Ruger Bearcat [SEP] manufacturer
Ruger Bearcat
The Ruger Bearcat is a single-action, .22 caliber revolver manufactured by Sturm, Ruger & Co., introduced in 1958. It is based on the classic Remington single action revolvers of the mid-19th century. Because of its compact size and frame, it is advertised as being ideal for hikers or campers in need of a .22 LR revolver, or "kit gun".
Design.
In 1974 Ruger patented a transfer bar safety system for their single-action revolvers and discontinued the production of the Bearcat
, which was not readily adaptable to the new transfer bar design. In 1993, Ruger brought back the Bearcat as the New Bearcat, now incorporating the transfer bar system, and also introducing a stainless steel variant.
Some time in the early '80s, Bill Ruger gave an interview to a writer with the Ruger
Collector's Association (RCA) and talked about the Bearcat. He said that the Bearcat was the first revolver for which the Ruger engineers
developed the transfer bar and that they could easily have made