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Black Powder Pistols => Ruger Single Action Revolvers => Topic started by: Zulch on April 11, 2023, 08:46:28 AM
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Howdy everyone, I have this revolver which once belonged to my Dad, now deceased. I have been trying to locate the manufacture date. Ruger has a site for S/N lookup but it doesn't seem to know what to do with my entry? I did find a Ruger Information graphic chart with serial numbers. I think it is safe to say, based on it's serial number 61740, that this falls somewhere in the 1st run stage meaning from 1958 up until 1974 at which point they stopped manufacturing them and not the most recent 1993 and forward guns. The 1993-2023 guns have serial numbers beginning with 93_XXXXX. If anyone has any ideas as to where I can get some good information on Ruger serial numbers/manufacture dates that would be great. It's a nice little shooter. Fun and cheap to shoot for sure. If you've ever owned one of these I would like to hear your stories. :usa-flag-89:
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Looks like 1973. You've been holding out. :no_no:
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Thank you Hawg!! 😬
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That's pretty cool, Z. It's great to have heirlooms like that. You're most fortunate.
I have heard that the Remington design was Bill Ruger's favorite but he chose the Colt design for his Blackhawk because it was more recognizable to the general public. The Bearcat is much like the Remington NMA in design. Right down to the grip shape. They're a spectacular little pistol.
Never had one. Always wanted one. Maybe one of these days...
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I looked at one at a gun show once. The price was below right but it was just smaller than what I wanted at the time so I passed on it.
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That's pretty cool, Z. It's great to have heirlooms like that. You're most fortunate.
I have heard that the Remington design was Bill Ruger's favorite but he chose the Colt design for his Blackhawk because it was more recognizable to the general public. The Bearcat is much like the Remington NMA in design. Right down to the grip shape. They're a spectacular little pistol.
Never had one. Always wanted one. Maybe one of these days...
Marshal, Hey thanks man. I had never considered it's similarity with the Ruger NMA. I've never owned an NMA but I have seen pictures and now I see what you mean. :cowboypistol:
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Looks like 1973. You've been holding out. :no_no:
Indeed! Withholding information is no bueno.
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I looked at one at a gun show once. The price was below right but it was just smaller than what I wanted at the time so I passed on it.
It is indeed a small lil pistola Hawg.
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Looks like 1973. You've been holding out. :no_no:
Indeed! Withholding information is no bueno.
Affirmative Capt. Kirk, you are correct. I will be on KP duty for the rest of the week.
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That's pretty cool, Z. It's great to have heirlooms like that. You're most fortunate.
I have heard that the Remington design was Bill Ruger's favorite but he chose the Colt design for his Blackhawk because it was more recognizable to the general public. The Bearcat is much like the Remington NMA in design. Right down to the grip shape. They're a spectacular little pistol.
Never had one. Always wanted one. Maybe one of these days...
Marshal, Hey thanks man. I had never considered it's similarity with the Ruger NMA. I've never owned an NMA but I have seen pictures and now I see what you mean. :cowboypistol:
Replace the ejector with a loading lever that has the sail under it and bing! You have one.
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That's pretty cool, Z. It's great to have heirlooms like that. You're most fortunate.
I have heard that the Remington design was Bill Ruger's favorite but he chose the Colt design for his Blackhawk because it was more recognizable to the general public. The Bearcat is much like the Remington NMA in design. Right down to the grip shape. They're a spectacular little pistol.
Never had one. Always wanted one. Maybe one of these days...
Marshal, Hey thanks man. I had never considered it's similarity with the Ruger NMA. I've never owned an NMA but I have seen pictures and now I see what you mean. :cowboypistol:
Whatchoo talkin' 'bout, Willis? You had that fancy NMA you never shot and sold, remember?
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oops..... (7+" L@J
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Stepped in that one. (7+"
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I had a beautiful little Bearcat, once upon a time. I carried it when I went hunting. I love that thing. Wish I still had it.
You have a great little pistol there Tim. Made even better because it was your Dad's.
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I had a beautiful little Bearcat, once upon a time. I carried it when I went hunting. I love that thing. Wish I still had it.
You have a great little pistol there Tim. Made even better because it was your Dad's.
Thanks Dave. It is a nice small revolver.
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I had a beautiful little Bearcat, once upon a time. I carried it when I went hunting. I love that thing. Wish I still had it.
You have a great little pistol there Tim. Made even better because it was your Dad's.
Thanks Dave. It is a nice small revolver.
6 shot or 9?
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The Bearcat is SMALL. It only holds 6. They're really a pocket pistol size.
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The Bearcat is SMALL. It only holds 6. They're really a pocket pistol size.
That's right, 6 shot. :usa-flag-89:
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When I'm on rattle snake detail in Tombstone....My buddies Bearcat is my weapon of choice. I could just use the shovel, but it's not nearly as much fun.
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So this is the chart I found on the internet. My gun does not have the 91- before the serial number 61740. What say anyone?
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Unless I'm mistaken the Super Bearcat had the 91 prefix.
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Yup, that's my understanding.
All I know about Bearcats is what I read on Wikipedia. VERY interesting story about why it was dropped in '74.
When the missus said she'd get her License to Carry, I started shopping for a .22 single action for her. Tried a Single Six and a Wrangler. They were okay but she wasn't enthused. I remembered seeing the smaller Bearcat decades ago and bought one. She loves it—good weight and balance, and perfect grip size for her. Problem was, I was liking it, too, and wanted one for myself.
Found a Super Bearcat on GB, seller had thousands of feedback with A+ rating, gun was described as excellent condition, so I bought it. When we opened the box my receiving FFL said, “This gun has problems.” I sent it to Ruger for the safety upgrade and they responded that the gun was beyond repair but they'd happily replace it with a new one. They even upgraded to a stainless model! I had to wait several months but my wife now has a stainless Bearcat with pearl Altamont grips.
Well, not wanting to wait for the replacement I bought another one to shoot. When we opened THIS box my FFL said, “It's never even been turned.” Sheesh—I wanted a shooter, not a collector item. Apparently the seller's father had bought it in the 70's, stuck it in the safe, then passed it on to his son nearly 50 years later. I can't bring myself use it.
So I had to buy another one, properly scarred and properly maintained. It's a sweetie.
Interesting that my 1849 Wells Fargo drops right into Bearcat holsters.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruger_Bearcat
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“When the missus said she'd get her License to Carry, I started shopping for a .22 single action for her.”
Tinhorn, that seems a very unusual category choice for a ladies carry piece - or for anyone. Why .22 and why single action? Sure, something is always better than nothing but that combo could create more problems than it may solve.
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I agree with G Dog. A .22 SA is not a good carry choice unless you have one and can't get anything else. Even then it's not a good choice. It just is what it is. My wife had weak hands and wrists from carpal tunnel surgery but she could handle a .38 special or a 9MM. She could even shoot a mag or so out of a .45 ACP 1911 before her wrists started to hurt. She went through a few 9 mils before she decided on a S&W 637 for a carry gun. I did have to change the grips before she could shoot it without a glove because the frame is aluminum. She didn't have any problems with a steel frame.
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"License to Carry" is the state-required permit to own a firearm. Or ammo. Believe it not, even to possess an empty shell. She doesn't carry or I would be looking at little .38s.
I selected a single action for simplicity; .22 so she wouldn't be put off by noise and recoil. Baby steps. So far I think I've been correct--she's still put off by my .22 magnums. Don't want to spook her.