[Brian Williams]

I want a Bearcat and wondering which is preferred the New or Old models?
and what is the differences.

[JCMAG]

I can't tell you much from experience, but I found this on sixguns.com and it sounds about right:

"Beginning in 1973 all Ruger Single Actions were changed to the New Model design with the safety transfer bar. For the first time single action sixguns were safe to carry with six rounds as the firing pin does not come into contact with the primer of a loaded round. Contact is only made when the hammer is pulled back to full cock and the gun is fired. Gone was the loading half-cock notch on the hammer and the cylinder could now be revolved simply by opening the loading gate."

I've handled my father's new model Rugers and I can't say enough good things about his little Bearcat.

I've never heard even a whisper of ill-will toward the safety bar that allows you to carry with all cylinders loaded and I've heard nothing but sighs of relief when they updated their loading gate mechanism.

I'd say, if you want a collectible dust magnet, go for the old model. If you want a practical kit-gun that isn't discounted a round, go for the new. As far as I am aware and as far as any of my research into other model Rugers has led me to believe, the new model Rugers are just as well made as the old ones.

Bear(cat) in mind that Ruger pioneered the processes of mechanized labor as far as the old big-three revolver manufacturers go. Be that as it may, the name is synonymous for quality and strength, regardless of the decade.

[Neophyte1]

Brian Williams: JCMAG gave outstanding advice. My thoughts; are you planning on carrying it about, shooting, hunting, or just want something to sit in a safe.

Danger of the ?Old Model? having a round under the hammer on walk abouts or just carrying. Jolt to the hammer could cause it to fire. NOT GOOD. It's called carry 5 in the chamber and hammer over an empty chamber

New model: load and go. With the transfer bar it'll take some catastrophic happing to make it go bang unintentionally.

Should you find the old one. DO NOT send it EVER to Ruger. It will be upgraded ; any value is seriously diminished.

Hope this helps

[mainmech48]

The original Bearcat had an aluminum frame and weighed about 12 oz., IIRC. That was a handy Kit gun and trapper's tool! The steel-framed "Super" Bearcat came along later and weighed twice as much. There may even have been a few Supers with interchangable .22 Mag. cylinders; I can't remember.

As a practical matter, in these parts you can get a new model in stainless for the same or less as a nice blued original Super. The new blued ones go for a not-inconsiderable amount less. If you're more interested in using it than collecting the choice would seem obvious to me. Opinions vary.

These little revolvers can be so versatile and are capable of such nice accuracy that it's always seemed a shame to me that it can be so tough to take full advantage of their potential with the stock fixed sight setup. I keep waiting for Ruger to offer an adjustable sight option, but I'm not gonna hold my breath until I see one.

[Moonclip]

Used Bearcats always sell for big $ in my area. Even new models compared to the deals I'll sometimes see on single sixes.

I'm probably one of the few that actually prefer new model Ruger SA revolvers. I like the simpler loading procedure and the ability to safely carry 6 rounds.

[Phil DeGraves]

I have two of the old models ( one with a 4 digit serial #). Great little shooters.