I bought mine brand new in 1973. It was one of the last of the 3 screw models. In the mid 90's and after around 70,000 rounds of shooting I had to send it back to Ruger for a new barrel. They put a new tube on it, all new screws, and reblued it for $70 something. Not bad. Alas, they put the transfer bar safety in it as well, but eh, what the heck. Like a new gun after that.
A year or so later I sent it to Magnaport and had it tricked out with an action job, barrel shortening and porting. It will outshoot any of my other 44 magnums that I own now or have ever owned. I will never shoot another 70,000 rounds through it, but nice to know that the gun will take it if I wanted to.