From the Vault: Ruger Bearcat Revolver

Brownells, Inc.
Brownells, Inc.
32,925
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Published 2020-09-25
Brownells Gun Tech™ Steve Ostrem talks with gunsmith Bobby Tyler about three beautifully customized Ruger® Bearcat® revolvers from Bobby's shop, Tyler Gun Works of Friona, Texas. The Bearcat has actually been around since 1958, and it's a lightweight, smaller-framed version of Ruger's venerable Single Six® .22 Long Rifle single-action revolver. Unlike the Six, the 'Cat's grip frame and receiver are formed from a single piece of metal, which makes it a bit more challenging to customize. The Bearcat® makes a great carry or "kit" gun. Just don't plan on having it bored out to a larger centerfire caliber! Bobby has concluded the only "larger" caliber that's safe for a Bearcat® is .22 Magnum. Two of Bobby's guns form a matched set with consecutive serial numbers and matching grips cut from the same block of mammoth ivory.... plus a target muzzle crown, action job, color-case hammer and trigger, bead blasted finish, and more. A beautiful revolver deserves leather that can do it justice, like the custom holsters Barranti Leather Co. made for these guns. Finally, Bobby explains how he and his team solved the problem of the .22 LR ejector rod not being able to fully eject the longer .22 Magnum shells.
All Comments (21)
  • @PatRMG
    Adding a Bearcat to my collection soon.
  • @mcekim2
    Beautiful! Love those mammoth grips. It's always a good video when Bobby Tyler is doing Show & Tell!
  • @johnstewart8849
    This is the greatest little camp gun ever made. I found one “Pre ‘67’ that is blued, with an “engraved” cylinder. It’s a keeper, legacy gun.
  • @normskvarca
    Great video. That stainless set... WOW! Please keep these From the Vault videos coming.
  • @mikecampbell5856
    I bought a Bearcat after I got sick of my SR22 jamming constantly. I now own 6 Ruger revolvers. My shiny stainless Bearcat with the engraving may be my prettiest gun!
  • @GunsNBBQ
    I love me some ruger revolvers! 🤠👊
  • @bosse641
    Cute and fun little revolver for sure.
  • @steventhomas7844
    A ball and cap conversion would be perfect for that little revolver!
  • @cafenightster4548
    I have a Charter Arms .22 magnum snubby revolver. Its my all time favorite to shoot, I teach people with it and my 2nd cheapest to shoot, buuuut Ive had to do a little gunsmithing on my own to make it run smooth and reliable, it been great so for after 2k rounds.
  • @telesniper2
    Alan Harton does a 5-shot .327 Federal Magnum conversion for the Bearcat. It's pretty nice!
  • @trashcanpossum230
    I'd love to have a Bearcat or two. It'd be nice to have a .22lr and a dedicated .22wmr.