Found a stainless model with adjustable sights locally. Came with box and all the papers. Price was very good imo.
The first thing I noticed is that you can open the loading gate in all three hammer positions. Of course the center "loading position" is the only one that allows the cylinder to rotate freely. Trigger does not have too much creep.
I am not finding the grip too small at this point. Maybe it helps that I am used to shooting small-ish 380ACPs.
Great acquisition! I KNOW you are going to be very happy...because I was when I found my 1973 Super Bearcat. I've had Single Sixes for decades and really enjoy them. I (incorrectly) thought the Bearcat was just a "small Single Six", but the little Bearcats are totally different...in a good way.
I lost count of the total, but I fired 200+ rounds through my Bearcat today.
The trigger is heavy to me, so I will be putting in a reduced power hammer spring. I detected some trigger creep too, so once the new hammer spring is installed, I will re-evaluate for trigger creep. If still there (likely), I'll work on it.
Sight acquisition was very good, the front sight is tall and easily centered in the rear sight. I was obtaining very good groups at 15 yards, standing with no support.
I did not find the grip to be too small for me. I have big hands, but I am accustomed to shooting single-actions (plow-handle) and small 380 semi's.
The trigger is not very wide, certainly much less width than center fire Blackhawk revolvers. It was quite noticeable when squeezing to fire, but I hope that once I have the trigger pull lightened, it may improve.
Twice I noticed some powder spit-back, don't know it that will go away once the gun is worn in a bit.
I look forward to taking it back to the range soon.
I never had an issue with using the ejector once the chambers got dirty. However, I did notice about mid-session that while loading rounds they would not just fall in as they would when the chambers are clean. Some of them I had to give an extra push then they would just pop into place.
The Bearcat fits pretty well in my great uncle's old holster. He used the holster for his H&R 923, which I have.
The cylinder pin had a lead ring around it as you can see in the picture. The cylinder gap is about .008, rather large when compared to my other revolvers. I have read about other Bearcats having a large gap. So maybe it is not abnormal. Anyway, the ring came off with a bronze brush.
Your Bearcat looks right at home in that holster. I use either the Hunter Snap-Off or the Ruger branded Triple-K.
My two gap at .004 and .005; endshakes of .002 and .003. Takes about 60 or so rounds to gunk up the cylinder face enough to rub the forcing cone. They eject and load just like you said.
The factory hammer spring is 23 pounds; Wolff sells a 16 and 18 pound spring. I went with 18, as I had read of light strikes using a 16. The 18 makes a definite difference.
I also got the extra power basepin latch springs, as I would occasionally bump the latch and that let the pin out enough to interfere with the transfer bar. The Wolffs are just stiff enough to end the issue. The basepin latch springs fit all Ruger SAs, no special one for Bearcats.
Bearcatter- Do you get the lead ring I mentioned. It may not happen with a low round count session. I fired 200 or so rounds that day.
My Single-10 does not get a lead build-up on the pin.
I'll get an 18# spring for it.
What about the trigger return spring? Any worthwhile improvements reducing its power?
No ring on my pin, but I always lube it and the cylinder hole with an oily swab after cleaning. Shooting still turns the oil black pretty quick. I remember my Single-Six did the same. Trigger return on a Bearcat is just a tiny coil spring under a plunger, behind the trigger. Not much to do with that. Just the mainspring made me happy. I've never messed with anything inside the frame.
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Last edited by bearcatter; 05-04-2019 at 02:00 PM.
I installed the 16# mainspring, but like some have mentioned, I did experience quite a few misfires. The 18# mainspring seems to have taken care of the misfire problem, at least so far.
I removed most of the trigger creep, though there still is a little more work to do on it. Interestingly, the mainspring power reductions didn't effect the trigger pull much. Maybe a quarter pound improvement. It is about 4#.
No, I've not shot it with a benchrest. But it seems pretty accurate from the standing position. Next time I have it out I'll use a benchrest and some CCI SV and see what it'll do.
No, I've not shot it with a benchrest. But it seems pretty accurate from the standing position. Next time I have it out I'll use a benchrest and some CCI SV and see what it'll do.
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OldWolf,
Couple questions, as I'm contemplating getting a couple Bearcats, fixed sights though for me.
Does it continue to lead up the cylinder pin? Does the bronze brush make any markings to the polished stainless when you scrub it?
Did you ever try using a bench rest to see what it's accuracy/consistency was at 25 yards? If so, how did it do.
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