I don't think that is a bad price, at all. Before you rush to replace the barrel, try it out with several different brands of ammo. It may surprise you. If it indeed turns out to need replacing, seriously consider relining. I have a friend who has a whole collection of "brown on brown" Ballards, low-walls, 44's and such that he has relined with excellent results. Most of them will do minute of angle at 100 yards after he is finished with them. It IS important to chamber with a match reamer (matched to the action type). The 44½ can be used with a full match reamer as it's closing action easily seats .22's that have tight match chambers that engrave almost to the case.

Good luck!
Dale53

Thank you gentlemen for your timely advise.  Whet back to the show this morning to see if I could tempt him with a trade but he was not interested.  He will have the rifle at another show next Sunday.  I will call him tonight or tomorrow and tell him to bring it to the next show and I will rustle up the cash this week.  Will place an ad here as well.  My intentions, Dale were as you described.  I will try shooting with barrel as it is; reline if unsatisfactory.  I would rebarrel only if I think I just have to have a scope.  Thanks again, the only other 44 1/2 I have ever seen at a show was a pretty beat up action only and that at what I thought was a very steep price.  Very rare to find a 44 1/2 at shows in northern Michigan.  2520

Stevens 44 1/2's are hard to find anywhere in the USA! They just didn't amke a ton of them, and actions often go for nearly what that whole gun costs! I see dozens of 44 Stevens, but rarely a 44 1/2.