Ruger Bearcat

The Ruger Bearcat is a compact, .22 Long Rifle single-action revolver that has been a staple of the Sturm, Ruger and Company lineup since its introduction in 1958. Designed by Bill Ruger, the Bearcat was inspired by the small-framed revolvers of the nineteenth century, particularly the Remington pocket percussion revolvers of the Civil War era. It features a scaled-down alloy frame on the original models, a six-round non-fluted cylinder, and a rounded trigger guard that gives the gun a distinctive old-fashioned appearance. The barrel measures four inches, and the overall size makes the Bearcat noticeably smaller and lighter than Ruger’s standard Single Six revolver.

The Bearcat was conceived as a kit gun and trail companion – the sort of lightweight revolver a hiker, camper, or fisherman might slip into a pack or holster for dispatching snakes or small game. Its diminutive size also made it an ideal first revolver for younger shooters or anyone with smaller hands. The original “Old Model” Bearcats featured a traditional single-action mechanism with a half-cock notch for loading, and their frames were cast from an aluminum alloy to keep weight to a minimum. Ruger later transitioned to a steel frame and eventually introduced the “New Model” Bearcat with the company’s transfer bar safety system, which allowed the gun to be safely carried with all six chambers loaded.

The engraving on the cylinder of the Bearcat, depicting a bear and a mountain lion in a forest scene, is one of the gun’s most charming details and has remained a consistent feature throughout its production history. The Bearcat has never been a high-performance target arm or a serious defensive weapon, but that was never the point. It is a fun, handy little revolver that embodies the playful side of shooting, and its enduring popularity over more than six decades of continuous production speaks to how well Bill Ruger understood what recreational shooters actually want in a small-frame rimfire revolver.