Who makes the smallest SAA-like revolver?

**Aguila Blanca** · April 15, 2013, 09:10 PM

The Ruger Single Six is somewhat scaled-down (except for the grip frame.) The Ruger Bearcat is even smaller.

I know North American Arms makes a couple of very small revolvers, but those have spur triggers with no trigger guard. I'm curious to know if anyone makes a 5- or 6-shot .22 caliber revolver complete with trigger guard that's smaller than the Bearcat. What's out there that I'm overlooking?

TDodge7 · April 15, 2013, 10:01 PM

Heritage arms sells the rough rider in various lengths, the 3.75" barrel birds head grip model is pretty small, but I don't know if I'd call it a mini-revolver or anything. I believe you can get it in a 9 shot cylinder now as well as the 6.

newfrontier45 · April 15, 2013, 11:29 PM

The Bearcat is probably the smallest capable of being used as something other than a bellygun but it's based on the Remington pocket guns, not Colt.

Then there is the Cimarron Model P Junior and equivalent sixguns from Uberti. A Single Six sized sixgun chambered in .38Spl and .41Colt.

Bob Wright · April 16, 2013, 09:38 AM

Here is my Uberti Stallion .22. It's a reduced scale SA, including the grip.

[IMG]

[/IMG]

As to accuracy:

[IMG]

[/IMG]

I'm satisified with this little gun.

Bob Wright

RJay · April 16, 2013, 05:16 PM

I believe the Bearcat is about the smallest frame , Colt lookalike, single action that is made.

newfrontier45 · April 16, 2013, 05:39 PM

Except that the Bearcat is not a Colt look-alike. It's based on the Remington pocket model.

Jim Watson · April 16, 2013, 05:39 PM

And it's more like a Remington, anyhow.

Agree with newfrontier, how would you hold on to anything smaller?

There was a Rossi knockoff of the Ladysmith Model M, but that was double action.

ClydeFrog · April 16, 2013, 07:44 PM

The western US based gun company Freedom Arms, which is widely known for the .454Casull hunting round & stainless SA wheelgun put out a cool single action only(SAO) stainless revolver called the Dep US Marshal many years ago.

It had a 3/3.5" barrel and a 5/6 round cylinder. It was compact but fired .44magnum loads & the potent .454/.45LC if I recall.

www.freedomarms.com

Gdawgs · April 16, 2013, 09:07 PM

Oooh, I really like the looks of that Heritage with the birds head. Does anyone have one of those?? How do they shoot?

Webleymkv · April 20, 2013, 10:50 PM

Quote:

I'm curious to know if anyone makes a 5- or 6-shot .22 caliber revolver complete with trigger guard that's smaller than the Bearcat.

I doubt you'd be able to go much smaller than a Bearcat without going to a spur trigger or a very ungainly looking trigger guard because otherwise you'd have a difficult time fitting a normal sized index finger inside the guard.

bedbugbilly · April 21, 2013, 08:01 AM

I'm a little confused on the thoughts that the Bearcat is based on the Remington Pocket? My vintage Super Bearcat resembles a scaled down Colt SAA more than anything else. It certainly doesn't have a spur trigger nor an octagon barrel or a loading lever. My Bearcat holds six, has a spring ejector and cylinder removes the same way as a SAA. Size wise . . . the Bearcat is a little bigger perhaps but in design and looks?

I have a vintage Super Bearcat as well as a Heritage RR with a 4 3/4" barrel (and other CF SAAs as well). The Bearcat is scaled down and smaller than the RR. Mine is an easy carry and is fairly accurate. I wouldn't say that it would be ideal for someone with large hands but for me, it works fine and the ladies that have shot it seem to enjoy the size of it. The RR is a little bit larger and I love mine - accurate and for the price, is a great deal - I've had no problems with it. If you're looking for something small, you really need to handle different SAA like the Bearcat, RR, Single Six, etc. and see which fits and feels the best for you.

I like the looks of the Heritage RR with the 3 1/2" barrel and birdshead grips but some that have them say they aren't that accurate. All depends on what you are going to use it for and distances you are going to be shooting. I've read a number of threads from those that have the RR with the 6 1/2" barrels who really like them and have no problems it taking squirrels with them.

newfrontier45 · April 21, 2013, 10:01 AM

The Bearcat has an all one piece grip frame and receiver like the Remington. The shape of the grip frame and panels is pure Remington. The shape of the top strap is like the Remington. The way the triggerguard attaches is just like the Remington. Put a full triggerguard and a round barrel with ejector on the Remington and you've got a Bearcat. The lockwork is pure Old Model, even the New Bearcat still retains a half cock notch. I do believe there is a reference in "Ruger and his Guns" to the Bearcat being inspired by the Remington pocket. The only Colt that small was the 1849/1862 Police/Pocket Navy frame size but they were open tops.

**Aguila Blanca** · April 21, 2013, 10:53 AM

I'm not interested in the action being "pure" SAA-like. I'm asking if there are any mini-revolvers of the same general shape that have a full trigger guard. Something akin to the North American Arms mini revolvers, but with a guard rather than the exposed spur trigger.

Yes, I know the trigger guard would have to be disproportionately large, but that's my question, nonetheless. If Bond Derriger can do it for their mini-derringers, why hasn't someone done it for mini-revolvers?

Microgunner · April 21, 2013, 12:09 PM

I own this Cimarron Arms Lightning .22lr.
It's a reduced size SAA styled revolver with bird's head grips.
It's quite a good looking revolver as well.

**Aguila Blanca** · April 21, 2013, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Microgunner

I own this Cimarron Arms Lightning .22lr.
It's a reduced size SAA styled revolver with bird's head grips.

Isn't that the same basic frame size as the Ruger Single Six and the Heritage Arms .22 "cowboy" revolvers?

newfrontier45 · April 21, 2013, 04:20 PM

They're similar in size to the Single Six but also available in .38Spl and .41Colt.

Bob Wright · April 22, 2013, 08:21 PM

While the Uberti's cylinder frame is roughly the size of a Ruger Single Six, it does not have the flat top strap of the Ruger. And the grip straps are smaller than the Ruger's grip frame.

Dimensionally there's not too much difference, but in hand the Uberti feels much more dimunitive.

Bob Wright

newfrontier45 · April 23, 2013, 11:26 AM

What about cylinder diameter? It would be interesting to see if the Uberti has a larger cylinder. I've got an old Virginian .22 convertible but never measured them. I would 'assume' that the current Stallion is built to the same dimensions.

kenny g · April 23, 2013, 11:44 AM

http://www.gunblast.com/images/Ruger...r/DSC07459.JPG

22-rimfire · April 23, 2013, 12:12 PM

Been reading this thread with interest. Don't have a lot to contribute since I am not a 22 single action revolver fan and as a result really don't know the dimensions other than the Bearcat is "smaller" than the Single Six. The Heritage 22's have little interest for me. I have considered buying one of the NAA mini revolvers more than a couple times however. Why? Just for the heck of it mostly...

Haven't heard of the Ruger Shopkeeper. That is definitely an interesting little SA.

Bob Wright · April 23, 2013, 01:05 PM

If I may ask, if you're looking for a very small single action revovler, what's the importance of a trigger guard bow?

And, why the objection to the spur trigger?

Bob Wright

Magnum Wheel Man · April 23, 2013, 02:24 PM

the gun just below the bare blue peg, is a cartridge conversion gun, that shoots 32 S&W... that's pretty tiny... the top 2 guns are single sixes in 32 H&R Mag, for comparison...

this is a close up pic of the gun... it still looks proportionate even though it's much smaller than the "normal" single actions in the 1st picture...

**Aguila Blanca** · April 23, 2013, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Wright

If I may ask, if you're looking for a very small single action revovler, what's the importance of a trigger guard bow?

And, why the objection to the spur trigger?

I'm just not comfortable with the exposed, spur trigger.

Bob Wright · April 23, 2013, 08:08 PM

Aguila Blanca:

Quote:

I'm just not comfortable with the exposed, spur trigger.

Bear in mind that the trigger is protected on both sides by the frame extensions and never protrudes clear of the spur guard when cocked. The very close fit of the trigger in the spur prevents any foreign matter clogging the trigger. And the spur acts as a trigger stop, and the trigger is no more exposed than with a bow type trigger guard.

I believe if you were to handle a Remington Pocket Model as NewFrontier 45 pictured, you might change your mind.

Bob Wright

ZVP · April 24, 2013, 12:07 AM

The upcoming Ruger Bearcat Shopkeeper ought to fill your bill. It's a special order item from LANSKIES.
ZVP

April 15, 2013, 09:10 PM	#1
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,459	Who makes the smallest SAA-like revolver? The Ruger Single Six is somewhat scaled-down (except for the grip frame.) The Ruger Bearcat is even smaller. I know North American Arms makes a couple of very small revolvers, but those have spur triggers with no trigger guard. I'm curious to know if anyone makes a 5- or 6-shot .22 caliber revolver complete with trigger guard that's smaller than the Bearcat. What's out there that I'm overlooking?

April 16, 2013, 09:38 AM	#4
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 2,989	Here is my Uberti Stallion .22. It's a reduced scale SA, including the grip. [IMG][/IMG] As to accuracy: [IMG][/IMG] I'm satisified with this little gun. Bob Wright

April 16, 2013, 05:16 PM	#5
RJay Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,936	I believe the Bearcat is about the smallest frame , Colt lookalike, single action that is made. __________________ Ron James

April 16, 2013, 07:44 PM	#8
ClydeFrog Junior member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Posts: 5,797	Freedom Arms... The western US based gun company Freedom Arms, which is widely known for the .454Casull hunting round & stainless SA wheelgun put out a cool single action only(SAO) stainless revolver called the Dep US Marshal many years ago. It had a 3/3.5" barrel and a 5/6 round cylinder. It was compact but fired .44magnum loads & the potent .454/.45LC if I recall. www.freedomarms.com

April 21, 2013, 08:01 AM	#11
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	I'm a little confused on the thoughts that the Bearcat is based on the Remington Pocket? My vintage Super Bearcat resembles a scaled down Colt SAA more than anything else. It certainly doesn't have a spur trigger nor an octagon barrel or a loading lever. My Bearcat holds six, has a spring ejector and cylinder removes the same way as a SAA. Size wise . . . the Bearcat is a little bigger perhaps but in design and looks? I have a vintage Super Bearcat as well as a Heritage RR with a 4 3/4" barrel (and other CF SAAs as well). The Bearcat is scaled down and smaller than the RR. Mine is an easy carry and is fairly accurate. I wouldn't say that it would be ideal for someone with large hands but for me, it works fine and the ladies that have shot it seem to enjoy the size of it. The RR is a little bit larger and I love mine - accurate and for the price, is a great deal - I've had no problems with it. If you're looking for something small, you really need to handle different SAA like the Bearcat, RR, Single Six, etc. and see which fits and feels the best for you. I like the looks of the Heritage RR with the 3 1/2" barrel and birdshead grips but some that have them say they aren't that accurate. All depends on what you are going to use it for and distances you are going to be shooting. I've read a number of threads from those that have the RR with the 6 1/2" barrels who really like them and have no problems it taking squirrels with them. __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

April 15, 2013, 10:01 PM	#2
TDodge7 Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2008 Posts: 111	Heritage arms sells the rough rider in various lengths, the 3.75" barrel birds head grip model is pretty small, but I don't know if I'd call it a mini-revolver or anything. I believe you can get it in a 9 shot cylinder now as well as the 6.

April 15, 2013, 11:29 PM	#3
newfrontier45 Junior member Join Date: February 23, 2012 Posts: 921	The Bearcat is probably the smallest capable of being used as something other than a bellygun but it's based on the Remington pocket guns, not Colt. Then there is the Cimarron Model P Junior and equivalent sixguns from Uberti. A Single Six sized sixgun chambered in .38Spl and .41Colt.

April 16, 2013, 05:39 PM	#6
newfrontier45 Junior member Join Date: February 23, 2012 Posts: 921	Except that the Bearcat is not a Colt look-alike. It's based on the Remington pocket model.

April 16, 2013, 05:39 PM	#7
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	And it's more like a Remington, anyhow. Agree with newfrontier, how would you hold on to anything smaller? There was a Rossi knockoff of the Ladysmith Model M, but that was double action.

April 16, 2013, 09:07 PM	#9
Gdawgs Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2009 Location: MN Posts: 656	Oooh, I really like the looks of that Heritage with the birds head. Does anyone have one of those?? How do they shoot?

April 21, 2013, 10:01 AM	#12
newfrontier45 Junior member Join Date: February 23, 2012 Posts: 921	The Bearcat has an all one piece grip frame and receiver like the Remington. The shape of the grip frame and panels is pure Remington. The shape of the top strap is like the Remington. The way the triggerguard attaches is just like the Remington. Put a full triggerguard and a round barrel with ejector on the Remington and you've got a Bearcat. The lockwork is pure Old Model, even the New Bearcat still retains a half cock notch. I do believe there is a reference in "Ruger and his Guns" to the Bearcat being inspired by the Remington pocket. The only Colt that small was the 1849/1862 Police/Pocket Navy frame size but they were open tops.

April 21, 2013, 10:53 AM	#13
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,459	I'm not interested in the action being "pure" SAA-like. I'm asking if there are any mini-revolvers of the same general shape that have a full trigger guard. Something akin to the North American Arms mini revolvers, but with a guard rather than the exposed spur trigger. Yes, I know the trigger guard would have to be disproportionately large, but that's my question, nonetheless. If Bond Derriger can do it for their mini-derringers, why hasn't someone done it for mini-revolvers?

April 21, 2013, 12:09 PM	#14
Microgunner Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 3,324	I own this Cimarron Arms Lightning .22lr. It's a reduced size SAA styled revolver with bird's head grips. It's quite a good looking revolver as well. __________________ *Proud NRA Benefactor Member*

April 21, 2013, 04:20 PM	#16
newfrontier45 Junior member Join Date: February 23, 2012 Posts: 921	They're similar in size to the Single Six but also available in .38Spl and .41Colt.

April 22, 2013, 08:21 PM	#17
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 2,989	While the Uberti's cylinder frame is roughly the size of a Ruger Single Six, it does not have the flat top strap of the Ruger. And the grip straps are smaller than the Ruger's grip frame. Dimensionally there's not too much difference, but in hand the Uberti feels much more dimunitive. Bob Wright

April 23, 2013, 11:26 AM	#18
newfrontier45 Junior member Join Date: February 23, 2012 Posts: 921	What about cylinder diameter? It would be interesting to see if the Uberti has a larger cylinder. I've got an old Virginian .22 convertible but never measured them. I would 'assume' that the current Stallion is built to the same dimensions.

April 23, 2013, 11:44 AM	#19
kenny g Member Join Date: February 13, 2011 Location: northern ky Posts: 65	the "shopkeeper" http://www.gunblast.com/images/Ruger...r/DSC07459.JPG

April 23, 2013, 12:12 PM	#20
22-rimfire Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2005 Location: Tennessee Posts: 5,323	Been reading this thread with interest. Don't have a lot to contribute since I am not a 22 single action revolver fan and as a result really don't know the dimensions other than the Bearcat is "smaller" than the Single Six. The Heritage 22's have little interest for me. I have considered buying one of the NAA mini revolvers more than a couple times however. Why? Just for the heck of it mostly... Haven't heard of the Ruger Shopkeeper. That is definitely an interesting little SA.

April 23, 2013, 01:05 PM	#21
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 2,989	If I may ask, if you're looking for a very small single action revovler, what's the importance of a trigger guard bow? And, why the objection to the spur trigger? Bob Wright

April 23, 2013, 02:24 PM	#22
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	the gun just below the bare blue peg, is a cartridge conversion gun, that shoots 32 S&W... that's pretty tiny... the top 2 guns are single sixes in 32 H&R Mag, for comparison... this is a close up pic of the gun... it still looks proportionate even though it's much smaller than the "normal" single actions in the 1st picture... __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust...

April 24, 2013, 12:07 AM	#25
ZVP Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2009 Posts: 1,102	The upcoming Ruger Bearcat Shopkeeper ought to fill your bill. It's a special order item from LANSKIES. ZVP