Opinions on the Ruger Bearcat?

Running a box of shells through the Bearcat is tedious...
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Due to the half cock notch action of the Bearcat, it should be much quicker to load and unload than a New Model Single Six. With practice, it shouldn't be a problem to run through a 500rd bulk pack in a couple hours. If it seems tedious, you need more practice.


...on a range trip or dedicated plinking session, I'd pick an auto too
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Those magazines don't load themselves. How much time do you spend loading magazines?

I've got a plethora of .22 handguns of all types. Ruger MK-series, Browning Buckmarks, Walther P22, 1911's, S&W K-22's and several single actions. They're all fun but the ones that see the most usage are the single actions.
 
With practice, it shouldn't be a problem to run through a 500rd bulk pack in a couple hours. If it seems tedious, you need more practice.
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Absolutely.... But it still bags the question of exactly why the need for 'speed' <scratches head>. I spent a very enjoyable afternoon 'plinking', hip shooting, and bullseye shooting out to 70+ yards yesterday afternoon. In no case did I feel the need to rattle off the rounds 'quickly' or need to load quickly, or unload quickly. Relax and have fun. Between the .45 Colt and the .22 Single Six, I went through around 250 rounds in a couple of hours. Very satisfying.
 
I would go with a SS single-6 or single-10 for the adjustable sights. I agree that the fixed sight single action revolvers look better than those with adj sights but it really sucks when POA is way off POI.
 
... for the adjustable sights.
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I see I didn't address that issue either.... For you first handgun I would definitely bypass the fixed sight Bearcat and go for a adjustable sighted Single Six or Single Ten. Nothing more frustrating than having sight problems because of fixed sights and not knowing really how to deal with it (other than as the poster above ... getting rid of it) . Later you can get a fixed sight revolver and work out the kinks, by filing, or barrel turning, etc.... My two cents.
 
But it still bags the question of exactly why the need for 'speed' <scratches head>.
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Some folks like to take their time, some like to build skill. I'm not just wasting ammo, I'm building skill. I 'want' to be good with a single action. No different from competition shooters building skill with their chosen weapon. I take my single action shooting seriously. You ever seen the pic in Taffin's book where Clint Smith is shooting one Colt while punching out empties one-handed, with the other hand? That's where I'm headed.
 
Which Taffin book? I have the Book of the .44 and his Sixguns book. Don't recall a Clint Smith photo :) .

Don't get me wrong, I try to 'speed' up sometimes to mow down those steel plates at 25 yards (amazing how accuracy goes down as speed goes up), but that doesn't mean I don't mind, flicking the empties out one at a time and placing back into the box without the cases ever hitting the dirt. And then loading back up one cartridge at a time.... I am still working on the 'shooting' accurately part of the shooting game. I'll grab the .22 Single Six for the 'speed' drills.... Lot less expensive.... Same with hip shooting.... The o' .22 gets the nod.
 
like'em

Hey, I like single actions. As I mentioned, the Bearcat gets carried a lot in the fall and winter, and a Single 6 and a Blackhawk .357 are often woods bumming guns for me.

But thumbing non reloadable .22's in and out of a single action, when I could be shooting more and loading (and unloading) less with a semi, is more attractive.

Its not about speed, its about volume.
 
For that first plinking 22 handgun, I'd say Ruger Single Six or Single Ten if you want a revolver.

If you can be convinced to get an auto, check out the Browning 1911-22 or a Ruger Mark III.

Bearcats are fun but something to add later I think.

My advice comes from owning all of the above among others.
 
I used to have a Bearcat, and I must say I thought it was one of the most carryable guns I ever owned. It was somewhat hard to shoot with any real accuracy because it's small grip made it hard for me to maintain a consistent grip from shot to shot, it's tiny sights were hard to see under certain light conditions, and it had a rather heavy trigger pull.

Who carred? It was a fun gun. It was plenty accurate enough in my hand to bounce a can or a pine cone, or to scare a squirrel. Slow to load and unload? Big deal. I was never in a hurry to shoot up my ammo. It is ideal to drop in a hunting coat pocket to carry along when deer hunting or some other outdoor activity when you really don't want to lug along a gun.

And it was just so darn cute.

While the Single-Six is a better all around design, the Bearcat's small size puts it into a class shared probably with only the Smith & Wesson 22/32 "Kit Gun." It's not ideal as a plinker, or a range gun, but in the field is hard to beat.
 
Smell like cabbage? :D

I've always loved the bearcat, but never have owned one. I'm looking into the single six with fixed sights. I too like fixed sights for the look. My blackhawk, obviously, has the adjustable sights. Who knows? Maybe I'll go with the SS bearcat.
 
Which Taffin book?
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Don't make me go dig through `em all to find out! I'll end up getting the hots for something I don't currently have the hots for and that's when men get in trouble with their wives. I'm already thinking real hard about getting a Uberti Schofield .45 and that's gonna be bad enough. :p

Might've been the cowboy action book.


Same with hip shooting.... The o' .22 gets the nod.
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Now you're talking!


Made for carney folk, you know, small hands.
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I don't have little hands and wear a size 9 glove. At the end of the day I'd rather be shooting an 1860 or Bisley gripped sixgun but with a little practice, the Bearcat is certainly manageable.
 
when I could be shooting more and loading (and unloading) less with a semi, is more attractive.
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I've GSG 1911-22 and a Mark II and you still have to spend the time to thumb cartridges into the magazine(s). True, you don't have to 'unload' them manually like a revolver after shooting so volume is 'up'. However, at the range, I see the guys with larger caliber autos spending a 'lot' of time bent over looking for their empties all over the ground. Shoot a few magazines and then spend 15 minutes or more looking for their empties....

Might've been the cowboy action book.
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Thanks. I'll look as I do have that book.
 
My wife has a bearcat, nice little gun, shoots well. She got it because it fit her hands better than the single six, and since it was lighter and easier for her to stabilize.
My advice, HANDLE THE GUNS! Get what feels right in your hands.
 
I have owned a few of the newer Bearcats and never became real fond of them and then I picked up a one owner 1960 from an elderly lady whose husband died. It's turned out to be one great little gun that amazes me every time I take it out. At fifteen yards it shoots to the point of aim with most HV 36gr. 22LR HP's and hold 1 1/2" to 2" off hand. Granite I have guns that are better and more easier but they dont ride in a pocket like the little Bearcat.

 
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ya got a point

Well, now I'm guilty of hunting empties. When we shot the 10mm in IDPA, we spent a LOT of time looking for hulls.

Got a retired military pal that shoots DA revolver in IDPA so he can locate all his empties easily in little piles. Shaves every cent. Fixed income. Heck of a nice guy too.

So rclark ya got a point, but remember, we're talking .22's.

BAck to the Bearcat. Mine came home with an improvised cylinder base bin. A screwdriver shaft if you can believe that. Old model that had not been back to Ruger for a refit. Ruger would not send a part, it had to go back if they were going to do the replacement, and they would do the 6 shot conversion if it did. Really didn't want to do that. Additionally, the little revolver would not shoot to point of aim. Left as I recall.

Finally found an original base pin online and bought it. Can you believe that a new base pin corrected my shoot to point of aim problem. At least minimized it significantly. Well, it did.

Tidy little revolver that draws comments anytime it appears. Carry it w/ 5 in the slash pocket of my wool GI pants through our long bow season. Some small comfort coming back to the truck after dark, not ideal, but something. Would make a good signal device too, which was my first thought, the old woodsmans 3 shot thing.

I can't recommend it as a full time plinker due to the dinky sights and the ammo thing we been kicking about, but they are neat little revolvers none the less. A single action "kit gun".
 
Since you're looking for your first handgun, do what I did and start with a Single Six. It worked for me 40 years ago and it's still one of my favorite guns.
It cost about $75 NIB back when gas was $0.30 per gallon.
:D

Convertible is nice so you can mess around with .22 magnum, but 90% of the time it's .22LR or .22 short. Long 6 1/2" barrel points very well, huge target sights, great first gun.

Choosing a single action revolver for a first handgun means wasting less ammo and taking time to aim every shot, kind of like learning on a single shot bolt action rifle. You tend to miss less often when you can't spray and pray.
 
Bearcat

Nice gun. Well made. Shoots as well (or poorly) as any other single action fixed sight .22.
I wanted a small .22 that I could carry in my hunting vest during Upland game season. I went with the little Bearcat, a steel gun. Despite its small size, it was too heavy for my needs. I traded it for a S&W 317 Airlite snubbie. That has proven to be ideal....but is quite a different kind of gun.
Pete
 
Always thought they were 'kinda neat', a minature single action. But whenever I actually held one, they just are too small to fit my hands. I also like adjustable sights on a .22. This is even more important today when a guy has to pick up whatever decent ammo he runs across. Need a way to adjust to such ammo variety.

I have a Single Six with 6 1/2" barrel that's very accurate. And the 4 5/8" barrel Single Six is a nice, handy size. If you like single actions (and who doesn't !) look into one of these for a first handgun. Youll be pleased that you did.
 
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bamaranger said:
My boy much preferred a Ruger Std auto to one of my cowboy .22's, you could plain shoot more. Too be honest, on a range trip or dedicated plinking session, I'd pick an auto too
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If it is about volume a 9 or 10 shot da revolver would be better than an auto. I have a Ruger Single Six, Ruger MKIII and 22/45, Ruger LCR (22lr), and a S&W 617. The MKIII and 22/45 get shot the least because they are more tedious to load those mags.

If it is within budget I suggest the OP consider the S&W 617
 
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