Ruger Bearcat Shopkeeper

5-Shot · Sep 19, 2019

I find I have a growing desire to own a Ruger Shopkeeper to match my bird’s head Single Seven. Anybody have any experiences with one that they would care to share? I’m particularly concerned with their accuracy.

Thanks,
Ed

zipty6 · Sep 19, 2019

I bought one shortly after they came out. I traded after one range trip. I have medium sized hands and it was too small for me to hang onto. I had to readjust my grip after each shot.

The gun was well made and I don't recall any accuracy issues.

cgt4570 · Sep 19, 2019

I lucked into a stainless one as-new in box at a local gunshow for $350 from an individual. It's at my gunsmith right now being turned into a 'kit' gun. He's already installed a S&W J frame rear target sight. Next he'll be fluting the cylinder. Since I already have a few others, I decided to customize this one.

hoc9sw · Sep 19, 2019

I've had one in stainless. Had to go back to ruger for some finish and grip fit issues which they handled well.

The grip is very small, but for that size pistol I think it is what should be for the size.

As to accuracy, I can't say much, as my vision is less than perfect. I can keep all the rounds in a three inch group at 25', which is ok for me these days. But the size is not ideal for target shooting.

Muley Gil · Sep 21, 2019

FYI, I bought a stainless New Model Bearcat about 14 years ago. It shoots good with most ammo, even the cheapy stuff. I got a hankering for a convertible cylinder in .22 Magnum. When the NMs came out, they were available as convertibles, but Ruger decided there was a problem and quit building them. Ruger tried to get back the ones that were out there, but a number of owners kept them.

I found another stainless .22 LR cylinder and I rented a chamber reamer. I now have a convertible.

PlaytheAces · Sep 21, 2019

A local shop had one for a decent price a few years ago and I picked it up on a whim.

It's a little thing that easily disappears in a pocket. I had a 63 many years ago that I didn't really shoot that well so I sold it but for some reason kept the old Hunter holster for it. Darned if the Shopkeeper doesn't fit it like a glove. (Think I still have the box for that 63 too.)

As far a accuracy it's not bad. Mine shoots a bit low, or at least I shoot it a bit low.The downside is they have fixed sights so you have to compensate for it. Rather than filing the front sight, I painted the bottom half of it and it helps.

The only problem I've had is the spent cases can be hard to eject. I've done some minimal polishing of the charging holes and that improved things, but you really need to give the ejector rod a good whack to insure the cases always eject.

All in all I like it. It's an extremely well built little range toy.

HOUSTON RICK · Sep 21, 2019

The hobby is all in what you like. If you have not fired a single action revolver, you might want to that before you buy. It is an acquired taste. Good luck!

JayFramer · Sep 21, 2019

What is the purpose of this gun?

I’ve heard nothing but lackluster accuracy reports. The gun may be inherently extremely accurate, but in the real world, the shopkeeper appears to be a challenge to shoot with any degree of accuracy for hunting and field use.

It could serve as a close range execution gun for all sorts of animals, but then again, so could a heritage rough rider for 1/3 the cost.

nutsforsmiths · Sep 22, 2019

I bought a stainless one when they came out. It's a nice pistol, but mine still has difficulty ejecting out the empty casings with the short extractor rod. I don't know if others have had this issue, or if it's just my Shopkeeper. It seems pretty accurate to me, as my groupings are pretty good.

Besides, I'm a sucker for a nice bird head grip single action pistol!

Ruger Bearcat Shopkeeper

5-Shot

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zipty6

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cgt4570

SWCA Member

hoc9sw

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Muley Gil

US Veteran

PlaytheAces

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HOUSTON RICK

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JayFramer

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nutsforsmiths

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