Bearcat convertible

[1gunsnotenough]

Found a Bearcat convertible today. Looks NIB, has all paper work and manual that is labled Bearcat Conv. Serial number 93-01520. Both cylinders have last 3 numbers of serial number etched on front of cylinder. Problem is when I called Ruger they say it shipped 12/93. But they do not have it listed as a convertible. I know they were recalled would that be why it is not listed as a convertible. I am working out a trade on the gun so I want to be sure it is correct. Also what would a value be on this gun. Thanks

 

[rugerguy]

wow, thats right at the border of the number end.....hhhmmm
interesting, wonder what Chad has for the highest serial known....would NOT be hard to make one a convertible, nor have that manual, I think we still have a bunch that say "convertible"...same goes for the cylinder, the mag one is a tad LONGER, so if its the SAME length, it may have been made up, I'd go with what the factory says they shipped.........

 

[flatgate]

IIRC, the Catalog Number of the blued New Bearcat Convertibles is the same as what was used after the demise of the Convertible feature. Therefore the Factory is clueless as to which model it is. Requesting a check of the invoice "cost" would be a good clue since the convertibles would have been more expensive since they were shipped with two cylinders. Your gun is indeed in the proper serial number range to be a Convertible. My convertibles were shipped in Dec. of '93, IIRC.

Value? $750 and UP, depending on exact condition.

JMHO,

flatgate

PS There are indeed differences/variations of these guns. One needs to consult the RENE for the data.

 

[1gunsnotenough]

condition perfect. cannot find a blemish on it. no cylinder ring.

 

[chet15]

Ditto to what Flatgate said.
And...only convertibles were shipped in 1993 and 1994. Ruger didn't re-introduce the Bearcat as a LR only until 1996.
This also tells all collectors out there how much room there is in Ruger's data entry of their sn records....which ain't much. Nor would they have cared to list the early Bearcats as convertible, since they didn't know what would prevail with the Mag. cylinders.
Chet15

 

[rugerguy]

which again, asks the question, just what is the highest number ( or even the range they ran in.....) was wondering how high they went, so at least folks would have some idea of the cutoff or when it may be determined when one is actually "made up" we are still sitting on another 22 mag cylinder (New Bearcat) that can be put on ANY gun (New Bearcat) at any given time,aside from the ones that have already been "made up," done using the original cylinder or a replacement and gunsmiths or anyone with a reamer can rechamber and using a pantograph machine, remark them to .22 Mag,as we have seen some done over the past 17 years....again, one has to be careful NOT to pay the "big bucks" for a 'fake' ...
the proper box and paperwork should be "in order".
there was a LOW 4 digit (1000 range) gun at the last gun show and it was in the $800-900 range for the "package" .......nice gun and the guy was surprised no -one jumped at it..........oh well

 

[chet15]

The recall letter that Ruger sent out to get the .22 Mag. cylinders back said any guns from 93-00500 to 93-01944, so I'm assuming 93-01944 is the highest numbered Bearcat Convertible.
A very few guns in that range though were assembled and/or shipped late, so only have a LR cylinder (again, the ship date will prove this one way or the other as all Convertibles were shipped in 1993 and 1994 and the LR only didn't start shipping until 1996).
Ruger didn't make the 93-00001 to 93-00499 range guns until 1999, so those are also LR only.
Chet15

 

[flatgate]

Yup, no mag cylinder with this one.

flatgate

 

[rugerguy]

Thank you Chad, great info and of course, it is available in the 'RENE' :wink: