ruger DEERFIELD User Guide
INSTRUCTION
MANUAL
FOR
RUGER
®
DEERFIELD®CARBINE
AUTOLOADING RIFLE
For Product Service on This Model Please Call:
(603) 865-2442 (See p. 28)
STURM, RUGER & Company, Inc.
Southport, Connecticut 06490 U.S.A.
THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL SHOULD ALWAYS ACCOMPANY THIS FIREARM AND BE
TRANSFERRED WITH IT UPON CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP, OR WHEN THE FIREARM IS LOANED OR
PRESENTED TO ANOTHER PERSON.
CS 99/44 3/01
R1
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND
WARNINGS IN THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY
BEFORE USING THIS FIREARM
BLUED
STEEL
CALIBER
.44 Rem. Magnum
This firearm was originally sold
with a key-operated locking device.
While it can help provide secure
storage for your unloaded firearm,
any locking device can fail. All guns
are designed to fire if they are
loaded and the trigger is pulled.
Therefore, never install the locking
device inside the trigger guard or
in any way that it can possibly pull
the trigger! Do not leave the keys
in the lock.
The ultimate responsibility for
secure storage of any firearm must
depend upon its owner and his or
her individual circumstances.
Guns should be securely stored
unloaded
, in a secure location,
separate from their ammunition.
See “Storage Warning”, page 25.
NEVER INSTALL
LOCKING DEVICE
INSIDE TRIGGER GUARD
WARNING – LOCKING DEVICES
DO NOT INSTALL
INSIDE TRIGGER GUARD
INSTALL LOCK
AS SHOWN HERE
3
LOADED
FIREARMS SAFETY-YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
SAFETY MUST BE THE FIRST AND CONSTANT
CONSIDERATION OF EVERY PERSON WHO
HANDLES FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION.
This Instruction Manual is designed to assist you in learning how to use and care
for your RUGER
®
DEERFIELD®CARBINE properly. Please contact us
if you have any questions about it.
Only when you are certain you fully understand the Manual and can properly
carry out its instructions should you practice loading, etc. with live ammunition.
If you have any doubts about your ability to handle or use a particular type of
gun safely, then you should seek supervised instruction. Such personalized
instruction is often available from gun dealers, gun clubs or police departments.
If none of these sources can help you, write to the National Rifle Association,
11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-7400. They will assist you.
The person possessing a gun has a full-time job. You cannot guess; you cannot
forget. You must know how to use your firearm safely. Do not use any firearm
without having a complete understanding of its particular characteristics and
safe use.
Remember: There is no such thing as a foolproof gun.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Operation of Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
The Bolt Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Ammunition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
To Load and Fire (With Magazine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
To Load and Fire (Without Magazine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
To Unload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
To Extract and Eject a Chambered Cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
To Clear a Malfunction (“Jam”) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
To Minimize Malfunctions (“Jams”) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Disassembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Reassembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Magazine Inspection and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Care and Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Attaching Ruger Scope Rings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Sight Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Service and Parts Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Parts Drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
The Basic Rules of Safe Firearms Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
“RUGER” and “Deerfield” are registered U.S. trademarks.
“Deerfield” is a registered trademark of Blount, Inc.
4
5
FIREARMS ARE DANGEROUS WEAPONS–
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS
IN THIS MANUAL THOROUGHLY AND
CAREFULLY BEFORE USING.
GENERAL INFORMATION
AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The RUGER®DEERFIELD®CARBINE is a gas operated, rotary
magazine fed, autoloading rifle. It is simple, reliable, and consists of a relatively
few rugged components. The mechanism employs the Ruger fixed piston/moving
cylinder gas system in conjunction with a simplified rotating bolt.
Music wire coil springs are used throughout the mechanism. The RUGER
®
DEERFIELD®CARBINE has a cross-button safety which is located in the
foward portion of the trigger guard. The safety blocks the trigger and sear while
permitting the slide to be cycled with the safety “ON”. A bolt lock mechanism is
provided for convenience in holding the bolt open for loading and inspection.
The firing pin is retracted mechanically as the bolt starts to unlock and the rifle
will fire only when the bolt is locked. The one-piece stock is American hardwood.
WARNING–ALTERATIONS
This product was designed to
function properly in its original
condition. Alterations can make it
unsafe. Do not alter any part or add
or substitute parts or accessories
not made by Sturm, Ruger & Co. Inc.
DO NOT ALTER ANY GUN
WARNINGS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE ARE
FOUND ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES:
Locking Devices 3 Unloading 13
Alterations 5 Malfunctions 17
Manual Safety 7 Disassembly 17
Ammunition 9 Lubrication 24
Lead Exposure 10 Storage 25
Firing 12 Parts Purchasers 29
Handling 13
OTHER CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS APPEAR
THROUGHOUT THE MANUAL.
6
Figure 1. In this illustration the frequently used operating components are identified. Note
that the safety is protruding fully from the right side of the trigger guard and is therefore in
its “ON” (safe) position.
NOMENCLATURE
The RUGER®DEERFIELD®CARBINE has an internal buffer system
that effectively absorbs the shock of the slide block striking the receiver in recoil.
The bolt lock plunger is located at the rear of the slide handle, and when
depressed, fits into a slot in the receiver holding the bolt open. The ejector is an
integral part of the receiver and ejects the empty cartridges out to the side.
The patented Ruger integral scope mounts take all standard Ruger scope rings of
various heights. A standard bead type front sight is used, with a flip-up type
folding rear peep sight, adjustable for windage and elevation.
OPERATION OF SAFETY
The RUGER®DEERFIELD®CARBINE has a cross-button safety which
is located in the forward portion of the trigger guard (Figure 1). The safety can
be operated once the internal hammer is cocked by retracting the slide.
Bolt
Barrel
Front Sight
Barrel Band
Take-Down
Screw
Magazine
Slide Handle
Magazine Latch
Safety
(shown “on”)
Trigger
Trigger Guard
(housing)
Receiver
Stock
Rear Sight
Keep the safety on unless actually firing.
Always move the safety fully to its intended
position and check it. The safety is not “ON”
unless it is completely “ON”. Never depend on
a safety mechanism or any other mechanical
device to justify careless handling or
permitting the rifle to point in an unsafe
direction. The only “safe” rifle is one in which
the bolt is open, the chamber is empty, and
there is no magazine in the gun.
KNOW HOW TO USE THE SAFETY
The safety is “on” when it protrudes fully from the right side (the slide handle
side) of the trigger guard assembly, as shown in Figure 1. In this position the
trigger and sear are blocked, and the gun cannot be fired from a normal pull on
the trigger. The safety should always be in the “on” (safe) position except when
the shooter is actually firing the gun. The safety should be moved to the “on”
position whenever the shooter ceases firing, even temporarily.
The safety is “off” (fire) when it protrudes from the left side of the trigger guard
assembly, as shown in Figure 2. When the safety is off, the red band shows on
the safety button, but do not totally rely on the appearance of the red band to
indicate that the safety is off. In poor light or if dirt is present, the red band may
not be visible. If the safety is “off” and the trigger is pulled, the rifle will fire.
Figure 2. The underside of the trigger guard section of the rifle. In this illustration the
safety is shown in the “off” (fire) position. The position of the safety and red band indicate
the safety is “off.” It should be in this position only
when you are actually firing at a target.
The safety is held in its “on” or “off” position by a plunger that is under spring
tension. When the safety is moved to either the “on” or “off” position, a distinct
“click” should be heard. Frequently check the position of the safety to be certain
the safety has not been inadvertently moved. If the safety seems to move too
easily, or if the click is not heard when the safety is moved, stop using the rifle
and return it to the Newport Product Service Department for repair (see p. 28).
WARNING –MANUAL SAFETY
7
THE BOLT LOCK
The bolt lock is located in the rear of the slide handle (see Figure 1, p. 6). The
bolt lock is the manually operated means of retaining the bolt in the rearward
(open) position. When the bolt is locked open, the rifle is in an inoperative safe
condition for inspection of the chamber, cleaning, etc.
WARNING: The bolt lock is not a safety device. It should not be used to hold the
bolt back when there is a loaded magazine in the rifle. A slight jar to the butt end
of the rifle will cause the bolt lock to disengage and to feed a cartridge into the
chamber.
The bolt lock should be relied on only to hold the bolt in its rearward position
when the chamber is empty and an empty magazine is in place. The only purpose
of the bolt lock is for convenience in changing magazines and for holding the
bolt in its rearward position when the rifle is unloaded for the purpose of
cleaning or inspection.
OPERATION OF BOLT LOCK
To manually engage the bolt lock to keep
the bolt open: (See Figure 3)
1. Pull the slide handle all the way to
the rear.
2. Depress the bolt lock plunger and
allow the slide to move forward
slightly until it stops.
3. Put safety “ON” (push fully to the
right).
To release the slide (which allows the
bolt to go forward) keep safety “ON”
and
draw the slide handle to the rear and
release. Do not “ride” the slide handle
forward with your fingers, as this may
result in misfeeding of cartridges (see
“To Minimize Malfunctions”, p. 16)
CAUTION: Slide is under heavy spring
tension and can injure fingers when it
slams shut. Keep fingers away from
chamber and trigger.
8
Figure 4
Closing The Bolt
Figure 3
Locking The Bolt Open
Death, serious injury, and damage
can result from the use of wrong
ammunition, bore obstructions,
powder overloads, or incorrect
cartridge components. Even the
strongest gun can be “blown up” as
a result of excess pressure. Always
wear shooting glasses and hearing
protectors.
IMPROPER AMMUNITION
DESTROYS GUNS
9
WARNING –AMMUNITION
AMMUNITION
The RUGER®DEERFIELD®CARBINE relies upon the gases produced
from the fired cartridge to cycle the action and is chambered only for the .44
Magnum cartridge. It should not be used with any other .44 caliber ammunition,
such as the .44 Special. Most .44 Magnum ammunition factory loaded to U.S.
industry specifications is suitable for use. However, “Medium Velocity” nonjacketed ammunition may not produce the volume of gas necessary to consistently
cycle the action or give optimum accuracy and is not recommended. Do not use
lead bullets -- they will clog the gas port in the barrel and prevent proper action
cycling. Aluminum-cased ammunition should not be used, as it may stick in the
chamber when fired, resulting in extraction and functioning problems. .44
Magnum cartridges with bullet weights below 215 grains are generally not
compatible with the Ruger Deerfield Carbine, and those with bullet weights above
255 grains generally exceed the maximum overall length of 1.610” allowed by U.S.
Industry Standards and may not fit into the magazine. Such cartridges at either
end of the spectrum of .44 Magnum ammunition loadings should not be used in
the Ruger Deerfield Carbine. See “Ammunition Warning” below, & “Ammunition
Notice”, p. 10.
USE ONLY CORRECT FACTORY AMMUNITION LOADED
TO U.S. INDUSTRY STANDARDS
10
AMMUNITION (CARTRIDGES) NOTICE
WE SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY
DAMAGE OR INJURY WHATSOEVER OCCURRING IN
CONNECTION WITH, OR AS THE RESULT OF, THE USE IN
RUGER FIREARMS OF FAULTY, OR NON-STANDARD, OR
“REMANUFACTURED” OR HAND LOADED (RELOADED)
AMMUNITION, OR OF CARTRIDGES OTHER THAN THOSE
FOR WHICH THE FIREARM WAS ORIGINALLY CHAMBERED.
WARNING – LEAD EXPOSURE
Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated
areas, cleaning firearms, or handling
ammunition may result in exposure to
lead and other substances known to the
state of California to cause birth defects,
reproductive harm, and other serious
physical injury. Have adequate ventilation
at all times. Wash hands thoroughly after
exposure.
SHOOTING OR CLEANING GUNS
MAY EXPOSE YOU TO LEAD
11
TO LOAD AND FIRE (WITH MAGAZINE)
Practice this important aspect of gun handling (with an unloaded rifle) until you
can perform each of the steps – described below – with skill and confidence. But
before you do anything with the rifle, please first read completely through this
manual.
1. Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. (See Rule 2, p. 34).
2. Pull the slide handle rearward. Engage the bolt lock so that the bolt is held
open. Check the chamber to be certain it is empty. Engage the safety
. (See
Figure 1, p. 6).
3. Remove the magazine from the rifle. (See Figure 5, below).
Figure 5. The safety should be in the “Safe”
position when the magazine is being
removed or inserted. When the forward
section of the magazine latch is pushed in
(pivoted upward), the magazine is released.
One way of removing the magazine is to
cradle the rifle in the left hand with the
palm under - but not against - the magazine.
Use the right forefinger to fully depress the
magazine latch and the magazine will drop
free. Another way (illustrated) is to depress
the latch with the thumb and at the same
time grasp the magazine between the thumb
and forefinger and draw it out of the gun.
Removing Magazine
(Safety “On”)
4. Load the magazine by sliding up to four (4) cartridges into the magazine
throat-opening as described below. (See Figure 6). The Ruger Deerfield
Carbine is designed to function properly only with standard Ruger 4-shot
rotary magazines loaded with factory .44 Rem. Mag. cartridges of the correct
type. (See “Ammunition”, p. 9)
NOTE: The .44 magnum magazines for the Ruger 96/44 lever action rifle and the
Ruger 77/44 bolt action rifle will not fit into the Deerfield Carbine rifle due to
dimensional differences. Do not attempt to use either of them in the Deerfield
Carbine.
Figure 6. To load the magazine, press
the rim of the cartridge against the
magazine rotor at the widest section of
the magazine throat until the cartridge
enters far enough to be pushed to the rear
end of the magazine. Each succeeding
cartridge is pressed against the body of the
top cartridge and slid to the rear of the
magazine until a maximum of four (4)
cartridges are in the magazine
Loading
Magazine
12
5. Insert magazine into the firearm, with bullet end of the cartridges toward the
muzzle. (Magazine cannot be seated if reversed).
6. Load a cartridge into the chamber by fully retracting the slide handle (which
will automatically release the bolt lock) and then releasing the handle. Don’t
touch the trigger. Do not ‘ride’ the slide handle as it moves forward. Do not
apply force to the slide handle to chamber a cartridge. If a cartridge does not
readily chamber, eject it from the rifle, lock the bolt open, remove the
magazine and see MALFUNCTION WARNING, p. 17.
7. The rifle is now fully loaded. If the rifle is not to be fired immediately, the
safety should remain “ON” (See Figure 1, p. 6). Only when you are ready to
fire at a selected target, move the safety to the “off” position. The rifle will fire
a single cartridge each time the trigger is pulled and released until all the
cartridges in the magazine, and the one in the chamber, have been fired.
Firing will automatically reload and recock the rifle. NOTE THAT EVERY
TIME THE TRIGGER IS PULLED, IF A CARTRIDGE IS IN THE CHAMBER,
THE RIFLE WILL FIRE – BE CAREFUL!
8. Immediately following the firing of a shot, and if a subsequent shot is not to
be fired at once, put the safety “ON” while the rifle is still pointing in a safe
direction down range. The safety should be moved to the “on” position as soon
as firing is completed, and it should be “on” at all times except when the rifle
is on target and being fired.
9. The bolt does not remain open after the last shot has been fired, nor does the
bolt automatically lock open when the magazine is empty. When firing is
completed, put the safety “ON” and manually retract the bolt, lock it open,
and visually check the chamber to be sure it is empty. If the bolt is shut, the
shooter should always assume that there is a cartridge in the chamber. Don’t
rely on your memory to know if a gun or magazine is loaded. Visually inspect
the magazine and the chamber.
WARNING –FIRING
The bolt automatically opens
and shuts quickly while firing.
Keep face and hands away
from it. Hot brass and powder
gas are ejected quickly and
can burn you. The rifle should
be fired from the right
shoulder. Always wear
shooting glasses and hearing
protectors.
BOLT OPENS FAST–
HOT BRASS EJECTED
So that the rifle can be used as a single loader, it
will fire whether or not a magazine is in the gun
if a cartridge is chambered. Removing magazine
does not unload rifle! To unload, first remove
magazine, then pull slide to rear, eject chambered
cartridge, and visually inspect chamber. The safety
should always be in the “on” (safe) position when
loading or unloading the rifle. Keep safety “on”.
GUN WILL FIRE WITH
“MAGAZINE” OUT
13
If dropped or
struck with the
safety “off”, the
rifle may fire.
Keep chamber
empty unless
actually firing!
Keep safety “on”
unless actually
firing!
ANY GUN
MAY FIRE IF
DROPPED
WARNING –HANDLING
TO LOAD AND FIRE (WITHOUT MAGAZINE)
The rifle can be used as a single shot rifle in the absence of a magazine or for
safety or training purposes. To do so, follow steps 1 and 2, p. 11. Then load a
cartridge into the chamber, and follow steps 6 through 9, p. 12, disregarding the
magazine. Engage the safety between shots, and disengage it only when actually
firing at a selected target.
WARNING – UNLOADING
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