Ruger Bearcat

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Ruger Bearcat
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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
  • 1958–1971 (1st issue)[1]
  • 1971–1975 (2nd issue)[1]
  • 1993–present (3rd issue)[2]
Variants see variants
  • Bearcat, 1st issue
  • Super Bearcat, 2nd issue
  • New Bearcat, 3rd issue
Specifications
Weight
  • 17 oz (480 g) (1st issue)[1]
  • 22.5 oz (640 g) (2nd issue)[1]
  • 24 oz (680 g) (3rd issue)[2]
Length
  • 8.875 in (22.54 cm) (1st issue)[1]
  • 8.875 in (22.54 cm) (2nd issue)[1]
  • 9 in (23 cm) (3rd issue)[2]
Barrel length
  • 4 in (10.16 cm) (1st issue)[1]
  • 4 in (10.16 cm) (2nd issue)[1]
  • 4.2 in (11 cm) (3rd issue)[2]
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[when?] 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;[when?] 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[when?] 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,[citation needed] 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. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ http://www.ruger.com/pdf/newBearcatConvertible.pdf
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ 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.

External links

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