For your viewing pleasure- A Customized Ruger Bearcat

[Wyoredman]

I was helping my father-in-law go through some of his stuff this weekend. He pulled out this old Ruger Bearcat! Pretty cool gun!



He told me that when he was in college at Arizona State in the 1950's that he and a bunch of friends had a weekend group that would shoot .22 pistols out in the desert. He said that the cool thing to do was get your gun customized, kind of like customizing a hot rod! The all had their guns anodized and different grips mad, etc. Sounds fun.

Some day, my wife will enjoy this cool old gun.

[Bill DeShivs]

I wonder what the finish is on the frame?
It doesn't look like gold plating. Paint?

[Wyoredman]

It is an anodized finish of some sort. Done by a gunsmith in Phoenix back in the early 1960's. According to my wife's dad.

[Aguila Blanca]

Cute. I had forgotten just how tiny the Bearcat is.

[TailGator]

You don't see them much any more. I was able to pick one up a few months ago, after having covetous feelings for many years. They are lots of fun to shoot, as well as being cute little boogers. Not everyone finds them to be accurate in POI corresponding to the sights, but mine is spot on as well as producing tight little groups. I think it's a hoot.

[4V50 Gary]

Tiny and neat. I think they were $65 new.

[bamaranger]

I acquired one quite a few years ago, used, old model....supposedly from a homestead in AK. The little revolver had a homemade base pin, from the shaft of a Phillips screwdriver! The story was the original had fallen through a gap in the cabin floor.

Little pistol would not shoot to point of aim when first acquired with its make do repair. The internet allowed me to obtain an old model base pin very simply. Thus equipped.....it shot to point of aim, go figure?

Only two complaints:
-one, a tiny holster, to match the tiny revolver is hard to find. Two period holsters are far too big and only add unwanted bulk. I've taken to carrying my 'cat in my pocket if their deep enough.
-two, recently a certain brand of .22lr ammo will not chamber readily. The 'cat chambers must be very tight.....yes, it's clean.

[HighValleyRanch]

I traded for this newer stainless Bearcat for my wife, but she never shoots it, so I guess it's more mine now!:-)

I found this perfect holster called "the Federal Man" made by Bucheimer Holster company out of tooled leather. Made specifically for the Bearcat with a thumb break and rides OWB nicely around the ranch!

[Wyoredman]

Wow, that is a cool holster!

[Henneman]

In reference to Post #8 I just bought "ivory" grips like those for my Bearcat from Altamont out of Illinois. They fit perfect. My Bearcat did not shoot quit to point of aim and I put some duct tape around a vise grip and bent the front blade a bit to the right. This solved the issue. I would guess eventually the Bearcat and even the "single" series .22s will become more scarce and expensive as the market will be dominated by the cheaper Heritage and Ruger .22s.

[bamaranger]

Yes indeed, that is a nice holster on that 'cat. I'm curious, was that Bucheimer made for the Ruger, or some other model? I watch ebay for different holsters, you see the "Federal Man" a good bit, but I've not seen one made for the Bearcat.

One of my 'cat holsters was likely made for another revolver but the 'cat works in it.......unbranded, vintage, but possibly for something like a small DA.

[HighValleyRanch]

It was listed by the seller as being made specifically for the Bearcat, and it fits perfect, so must have been that.