Henry Rifle Forums

It's small, but what a fine jewel of a 22 single action! I'm talking about my Ruger Bearcat, here, and this is not just any Bearcat. It's called an alpha cat in Ruger collecting circles, because the serial number starts with a letter, which was only done in the very first year of production, that being 1958. In that first year, the grips were impregnated rosewood, but Ruger changed that to the more familiar walnut with the Ruger emblem shortly after that first year.


It can be hard to understand just how small a Ruger Bearcat actually is until you hold one in your hand, so here's this alpha cat with my 1959 vintage Single Six with a 4 5/8" barrel.


This particular Bearcat has a truly excellent trigger and is a pleasure to shoot, despite the small fixed sights. As for accuracy, it really doesn't lose much compared to my S&W Kit gun and the Smith has adjustable sights. Just had to hold about a half foot high when shooting the Colibri. Once I had the hold over correct, pretty easy to keep shots in the black.


Yeah, a Ruger Bearcat makes for a fine little 22 kit gun, too. The fact that it is a single action is a big plus in my book.

That is a beautiful pistol!

I agree with Gene. Thank you for showing the size comparison to something I know.
You inspired me also. I got out my western gun belt, Ruger single six .22 and a half a box of Super Colibri's.
My grouping wasn't bad except I had one flyer every cylinder full. I stayed at approx. 12 yds, like you do. The flyer was always in the same spot, about three or four inches to the right of the point of aim. I'll have to check if it's the Super Colibri's or the gun. I'll try it with some standard velocity rounds as soon as I can.
Anyway, thanks for the inspiration.

The size difference between the Bearcat and the Single Six is considerable. I’ve looked at a few Bearcats in the past but have never realized just how much smaller they are. Nice shooting with that half a foot of Kentucky elevation.

Thanks, guys.

Bearcats have never come close to the popularity of the Single Six. Part of that has been a matter of the price. Unlike the Wrangler, the price of a Bearcat has always been fairly close to the price of a Single Six, but that's reasonable given the high construction quality of the Bearcat. Much different gun than the Wrangler. The Bearcat was one of Bill Ruger's pet projects.

Good to hear you got out with your Single Six for some shooting, Dave. The Colibri do produce a fair amount of flyers, by the way. Some boxes seem to be more prone to this than others. It's just the nature of this grade of ammo. By the way, I also took that Single Six out for some shooting later in the afternoon after shooting the Bearcat. Single actions just have a way of doing that to a shooter.

This is my Bearcat.
https://www.bearcatproducts.com/cbc/pro ... er/sc5540/

We have a chipper, too, though it's not a bearcat.

Mags wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 22, 2025 2:38 pm

This is my Bearcat.
https://www.bearcatproducts.com/cbc/pro ... er/sc5540/

RP

I don't believe I've ever handled a Bearcat. That is a good looking revolver for sure though and some nice shooting also.
I do have a pair of single-sixes and one of the early Wranglers.
The #2 grandson loves shootin the Wrangler.

RP