Ruger Bearcat

[Goony]

Never seen a Bearcat in real life, let alone a picture, without the brass trigger frame. What are these blued versions?

I'd add to the previous responses that besides the New Bearcat, late Super Bearcats (1972 to '74) can also be found with blued steel trigger guards instead of the "brass" ones. In addition, in 1966 there was a single shipment of 79 Bearcats (with serial numbers ranging from 73465 to 76339) which were annotated on their invoice as having "black trigger guards". Their composition isn't documented so far as I know (possibly simply black anodized aluminum). In any case, this variation constitutes a "grail" gun for the Ruger collector.

 

[CZU]

Since the ammo in the picture is 22 magnum, I assumed he had it rechambered

I think some came with a spare cylinder in 22 mag.

 

[RSBH44]

I have a couple of Single Sixes that are a blast to shoot. I've always wanted a Bearcat ever since I couldn't talk my friend out of his when he showed it to me many years ago. I think I've only seen one other over the years since but didn't have the foresight to grab it when I had the chance.

 

[mic214]

My Bearcat was a gift from a dear friend of mine many years ago. It's been down a trail or two:

 

[DesertFox]

One of the few still on my list!

Have Ruger Single Six Centennial Colorado Bicentennial but no Bearcat, yet.

 

[Muley Gil]

I think some came with a spare cylinder in 22 mag.

Some of the New Model Bearcats came with a spare cylinder in .22 Magnum. Ruger discontinued this version. New Model cylinders are longer than the Old Models.

 

[Erich]

What did you have Mr. Bowen do to yours??

Hamilton did an action/trigger job and rechambered it, polished off the rollmark and reblued it, and regulated (for .22 Mag) and serrated the front sight (to make it stand out better). It took them a minute, but they're not doing these anymore so I guess I have something to pass down. Seems a little silly in retrospect. It throws 40-grainers at around 1450 fps. Those are Sack Peterson stocks and an unnecessary Belt Mountain cylinder base pin.

 

[GypsmJim]

Tuesday is my range day. After reading this thread I took the Bearcat with me today.

I prefer handguns with adjustable sights, but I have a few single actions with fixed sights.

The 'ole Bearcat hit the bull better than my Wrangler. Nevertheless, I didn't take my K22 with me today because I knew it would shame them both.

 

[Glenn R. McMannly]

Bearcat production is on permanent hiatus at Ruger so examples include the wild have become incredibly scarce and pricey.

Don't let that one go!!

 

[Xfuzz]

Should have never opened this thread...

 

[Goony]

A very fancy one auctioned off several years ago: Ruger - Bearcat | Rock Island Auction

 

[sophie]

This is my only Bearcat that I picked up about 7 years ago.

 

[.38SuperMan]

My girlfriend, now wife, bought me this Bearcat in 1972 for my birthday before I left on a 6 month deployment. I still have the box and receipt. $53.

I think I got my first one around 73 and paid about the same. I've had two of the original models and might be wrong but think both had brass trigger guards. I eventually traded both at different times but wound up with a new one with adjustable sights and like it much better. My wife likes it so much she took it for herself but she lets me shoot it and clean it.

 

[Goony]

A decent article on early Bearcats: Interesting Collectables: "Old" 1st issue Ruger Bearcats | R. Doug Wicker — Author

 

[Triggernosis]

My Bearcat is my regular companion for varmint control when I'm out working around the Faulkner homestead on the tractor or ATV. It is THE most accurate .22 LR handgun of the dozen I own, I've taken quite a few four legged and slithering critters around the hen house and I even took down a coyote with it a year or so back.

I carry it so much that I decided to have Nixon Leather make a custom cross draw rig for it.

That is some beautiful leatherwork.

 

[Glenn R. McMannly]

That is some beautiful leatherwork.

Gorgeous!! I still have a rig for a Single Six I had made by El Paso Saddlery… never did buy the Single Six to fill it!

What do you use to store spare ammo if you carry any?

Also, I'm not familiar with the Bearcat action. Do the chambers line up with the loading port like a Colt? Wish my Wrangler did that!

 

[Muley Gil]

Gorgeous!! I still have a rig for a Single Six I had made by El Paso Saddlery… never did buy the Single Six to fill it!

What do you use to store spare ammo if you carry any?

Also, I'm not familiar with the Bearcat action. Do the chambers line up with the loading port like a Colt? Wish my Wrangler did that!

Just checked my New Model BC. Put it on half cock, turn the cylinder until it clicks and you are ready to load 'er up!

 

[Thuer]

Here is mine. I love this tiny revolver resemblance a Remington model 1890.
You still have to put it on half cock to load it. This one is from the 70 ties.
Overhere in Europe they are very cheap. Last one sold was at a auction from Hermann Historica for 120 euro. To cheap for this very nice revolver. Al Ruger .22 single actions are replaced by the Wrangler now. So treasur yours.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I'd add to the previous responses that besides the New Bearcat, late Super Bearcats (1972 to '74) can also be found with blued steel trigger guards instead of the brass ones. In addition, in 1966 there was a single shipment of 79 Bearcats (with serial numbers ranging from 73465 to 76339) which were annotated on their invoice as having "black trigger guards". Whether those were brass trigger guards that had been anodized or otherwise blackened or were aluminum isn't documented so far as I know. In any case, this variation constitutes a "grail" gun for the Ruger collector.

trigger guards were not brass........were inodized aluminum

 

[Goony]

trigger guards were not brass........were inodized aluminum

In the collector's literature, they're described as "brass anodized alloy" which is a little ambiguous, but I think you're correct, aluminum made to look like brass.