6" Ruger Bearcat?

[Fox Mike]

Has anyone ever seen one of these? Is it a 'special' model or was the barrel changed? I do not see one listed anywhere in any of the "Distributor" models.
http://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/revolvers/ruger-revolvers-bearcat/ruger-bearcat.cfm?gun_id=100569754

 

[Terry T]

While we never say 'never' about Rugers, I have heard of after market barrel swaps and never heard of a factory 6" barrel. The lack of any markings on the barrel would suggest after market.
It seems to be professionally done.
Terry T

 

[contender]

In the deep recesses of my mind, (which have been known to be faded a bit,) I recall a FEW odd length barreled Bearcats being made.
Without a factory letter, I'd NOT pay more for one.

 

[Fox Mike]

I see that it is a serial number 91-xxxxx which is the Super Bearcat run. I have written the seller about it having a Ruger letter; will be waiting for an answer.

 

[street]

As it's a super Bearcat with a steel frame, it would be easy to remove the old barrel and install an after market barrel. Although it could be done with an alum. frame bearcat there is a good chance the frame would be destroyed when you tried to remove the old barrel.

 

[Fox Mike]

Spoke with Joe at Cabelas just a few minutes ago. He said, he was told, that some Bearcats had been special made for employees but were never offered to the public. I told him that if it were true that a letter from Ruger, stating that information, would be needed prior to my purchasing the revolver. I also told him that he had my email address and phone number and if he should get such a letter to please contact me as I was interested IF it was 'factory' built.

 

[Hondo44]

Good move Frank,

And if the barrel doesn't even have any Ruger roll marking on it, the "special made for employee" story is bogus.

 

[dakota1911]

That is a case where you would need the letter or other documentation to prove it.

 

[Cholo]

Last year's thread about a 6" Bearcat:

www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=204702

 

[Hondo44]

Mike,

If you like it and want it, and not just for a collectible, see if they'll deal on the price and buy it.

It looks good and you can't get a 6" done for that price (including price of a standard BC).

 

[Stump Buster]

Wow! Factory or not, I like the lines on that one.

 

[Fox Mike]

Mike,

If you like it and want it, and not just for a collectible, see if they'll deal on the price and buy it.

It looks good and you can't get a 6" done for that price (including price of a standard BC).

My problem is Maryland's idiotic laws on handguns. They authorize the purchase of handguns based on their accepting them by specific "model" numbers. "Sturm Ruger Bearcat 0912, 0913, 0914, 0915, 0916, 0917 .22LR/.22MAG" These are to OK models. It took six months for 0916 and 0917 to become 'approved'.

 

[Hondo44]

Since the 6" is not regular production, It seems that it would have to be one of those model numbers.

 

[chet15]

An old timer Ruger collector by the name of Fred Nielson had a 6" Super Bearcat that somebody had also fitted a faux loading lever underneath, to make it look like a pocket model Remington.
Never did hear where that gun wound up after the recent auction.
Chet15

 

[Hondo44]

I've never heard of a Pocket Remington with 6" barrel.

 

[chet15]

Yeah...I know...but the Ruger's intent was to make the Bearcat a lookalike of the Remington Pocket model of 1858. He also put a big PR-1 casting mark on the grip frame which stands for "Pocket Revolver - 1", and all the other parts for a Bearcat started with the PR prefix.
Fred Nielson just had one with a 6" barrel on it and a faux loading lever underneath.
Chet15