i happened on a stainless ruger bearcat shopkeeper, ss, 3", 22lr in a lgs and returned next day to buy it for $350. i took it to the range yesterday to test with my single six, blue, 4.5", 22lr/22mag for comparison.
the shopkeeper's price was low, compared to what is found on the internet. i had read about shopkeeper's difficulty to eject spent rounds and poor accuracy so i guess the previous owner shot it 1-2 times and lost patience with it.
i fired about 400 22lr (federal, rem golden, cci vel, win m22, aguila?), and 30 22mag and 30 22lr rounds from the single six to compare. the shopkeeper was a joy (as was the single six of course). im very glad that i got it. after about 100 rounds my weak hand index finger hurt a bit from the shopkeeper's ejector so i wore thin leather driving gloves. indeed it was tough to eject the first 50-100 rounds but after getting the shopkeeper warmed up and wearing the gloves i found that i could hit the empty rim and readily pop out the spent rounds. the bulk ammo (esp rem golden) ejected the easiest on one tap. the cci towards the end of my time finally came out mostly on one tap. the single six's tolerances are a bit more forgiving and its larger size make ejecting easier. loading both was fine.
shopkeeper accuracy at 20 feet was within the size of my fist with the cci, aguila, federal, rem golden and win m22 best in that general order. the latter also seemed to be the dirtiest ammo. i was surprised and happy with the rem golden, after having read of lots of problems with it on the internet.
where the shopkeeper was light and let me feel the 22lr's pop, the single six was heavier so i couldnt feel the 22lr. thus shopkeeper 22lr = single six 22mag in felt effect, both very pleasant. im happy with both guns and will probably use the single six for 22mag only.
now im eager to find a ruger bearcat 22lr; if the shopkeeper is this good, the bearcat can only be better.
i would appreciate suggestions for mass market nylon or leather holsters to fit the shopkeeper; just for now i would like to pick it up and try it rather than spending over $100 for one by mail, sight unseen (but that may come later).
the shopkeeper's price was low, compared to what is found on the internet. i had read about shopkeeper's difficulty to eject spent rounds and poor accuracy so i guess the previous owner shot it 1-2 times and lost patience with it.
i fired about 400 22lr (federal, rem golden, cci vel, win m22, aguila?), and 30 22mag and 30 22lr rounds from the single six to compare. the shopkeeper was a joy (as was the single six of course). im very glad that i got it. after about 100 rounds my weak hand index finger hurt a bit from the shopkeeper's ejector so i wore thin leather driving gloves. indeed it was tough to eject the first 50-100 rounds but after getting the shopkeeper warmed up and wearing the gloves i found that i could hit the empty rim and readily pop out the spent rounds. the bulk ammo (esp rem golden) ejected the easiest on one tap. the cci towards the end of my time finally came out mostly on one tap. the single six's tolerances are a bit more forgiving and its larger size make ejecting easier. loading both was fine.
shopkeeper accuracy at 20 feet was within the size of my fist with the cci, aguila, federal, rem golden and win m22 best in that general order. the latter also seemed to be the dirtiest ammo. i was surprised and happy with the rem golden, after having read of lots of problems with it on the internet.
where the shopkeeper was light and let me feel the 22lr's pop, the single six was heavier so i couldnt feel the 22lr. thus shopkeeper 22lr = single six 22mag in felt effect, both very pleasant. im happy with both guns and will probably use the single six for 22mag only.
now im eager to find a ruger bearcat 22lr; if the shopkeeper is this good, the bearcat can only be better.
i would appreciate suggestions for mass market nylon or leather holsters to fit the shopkeeper; just for now i would like to pick it up and try it rather than spending over $100 for one by mail, sight unseen (but that may come later).
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Looking forward to some photos of the guns and targets.