Any love for the Ruger Bearcat?

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Gato Montés

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I have for as long as I've been of age to purchase handguns wanted a single action in .22. There has always been a more pressing need to fulfill which has postponed that purchase, namely as of late scurrying around buying threaded guns to use as hosts for the silencer I'm waiting on. With that pretty much out of the way I went down to the shop to look at the variety of Ruger Single Sixes available; convertibles, single ten, even the single nine. While I was pretty dead set on the Single Six going in, I had for the first time found a Bearcat in the wild, and now I think I'm in love.

The Single Six has the larger grip frame, better sights if you go adjustable and the ability to fire mags with the extra cylinder, but that Bearcat to me is a grown man's version of a toy cap gun. IMO, there's something to be said about .22 handguns sized "appropriately" for the diminutive cartridge. The short time I had with the Ruger SR22P was great because of its size, and if it wasn't for the punishment the webbing of my hand received from the hammer I'd still have it today. The Single Six is obviously a fantastic firearm, but I already have a couple super accurate and super heavy .22 handguns, particularly my MKII Target which weighs in at around 40 oz. That Bearcat looks to be the ideal gun to load up and shove in your pocket for a leisurely stroll through the woods, picking off targets of opportunity as you go.

I guess as I get older and have more and more experience with firearms I'm getting a sense of what I like and what's important to me. I always based my acquisitions off of common sense and functionality, both would go against the tiny Bearcat with the other offerings available, but this time I want a firearms that satisfies a different need; bringing out my inner man child.:)

Anyone else have a special place in their hearts for these tiny little guys?
 
I did, a little. I DO like that they still index correctly when the new Single Six doesn't. That, to me, is a huge advantage for the Bearcat. But I never purchased one, and didn't really want one, . . . . . . . until I saw that they were releasing a birdshead version. THAT is one I am going to have to save up for. Don't need it, . . . but just want it!
 
You mean the Shopkeeper? I kid you not after posting I just found out about it myself. Fancy little piece that is, and an actual stainless ejector housing to boot (I think)!
 
Yes, . . . the Shopkeeper. That's the one I'd want. And yes, I believe it is a stainless housing.
 
i don't know about LOVE, but i carry mine a lot so i like it. i have the old model with the aluminium alloy frame (weighs less than one pound) and the brass trigger guard. can't even tell it's on my hip.

it is accurate with the right ammo (the four inch barrel helps that), fits well in the hand and looks like a miniature version of the old peacemaker.

yah, i like it a lot.

murf
 
My father-in-law loves his Bearcat's, although I have yet to get a chance to fire them. I keep trying to tactfully hint at it, but perhaps I'm going to have to resort to making an outright request.
 
I have a stainless new model bearcat, it is my favorite woods walking/old farmstead exploring gun. It's small size is a joy to carry. Accuracy is'nt bad, but is nothing compared to my Mark II. Finally came to the relization, it's not supposed to be as accurate as my 40 oz target gun. This gun is fun to plink with and has dispacthed a couple of barn rats. It's doing it's job and does it very well.
 
I like mine very much, but I've learned it requires a firm, steady grip to shoot it well. I like to load it with CB caps.
 
I have a stainless new model bearcat, it is my favorite woods walking/old farmstead exploring gun. It's small size is a joy to carry. Accuracy is'nt bad, but is nothing compared to my Mark II. Finally came to the relization, it's not supposed to be as accurate as my 40 oz target gun. This gun is fun to plink with and has dispacthed a couple of barn rats. It's doing it's job and does it very well.
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THAT is everything I wanted to hear! A bigger gun is usually easier to shoot, but when your main activity is not shooting all that extra weight can become annoying real quick.
 
I bought one for my Dad back in the 60's. I don't think he ever shot it.. I got it back when he died.
My son learned to shoot with it in the late 70's and now his son has it and loves it.

You could say I kinda like that little rascal.
 
I have a Bearcat that is my backpacking gun. I found the Ruger hammer spring to be much more forceful than necessary so I switched it out for a Wolff spring and my groups lost their vertical component. The sights are miniscule/cowboy affairs but are adequate for grouse/tarmegan or the occasional hare dumb enough to sit still for a shot at 10-15 yds.
I did not find the grip to my liking so I modified an old plastic grip adapter (similar to a Tyler T-Grip) for my use.
A Hunter holster fits reasonably comfortably under my pack hip belt for as long as I care to spend hiking around anymore.
A pleasure to carry compared to a .357 or a .45
 
I love mine, or at least I did until my wife claimed it. Calls it her "little Ping Ping" :D Great for slipping in your pocket and carrying around while mowing the lawn or doing chores.

I plan on teaching my two daughters when they're old enough with it.
 
I've had a Bearcat since the late 60s. I've always found it to be a superb kit gun.

My current Bearcat is the one of the newer models and (IMO) superior in every way to my old one. The Bearcat still rides in my kit. It's "minute-of-bunny" accurate out to ~ 40 yards. And it's no larger than it needs to be.

It's great to teach the kids with, and the grandkids, and with a little luck my three great grandkids. I'd not want to be without it.

bearcat017.jpg


Same Bearcat with Elk grips and my favorite Bearcat rig.

IMG_0263r1.jpg


FWIW, my Ruger Single Sixes with the 9 1/2" and with the 5" barrels still get plenty of use - but the Bearcat is a perpetual "small wonder".
 
until I saw that they were releasing a birdshead version. THAT is one I am going to have to save up for. Don't need it, . . . but just want it!
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Same here! I've already got a one of Ruger's Single-Ten revolvers which I really like, but I'm searching for one of these Bearcat Shopkeepers now. They just look so cool! :D

sk1.jpg
 
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I had one of the earliest without the transfer bar. The earlier alum frame Bearcats were smaller and lighter (17 ounces) than that which is currently available. I carried it everywhere, and used it several times per week to dispatch porcupines. I know what they say about killing porkys, but I had 80 acres next to wild natl forest and was infested with them - you don't want them to get to your dogs. That was 40 years ago, and I am thankful I kept it - recently passed it down to my son.
 
Glad you all like them. I've handled several over the years and they are just too small to use with comfort or safety. I know I have big mitts, but sheesh! Maybe I'm doing something wrong. :confused:

Jeff
 
....they are just too small to use with comfort or safety. I know I have big mitts, but sheesh! Maybe I'm doing something wrong.
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There's usually a way to hold them. But like with my NAA "The Earl" it's not a grip style that falls readily to hand. While I love my NAA for the "inner child" factor just like Gato loves his new Bearcat it takes a lot of fiddling around to get an effective grip.

Once I get my wood working shop back up and running the plan is to make a set of scales for my diminutive "The Earl" that let's me hold the gun more or less naturally. Along that same line I suspect that custom oversize grip scales for the Bearcat or the use of a Tyler like filler such as suggested by MutinusDoug would do much to adapt the child size hold of the Bearcat to adult size hands. And if done well it would not detract from the gun's basic portability.
 
bullrunbear,

i hold my bearcat with the pinky finger under the grip. lines the gun up much better in my hand.

murf
 
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