Ruger Bearcat Adjustable Sights or Smith 63 3"?

[ScottN]

I posted this on another site but thought I'd post it here as well.

I'm looking for a plinker revolver to shoot CCI CB Shorts off the deck of my new-to-me rural property. Just some good old fashioned "no ear plugs required" plinking. It needs to have Coke can accuracy and be a nice size/weight for my wife, my boys and myself to shoot. Needs to be about 25 ounces in weight. This revolver will be paired with a Savage Rascal my youngest shoots and eventually a Henry lever 22.

I think I have it narrowed down to the new Ruger Bearcat stainless with adjustable sights or the Smith 63 3" 8 rounder. I would appreciate feedback on these 2 revolvers or any other revolver that fits my criteria.

Thanks!

 

[alwslate]

I posted this on another site but thought I'd post it here as well.

I'm looking for a plinker revolver to shoot CCI CB Shorts off the deck of my new-to-me rural property. Just some good old fashioned "no ear plugs required" plinking. It needs to have Coke can accuracy and be a nice size/weight for my wife, my boys and myself to shoot. Needs to be about 25 ounces in weight. This revolver will be paired with a Savage Rascal my youngest shoots and eventually a Henry lever 22.

I think I have it narrowed down to the new Ruger Bearcat stainless with adjustable sights or the Smith 63 3" 8 rounder. I would appreciate feedback on these 2 revolvers or any other revolver that fits my criteria.

Thanks!

There was a test of the new stainless Bearcat in an article in
Rifle magazine not long ago. Accuracy wasn't it's strongpoint
to say the least. I'm not familar with the 8 shot S&W mod 63
but if it has a steel cylinder I'd say buy it. I would not
personally buy one of the new stainless guns S&W has made
with aluminum cylinders. They may be fine but I'm just
giving my opinion.

 

[Fishinfool]

Used to own a J frame .22, and currently own a fixed sight Bearcat. Actually, when tested in a ransom rest, most Bearcats and J frames prove plinking accurate, or better when using ammo they like.

Problem is, they are hard to shoot well because of their stiff triggers, small grips, light weight, and hard to see sights in the fixed sight models.

Which one? It really boils down to which one you like better. Either will do their intended job - decent accuracy and portability. If portability is not a huge factor, a K frame, or Super Single Six might prove easier to hit with. I often carry my Bearcat in the woods, and have taken a fair amount of small game with it over the years. Just have to concentrate on the fundamentals of grip, sights, and trigger pull a little more than a heavier, better balanced gun.

Larry

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

THAT my friend is a tough question. SInce I've already got an older model 63 and a 317-1 I'd probably get the Bearcat but to tell you the truth, I've hefted that new 63 with the 3" barrel and it's nice indeed. I'll throw out another choice for you-the Ruger SP101 8 shot 22.

 

[silentflyer]

Not a revolver, but for a plinker one of the Ruger Mark 1,2,3 sem-iautos is hard to beat.

 

[smith17]

Not a revolver, but for a plinker one of the Ruger Mark 1,2,3 sem-iautos is hard to beat.

Those are nice guns (esp. I and II) but they won't cycle the ammo he needs to shoot.

 

[eveled]

I'd go with the Bearcat, a double action is tough for a kid to shoot, and if you are going to shoot single action might as well have a single action. Plus it will slow them down a little. My single six is a favorite with my kids, the Bearcat second favorite.

For real off the deck plinking fun we go to the red Ryder bb guns. Quiet, cheap, and not filling the yard with lead.

 

[ScottN]

Great responses so far. Just a little more info.

If it were only for me I'd probably get the new GP100 22 to pair it with my Match Champion but it would be too heavy for my youngest son and too big for my wife's hands.

I've looked at the SP101 and think it is a little too heavy, and doggone, the ones I've handled at the gun store have a ridiculously hard to cock hammer. I know some folks have changed the springs but it seems like it would have to improve A LOT before my wife and son would be able to shoot it SA which is most likely the way we'd be shooting.

We are a Buckmark family when it comes to target shooting 22 LR at the range. I setup a Buckmark for my son with Tac Sol barrel and grips to make a lightweight shooter...it is excellent!

But, I'm looking for a revolver to shoot short CB's whenever we get the urge and we don't have to get earplugs, etc. I imagine something like the following, "Dad, I bet I can knock a can off that tree stump over there." "Well okay then, prove it!"

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I'd find a Kit Gun of some sort. A Model 34 with some Pachmayr Presentation grips or S&W Target "stocks." Maybe a 43, same.

The Ruger SP101 may be a good choice. I had a 63 once, but I bought it back when S&W was having QC problems, and I had to sift though nearly half a dozen before I found one that didn't look like the extractor was gnawed out by trained hamsters with carbide teeth. Kind of soured me on 63s, although you could probably get a perfectly good one now, particularly if you internally lubed it (sparingly) with RIG +P Stainless Steel Lube.

No matter what you get, especially if it's not a blued steel S&W, will benefit from the RIG +P.

 

[H Richard]

For me it would be the Mod 63 hands down. I don't have the current version, but have put many rounds through a 63-1 and when you have the "Target" grips on it, so it is more hand filling, it will shoot along side my 17 and 18. You could probably put those "coke" cans on end for targets.

 

[labworm]

I own all 3, for the wife and kids, Bearcat all the way.