Author Topic: Bearcat vs Single Six?? (Read 5421 times)

WyoStillhunter · « **on:** November 20, 2008, 05:57:01 PM »

How would you rate the new Bearcat vs a new Single Six as a general purpose, knock around sidearm? I am not talking about serious hunting or protection, just a sidearm to take on hikes or fishing trips.

bilmac · « **Reply #1 on:** November 21, 2008, 01:50:49 AM »

I have always wanted a little gun that I could carry without even knowing it was there. I tried the old model bearcat and the S&W kit guns and I couldn't shoot either one very well. Tiny guns are a lot harder to shoot. I can manage a single six a lot better but still not like a blackhawk with a 6" bbl. I reciently bought a J frame 32 with fixed sights that will probably be my kit gun. If I use the right loads it shoots where the sights look and I can shoot it at least as well as my single six.

I think that when I tried my other two kit guns my expectations were a little too high, I was expecting them to shoot as well for me as my K frames and blackhawks and I couldn't control them that well. I'm a little older and wiser now and can live with being able to bag a rabbit at 12 yards but not at 20.

Hammer1 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 21, 2008, 02:14:41 AM »

John Linebaugh will convert a Ruger Bearcat to 32 H&R. Think he has even done a 38 Special.

Makes a nice kit gun.

.

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** November 21, 2008, 03:02:10 AM »

CTC makes laser grips for the S&W J frame guns. Put them on one and you can shoot it as accurately as you can a larger longer barrel handgun. I have them on my S&W 60 3" .357 Magnum with adjustable sights. I can shoot it more accurately with the laser than I'd ever be able to do with the irons.

I once had a Bearcat that shot to point of aim and was quite accurate. I have owned several of them but that one is the only one I ever had my hands on that shot accurately or to point of aim. With a single six at least you can get adjustable sights so you can adjust it to hit to point of aim. Still the little Bearcat sure does tote nicely if only you could hit anything with it.

oldandslow · « **Reply #4 on:** November 21, 2008, 03:06:33 AM »

The Bearcat is easy to carry but it is just too small to feel good in my hand. I don't have big hands either. I prefer the Single Six but everyone has to make their own choice.

Hammer1 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 21, 2008, 03:46:47 AM »

The Bearcat is easier to twirl.

.

Blackhawker · « **Reply #6 on:** November 21, 2008, 04:14:15 AM »

I have an old model Super Bearcat and it's a "love-hate" relationship. It feels great in my hand (yes, it's easy to twirl), it's a great looking gun and I have all the original paperwork and original box with it. I even have an old leather holster and belt that holds 48 rounds with it too. It's quite a nice little rig but when it comes to shooting it, I can't hit a barn from the inside. It's those little cowboy style sights that get me every time. I also have a very nice Ruger Vaquero in 45 Colt and a Blackhawk in the same caliber. Hands down, the pistol with the adjustable sights and not those silly little cowboy sights wins in my book. That's not to say, however, that the cowboy style guns aren't fun to play with though.

If you're looking to shoot anything smaller than 1 gallon jugs at 15 yards, get a single six. However, if you're looking for an old Super Bearcat with all of the original stuff, I just might have one to suit your needs.

bilmac · « **Reply #7 on:** November 21, 2008, 04:21:28 AM »

Too bad There isn't a place where you could rent out guns for a week before you bought. I tried several before I found what suits me. Especially with fixed sights finding the right gun is almost like finding a pair of boots but the sizes aren't marked. Gets kind of expensive buying and selling, even if you can find used ones.

Tom C. · « **Reply #8 on:** November 21, 2008, 04:45:34 AM »

The Bearcat could make a nice "kit gun" because it is nice and small and light, but that also makes it tough to hit with. The adjustable sights on the Single Six, with a full sized grip, is preferable to me.

I also have a S&W Model 63-4. It is the 5" 8 shot stainless "kit gun". Mine weighs 30 oz. with Pachmayr grips, and will easily out shoot the Ruger revolvers.

Hammer1 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 21, 2008, 05:05:21 AM »

Hamilton Bowen will put S&W J-frame adjustable sights on your Ruger Bearcat.

.

Bigeasy · « **Reply #10 on:** November 21, 2008, 05:27:17 AM »

My first handgun was a 3 screw single six. Can't speak highly enough about it. Never should have sold it. That said, I enjoy my bearcat for occasions you said, hiking, fishing, whenever you are not in the woods seriously hunting, just want something in your back pocket. That is this guns best feature, its compact size, as well as reliability.

From a bench rest, both guns are about the same, accuracy wise. A lot of people though, have a hard time shooting smaller frame guns accurately. The small sights and grips, and light weight coupled with today's heavy trigger pulls make off hand shooting difficult, and less precise then with a full size gun.

If you are looking for a serious hunting rimfire, then the single six, or a scope sighted Ruger auto pistol, for that matter, would be my first choice. If you plan on using a holster, then I would go for the single six, as I don't think you will notice the weight difference between it and the bearcat. If you are looking for maximum weight savings, and plan to carry in your jeans or jacket pocket, the the bearcat will serve you well.

Larry

mangulator · « **Reply #11 on:** November 21, 2008, 05:58:16 AM »

I have shot both and I settled on the the Single Six.

Hammer1 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 21, 2008, 06:35:50 AM »

The single-six in 32 is lighter than the single-six in 22.

The Single-Six Vaquero is a nice kit gun too.

.

Keith L · « **Reply #13 on:** November 21, 2008, 06:58:40 AM »

I love my Single Six, but stop and look every time I see a Bearcat in a case or on a table. I just know one will follow me home some day.

trailwalker · « **Reply #14 on:** November 21, 2008, 05:33:19 PM »

I wanted a Bearcat but after trying one out I did not like the smaller frame. I now have Single Six Vaquero style Ruger (50th anniversary model). It is a little heavier but I take it everywhere in the woods I go. And it's accurate even with fixed sights. It's the next best thing to a Bearcat.

dbriannelson · « **Reply #15 on:** November 22, 2008, 10:25:18 AM »

My first handgun was this Bearcat, bought new in 1967 or so. It led me to believe that handguns aren't meant to hit anything in particular. But it sure was easy to carry, so I did that a lot and only really used it to kill stuff still alive in my traps. I've had my share of J- and I-Frames as well, and they're a bit heavier and the Kit Guns have adjustable sights, which helps a lot. Seems to me that if one's going to carry a lot and plink a little, pretty much either would do fine. But if one's going to really need to actually hit what's being shot at, a small rifle or at least a larger handgun would be much better.

-Don

zoned10x · « **Reply #16 on:** November 23, 2008, 07:38:44 PM »

Quote from: WyoStillhunter on November 20, 2008, 05:57:01 PM

... rate the new Bearcat vs a new Single Six...

The Bearcat is small, lightweight, and easy to carry. It would be the ideal trail/camp 22 handgun IF only it had an adjustable sight. Unfortunately it does not, so it is has little more value than a moderately accurate plinker. IMO, the best Ruger option for you would be a Single Six with either the 4 5/8" or 5 1/2" barrel, models NR-4L or NR-5L. Both will shoot 22lr or 22 mag.
http://tinyurl.com/53v6cg

For bullseye shooting, the trigger on the Single Six can be quickly tweaked to lighten the pull.
http://tinyurl.com/6xjj87

Other than Rugers, you would do well to find an older S&W model 34 kit gun, or a pre-lock model 63. These J-frame .22 revolvers are a smaller handful than the Single Six and are all-around excellent.
http://tinyurl.com/5g6f4d

Hank08 · « **Reply #17 on:** November 24, 2008, 02:00:15 PM »

Any small pistol is harder to shoot but the Bearcat is accurate if you'll take the time to learn to shoot it. I've had to make some adjustments on the front sight on this one but now it's dead on at 25 yds. and will stay in 1 1/2 to 2 " at that distance. With it's little X draw holster it's weight is hardly noticable.
H08

Blackhawker · « **Reply #18 on:** November 25, 2008, 04:06:09 AM »

Quote from: Hank08 on November 24, 2008, 02:00:15 PM

Any small pistol is harder to shoot but the Bearcat is accurate if you'll take the time to learn to shoot it. I've had to make some adjustments on the front sight on this one but now it's dead on at 25 yds. and will stay in 1 1/2 to 2 " at that distance. With it's little X draw holster it's weight is hardly noticable.
H08

Nice grips!

Greeenriver · « **Reply #19 on:** November 25, 2008, 04:41:57 PM »

I have two Bearcats with Stag grips, and one Single Six with a 3&3/4 in bbl and adjustable sights. The Single Six is kind of a custom length bbl and has all the warning bible turned off the bbl and the ejector rod and housing shortened to fit it. Got both cylinders for the Single Six and it shoots better with 22lr's than with the 22 mags. Very easy to shoot and hits just where the sights are at.

But, when I leave the house to go for a walk in the woods, it's always one of the Bearcats on my belt. They are smaller and lighter and shoot just as good as the Single Six, and I never have to worry about the sights getting out of adjustment. Fact is, I dislike the looks of a revolver with them big ugly adjustable sights setting up there in the way. Both of my Bearcats shoot to poa with regular Federal Bulk pack 22 LR high speeds after a little file adjustments of the fixed sights and I wouldn't trade them for new Single Six's even up.

I've got three of the Single Six's, the 22 I spoke of above, and two or the baby vacks in 32 H&R. I've got the 32's sold and soon will have the other SS sold. Having the bearcats I have no reason to keep the Single Six's.

I guess it's easy to see I like the Bearcats better than any of the single six's.

Greeenriver

Hank08 · « **Reply #20 on:** November 26, 2008, 05:08:07 AM »

Yep, GR, it's easy to see that you like the Bearcat and that chopped down one sounds like a neat gun, I like mine to but I also have some .32 single sixes with alloy frames and ejector housings that weigh no more than the Bearcat, I havent weighted them but I don't think they do. I'll weigh them today and see. They also make a good pack gun, I have them with and without ajustable sights, a pair of each.
H08

Hank08 · « **Reply #21 on:** November 26, 2008, 05:40:18 AM »

The 2 at the upper left are the lightweight .32s. I love stag grips as you can probably tell. I was wrong, the alloy framed .32s weigh 4 oz. more than the Bearcat. but they still carry easy.
H08

Greeenriver · « **Reply #22 on:** December 01, 2008, 04:27:30 PM »

Well, as of today, I now own NO Single Six's. My daughter came out today and saw the little cut down Single Six and decided that as I had given a pistol to both of my boys, I needed to give her one, too. Well, she's always been daddy's little girl, and my only little girl, so what could I say. She knows how to use it safely, and even if she don't shoot it often, she will enjoy it. And she is my little girl still even if she's nearing the big 40. I just never could tell her "no", and still can't. LOL!!!!!

And Yes, I do love my Bearcats. I'm just glad she didn't ask for them!!!!!!!!

And Hank08, them are great looking guns with them Stag grips.

Greeenriver

WyoStillhunter · « **Reply #23 on:** December 01, 2008, 04:37:35 PM »

Wow! I've been away from the PC for several days and just checked in.

Thanks a bunch for all the input. Too bad that the overall concensus is what I knew already: the SS is easier to shoot accurately.

In the early '60s I had a SS with the two cylinders. Who knows why or when I let that one get away!?

Right now I have a very accurate S&W M15 and the classy, old Hi-Standard Model "B" pictured below.

I suppose I should be satisfied with carrying one of those and I know they are both real shooters. It was just real tempting to think that a little Bearcat would be just as accurate and much handier. Sometimes the truth hurts.

Thanks for all the replies.

Doc T · « **Reply #24 on:** December 19, 2008, 03:31:08 AM »

Jim Stroh at Alpha Precision puts adj. sights on Bearcats. I just got mine back yesterday. It has a Single Six front sight and a Smith J frame rear. Haven't sighted it in yet. It is a little pricey, but now I have something that not many others have. I have had five Bearcats over the years, old and new, and none of them would shoot to point of aim. This one should.

Doc T

Ladobe · « **Reply #25 on:** December 19, 2008, 07:41:28 AM »

Late in on this, but what the hay.

I've carried either my early Bearcat or early Super Bearcat in a back pocket with me on outings since the 1960's. A joy to tote - you'll forget it is even there until you need it to dispatch a rattler, take something for the cook pot, etc. Smallish maybe, but with lots of shooting you soon learn that is shoots where you point it and won't miss not having sights at all. Mine have had literally 10's of K shoots through them I'd bet, and they are still going strong. I do still have a 3-screw Single Six in 22MAG only (although I'm not a 22MAG fan so don't shoot it much). I did finally get custom cross draw holsters made for both of them, but still have a tendancy to carry the Bearcats in the back pocket. After so many years it just feels it belongs there.

BTW, I also had a couple of early S&W kit guns. Liked them OK but guess I am just a SA kind of guy.

Picture is 3 of my Old Model Rugers...

Super Bearcat - Hawaiian Koa grips
Single Six 22 MAG - Stag grips
Blackhawk 357 MAG - Mexican Bocote grips

S.B. · « **Reply #26 on:** January 14, 2009, 06:20:30 PM »

I've looked hard and long at the little new stainless Bearcats (http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=913&return=Y) to compliment my S&W 63. They look like a perfect kit gun, to me? Haven't bought one yet, don't know why I haven't?
Steve

Hammer1 · « **Reply #27 on:** January 18, 2009, 10:05:53 AM »

Dave Clements will put adjustable-sights on a Ruger Bearcat for $250.

He will convert your Bearcat cylinder to 22 Magnum rimfire for $100 or make you an additional cylinder in 22 Mag for $300.

The Super Single-Six can be built into a 38 or even 41 caliber for a little more punch on those rockchucks.

.

S.B. · « **Reply #28 on:** January 18, 2009, 12:33:42 PM »

Hammer1, Dave is the gunsmith who changed my front sight on the model 63. His shop does excellent work for a reasonable amount, quickly!
I haven't talked to Dave in a while, what type of adjustables does he install on the Bearcats, S&W/Js?
Steve