BEARCAT QUESTION ??

[bulletnose]

I am finally getting serious about adding a BearCat to my stable. I understand and appreciate all of it's qualities, but I don't know why Ruger quit making it as a L.R./Mag. convertible. Surely the frame is strong enough to handle the mag. Was it because of the bore difference or what? My Single Six does just fine both ways even though using my Paco Tool does help a little with accuracy using L.R. ammo. Thanks for any answers.

 

[rugerguy]

There were a few diffrent reasons "why" they stopped, lots of wifes tales and folk lore, but to me, the MAIN reason was "operator failure"....
we've had, made 'em ourselves, and used them, all was fine, BUT the next person cannot walk and chew gum at the same time........

Merry Christmas....................

 

[chet15]

I have some letters here from the service department when Bob Dearden worked around there that talks about folks abusing Ruger's SA revolvers by "fanning" them. The one model this affected the most was the Bearcat because the parts were so much smaller, but the larger framed SA's were affected by this also.
Seems that when the New Bearcat Convertible came out, the model had the same issue. Whether abuse or not, the cylinder would get out of alignment with the bore when cocked. Extreme cases would not allow a .22 LR to go off (rotated just off the cartridge head) and the Mag. would go off, but with a misaligned bore you'd have lots of spitting issues./flying metal jacket etc. This is why Ruger recalled the cylinders on the first 1,000 New Bearcat Convertible that were shipped.
Chet15

 

[bulletnose]

"Fanning" O K, I understand that but figured that was more of a HollyWood show off thing. To me if I want semi-auto I use my MK II. I am more mechanically conscious than to abuse a mechanical instrument in such a manner. Not really a design flaw, just operator error. Thanks for clearing that up for me. I will go forward on my quest.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL !!

 

[flatgate]

I totally agree with Chet15's reply.

Idiots fanned the gun while it was firing .22 magnum cartridges. All it takes is a wee bit of "short stroking" the hammer which would effect the cylinder rotation. A .22 Magnum fired just a wee bit "out of battery" would slam a high speed copper jacketed bullet into the leading edge and not the bore of the barrel. Lots of splatter of jacket fragments and lead. Not good.

JMHO,

flatgate

 

[nvbirdman]

So we all pay the price because some idiot dosen't know how to handle a gun correctly.
Deja vu?

 

[CajunBass]

"Fanning" O K, I understand that but figured that was more of a HollyWood show off thing. To me if I want semi-auto I use my MK II. I am more mechanically conscious than to abuse a mechanical instrument in such a manner. Not really a design flaw, just operator error. Thanks for clearing that up for me. I will go forward on my quest.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL !!

It is a "HollyWood stunt." You have to remember when all this was going on, the TV Western was the top dawg so to speak. Every other show opened with a shot of some "hero" fanning a Colt SAA. A lot of people who didn't know any better, thought that was the way guns were supposed to be shot. About the same as today's fad of holding a gun sideways.

 

[flatgate]

It is a "HollyWood stunt." You have to remember when all this was going on, the TV Western was the top dawg

Hmm, the dual cylinder New Bearcats were sold in late 1993/early 1994.

The very rare convertibles were made with several "parts variations" and various types of markings on the cylinders. Easy to notice differences lie in the grip medallions. Early OM Bearcat medallions, late OM Bearcat medallions and a downsized version of a "current production" medallion.

The "extra" cylinders had "hang tags" attached which were marked with the last three numbers of the guns' serial number. No "felt" bags or boxes, the cylinders were wrapped in "bubble wrap".
flatgate

 

[chet15]

Every other show opened with a shot of some "hero" fanning a Colt SAA. A lot of people who didn't know any better, thought that was the way guns were supposed to be shot. About the same as today's fad of holding a gun sideways.

Yes, no doubt about it. Had a person walk up to our gun show table once and picked up an SA, opened the gate and spun the cylinder, then cocked it real fast and let the hammer down. He had to have thought he was pretty cool, till we told him how STUPID that was.

Speaking of the movie people holding a gun sideways...does everybody know how that came about? I heard the Israeli's invented it. With the muzzle rise of an UZI or other small compact MG you hold the gun sideways and it will pretty much "sweep" an area.
Read a story in Gun Week where a bunch of gang bangers decided they'd go gang banging on somebody who was stepping on their territory. The shooter on the passenger side of the car decided to hang out his car window and shoot over the top of the roof at the person on the other side of the street. Being cool he held the gun sideways proceeded to drill a hole right into the top of the roof and into the driver.
At least part of the problem was solved.
Chet15

 

[Cholo]

Anybody who could fan a new Bearcat is a better man than me :shock: It has the stiffest hammer pull than any of my SA's by a long shot. Great little gun that's dead on at 25 yds. Would have been nice to have the Mag cylinder along with it. You can't fix stupid...

 

[CajunBass]

Hmm, the dual cylinder New Bearcats were sold in late 1993/early 1994.

Really? Then I'll stand corrected. I would have thought they were much earlier.

That's what I get for thinking. :D

 

[rugerguy]

yep, all comes under "operator failure" ( trying to be polite....) 8)

 

[stubbfarmer]

It is easy to make your own “convertible” not cheap but easy. :)

 

[Doc Mark]

Evening, StubbFarmer,

Would you please outline the proper procedure for "rolling your own" convertible out of a regular Bearcat? I assume it involves getting a new cylinder, and having it rechambered for the .22 mag. Do you have to have the barrel changed, too? I'd appreciate hearing how to do it, just for grins. Thanks, very much! Merry Christmas, and God Bless!
Every Good Wish,
Doc

 

[flatgate]

Doc,

Several of the "big name" Ruger Smiths do the conversions. Contacting them will provide you with all the pertinent data.

flatgate

 

[Doc Mark]

Morning, Flatgate,

Thanks, very much! Actually, I'm jumping the gun, pardon the pun, as I still don't have my own Bearcat. But, I hope to remedy that situation soon. In the next week, or so, I should be able to get down the mountain, take the CA Firearm Owners test, and purchase the little stainless Bearcat that I saw just a week ago. It was truly lovely, and whilst I might be able to save a few bucks by having Bud's Guns in Florida send a Bearcat to our local FFL, I figure a Bearcat that I've seen and like, is better than one that might not be so nice when it shows up!! Later, after I've gotten to know my Bearcat, then I'll decide if I "need" to add a conversion to it! :wink: :D Thanks, again, Merry Christmas, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

 

[stubbfarmer]

After I bought my Stainless Bearcat I sent it back to Ruger and had a second cylinder fitted. I cannot remember exactly what it cost but I believe about $150. Then I bought a 22 Magnum chamber reamer that was about $60. I took a piece of 1 inch by 1/8 inch flat iron and drilled two holes to fit in the hole for the cylinder pin and a chamber to help hold the cylinder as I reamed the chambers. I did them one at a time and used a 22 Mag shell as a go no go gauge. You have to make sure to go far enough that the cylinder will spin with a shell in the chamber. I did not want to go any farther than necessary so had to try each cylinder a couple of times. It got easier with each cylinder as I gained experience. You also need to use allot of cutting oil and clean the filings out and off often. It did not take to long maybe an hour. I plan to polish the 22lr off the cylinder and restamp it 22 Mag 90 degrees off but have not done that yet. My friend did his at the same time but did not get a second cylinder so his is Mag only right now. I have $210 in my conversion. I still have the reamer somewhere, cannot remember if I ever received anything from my friend for doing his. I guess that is what friends are for. I am pretty sure I did not pay him for something.

Now the next thing we did was find Eric at EWK Arms to make us STAINLESS Ejector Rod Housings. There is a thread about them here. When you look at a new Bearcat the aluminum housing will make you sick and you may not buy it because it is so ugly. With Eric’s housing they become a thing of beauty like they should be and they are very reasonable priced. His info is in the other thread.

Another great thing about a Bearcat is shooting Colibri’s in them. You feel just like when you were a kid shooting your cap gun. Sort of a fountain of youth.

Good luck with your Bearcat.

 

[Doc Mark]

HI, StubbFarmer,

Thanks, again, for all the info and encouragement, Sir! I'm excited, and just waiting for the right time to head down the mountain and do the deal. That is, unless a deal with Bud's Guns turns out to be a better way to fly in this Bearcat Quest of mine! Any thoughts on that? Thanks, again, for your comments and help. I will most certainly be ordering a SS ejector rod from Eric, and you are right, the aluminum ones look rather trashy, compared to the great looks of the SS Bearcat! Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

 

[stubbfarmer]

Doc am I right that you are in Northern Cal? If so what part? My in-laws live at Valley Springs East of Stockton and Lodi.

 

[Doc Mark]

Merry Christmas, StubbFarmer, and All!

Actually, we live down South, up in the mountains. Love our mountains, but don't have much use for the State of CA anymore. It's "gone over to the dark side", and it doesn't look like it will ever really recover and get "normal" again. Sad to say..... Got to get back to the family, but Merry Christmas, again, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc