Ruger Bearcat: 22 Mag. Conversion Cylinder?

[kcofohio]

I bought a NIB Bearcat earlier this year. I see that Numrich carries a 22 mag. cylinder (on back order) for the Bearcat. It, of course, would have to be timed. I've got this inkling to sign up for one.

I also see at one time Ruger offered a Bearcat with the conversion cylinder.

Has anybody here fitted one to the New Models of Bearcat? The good, or bad?

I assume I need to slug the barrel, as the 22 magnums seem mostly jacketed and not plated or bare lead.

Any suggestions or thoughts as to whether the frame is up to it?

TIA!

 

[CraigC]

No problems in doing it. The pressure is the same and some have been converted to .327. Those parts are never going to be in stock though. You'll have to remove the cylinder and return the gun to Ruger for a new one. Then have a gunsmith rechamber one of them to .22Mag and ensure that both function in the gun. Personally, I think it'd be better just to have a separate Bearcat dedicated to .22Mag.

 

[kcofohio]

Thank you for the reply CraigC. I will keep those options in mind as I weigh this out.

Why is it that Numrich won't ever have the cylinders in stock? Were they supplied from Ruger themselves?

 

[WestKentucky]

No problems in doing it. The pressure is the same and some have been converted to .327. Those parts are never going to be in stock though. You'll have to remove the cylinder and return the gun to Ruger for a new one. Then have a gunsmith rechamber one of them to .22Mag and ensure that both function in the gun. Personally, I think it'd be better just to have a separate Bearcat dedicated to .22Mag.

Or actually a trifecta. 22s/l/lr, 22mag, 327 and shorter variants...as in 32 long, 32 mag, 32 acp, and the ever so terribly anemic 32s&w

 

[Varminterror]

Why is it that Numrich won't ever have the cylinders in stock? Were they supplied from Ruger themselves?

The majority of Numrich's inventory comes from purchased take-off parts (often from gun buy backs), discontinued model OEM inventory liquidation, etc. Since Ruger is no longer manufacturing the parts, it's effectively pumping a dry well. You might get lucky and someone will turn in a 22WMR to Numrich, but I wouldn't hold my breath. You'd find one on Ebay sooner, but frankly, you're just not going to find out - they're rare as hen's teeth and have not been made in many years, and won't be again. To my knowledge, Ruger won't service the 22WMR models for cylinder work, since they no longer make them.

Like Craig said - send your bearcat into Ruger claiming lost cylinder, they'll make you a new one for about $200, then you can have it reamed to 22WMR.

 

[kcofohio]

Thank you for the explanation!

I had just read Jeff Quinn's write about Bowen Classic Arms and Bowen's website said to send in the Bearcat to Rugers without cylinder, for a new LR cylinder and he would use one of them to convert to magnum. I guess even experienced gunsmiths can't get them.

Again, thank you all for pointing me in the right direction.

 

[CraigC]

Nobody can get them. Gunsmiths will have to make them and that costs a lot more than having Ruger provide one in .22LR that can be rechambered.

 

[kcofohio]

Nobody can get them. Gunsmiths will have to make them and that costs a lot more than having Ruger provide one in .22LR that can be rechambered.

I see what you're saying about the cost. Thank you for your post!

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Simply send your Bearcat to Ruger sans cylinder. They will install a new, properly timed cylinder (if you send it to them with the old cylinder, they will keep the old cylinder.) Then have a gunsmith rechamber one cylinder to .22 MAG, or rent a Clymer reamer and do it yourself.