Bearcat weight?

[Triggernosis]

Does anyone know what the "real-world" weight of the SS Bearcat is? I'm having a hard time believing that it actually weighs the 24 oz. that I've seen listed.

 

[Cholo]

It's listed as the same weight as the blued model and mine weighs 23.7 oz. The SS might weigh a tad more, but I'd say it's pretty close.

 

[Triggernosis]

Thanks, Cholo.

 

[CraigC]

My stainless New Bearcat tips the postal scale at 23.65oz.

 

[Triggernosis]

I'm surprised those little things actually weigh that much. Thanks, y'all.

 

[CraigC]

Well, it is 10oz less than a 5½" Old Model Single Six with aluminum grip frame.

 

[Short Barrel]

24 oz isn't heavy at all,for an all steel gun.It's actually a pretty good combination of light but not too light to hold fairly steady.Many all steel .22's are over 40 oz.I think these days we get used to hearing weights of Scandium,titanium,aluminum,polymer this and that and something in the mid 20 oz range starts to sound heavy.

 

[flatgate]

One thing that adds to the weight is the fact that the barrel's bore and the cylinder's bore are "small" when compared to a .44 cal., etc.,

flatgate

 

[CraigC]

Yep and unlike many other Rugers, the only aluminum is the ejector housing. I agree that it's just the right combination of light but not so light that they cannot be shot accurately.

 

[Triggernosis]

I understand that 24 oz. isn't really heavy, but a S&W model 63 weighs 26 oz., I believe, and the Bearcat just looks and feels like such a smaller gun.

 

[Cholo]

My 4" M34, the blued version of the M63, weighs 24.5 oz., less than 1 oz. more than my Bearcat.

 

[Bkat]

Just checked mine on my little mechanical food scale. Interestingly, my little Bearcat Shopkeeper comes in at 23 oz, compared to just under 18 oz for my OM alloy framed Cat and 22 oz for my OM steel framed Super Cat.

However, I've got ebony grips on the Shopkeeper that are thicker and a little heavier than the factory laminates that came with it. I haven't yet checked these weights against the factory-listed weights.

Bkat

 

[Triggernosis]

Maybe I'll look into getting an older alloy-framed Bearcat, then. What specific model should I keep an eye out for - just an "old model"?

 

[Bkat]

Maybe I'll look into getting an older alloy-framed Bearcat, then. What specific model should I keep an eye out for - just an "old model"?

The OM alloy frames were made from 1958 through 1970, starting with serial # 1 and running through 114729 in 1969. In 1970, the last year of production, Ruger went with a prefix serial#, 90-.

The rarest are of course the 1 to 3 digit guns, made in 1958, followed by what is called the "alpha" Cats with a letter prefix and 3 digits, made from 1958-60.

I think the published factory weight on these is 17 oz.

Bkat

Edit to add: The early OMs had some sort of resin/wood composite grips while later ones had walnut grips with a Ruger medallion. I'm probably alone on this, but I've always liked the look of those early grips.

 

[flattop44]

You ain't alone Bkat, I too like the early Cat "Rosin Impregnated Rosewood" grips without medallions.
Triggernosis, I probably have an extra Old Model Bearcat around here if you decide that is what you would like to get. Have an Old Model Super too. PM me if you decide to go that route.
FT44/aka Bill

 

[Triggernosis]

Will do, Bill. Thanks.

 

[rugerguy]

same here like the look of the "originals", and just sold the last two we had last weekend at the OGCA.......

 

[Triggernosis]

Since the old models don't have the transfer bar safety system, is there a way to retrofit them to make them safe?

 

[Bkat]

I personally wouldn't convert any OM Ruger single-action, which will seriously affect the value of a highly collectible model. I also prefer the OM action over the new one. But if you want to do it anyway, ship it to Ruger and they will do it for free and should send the old parts back to you.

Bkat

 

[flattop44]

The Old Model Bearcat is no more unsafe than any other firearm if you know how to load and handle it. It is like any other original action Old Model Ruger, Colt or any other Single Action revolver without a safety transfer bar. When loaded, you simply keep and carry the gun with the hammer resting on an empty chamber, that makes it safe to carry.
FT44