Ruger Bearcat

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Ruger Bearcat

Ruger New Bearcat - Blued
Type Single-action revolver
Place of origin  United States
Production history
Designer William B. Ruger
Manufacturer Sturm, Ruger & Co.
Produced

1958

  • 1958-1971 (1st issue)[1]
  • 1971-1975 (2nd issue)[1]
  • 1993-Present (3rd issue)[2]
Variants

see variants

  • Bearcat, 1st issue
  • Super Bearcat, 2nd issue
  • New Bearcat, 3rd issue
Specifications
Weight
  • 17 oz (480 g) (1st issue)[1]
  • 22.5 oz (640 g) (2nd issue)[1]
  • 24 oz (680 g) (3rd issue)[2]
Length
  • 8.875 in (22.54 cm) (1st issue)[1]
  • 8.875 in (22.54 cm) (2nd issue)[1]
  • 9 in (23 cm) (3rd issue)[2]
Barrel length
  • 4 in (10.16 cm) (1st issue)[1]
  • 4 in (10.16 cm) (2nd issue)[1]
  • 4.2 in (11 cm) (3rd issue)[2]
Cartridge .22 LR, .22 Long, .22 Short, .22 WMR
Barrels 1:16" RH[2]
Action Single-action[2]
Feed system 6-round cylinder[1]

The Ruger Bearcat is a single-action, .22 caliber revolver manufactured by Sturm, Ruger & Co., introduced in 1958. It is based on the classic Remington revolvers of the mid-1800s.[3] Because of its compact size and frame, it is advertised as being ideal for hikers or campers in need of a .22 LR revolver.[3]

In 1974 Ruger patented a transfer bar safety system for their single-action revolvers and discontinued the production of the Bearcat. It was not readily adaptable to the new transfer bar design. [4] Nearly two decades later, in 1993, Ruger brought back the Bearcat as the New Bearcat, but this time incorporated the transfer bar system. It was also available in stainless steel for the first time.[5]

Variants

Bearcat 1st issue

The original Bearcat featured a fixed Patridge front sight and a square notched rear. It was made with an alloy solid frame and an uncheckered walnut grip. It also features music wire coil springs and a non-fluted engraved cylinder.[1]

Bearcat 2nd issue

The Bearcat 2nd issue was marketed as an improved version of the original Bearcat, and renamed the Super Bearcat. It did away with the alloy frame and replaced it with an all-steel frame. [1]

Bearcat 3rd issue

The Bearcat 3rd issue, also known as the New Bearcat is Ruger's reintroduced model which came out in 1993.[2] It features smooth rosewood grips with a Ruger medallion embedded.[1] It is offered with both a blued or satin stainless finish.[2] The New Bearcat also incorporated Ruger's new transfer bar safety system.[5] It was briefly offered with an additional .22 WMR cylinder, which was recalled by Ruger due to a safety concern. [6] Those which were not returned to Ruger now command higher prices for collectors.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 Peterson, Philip. Gun Digest Book of Modern Gun Values: The Shooter's Guide to Guns 1900 to Present (16th ed.). p. 241. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 "The Ruger New Bearcat". Sturm Ruger. Retrieved 21 December 2012. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "The Ruger New Bearcat Overview". Sturm Ruger. Retrieved 21 December 2012. 
  4. ↑ Quinn, Jeff. "Ruger's New Bearcat". Gun Blast. Retrieved 21 December 2012. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "The Ruger New Bearcat Features". Sturm Ruger. Retrieved 21 December 2012. 
  6. ↑ http://www.ruger.com/pdf/newBearcatConvertible.pdf

"Ruger And His Guns" by R.L. Wilson, Chartwell Books, 1996. Invaluable reference source for all things Ruger up to 1995.

External links

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