What is this gun worth?

[JasonblkZ06]

My friend asked me to see if I could find any information about a guns value. He does not have internet access. He has an opportunity to purchase a Ruger Bearcat single action revolver from the 70s. It has interchangeable cylinders for .22LR and .22 Magnum, is blued, has never been fired, and is in mint condition. I am not sure of the barrel length but think it is 4". He does not have any box or papers with it. Does anyone know what this gun might be worth since it is so old I thought I would ask on here.

Thanks

 

[Brian Williams]

$200 to $500, depending on whereabouts. Around here in PA, you would be lucky to get $175 at a gun shop for trade in.
With a 22 mag cylinder that should jump the value a bit.

 

[bannockburn]

JasonblkZ06

I could be wrong here, but I don't believe the Bearcat came with a .22Magnum cylinder. I thought it was strictly a .22LR revolver. Still, a Bearcat from the early '70s, even without the box or paperwork could bring anywhere from $250 to $350, depending on your location.

 

[rcmodel]

Oh they made them alright.
http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/PDF/SafetyAnnouncements/NewBearcatConvertible.pdf

The New Model Bearcat started production in 1993.
Finding one with both cylinders would be a collector coupe because the Magnum cylinders were recalled!
My book says add $700 - $800 to the gun value for one with both cylinders.

That would make it worth somewhere in the thousand dollar range, depending on the condition!

But I don't recall them ever being made back in the 70's on the old model aluminum frame gun. I don't even think the frame window was long enough for the .22 WMR round.


rcmodel

 

[Quigley]

I have a Bear Cat that dates back that far and agree with rcmodel, the cylinder is far too small for the 22 mag. I gave $125 for mine probably $200-$300 for a as new one.

 

[Russt]

I bought an Old Model Bearcat about a month ago in Tulsa Ok. $280.00. I bought a New Model about 6 months ago.$335.00. Both are 22lr only. I've been looking for about a year and finally gave in. It's hard to pay so much for a little 22. I'm not sorry I did on either. Here's the Old Model. I don't have pics of the new Model yet.

 

[Z71]

I just last week bought an old model Super Bearcat for $187 and 34 cents. Doesn't have the Ruger safty transfer bar modifacation. I looked it up on Rugers serial number chart, and it dates to 1972.

Not a perfect gun, but the blueing is real nice. The only problems with the little revolver are that rust is present under the grips, and starting to creep out onto the visable parts of the frame. Has a 1mm or less rust pit on top the barrel, and I don't think the grips are original. Grips don't have a Ruger medallion, and maybe either off an old old Bearcat, or are aftermarkets like maybe Ajax.

If it didn't have the rust issue and replaced grips, this would be an extremely nice collector Ruger.

I thought about putting it in my collection as a collector peice. However I mostly just collect milsurp rifles and handguns, plus police trade in handguns. Everything else is a gun to be used, so I guess my Bearcat will be a shooter/plinker.

Cool little guns! I had never really handled one until I bought mine last week.