While my blued Bearcat most often rides between the seats of my Jeep (my Model 60 is in my holster) in the survival pack I carry hunting or hiking is a 2" barrel 10 oz. S&W Model 317 that serves as well in every way except for the 'cool' factor. I think you would be very happy w/ a good Bearcat.
Ruger Bearcat reviews?
- Thread starter Doc Mark
- Start date
I believe that if I HAD to sell all but one, I'd probably keep the Bearcat. It's as accurate as I am, fit and finish are okay, and the
weight of it is about 24 ounces. It won't wear you down, and it
Works, all the time. Sounds a little over-the-top, but that's how
I feel. TACC1
weight of it is about 24 ounces. It won't wear you down, and it
Works, all the time. Sounds a little over-the-top, but that's how
I feel. TACC1
Time for an update; if I was to have only one walkin'
around 22, it'd be the Model 317, S&W. With the 3" barrel,
it's about 11 ounces, vs. 24 ounces for the Bearcat. With a j-frame
size, and super-light, you can carry it anywhere on you, and it
won't be a burden. Weight has become a real problem for
me, so I Really appreciate the 317. Plus, it comes with a
better grip than the BC. 'Course, a SS Model 63 will weigh
the same as the BC, if you want trouble-free maintenance.
Then, too, you can carry a couple speed-loaders for any of the
S&W models. JMHO, TACC1
around 22, it'd be the Model 317, S&W. With the 3" barrel,
it's about 11 ounces, vs. 24 ounces for the Bearcat. With a j-frame
size, and super-light, you can carry it anywhere on you, and it
won't be a burden. Weight has become a real problem for
me, so I Really appreciate the 317. Plus, it comes with a
better grip than the BC. 'Course, a SS Model 63 will weigh
the same as the BC, if you want trouble-free maintenance.
Then, too, you can carry a couple speed-loaders for any of the
S&W models. JMHO, TACC1
canoeguy
US Veteran
I got a Ruger Bearcat for Christmas, and in the last few weeks have put hundreds of rounds through it. Shoots great, sights are well regulated, it's a fun gun to shoot. I found a vintage Hunter holster on Ebay for it, this will be my Summer trail gun for hiking. Hiking in Virginia, where there are few carnivores that would demand a larger revolver...
My Uncle bought it for me, I think he paid $414 (for the blued version) at a large gun shop that discounts prices. $400 is a lot of money, but I don't think you can get a Smith and Wesson Kit Gun for anywhere near that. Gun prices are high all over....
I also own a 6 1/2" Ruger Single Six, it is probably more accurate than the Bearcat, but not by much. The longer barrel of the Single Six makes it harder to conceal or carry while seated in a vehicle.
I like the Bearcat!
My Uncle bought it for me, I think he paid $414 (for the blued version) at a large gun shop that discounts prices. $400 is a lot of money, but I don't think you can get a Smith and Wesson Kit Gun for anywhere near that. Gun prices are high all over....
I also own a 6 1/2" Ruger Single Six, it is probably more accurate than the Bearcat, but not by much. The longer barrel of the Single Six makes it harder to conceal or carry while seated in a vehicle.
I like the Bearcat!
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I had a Bearcat, and I agree with what most of the others have posted. It was a great little gun. It was somewhat hard for ME to shoot accurately due to it's small grip, short sight radius, and somewhat heavy trigger, but when I could get it all together it shot well. I eventually sold it because I didn't shoot it much, but I might pick up another one, one of these days. If I do, I will look for a used one, but used is always my first option.
Mine was a new model, and it was far from junk.
And they are just "cute" aren't they?
Mine was a new model, and it was far from junk.
And they are just "cute" aren't they?
Erich
Member
Wow, is this a zombie thread! 
I wonder what Doc Mark eventually ended up doing.
I like my Bearcat for a classy little woods gun, but wasn't super impressed with the accuracy. In '93, when Ruger brought these back, they spec'd them with barrels that could handle .22 Mags. I don't know about you, but I've never found Single-Six guns set up this way to be all that accurate with .22 LR.
Anyhow, after seeing what Boge Quinn did with his, I sent mine to Hamilton Bowen and had him convert the Bearcat over to .22 Mag and regulate the sights for the caliber. And I put on Sack Peterson elk stag stocks (set up for a southpaw - it's a perfect lefty gun now) and a Belt Mountain base pin (unnecessary, but I like the way it looks), and bought it a nice little Mernickle holster.
Throwing Winchester 40-grainers at c. 1450 fps at this altitude, it's kinda neat to have along. It's not one of my more accurate handguns (nothing like the Ruger Old Army - good Lord, that thing is impressive), but that could be somewhat due to the fact that it's just sort of so small for my hand (I have similar issues with J-frames) and the trigger reach is kinda short for me.
At ten yards, Win. 30-gr.:
10 yds, Win. 40-gr. FMJs:
But it's not supposed to be a tackdriver - the Bearcat is a happy fun gun that feels classy.
I wonder what Doc Mark eventually ended up doing.
I like my Bearcat for a classy little woods gun, but wasn't super impressed with the accuracy. In '93, when Ruger brought these back, they spec'd them with barrels that could handle .22 Mags. I don't know about you, but I've never found Single-Six guns set up this way to be all that accurate with .22 LR.
Anyhow, after seeing what Boge Quinn did with his, I sent mine to Hamilton Bowen and had him convert the Bearcat over to .22 Mag and regulate the sights for the caliber. And I put on Sack Peterson elk stag stocks (set up for a southpaw - it's a perfect lefty gun now) and a Belt Mountain base pin (unnecessary, but I like the way it looks), and bought it a nice little Mernickle holster.
Throwing Winchester 40-grainers at c. 1450 fps at this altitude, it's kinda neat to have along.
It's not one of my more accurate handguns (nothing like the Ruger Old Army - good Lord, that thing is impressive), but that could be somewhat due to the fact that it's just sort of so small for my hand (I have similar issues with J-frames) and the trigger reach is kinda short for me. At ten yards, Win. 30-gr.:
10 yds, Win. 40-gr. FMJs:
But it's not supposed to be a tackdriver - the Bearcat is a happy fun gun that feels classy.
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