New Model Bearcat Shopkeeper Accuracy?

[Modernhoglegs]

What can y'all tell me about the new Bearcat Shopkeeper with the bird head grip frame?

Jeff Quinn over at Gunblast.com had nice things to say about it, but American Rifleman's review included a shooting results table was showing 3" at 7 yards.

I own a pair of New Model Bearcats, and they are fun to shoot, but picky regarding ammo. Bulk pack ammo throws 4" groups 3" low and 6" right at 25 yards. At first I thought it was me lobstering the gun, but the POI is the same whether I shoot them left or right handed, off a rest, Weaver stance, or duelist.

I tried some CCI mini mags right before the ammo crunch started, but the ammo options in my 'hood (The neighbors moved out long ago) is pretty poor ever since. GRoup size with the CCI was better, but I think the guns will do better with the right load.

I love the look of the new one, but I don't want to spend the money if the mechanical accuracy is as poor as American Rifleman says it is.

 

[rcmodel]

American Rifleman seldom if ever lies in it's gun tests.

The other thing is, all their tests are the average of 5, 5-shot groups.
That 25 shots, where most gun tests only shoot a few 5-shot group and then pick the best one for publication.
And sometimes it's a best 3-shot group!

The AR average of 3.41" best for 75 shots ain't too shabby.
A lot of other guns wouldn't do it I betcha!

rc

 

[DPris]

The one I worked with last year was...not a tackdriver.
Nice little gun otherwise.
Denis

 

[Old Fuff]

How were these test groups made?

The only viable way to test a gun (rather then the shooter) for accuracy is to eliminate the human factor by using a machine rest and several brands of ammunition.

The little Bearcat is cute, but the handle is small (made smaller in this version) and lightweight. This is a hard combination to hold steady while shooting. You are trying to press the trigger without moving the gun which may be lighter in weight then the trigger pull. Not easy under any circumstances.

 

[DPris]

I shot off an Outers Pistol Perch, as I always do with handguns for accuracy.
In my case, it was not the shooter.

Nice little gun, just not the most accurate .22 I've ever fired.
Denis

 

[CraigC]

Don't have a Shopkeeper but my regular stainless New Bearcat is an excellent shooter and prints right to point of aim. Walnuts at 50yds are never safe. Even for someone who's been shooting single actions for a long time, it took me a while to get familiar enough with the smaller grip to be able to shoot consistently with it. This was a replacement gun though, the first was a bona fide lemon.

 

[What Would You Say]

I just brought a Shopkeeper home in the last two weeks. I do plan to shoot it if I can get a moment or two. Will give a range report. I have a standard bearcat that does satisfactory. I like the way this shopkeeper looks with the ejector rod housing not being aluminum now..and matches finish with the rest of the gun, but not sure I'm in total bliss with the way the grip fits my hand, and I don't have a great big bear paw either. I'll see if I come to terms with it more when i shoot it.