Current Bearcat quality?

[Mcflyfyter]

I have been trying to decide on a 22 revolver for my son to shoot. I finally settled on a stainless bearcat as being a perfect first handgun for him. I went to the store tonight to pick one up, and I was dumbfounded.

The 3 that they had in stock were horrible. They all had large gaps between the grip and frame, and the trigger gaurd to frame fit had large gaps also. The lockup on one was tight, but the others were sloppy. I have never seen anything like this on a ruger revolver before. Just for a reality check, I looked at a cimmeron, and it was well fit and $50 cheaper. Seriously, absolutely zero effort was put into these guns beyond making them likely to function.

Are they all junk now, or did this shop just get a bad run?

 

[contender]

Welcome to the Forum!
Sounds like a bad batch. But remember,, mass production doesn't allow for the best of things. High demand, coupled with a company committed to producing a lot of guns to sell as fast as they can, (pre-election) and potentially a newer employee that allows less than stellar examples out of the factory can result in disappointment.
Maybe shop around for an Old Model Bearcat & you'll have a better gun AND a more desirable one to boot. Maybe a WTB ad here in our Classifieds can get you what you desire?

 

[Mcflyfyter]

So it is hit and miss, some are decent and some are bad? That really isn't good, and from what I saw tonight, I will never purchase a new firearm from ruger.

On the plus side, that freedom arms 97 in 22lr is seeming like a better deal.

 

[Montelores]

So it is hit and miss, some are decent and some are bad? That really isn't good, and from what I saw tonight, I will never purchase a new firearm from ruger.

On the plus side, that freedom arms 97 in 22lr is seeming like a better deal.

The FA 97 in .22 is a heavy gun - you might want to take that into consideration for a youngster.

Also, it requires a rather deliberate and heavy cocking action.

Have you considered an OM Ruger S/S?

I think Contender's suggestion is a good one.

Good luck!

Monty

 

[Mcflyfyter]

Lol, the Freedom Arms would be for me of course.

I guess I will look around for an om, but I really wanted to have it before Christmas. We are going to see his grandparents for Christmas and I would love for grandpa to introduce it to him. Grandpa has leukemia and may not be around next year, and I would be nice if grandpa's memory was tied to his first handgun. I guess I will figure something out, but it darn sure isn't going to be a new ruger.

 

[contender]

I bet you could place an ad here & have an OM well before Christmas. An OM Bearcat or an OM Super Bearcat in very good condition isn't too hard to find.

 

[Fox Mike]

I have a few Bearcats and I have noticed that the gap between the grips and the frame to be a bit excessive on the later models. I actually contacted Ruger concerning that problem. They sent me a new set of grips that were better but not totally correct. I have never seen one with a gap between the trigger guard and frame though. Perhaps they were 'Monday' guns. Go to Gunbroker.com and search for Ruger Bearcat. They have bunch there.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Are they all junk now, or did this shop just get a bad run?

Hi,

No, they're not ALL junk, but Ruger's QC is a "not yet dead" horse that's taken quite a beating here and elsewhere in the market place. It's not a new problem: it was known at least as far back as about 1980 when I went to work for my ol' gunsmith boss. It is, however, ongoing with little appearance there will be any positive changes soon.

So... you did well by personally inspecting each of the guns in person, which is one of your first defenses against getting a shoddy one. I'd be looking at a used one--either a Bearcat or Single Six--as already suggested. Chances are it will work, and work properly, because it was either a good one from the get go, or by now the original owner has had it back to Ruger to be fixed right.

It's a sad state of affairs, but with patience, you should be able to get your son a good one and in time, too. Best of luck!

Rick C

 

[eveled]

Sounds like a big box store that has everybody else's rejects. Try a different LGS, there are good Bearcats still being made.

FWIW, my kids all prefer my single six over my Bearcat.

 

[WebleyMan]

I picked up a new adjustable sight Bearcat recently and the only complaint I have is the fitting of the wood grips. No gaps, but proud wood abounds. The fit of the trigger guard/grip frame to the frame is actually pretty good. Trigger isn't bad either. Not great, but not bad.

 

[41 Magnum]

I have always been very fond of my Single Sixes. Not only are they well fitted & finished, they have proven quite accurate as well. (adjustable sights) I'm thinking that a Single Six would actually be a better choice in the long run, mostly because it will be a comfortable gun for him now, but it will be well suited for him as an adult also. I love mine, (Stainless & Blued, 4⅝" & 5½") & would not be without them. My Stainless is 5+ Yrs. old, & Blued is 7 Yrs old + or -. My Son-in-law's old Bearcat is just not comfortable for me because of the very small grip & absence of adjustable sights. (although Ruger has since added an adjustable sight Bearcat model, I have not even looked at one yet.)

 

[hfcable]

I have always been very fond of my Single Sixes. Not only are they well fitted & finished, they have proven quite accurate as well. (adjustable sights) I'm thinking that a Single Six would actually be a better choice in the long run, mostly because it will be a comfortable gun for him now, but it will be well suited for him as an adult also. I love mine, (Stainless & Blued, 4⅝" & 5½") & would not be without them. My Stainless is 5+ Yrs. old, & Blued is 7 Yrs old + or -. My Son-in-law's old Bearcat is just not comfortable for me because of the very small grip & absence of adjustable sights. (although Ruger has since added an adjustable sight Bearcat model, I have not even looked at one yet.)

I have a blue and a stainless adjustable sight bearcat.......both are superbly accurate, either of them outshoot my new model single six 22 stainless, and they are so light you don't even notice wearing one on a hike.

 

[WAYNO]

So it is hit and miss, some are decent and some are bad? That really isn't good, and from what I saw tonight, I will never purchase a new firearm from ruger.

On the plus side, that freedom arms 97 in 22lr is seeming like a better deal.

Then ya better figure on never buying new guns from any manufacturer. They all have QC isues. But ya better not buy an American made automobile, washer, dryer either. Sorry to say it's the nature of American manufacturing. But I've also bought very good appliances, cars, guns, made in America. Ya just gotta know you've gotta hand pick what you buy, or if you don't have that option, you've gotta know that your purchase might have to be returned for customer service. Do I like this American-made model? Nope. But right now, it's just the way it is.

I've owned many Bearcats. Guess I've been lucky, as I've never bought one with cosmetic issues. But I have had my share of other Ruger products that should have not left the factory, so I do understand.

WAYNO.

 

[Eliminator]

My experience is similar to WAYNO's, though im sure he owns more Bearcats than I do. I own two, a standard blued model I've had for 12 years, and a blued 3.5" Shopkeeper I bought last month. Both are finished well. Both shoot very great, with the edge in accuracy to the Shopkeeper (it shoots 40gr Mini-Mags very well).

Two of my other recent hand picked Ruger purchases needed to go back, a Single Seven and an SP101 in 327. They were fixed and I'm very pleased with them, but they should not have left the factory in their original state.