Ruger bearcat

[tobster]

I have a chance to buy a new model bearcat pretty cheap. The problem is that when you hold the gun with the barrel pionted up the gun will function fine. However, with the barrel pointed down the action is locked up. Any chance this is a comman problem with the bearcat model and an easy fix or is it more likely something serious(and expensive)?

[Blackhawker]

Check the transfer bar.  Chances are that the cylinder pin is not pushed all the way in and it's not keeping the transfer bar from binging against the firing pin when being cocked.  If the pin is all the way in and it still doesn't work, take it out, and check the base of the pin.  There is a small, almost spring loaded pin within the base pin that puts pressure on the transfer bar in order to keep it from binding as described.  I once had one in which the pin on the end of the base pin was pushed in too far and the gun only cocked when held in the pointed upward position.

Hope that made sense.
Good luck!

[Blackhawker]

By the way, if you find the problem to be the cylinder pin, you'll have no problem buying another so if the gun is that cheap, you might want to go for it.

[tobster]

Thanks- I was hoping someone would know something about it.

[Blackhawker]

The word I meant to write was "BINDING"....not binging.  Sorry, I was in a hurry when I wrote that.

The best way to determine this is to watch the transfer bar as it rises when cocking the revolver.  Slowly cock the gun with it pointed downward and watch the transfer bar.  If I'm think what is wrong here, the transfer bar will bind up under the firing pin and you wont be able to further cock the revolver.  If you point the gun upward however, the transfer bar will naturally pass over the firing pin due to gravity pushing it back and away from the firing pin.  The same problem will occur with any of the new model Bearcat, Single Six, or Blackhawk if the cylinder and cylinder pin is removed.  If the cylinder pin is removed, there is nothing to keep force on the transfer bar in order to keep it back and away from the firing pin.

I hope that made better sense.
Good luck.