Looking for Ruger Bearcat experiences

[Norrick]

If you own/ed one or have spent time shooting one, what were the pros and cons of your experiences?

I am curious about a few things, namely the accuracy (what is it capable of if shooter error wasn't a factor. Lets also ignore the limitations of the non-adjustable sights and short sight radius)?

How fast does leading of the forcing cone occur, did you find yourself having to run a brush through it often?

Do the rounds become difficult to insert/remove from the chambers after extended firing (and if so how many reloads before cleaning).

Ever try shooting match ammo or hyper velocity ammo? Anything of interest to share?

Is this gun good for anything other than plinking? I.e. would it make a decent survival tool? I have a 77/22 that fills this niche but I'm starting to think maybe I'd rather have a shotgun for the long gun role and switch the 22 to something handheld. Semi autos are out of the question due to reliability and requiring what may end up being scarce cleaning tools and lubrication. Ammo and boresnake, thats all I'd have.

All responses are appreciated.

 

[MaterDei]

Norrick,

In my experience with the Bearcat I would categorize it as primarily a plinker. The sights and the size of the gun limit it to anything but short range utility/plinking work. It really is a very small gun. With that said, in a pinch any firearm makes a decent survival tool if it is the only one you have. I have several 22 hand guns, all auto loaders, that I would put ahead of the Bearcat as survival handguns.

For example, in my opinion the Buckmark is a much better survival tool. It is much more accurate and, quite frankly, more reliable. My Bearcat has gone back to the factory for a timing issue, none of my other 22s have needed any factory work. Modern semi-auto 22s will run a LONG time with just ammo and a boresnake provided you have a bit of oil on hand to keep them going.

Don't get me wrong, the Bearcat is a good gun, for what it is, I just wouldn't categorize it as an ideal survival gun.

 

[CajunBass]

I've got one and it's a great little gun. It is very accurat, but is somewhat hard to shoot for the reasons you listed. Short sight radius, trigger, small grips that make it hard to get a consistent hold, but the gun itself will shoot.

Leading? Never noticed any at all. I don't know that I've used a brush on mine. Actually, I'm not even sure I've ever cleaned it beyond wiping the crud off the outside. Never had any trouble loading or unloading.

Would it be a good "survival gun?" Well, I'm sure it would, but a Single-Six would do anything it would do, and do it better, except for being small and light. The only ammo I've ever used is whatever I happened to have around...usually Federal bulk pack HP's.



Still my Bearcat is my gun to carry when I don't want to carry a gun.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Still my Bearcat is my gun to carry when I don't want to carry a gun.

The smaller size and lighter weight of the bearcat are it's strong points IMHO. Never had a lick of trouble with the one I owned. I recently traded it for a Service Six.

 

[DMZ]

I have had a Bearcat for quite a while and found it to be a very handy little revolver. It size makes it easy to carry or toss in a backpack. That IMO makes it a good survival tool. I often carry it as a secondary firearm when I am backpacking.

Accuracy? It is capable. Just because it is small and does not recoil, does not mean you should not keep a firm, steady grip.

Ammo? Mine will shoot anything. With the hypervelocity stuff, the groups seem to open up, so I stick with bulk, Win 333, Fed 550. I shot some Fed Auto Match in it and there was no differenced between it and bulk stuff.

Leading? I have never seen any. It get carbon fouled after a few hundred rounds, but any good solvent will clean that up. I have never had any problem getting rounds into the cylinder, even when it is really dirty.

It is also a great handgun for kids to learn with. That is why I bought mine.

The Bearcat is one of those guns that many shooter buy and never sell.

 

[dennis228]

I would agree with CajunBass pretty much, as I have a 4 5/8 blued Ruger Single Six and a Bearcat too. Had them both out today at the range. I just love that little Bearcat, but the Single Six is easier to shoot more accurately, has better sights (Adj.) has the Magnum cyl. for added power, and fits most hands well. Still the Bearcat is light and small enough to easily carry in a front pocket, the gun you carry when you don't think you will need one. Loaded with the right ammo, such as Stingers or Velocitors, it certainly could protect you in a survival situation and used properly could put meat in the pot too. My BC likes CCI ammo. I think its a nice kit gun and plinker. Given a choice in a tight situation or small game hunting I would probably rather have my Single Six with magnum cyl. loaded with CCI 40 Grain Maxi-Mags. Either one is a great value. Many of us start off and buy one or the other and eventually own both!

 

[MMCSRET]

I bought one in 1969 and traded it away in 1981. I'm sorry, thats all the experience I can relate, any more is just too traumatic and painfull. Hope that helps!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Erich]

I liked my Bearcat so much that I sent it to Hamilton Bowen for an action-tune, some sight work, and re-chambering to .22 Magnum. Now the 4" tube throws 40-grainers at 1460 fps and 34-grainers over 1600 fps and the 30-grainers just under 1700 fps. (It also wears Sack Peterson elk-stag stocks and a Belt Mountain base pin.)















Downsides? The cylinder can be a bit of a hassle to take in and out of the gun . . . it has to be done "just so" or you'll have to fool around to unlock the gun before you can re-insert it. You'd think this would not be an issue for a person with moderate mechanical ability, but time and again, you'd be wrong. It's not the most accurate gun in the world, but it's for sure not bad - with Winchester ammo. It patterns with CCI/Remington/Federals - .22 rimfires are notorious for being ammo-fussy, and this gun is no different. It's more accurate than the J-frame .22s I've had, but not quite as accurate as my K-22. Sure is handy, though . . . and I have a good deal of pride of ownership in mine.

 

[dennis228]

Erich, That is one beautiful Bearcat! And a 22 magnum no less. Just about the perfect kit gun. Can I ask what the advantage is to the Belt Mountain base pin? It looks like it would make removing the cyl easier? The stock pin is skinny and I sometime struggle with it a bit, in and out. Is it a replacement part that goes in without needing any adjustments? Thanks for any infor you can share on that. Again, what a beauty your Bearcat is. Accurate and powerful too in such a little compact package.

Dennis228

 

[sm]

Is this gun good for anything other than plinking? I.e. would it make a decent survival tool?

I will have another blued Bearcat, someday.

This gun fits smaller hands, and is an excellent gun for kids to learn on. I am speaking of kids as young as three years old.

The Bearcat, was one gun, a 4H beginner shooting program, had available to shooters. These young ladies and gents, were third graders.
The kids, and Adults, had a ball with the Bearcats.

I am sure, quite a few parents, ending up buying these guns.

I know of some adults, that due to birth defects and from injuries, have "diminished" hands.
The Bearcat is one gun, that fits these adults and they use them for property duty, teaching new shooters, hunting small game and fun.


Fun is using these Bearcats in Rim-Fire Matches. It might surprise some folks, how quickly one can get effective hits, with these. And I do mean "effective" hits, as the targets were smaller, and there was none of this "spray-n-pray" on big targets, just to have fast times.


Just by the durn Bearcat, and have fun with it. *grin*

 

[dewalt-2]

I love my Bearcat. Once you get a feel for the little grip, it'll shoot. I can hit clays at 50 yards on a good day. Mine likes hypers at close range, and about anything else after that.
You can't go wrong with one, if it doesn't work out it'll sell.

 

[461]

It takes a bit to get used to the small grip but once you do, you can hit reliably with it. I love the one we have around here, it's been pretty heavily customized though.

The Single-Six is probably the better option for a "Survival" type weapon in .22 caliber. Having the .22Magnum option is a major improvement and it's easier to hit well with due to better sights and longer sight radius.

Both great guns and reliable as all get out. Never had any leading issues, hard chambering or any issues with any ammo. Most .22's have definite preferences in ammo for accuracy, but I've not had horrible results with anything.

 

[swiftak]

Neat little gun. I use mine while "strolling" thru the woods and as a dispatcher for coyotes and foxes while trapping. Don't know about accuracy. I Just plink at 30 or 40 feet with it.

 

[bamacisa]

Back around 1960 when Bearcats first came out, my Dad purchased one for me. He paid $28 for it brand new in the factory box. I still have that Bearcat revolver and it is not for sale.

 

[Erich]

Can I ask what the advantage is to the Belt Mountain base pin?

Thanks for your kind words, Dennis; I like the little thing.

I have to be honest, though: even with the .22 Mag, the Belt Mountain base pin is not needed. As you know, Belt Mountain came out with great base pins to prevent the pins from coming out of big-bore Rugers under heavy recoil of major power handloads. I've never had the Ruger factory base pin budge one iota under the "recoil" of the .22 Mag.

However, when I heard (just last month, from internet amigo Terry Murbach) that Kelye Schlepp had brought out a #5 base pin for the Bearcat, I had to get one for my custom Bowen. It just looked right - the gun deserved it. (One other thing that I might do is buy one of Mr. Bowen's steel ejector rod housings for the Bearcat, once they're available.)

Anyhow, the .22 Mag is just wonderful in this little gun. Man, I do like it. It's getting to be my favorite gun to shoot.

 

[Norrick]

Thanks for all the responses guys.

I have considered the single six, and it is still not out of the question. The larger size isn't necessarily a bad thing, what I am mostly worried about is that my understanding is that the bore diameter is a compromise for 22lr and 22 mag, resulting in less than perfect handling characteristics for either... I would most definitely be using 22LR.

 

[CajunBass]

what I am mostly worried about is that my understanding is that the bore diameter is a compromise for 22lr and 22 mag, resulting in less than perfect handling characteristics for either... I would most definitely be using 22LR.

I think that is a vastly overstated problem. I've never used the magnum cylinder on my NM, but long rifles shoot just fine in it.

However, if it really bugs you, look for an Old Model (three-screw) Single-Six made before about 1959-60. That's about the time the 22 magnun came out. Before that the SS had no magnum cylinder, so the barrels were cut just for the 22 LR.

These two were made in 1958. Both are good shooters.



On the downside, the new ones have better sights. You pays your money and takes your pick I suppose. For serious shooting, I think I'd rather have the better sights.

 

[cisco11]

Bearcat

I have a Bearcat.22L.r. / .22 Mag . Cyl. A few of these around , most owners sent their Mag. cyl. back to Ruger for a recall and did not get them back. [ one reason I will do no more business with Ruger]. I have 6-7 other .22 mag. pistols , including a single six convertible I bought new in '69. I find the Bearcat with the Mag. cyl. a gun I carry often in the woods, bird hunting ,4 wheelin' berry pickin', etc. Shooting a bearcat often and practicing with it will make you a better shot. The lack of good adjustable sights makes one concentrate more.
Cisco

 

[slow55]

I could sell every gun I own except my WW2 K98 8mm Mauser and Vintage Bearcat 22. They've always hit what I pointed at and never failed.
I'll have to add the Remington 600 Mohawk to the keeper list.
Wait, add the Savage 99 .22 High Power and the H&R 700 .22 mag and Marlin 25MB Midget Mag. Also the keep the Charles Daily O/U 20 Ga. and the Winchester mod 61.....
Ok , Nevermind. I'll never sell any of them

 

[BCRider]

Seems like if a small gun is going to have issues that a grip that is the proper size could make a difference. Has anyone produced an oversize grip for the Bearcat that makes it come out to the same size as a classic SAA style grip?

Having said this I'm sort of living proof that we can adapt to almost anything. I have shot my very small derringer like grip NAA The Earl consistenty to groups of less than 2.5 inches at 12 yards and have actually gotten 1.5 inch groups at the same distance on enough occasions to tell me that I'm doing something right and that it's not just a lucky chance. If I can hold such a dinky little gun well enough for that level of accuracy I suspect that the Bearcat can be used at least as effectively if the shooter is willing to alter and experiment with the grip used and method of pulling the trigger.

 

[Justin Holder]

Has anyone produced an oversize grip for the Bearcat that makes it come out to the same size as a classic SAA style grip?

Such a thing would defeat the purpose of the Bearcat witch is to be smaller and lighter than the full sized Single Six.

 

[CraigC]

The small size of the grip frame is something of a detriment to accurate shooting but it's nothing that can't be overcome with practice. After a couple thousand rounds, I'm rather deadly with mine.

 

[Naphtali]

Norrick:

I purchased a currently manufactured stainless steel Bearcat for two reasons:

1. Since my usual knock-around revolvers are Freedom Arms 97s, I wanted the revolver to function as close to identically as I was able to find - without buying a 97 in 22 RF. This would also allow me to train-initiate new revolver shooters to a common drill.

2. I also have an intermittent woodpecker problem on my outside eaves. I acquired 22 LR shotshells and revolver to reduce my inconvenience when chastising the birds.
***
The revolver does what I wanted it to do. Having typed that, I am left-handed. The trigger's location is awkward, intended for convenient use by righties.

Since no one has wanted to learn to shoot - my ex-wife, great nephews, et al. no longer fit into my world - the revolver has been sitting unused in my vault for more than a year. My hunting 22s are tricked out 10/22 and Mark III. These 22s have significantly more potential to take small game than the Bearcat. Bearcats are capable of being gunsmithed to excellent accuracy - superior adjustable sights, significant action job, etc. - but the cost to achieve accuracy in the neighborhood of a 97 22 RF becomes close to the 97's.

Hope this helps.

 

[DMZ]

Such a thing would defeat the purpose of the Bearcat witch is to be smaller and lighter than the full sized Single Six.

It would also make the thing look uglier than sin. Which also defeats another important aspect of the Bearcat.

 

[foghornl]

The Bearcat is a great training tool for children or other shooters with small hands. It is just a fraction too small for me with my Ham Fists, complete with Sausage-Link Fingers...AKA 'Fat Hands'