Ruger Bearcat
| Ruger Bearcat | |
|---|---|
|
Ruger New Bearcat - Blued | |
| Type | Single-action revolver |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Production history | |
| Designer | William B. Ruger |
| Manufacturer | Sturm, Ruger & Co. |
| Produced |
1958 |
| Variants |
see variants
|
| Specifications | |
| Weight | |
| Length | |
| Barrel length | |
|
| |
| Cartridge | .22 LR, .22 Long, .22 Short, .22 WMR |
| Barrels | 1:16" RH[2] |
| Action | Single-action[2] |
| Feed system | 6-round cylinder[1] |
The Ruger Bearcat is a single-action, .22 caliber revolver manufactured by Sturm, Ruger & Co., introduced in 1958. It is based on the classic Remington percussion revolvers of the mid-19th century.[3][4] Because of its compact size and frame, it is advertised as being ideal for hikers or campers in need of a .22 LR revolver, or "kit gun".[5][4]
In 1974 Ruger patented a transfer bar safety system for their single-action revolvers and discontinued the production of the Bearcat, which was not readily adaptable to the new transfer bar design.[6] In 1993, Ruger brought back the Bearcat as the New Bearcat, now incorporating the transfer bar system, and also introducing a stainless steel variant.[7]
Variants
Bearcat 1st issue
The original Bearcat featured a fixed Patridge front sight and a square notched rear. It was made with an alloy solid frame and an uncheckered walnut grip. It also features music wire coil springs and a non-fluted engraved cylinder.[1]
Bearcat 2nd issue
The Bearcat 2nd issue was marketed as an improved version of the original Bearcat, and renamed the Super Bearcat; it featured an all-steel frame rather than an alloy frame.[1]
Bearcat 3rd issue
The Bearcat 3rd issue, also known as the New Bearcat, is Ruger's reintroduced model which came out in 1993.[2] It features smooth rosewood grips with a Ruger medallion embedded.[1] The New Bearcat also incorporated Ruger's new transfer bar safety system.[7] It was briefly offered with an additional .22 WMR cylinder, which was recalled by Ruger due to a safety concern.[8] Those which were not returned to Ruger now command higher prices for collectors.
Around 2003, Ruger began offering the Bearcat in stainless steel.
In 2008, a 50th Anniversary edition was released with gold-filled script and special engravings, with 2,539 units produced.[9]
In 2015, Ruger introduced a variant of the Bearcat with adjustable sights, addressing a longstanding criticism of the limitations of the fixed sights.[10]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Peterson, Philip. Gun Digest Book of Modern Gun Values: The Shooter's Guide to Guns 1900 to Present (16th ed.). p. 241.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "The Ruger New Bearcat". Sturm Ruger. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
- ↑ Florida Wildlife. Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission. 1958. p. 48.
the recently announced Ruger "Bearcat 6-shot .22 caliber single-action revolver, pattened after the best of the early Remington percussion revolvers
- 1 2 "The Ruger New Bearcat Overview". Sturm Ruger. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
- ↑ Women and Guns. Little River Press. 2006. p. 2.
- ↑ Quinn, Jeff. "Ruger's New Bearcat". Gun Blast. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
- 1 2 "The Ruger New Bearcat Features". Sturm Ruger. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
- ↑ http://www.ruger.com/pdf/newBearcatConvertible.pdf
- ↑ Jerry Lee (16 December 2014). Standard Catalog of Ruger Firearms. "F+W Media, Inc.". pp. 49–. ISBN 978-1-4402-4060-7.
- ↑ http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2015/5/26/ruger-s-new-bearcat/
- Ruger and His Guns by R.L. Wilson, Chartwell Books, 1996. Invaluable reference source for all things Ruger up to 1995.
