Kentucky Rifle
Member In Memoriam
Man, I sure want a new Bearcat. Has anyone recently been disappointed with their new Bearcat? Is the frame still aluminum? <I get these "feelings".>
KR
KR
Ruger Bearcat...
- Thread starter Kentucky Rifle
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Tom C.
Member.
Bearcat
The current Bearcat has a steel frame. I got one a couple of years ago. It shaved lead at the barrel cylinder gap until I got a reamer from Brownell's and cleaned up the barrel forcing cone. I also replaced the cylinder base pin lock spring with a stiffer one. I then cut the main spring a little. The trigger was way to heavy.
The current Bearcat has a steel frame. I got one a couple of years ago. It shaved lead at the barrel cylinder gap until I got a reamer from Brownell's and cleaned up the barrel forcing cone. I also replaced the cylinder base pin lock spring with a stiffer one. I then cut the main spring a little. The trigger was way to heavy.
The Mighty Beagle
Member
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2002
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Yes, I am very disappointed with my newer Bearcat.
Everything about it sucks. Trigger is way to heavy, and upon cocking, which also is too difficult, it feels as if the pot-metal-sounding action is trying to eat itself. There is a huge bulge on both sides of the frame between the grip area and the cylinder area, so so much for aesthetics.
Accuracy is downright mediocre, even for a 4" barrel, and is way low and to the left for me. Sights are useless unless aiming at a white piece of paper.
It isn't even good at wasting ammo, since the cylinder/barrel gap is too small and the gun quickly fouls after a surprisingly limited amount of shooting, requiring you to clean it to keep it running. And nothing sucks like the slow hope-I-dont'-drop-another-teeny-shell-and-can't-find-it loading/unloading sequence of the rimfire SA revolver.
From now on, I'll be looking for a small semi-auto.
Everything about it sucks. Trigger is way to heavy, and upon cocking, which also is too difficult, it feels as if the pot-metal-sounding action is trying to eat itself. There is a huge bulge on both sides of the frame between the grip area and the cylinder area, so so much for aesthetics.
Accuracy is downright mediocre, even for a 4" barrel, and is way low and to the left for me. Sights are useless unless aiming at a white piece of paper.
It isn't even good at wasting ammo, since the cylinder/barrel gap is too small and the gun quickly fouls after a surprisingly limited amount of shooting, requiring you to clean it to keep it running. And nothing sucks like the slow hope-I-dont'-drop-another-teeny-shell-and-can't-find-it loading/unloading sequence of the rimfire SA revolver.
From now on, I'll be looking for a small semi-auto.
GeorgeH
Member
I bought the new stainless Bearcat in August. When I first shot it, accuracy was less than steller. However, my gun was one of 270 that were recalled by Ruger. What Ruger did was to recess the cylinder and shorten the gap between the cylinder and forcing cone. Accuracy went way-up. Now it is a treasured plinker.
As to trigger pull. Well, I've never handled a Ruger single action pistol with a trigger pull that I liked. The answer is to install Wolff's reduced ower spring set. I just haven't found enough time or money to have it done.
As to trigger pull. Well, I've never handled a Ruger single action pistol with a trigger pull that I liked. The answer is to install Wolff's reduced ower spring set. I just haven't found enough time or money to have it done.
Tom C.
Member.
Bearcat
The accuracy of mine wasn't much until I recut the barrel forcing cone. Now it shoots quite well, but the low weight and short sight radius make more difficult to shoot than my Single Six. I took mine apart and stoned the hammer and trigger engagement surfaces and cut the main spring. That greatly improved the trigger. I also used a 72 line checkering file on the front sight to help break up reflections and give a better sight picture.
The accuracy of mine wasn't much until I recut the barrel forcing cone. Now it shoots quite well, but the low weight and short sight radius make more difficult to shoot than my Single Six. I took mine apart and stoned the hammer and trigger engagement surfaces and cut the main spring. That greatly improved the trigger. I also used a 72 line checkering file on the front sight to help break up reflections and give a better sight picture.
Tim Schlosser
Member
Hate to go against the grain here, but I love my Bearcat. I actually bought it about two years ago for my daughter (10) but I love to shoot it. The Bearcat is more accurate than my Single-Six, and I just really thing the little thing is cute. Fit and finish is pretty high on my particular specimen. Guess I best not get rid of it.
Kentucky Rifle
Member In Memoriam
Man. The first two or three posts on this thread almost broke my heart.
I think I'll have to look more carefully at one.
KR
I think I'll have to look more carefully at one.
KR
Tamara
Senior Member
You could always track down an Old Model.
I've never shot mine for groups (it would feel silly doing so) but it's always had minute-of-tin-can accuracy.
I've never shot mine for groups (it would feel silly doing so) but it's always had minute-of-tin-can accuracy.
Jbar4Ranch
Member
I've got -0- experience with the new models, but my collection of old model Bearcats once numbered 9. Out of the nine, 1 shot to point of aim, a couple others were close, and the rest all would hit an 8 1/2 x 11 target at 25 yards. Groups were alright, they might just be 2 1/2" left and 2" low or somesuch. If a person were so inclined, it's a simple process to regulate fixed sights left or right and bring point of impact up if it prints low. Lowering point of impact requires adding some heighth to the front sight which is out of the realm of most home tinkerers. Factories simply don't have the time to regulate every single fixed sight arm they manufacture... unless we'd like the price to go up about a hundred bucks a copy. Add to that the fact that such an arm would be regulated to whatever ammo they chose to test it with at the factory range, and not necessarily what the buyer chose to shoot in it.
Bainx, I've never heard of such a critter... do you have some pictures you could post?
Bainx, I've never heard of such a critter... do you have some pictures you could post?
Unhappy Bearcat owner here
I recently bought an older Bearcat (made in 1974) from an uncle of mine who had it for 20 years and never fired it. I thought it would make a great plinker.
I guess I've been spoiled by other .22s I've owned, but whoa this thing is a fishing weight! Not only does it shoot lousy groups (even considering the short barrel), but it shoots about 10" high and about 4" left of POA. In short, it is just about useless. Unless you get right on top of what you are aiming at, you can't hit anything with it.
It has become instant trade bait.
I recently bought an older Bearcat (made in 1974) from an uncle of mine who had it for 20 years and never fired it. I thought it would make a great plinker.
I guess I've been spoiled by other .22s I've owned, but whoa this thing is a fishing weight! Not only does it shoot lousy groups (even considering the short barrel), but it shoots about 10" high and about 4" left of POA. In short, it is just about useless. Unless you get right on top of what you are aiming at, you can't hit anything with it.
It has become instant trade bait.
GeorgeH
Member
Hi Kentucky Rifle:
The stainless steel Bearcat is worth its money. It is a fun plinker. I also have a Super Single Six and the Bearcat is more accurate than the Single Six with the 22lr cylinder (The single six accuracy with 22 WMR is stunning).
For what it is its a great little gun.
The stainless steel Bearcat is worth its money. It is a fun plinker. I also have a Super Single Six and the Bearcat is more accurate than the Single Six with the 22lr cylinder (The single six accuracy with 22 WMR is stunning).
For what it is its a great little gun.
GeorgeH
Member
Hi Kentucky Rifle:
The stainless steel Bearcat is worth its money. It is a fun plinker. I also have a Super Single Six and the Bearcat is more accurate than the Single Six with the 22lr cylinder (The single six accuracy with 22 WMR is stunning).
For what it is its a great little gun.
The stainless steel Bearcat is worth its money. It is a fun plinker. I also have a Super Single Six and the Bearcat is more accurate than the Single Six with the 22lr cylinder (The single six accuracy with 22 WMR is stunning).
For what it is its a great little gun.
Kentucky Rifle
Member In Memoriam
Hi George...
I didn't even know that Bearcats came in stainless.
KR
I didn't even know that Bearcats came in stainless.
KR
GeorgeH
Member
Hi Kentucky Rifle:
You bet. It was "new" for 2002. I bought the first one I saw. It was so new, that mine was recalled. In hindsight, the recall was the best thing that could happen since it came back from Ruger far more accurate then it was when I sent it in.
I bought the Single Six before the Bearcat and was disappointed with its 22LR performance. I wanted something to shot tin cans with. Before the recall, I was very dissapointed with it. After the recall, I was tickled pink. Its a nice little plinker. Its the kind of gun that I know my son will pass down one day to his son.
The price difference between the blued version and stainless was about $30 bucks.
A couple of years ago, I had a chance to buy a Bearcat that had both a LR and 22 mag cylinder. Ruger only made them for a year or so. I passed it up, and wanted to kick myself ever since. So the stainless version was my way to placate my guilt for being too stupid.
You bet. It was "new" for 2002. I bought the first one I saw. It was so new, that mine was recalled. In hindsight, the recall was the best thing that could happen since it came back from Ruger far more accurate then it was when I sent it in.
I bought the Single Six before the Bearcat and was disappointed with its 22LR performance. I wanted something to shot tin cans with. Before the recall, I was very dissapointed with it. After the recall, I was tickled pink. Its a nice little plinker. Its the kind of gun that I know my son will pass down one day to his son.
The price difference between the blued version and stainless was about $30 bucks.
A couple of years ago, I had a chance to buy a Bearcat that had both a LR and 22 mag cylinder. Ruger only made them for a year or so. I passed it up, and wanted to kick myself ever since. So the stainless version was my way to placate my guilt for being too stupid.
bad_dad_brad
Member
Kentucky Rifle,
I saw one the other day at a dealer I frequent. The gun is tiny! I have small hands, and I thought it was a shrimp. I think a single six is a better way to go.
I saw one the other day at a dealer I frequent. The gun is tiny! I have small hands, and I thought it was a shrimp. I think a single six is a better way to go.
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