The Ruger Bearcat

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Star43

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Last night I was looking at Bearcats (actually trying to see their grip frame, but that is another story). Anyway, Type in Ruger Bearcat, and you will get many, many photo examples of this little gun. I looked at a lot of them and then I watched the Ruger Tech Talk on the Bearcat. It is only a little less than 3 minutes. I watched it twice. I have never had the itch to get one before, but that was before I started looking at them, and to be honest I like what I see. I think I want one. But I really know nothing about them. For those who have one, please educate me on what I may have possibly been missing. What is it you like about the Ruger Bearcat ?? I thank you in advance. 👍
 
Last night I was looking at Bearcats (actually trying to to see their grip frame, but that is another story). Anyway, Type in Ruger Bearcat, and you will get many, many photo examples of this little gun. I looked at a lot of them and then I watched the Ruger Tech Talk on the Bearcat. It is only little less than 3 minutes. I watched it twice. I have never had the itch to get one before, but that was before I started looking at them, and to be honest I like what I see. I think I want one. But I really know nothing about them. For those who have one, please educate me on what I may have possibly been missing. What is it you like about the Ruger Bearcat ?? I thank you in advance. 👍
 
Good advice. I just don't see them, so it's been like out of sight, out of mind. But you are right that it would be good to hold one first. 👍
 
Personally, I LOVE the Bearcat! 😍
My hands definitely aren't huge despite my 6' 3" frame, but it wouldn't really matter too much to me if they were. The Bearcat is perfectly scaled to the 22 LR cartridge...And, that's the #1 reason why I love 'em so much!

13359.jpeg
 
The Bearcat was originally designed as a small "kit" gun for folks who wanted a .22 LR AND it be small & easy to carry. Such as fishermen.
They are perfectly good smaller handguns.
By all means,, go on a search of gun shops, gun shows or pawn shops to put "hands on" first.

The Bearcat was introduced in 1958. The first ones were serial numbered 1-999. After that,, Bill started adding a letter of the alphabet to the front of the serial number. (A001 to A999) then moved to another letter of the alphabet. Hence the name "Alpha Cats!" The only letter not used was the letter "O" as it was too much like the number 0.
 
Last edited:
WAYNO said:
I've owned many, but I'm down to only one. And I only shoot it at the range, and then, not very often. And for no reason.

I have gorilla hands. Large but short fingers. I dwarf the Bearcat grip. But I also dwarf full size single action grips. Point is, they still all work fine for me.

I think we could call a Bearcat a kit gun. When I have need to carry or use a .22 revolver, I just seem to grab a Single Six, first. And again, for no reason.

This discussion could likely make me dig out my Bearcat for my next range trip.:cool:
Click to expand...
I think you should. You owe it to yourself and your down to only one: Bearcat !! Have fun. 🙂
 
contender said:
The Bearcat was originally designed as a small "kit" gun for folks who wanted a .22 LR AND it be small & easy to carry. Such as fishermen.
They are perfectly good smaller handguns.
By all means,, go on a search of gun shops, gun shows or pawn shops to put "hands on" first.

The Bearcat was introduced in 1958. The first ones were serial numbered 1-999. After that,, Bill started adding a letter of the alphabet to the front of the serial number. (A001 to A999) then moved to another letter of the alphabet. Hence the name "Alpha Cats!" The only letter not used was the letter "I" as it was too much like the number 1.
Click to expand...
Now I understand the "Alpha" thing. Interesting. Looking at Bull's-Eye's above, which is a nice looking gun.....I see 91 as the prefix ? Does that mean the year 1991 ? Probably not ?? Didn't they stop making them for a long time ??
Feel the 'Pane said:
I have to agree, the grip is small but 'doable' with custom grips. Here's my 1 & only, purchased to fill the void in my OM collection.

View attachment 47224
An AlphaCat wearing Seth Peterson stags.
Click to expand...
That's another beauty.....Love the grips !! That is very nice !!! 🙂🙂😊😊
 
BULL'S-EYE said:
Personally, I LOVE the Bearcat! 😍
My hands definitely aren't huge despite my 6' 3" frame, but it wouldn't really matter too much to me if they were. The Bearcat is perfectly scaled to the 22 LR cartridge...And, that's the #1 reason why I love 'em so much!

View attachment 47221
Click to expand...
I looked at yours again. There is something special about that blueing with the brass and the white, I guess Pearl grips......Very nice! 👍
 
Star43 said:
Now I understand the "Alpha" thing. Interesting. Looking at Bull's-Eye's above, which is a nice looking gun.....I see 91 as the prefix ? Does that mean the year 1991 ? Probably not ?? Didn't they stop making them for a long time ??

That's another beauty.....Love the grips !! That is very nice !!! 🙂🙂😊😊
Click to expand...
Beautiful and in the box !! Love it....😍
 
"My recollection is the letter "O" was not used because it looked to much like a zero?"

You are correct,, I made the mistake. It was the letter "O" not the letter "I."
 
you are correct , they did not use the the letters "I" or " O"...and as for the prefix the Bearcat became the #90 prefix and the Super Bearcat became ( started ) as the #91 prefix in 1969......after the end of the old models in 1972 and the new Models came out 1973, the Bearcat and the Super Bearcat ceased production until like 20 years later , in 1993 and they used the prefix #93 and called it the New Bearcat and it was mainly steel , unlike the Original Bearcat and its main frame being aluminum, with an "anodized gold" (brass like simulation) Great little guns we've always liked them, since 1958...
and no, not fitting or made for folks with large hands ( fat fingers):cool::rolleyes:;)
 
contender said:
"My recollection is the letter "O" was not used because it looked to much like a zero?"

You are correct,, I made the mistake. It was the letter "O" not the letter "I."
Click to expand...
So did they do an "I" ?? How many years were they not in production. Well I guess I can look it up. I was just wondering.......
 
rugerguy said:
you are correct , they did not use the the letters "I" or " O"...and as for the prefix the Bearcat became the #90 prefix and the Super Bearcat became ( started ) as the #91 prefix in 1969......after the end of the old models in 1972 and the new Models came out 1973, the Bearcat and the Super Bearcat ceased production until like 20 years later , in 1993 and they used the prefix #93 and called it the New Bearcat and it was mainly steel , unlike the Original Bearcat and its main frame being aluminum, with an "anodized gold" (brass like simulation) Great little guns we've always liked them, since 1958...
and no, not fitting or made for folks with large hands ( fat fingers):cool::rolleyes:;)
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info on the years. I didn't notice the whole post. Sometimes on my phone I just get the first part of the post.....so they are still being made now, after 1993, and are steel ? They sure are nice looking guns. 🙂🙂👍👍
 
Sorry for the double opening topic. I can't seem to fix it right now, My phone is acting a little weird. I am getting posts but it's not completely normal. Just wanted to say that......While here though, these posts from you guys and the photos are terrific. So no alpha numbers O and I. That's interesting too....This could be a dumb question, but I will ask anyway. Now that the Super Bearcat is steel framed, has the thought of a 22 Mag being used ever come up ?? Again I know really nothing of a Bearcat, but was just thinking of the Single Six combo, and was just wondering. Mainly because of the steel frame.
 
You would probably enjoy any number of the books that have been published about Rugers.
Internet search or even a WTB in Classifieds would set you up,
Oh, and RENE too.
 
hittman said:
You would probably enjoy any number of the books that have been published about Rugers.
Internet search or even a WTB in Classifieds would set you up,
Oh, and RENE too.
Click to expand...
I think you are definitely right there Hittman !! 👍
 
Looking at the photos was very nice. One thing I know for sure is I would get a standard grips one. I have never been much of a Bird's head style guy. I mean they are ok, but I've always liked the good old standard plow handle styled grip......Now as far as Blued vs Stainless, that's a whole different problem there, that I think a lot of others will also agree with....They are both beautiful !!
 
hittman said:
You would probably enjoy any number of the books that have been published about Rugers.
Internet search or even a WTB in Classifieds would set you up,
Oh, and RENE too.
Click to expand...
I know you know this answer. (ROCS FORUM!)
I'm sure Ruger only left out ONE alpha cat letter.
"O" correct???
Straighten me out if I'm wrong, please.

JaydaWg
 
Hi Rugerguy, I just wanted your opinion of the original Bearcat Model, and the Super Bearcat model compared to the New Bearcat starting in 1993. Usually, everyone wants anything old or the original models as they are, again usually perceived to be better "made back in the day" type thing. But in this case, the New Bearcat is all steel framed? In your opinion would that make the New Bearcat better ?? Also why did Ruger go to an all steel frame ? Was it because of possibly shooting the 22 Mag ? Sorry to bother you. I guess I should invest in some books to look things up, but to be honest, To me this is what a Forum should be about. To ask questions about things. I can only speak for myself, but I have "tuned in" to this forum, and other forums for years. I didn't look at it everyday, but at least 2 or 3 times a week. And I didn't post all the time. I was content to just read the different questions and opinions. That was fine for me for a long time. In my opinion, there are still a lot of guys out there like that too now. You may never hear from them, but they are listening to you and other long time forum members. I don't know why I went into that, but it is at least true about me. I was curious what you thought about the different Bearcats ?? 🙂
 
I absolutely adore mine. They are made to be small kit guns, not Target guns. They are small and that's why we love them. They fit in a pocket/pack or as in my case, on a nice little leather holster on your hip. I take mine camping all the time. It's the one gun I always have with me if I'm just rambling through the woods to check deer stands, walking around in the Sandhills, etc. Mine is quite accurate too. I can put all six shots inside a playing card at 25 yd. That's good enough for what I'm asking it to do. I don't think you will regret it. Mine is the adjustable site model and after a nice action job it is a sweet little 22.
 
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