiver. You are now open for business. When Mr. or Mrs. Bambi's Parents happen to meander by just raise carbine, thumb-off safety, aim and fire....BTW, if it isn't doe season one must be somewhat more selective. ;->
Some have complained that the 4+1 capacity of Ruger's Carbine puts it at a disadvantage for urban defensive uses....fire-fights at the local ZIPPY-MART for example. My feelings on this....buy yourself an M1 Carbine with a 30- round magazine, a MAK-90 or one of Colt's "Black Rifle" AR versions.
The .44Mag Carbine was designed by Ruger some 25 years ago as a handy, short- ranged but moderately powerful hunting carbine. If you couldn't get the job done with five (5) 240gr JHP .44Mag cartridges then you had no business being in the woods in the first place....go back, sit on your sofa and watch TV.
It was not designed for and never intended to be a urban combat weapon. The 4+1 cartridge capacity is MORE than sufficient for its intended uses. Ruger designed this as one of the best hard-hitting, short-ranged Carbines I've ever owned; it was sold for about 25 years....I think it would still be a winner if Old Bill decided to resurrect it for today's hunting rifle market. Unless you've actually handled one of these superb little carbines there's just no way I can describe how handy, how easy and quick to point they are. While the pistol caliber lever actions I've fired, both long and short barreled, are nice and handy....they're totally outclassed by Ruger's .44Mag Carbine.
Just my $0.02 worth.....your milage may vary.