Convertible Bearcat?

[dakota1911]

When Ruger reintroduced the Bearcat I bought one in SS since the originals were not made in SS. Anyway, at the time the gun store I ordered it from said Ruger had offered them in .22/22mag convertible and dropped them. I always wondered if that was true as I have not seen one over the years. Of course I have not pouned gunpoker or gunsamerica or any other intergoogle place for one either.

 

[Danjet500]

This should answer your question.

http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=178787&p=1784771&hilit=bearcat+magnum#p1784771

 

[dakota1911]

Thanks for the link Danjet500.

 

[eveled]

what was the reason for the recall? Was something breaking or did Ruger just realize they weren't comfortable with the margin of error shooting .22mag from the Bearcats? A convertible Bearcat would be sweet!

 

[Fox Mike]

what was the reason for the recall? Was something breaking or did Ruger just realize they weren't comfortable with the margin of error shooting .22mag from the Bearcats? A convertible Bearcat would be sweet!

A convertible is still possible. Send your gun to Clements Custom Guns and he will do the work. http://www.clementscustomguns.com/bearcat.html

 

[WAYNO]

When Ruger reintroduced the Bearcat I bought one in SS since the originals were not made in SS. Anyway, at the time the gun store I ordered it from said Ruger had offered them in .22/22mag convertible and dropped them. I always wondered if that was true as I have not seen one over the years. Of course I have not pouned gunpoker or gunsamerica or any other intergoogle place for one either.

When the convertibles were released, I found one in a local gun store, and I had every intention of buying it. When I gave it the pre-purchase once-over, I discovered that this one had escaped QC, and it had some serious operating issues. I handed this gun back to the dealer (whom probably sold it to the next guy) and I figured I'd wait for the next available convertible. Wrong. There never was a next one.

Anyway...Funny how a guys mind plays tricks. I distinctly remember this convertible was stainless. When I had a discussion with Flatgate about this gun that I turned down, he forced a reality check on me. They were never offered in stainless. :roll:

WAYNO.

 

[eveled]

what was the reason for the recall? Was something breaking or did Ruger just realize they weren't comfortable with the margin of error shooting .22mag from the Bearcats? A convertible Bearcat would be sweet!

A convertible is still possible. Send your gun to Clements Custom Guns and he will do the work. http://www.clementscustomguns.com/bearcat.html

Thanks, I like the idea of removing the roll marks and fluting the cylinder too. Ed

 

[rugerguy]

Wayno, there are some out there that were made into convertibles to "new model Bearcats, the mag cylinders were made up from regular ones (rechambered to 22 magnum), I even recall one of the original ones that was completely refinished to appear like stainless and were refinished in a SS Metalife chromium finish, look just like the stainless ones......sooooo ,on any given day one may "see" it here or there or where-ever and can say they "honestly saw one in stainless" 8) :roll: :wink:

 

[UmpquaCharlie]

I have two bearcat cylinders...bought with the idea I'd rechamber one to 22 Mag. They are to short?

 

[rugerguy]

gets close with BIG ( long) bullets but it works, they been using them since 1958....the NEW ones were a tad longer in 1993 for the convertibles.......22MAG cylinder.

 

[WAYNO]

Wayno, there are some out there that were made into convertibles to "new model Bearcats, the mag cylinders were made up from regular ones (rechambered to 22 magnum), I even recall one of the original ones that was completely refinished to appear like stainless and were refinished in a SS Metalife chromium finish, look just like the stainless ones......sooooo ,on any given day one may "see" it here or there or where-ever and can say they "honestly saw one in stainless" 8) :roll: :wink:

The one I saw was not a made up one, but one of the (at that time) recently released factory convertibles. My point was, as well as I remembered it as stainless, it could not have been. Guess I don't always remember everything I think I do. :mrgreen:

WAYNO.

 

[chet15]

Ruger did make at least two stainless convertibles, but none are supposed to have gotten out. One of these was shown at the 1993 or 1994 NRA show...definitely stainless!!
'Course never say never with Ruger! There aren't supposed to be any SP101's in .22 Mag either and I know of three of them!
If you had a serial number you can check the records.
Chet15

 

[HAWKEYE#28]

Some years ago, Brother Donnie Findley waved me to Ron Peterson in Albuquerge NM where there was a convertible with three cylinders, 2 regulars and one 22 mag. The complete gun sans any cylinders had been sent to Ruger for service and came back with the second 22 s/l/lr cylinder. All the ppwk accompanied the purchase and it is tended by the Hawkeye Girls in the big steel closet they manage with the RSSE Brothers. Sometimes a guy gets info and then lucky. 8)