Model 96 - 96/44 Rifle
Caliber: 44 Magnum
Beginning Serial Number: Years of Production:
640-00202 1996
640-00455 1997
640-12976 1998
640-13991 1999
640-18150 2000
640-20231 2001
640-21822 2002
640-22173 2003
640-22747 2004
640-22885 2005
640-23233 2006
640-23399 2007

The above chart shows the approximate first serial number shipped for the indicated year. This number should be used as a point of reference only. It is not necessarily the very first serial number shipped, but it can be used to determine the approximate year your Ruger firearm was shipped.

Ruger does not necessarily produce firearms in serial number order. There are occasions when blocks of serial numbers have been manufactured out of sequence, sometimes years later. Also, within a model family the same serial number prefix may be used to produce a variety of different models, all in the same block of serial numbers. And in some cases, firearms may be stored for a length of time before they are shipped.

For details on your specific serial number you may contact our Service Department: 336-949-5200

For serial numbers manufactured prior to our electronic records, or for an official letter confirming the details on your firearm please download and mail in the Request for Letter of Authenticity form.