Ruger Bearcat reviews?

[Mike Armstrong]

Doc, sorry--I didn't notice your question until just now. I bought my stainless Bearcat in 2005 at The Pistol Parlor in Rensselaer, New York (now out of biz). Can't remember what I paid for it.

The best deal I've seen on them is from Bud's Gun Shop online; I have a guy in Long Beach, CA who will recieve from Bud's, DROS the gun, and all for $65, which is cheaper than paying Los Angeles County sales tax and then having to pay the state $25 to DROS. And Bud's has great customer service. The bad part--the shop I use in LB is only open on Saturdays. Fortunately, I'm retired, so Saturday is just another day.

I shoot my Bearcat two-handed, so the small grip has never been a problem, even with my fairly big mitts.

 

[TreeDoc]

Have had 2 and sold 2, great for carry in my coveralls, neat little gun. I found the single six better for me and it was cheaper to boot.

 

[Major T]

I did do a trigger fix on mine to eliminate creep. Other than that , my bule model has nothing lacking except the stag grips and adjustable sights as pictured by Sugar River. NICE. FYI, Ruger sells a Bearcat holster that is just right [leathet weight/style/etc] for the bearcat. I ordered three for the BC and two BHs. I did not think they were substantial enough for the larger revolvers and returned them. The bearcat model is just right. jack

 

[Triggernosis]

Warning! Do NOT get a Bearcat.
You might be tempted to do this with them.............

Pete, who installed those adjustable sights for you?

 

[Go Navy]

I have a very old Bearcat.....1963....which I bought new way back when. I have retired it to the gun safe, because I have decided it might have some collector value incl. original box. It is 95% and has not had the ridiculous safety conversion. I love it and my wife loves it. She's unhappy that I've retired it. Yes, she shoots; she was a farmer's daughter. I'm going to buy a new Bearcat, probably stainless, as a shooter. They're great. Buy one and keep it.

Meanwhile, she picked out a new Mk III to shoot and she loves it, esp. with the factory rosewood grips I added.

 

[Anonymous]

I have a very old Bearcat..... I love it and my wife loves it. She's unhappy that I've retired it. Yes, she shoots; she was a farmer's daughter. I'm going to buy a new Bearcat, probably stainless, as a shooter.

Meanwhile, she picked out a new Mk III to shoot and she loves it, esp. with the factory rosewood grips I added.

I'll bet once you get the new Bearcat, she has two guns......maybe you'd better buy two new Bearcats.....

Don't forget the EWK ejector housings, they are the icing on the cake!

http://www.ewkarms.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=14

 

[tookalisten]

I bought my first OM Super Bearcat a few weeks ago; my only comment after shooting the first few rounds was: Why did it take me so long to buy one of these.
My son likes it so much, I fear I will need to find me another one very soon.

 

[Boge Quinn]

I LOVE Bearcats...............

Bill Hamm on the original Bearcat:
http://www.gunblast.com/Hamm_Bearcat.htm

Bill Hamm on the Super Bearcat:
http://www.gunblast.com/Hamm_SuperBearcat.htm

Jeff Quinn on the New Bearcat:
http://www.gunblast.com/Bearcat.htm

Jeff Quinn on the stainless New Bearcat:
http://www.gunblast.com/Stainless_Bearcat.htm

Jeff Quinn on the 50th Anniversary New Bearcat:
http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-50thBearcat.htm

Terry Murbach on "The Sixgun God Smiled Upon":
http://www.gunblast.com/Murbach-Bearcat.htm

My beloved Bowen Bearcat convertible 22LR/22Magnum (it now belongs to one of my closest friends, the above-referenced Terry Murbach):
http://www.gunblast.com/Boge_BowenBearcat.htm

Bowen Classic Arms' "Perfected Bearcat":
http://www.gunblast.com/Boge_Bowen-PerfectedBearcat.htm

And my wonderful Harton 32 Bearcat, the first 32 Bearcat conversion Alan made. Mine is the blued one, the stainless one was made right after mine for my Yooper pal Lloyd Smale, who later gave his to Al Anderson's beautiful daughter Meg. American elk grips are by Eagle, fitted by Harton:

 

[Triggernosis]

Boge, that's some nice stuff right there!
What kind of ballpark price would something like that cost?

 

[Boge Quinn]

You'd need to ask Alan, as it's been a few years since he did that conversion. I will say that it was surprisingly reasonably-priced at the time, and I'm sure it still is.

 

[8000fthi]

Just got my SS Bearcat from Buds. It is a little beauty, fit and finish is very nice. I'm looking forward to this week end to shoot it.

 

[ranger1]

Just got my SS Bearcat from Buds. It is a little beauty, fit and finish is very nice. I'm looking forward to this week end to shoot it.

As Bearcatter pointed out, stainless steel ejector rod housings are available from EWK arms. Many forum members have purchased them from him.

http://www.ewkarms.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=14

 

[Boge Quinn]

Hamilton Bowen has them as well:
http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/parts_store/ruger_bearcat_steel_ejector_housings.html

 

[Larry from Bend]

You'll need something to carry it in.

 

[Chance]

My wife recently picked up a very nice early Super Bearcat with the anodized trigger guard here on the forum from VonFatman.
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=127796&highlight=
She has quite a collection of these little guns and her shooter is a 1959 alpha cat H gun.

 

[Triggernosis]

How accurate can these Bearcats be with the stock fixed sights?

 

[Boge Quinn]

Theoretically, as accurate as you can hold them, same as adjustable sights. If the sights regulate to your load, or can be regulated to your load, then fixed sights are really hard to beat.

In practice, the little round front sight on Bearcats (and Vaqueros, SAAs, old Smiths, etc.) don't behave very well at all, except in optimum light conditions (which are seldom encountered), and the rear groove sight isn't the greatest either. Still, the Bearcat is no worse in this regard than any number of great weapons, a few of which are named above.

This is why the custom Bearcats featuring adjustable sights are just the COOLEST things.

 

[8000fthi]

As Bearcatter pointed out, stainless steel ejector rod housings are available from EWK arms. Many forum members have purchased them from him.

http://www.ewkarms.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=14

Thanks I just ordered one. That was the one disappointment, Ruger needs to fix that.

 

[WIL TERRY]

I had the chance to test fire that BOWEN CUSTOM BEARCAT 22/22MAG convertible last month up in the U.P. after borrowing it from that crabby ol' bastid Merbatcher.
The metal targets were set at 80, 90, 100, 110, and 120 yards. At 80 yards that BO'CAT in 22LR never missed the targets once, I did mind you, it did NOT. Where the front sight was upon ignition there the bullet went. I hit all those target out to 120 yards with that DEElightful little 22 pistol and never had to touch the sight settings. WWWOOOEEEE...whatta fine shooting little 22 sixgun. HOW he ever talked Boge outta this 22 pistol is beyond me.
AND what in the world does Boge ever see in that surly sumbiscuit anyways ??? I heard even his dogs give him wide berth.....

 

[Boge Quinn]

I love the old bastard, but I can't imagine why - he keeps skinning me in gun deals, and outshooting me when there's money at stake!