What Do You folks Think About The New Model Ruger Bearcat?

[Gebe]

I've always wanted one of the little Bearcats but the price has always scared me away. It's priced higher than the Single Six which even includes the extra .22 mag cylinder.

I love it because it's so much smaller than the Single Six, (I have small hands), but you can now buy a Single Six with adjustable sights for even cheaper than a new Bearcat.

What's your thoughts on the New Model Bearcat and how is the new model's trigger pull and point of aim? Without spending a fortune, can one have adjustable sights installed?

 

[Andy Griffith]

Without spending a fortune, can one have adjustable sights installed?

I think Hamilton Bowen installs J-frame sights on them for a fee. They are ok little guns, but I think they are overpriced.

 

[CajunBass]

I like mine. I call it my gun for when I don't want to carry a gun.

Yes, it costs more than a Single-Six. They make a lot more Single-Six's I suppose.

They are accurate. They are hard to shoot accuratly. Small sights, short sight radius, and small grips that are somewhat hard to get a consistent hold on, work against it.

Are they worth it? Only you can say. I think mine was.

One other thing. I don't see used ones very often.

 

[TACC1]

It's a great gun. Size and shape make it feel good in the hand.
I'll be one of the last I'd sell.
TACC1

 

[Erich]

I was worried about trigger-pull and bbl/cylinder gap when I bought mine from the big-box store, so I picked the best one that they had (out of three or five, this one had the best trigger and the smallest gap). I shot it a good deal, but moved away from using it much because its trigger just wasn't very good. And it loaded a mite slow compared to other .22 LR handguns I had. It also wasn't as accurate as other guns, probably owing to a combination of the awkwardness of gripping on the small frame with that trigger pull.

After a while, I picked up some Sack Peterson elk stag stocks for it. Bill made them to fit my left hand, on request - it's a true left-handed gun now.

Then I sent it to Mr. Bowen's for an action-tune, conversion to .22 Magnum, smoothing of the cylinder, re-bluing and sight-serration and -regulation. Didn't go the adjustable sight route - which will be on the pricey side, if you go there. Installed a Belt Mountain base pin when they became available. I like the heck out of the thing now.

.22 Mags it likes are accurate and faster than .22 LR of the same weight out of a rifle.

Win Super X 40-gr FMJ, 1457 fps

 

[Gebe]

I think Hamilton Bowen installs J-frame sights on them for a fee. They are ok little guns, but I think they are overpriced.

I was aware that Hamilton did work on Bearcats Andy but when I went on his site the prices took my breath away!

I like mine. They are accurate. They are hard to shoot accuratly. Small sights, short sight radius, and small grips that are somewhat hard to get a consistent hold on, work against it.

Are they worth it? Only you can say. I think mine was.

One other thing. I don't see used ones very often.

Thanks for the great side by side picture with the standard single six CajunBass!

It's a great gun. Size and shape make it feel good in the hand.
I'll be one of the last I'd sell.
TACC1

Ya, I've never shot one but I've held them and they are little jewels and fit my small hand perfectly.

I was worried about trigger-pull and bbl/cylinder gap when I bought mine from the big-box store, so I picked the best one that they had (out of three or five, this one had the best trigger and the smallest gap). I shot it a good deal, but moved away from using it much because its trigger just wasn't very good. And it loaded a mite slow compared to other .22 LR handguns I had. It also wasn't as accurate as other guns, probably owing to a combination of the awkwardness of gripping on the small frame with that trigger pull.

After a while, I picked up some Sack Peterson elk stag stocks for it. Bill made them to fit my left hand, on request - it's a true left-handed gun now.

Then I sent it to Mr. Bowen's for an action-tune, conversion to .22 Magnum, smoothing of the cylinder, re-bluing and sight-serration and -regulation. Didn't go the adjustable sight route - which will be on the pricey side, if you go there. Installed a Belt Mountain base pin when they became available. I like the heck out of the thing now.

.22 Mags it likes are accurate and faster than .22 LR of the same weight out of a rifle.

Win Super X 40-gr FMJ, 1457 fps

That is a GEM Erich! However, I don't think I would want to put that much money into, (IMHO), an already overpriced revolver but if money were no object, I'd go your way. Good stuff though Erich.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Kind of like my Model 43 Kit Gun, myself, but whatever fits your hand and shoots well is what counts most, and that's not the same gun for everyone. S&W revolvers usually have better trigger pulls out of the box.