Ruger Bearcat Instruction Manual

INSTRUCTION
MANUAL
FOR
RUGER®
NEW BEARCAT®
SINGLE ACTION REVOLVERS
For Product Service on This Model Please Call:
(603) 865-2442 (See p. 23)
STURM, RUGER & Company, Inc.
Southport, Connecticut 06490 U.S.A.
THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL SHOULD ALWAYS ACCOMPANY THIS FIREARM AND BE
TRANSFERRED WITH IT UPON CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP, OR WHEN THE FIREARM IS LOANED OR
PRESENTED TO ANOTHER PERSON.
KBCC/2-02 C
R4
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND
WARNINGS IN THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY
BEFORE USING THIS FIREARM
BLUED &
STAINLESS
STEEL...

3
WARNING!
“Children are attracted to and
can operate firearms that can
cause severe injuries or death.
Prevent child access by always
keeping guns locked away and
unloaded when not in use. If you
keep a loaded firearm where a
child obtains and improperly uses
it, you can be fined or sent to
prison.”
ADVERTENCIA!
State-By-State Warnings
Certain states require by law that their own specified warning
notices in larger-than-normal type be conspicuously included by
the manufacturer, distributor, or retail...

Maine:
“ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD IS A
CRIME. IF YOU LEAVE A FIREARM AND AMMUNITION
WITHIN EASY ACCESS OF A CHILD, YOU MAY BE
SUBJECT TO FINE, IMPRISONMENT OR BOTH. KEEP
FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION  SEPARATE.  KEEP
FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION LOCKED UP. USE
TRIGGER LOCKS.”
Maryland:
“WARNING: Children can operate firearms which may cause
death or serious injury. It is a cr
imeto store or leave a loaded
firearm in any location where an individual knew or should
have known that an unsupervised minor would...

New Jersey:
“IT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE TO LEAVE A LOADED
FIREARM WITHIN EASY ACCESS OF A MINOR.”
New York City:
“THE USE OF A LOCKING DEVICE OR SAFETY LOCK IS
ONLY ONE ASPECT OF RESPONSIBLE WEAPONS
STORAGE. ALL WEAPONS SHOULD BE STORED
UNLOADED AND LOCKED IN A LOCATION THAT IS
BOTH SEPARATE FROM THEIR AMMUNITION AND
INACCESSIBLE TO  CHILDREN AND ANY  OTHER
UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS.”
North Carolina:
“IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE OR LEAVE A FIREARM
THAT CAN BE DISCHARGED IN A MANNER THAT A
REASONABLE PERSON SHOULD...

This firearm was originally sold
with a key-operated locking
device. While it can help provide
secure storage for your unloaded
firearm, any locking device can
fail. All guns are designed to fire
if they are loaded and the trigger
is pulled. Therefore, never install
the locking device inside the
trigger guard or in any way that
it can possibly pull the trigger!
Do not leave the keys in the lock.
The ultimate responsibility for
secure storage of any firearm
must depend upon its owner and
his or her...

7
FIREARMS SAFETY-YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
SAFETY MUST BE THE FIRST AND CONSTANT
CONSIDERATION OF EVERY PERSON WHO
HANDLES FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION.
This Instruction Manual is designed to assist you in learning how to use and care
for your RUGER®NEW BEARCAT® revolver properly. Please contact us if
you have any questions about it.
Only when you are certain you fully understand the Manual and can properly
carry out its instructions should you practice loading, unloading, etc. with live
ammunition. If you have...

WARNING–ALTERATIONS
This product was designed to
function properly in its original
condition. Alterations can make it
unsafe. Do not alter any part or add
or substitute parts or accessories
not made by Sturm, Ruger & Co. Inc.
DO NOT ALTER ANY GUN
Locking Devices 6 Safe Carrying Position 16
Alterations 8 Loaded Cylinders 16
Lead Exposure 11 Disassembly 17
Ammunition 11 Lubrication 20
Handling 12 Storage 21
Firing 14 Parts Purchasers 24
OTHER CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS APPEAR
THROUGHOUT THE MANUAL.
!
WARNINGS...

Unlike the earlier single action revolvers which had four hammer positions –
“cocked,” “loading,” “safety” and “all the way forward” – the RUGER®NEW
BEARCAT® has only three hammer positions – “cocked”, “loading” and “all
the way forward.”
The RUGER
®NEW BEARCAT® mechanism incorporates a transfer bar.
The transfer bar – which is raised into firing position as the trigger is pulled to
the rear – transmits the energy of the hammer blow to the firing pin. This
transfer bar mechanism makes a “safety” notch...

10
MECHANISM
3. Hammer nose on frame. Trigger forward.
Transfer bar is below firing pin. This is the “Safe
Carrying Position” for Bearcats with serial
numbers above 93-00000 only
.
4. Hammer in loading notch position. For loadingand unloading only. See “Safe Carrying Position
Warning”, p. 16.
5. Hammer at full-cock. Top of the transfer bar is
aligned with firing pin.6. With trigger held fully rearward, the hammer
actuates firing pin through transfer bar.
The mechanism of the RUGER®NEW BEARCAT® provides...

Death, serious injury, and
damage can result from the
use of wrong ammunition,
bore obstructions, powder
overloads, or incorrect
cartridge components. Always
wear shooting glasses and
hearing protectors.
11
AMMUNITION
TheRUGER®NEW BEARCAT® revolvers are chambered for the .22 Long
Rifle Cartridge, .22 Short, .22 Long and .22 CB caps can also be fired in the Long
Rifle cylinder. See ‘Ammunition Warning’ below.
IMPROPER AMMUNITION
DESTROYS GUNS
WARNING – AMMUNITION!
!WARNING – LEAD EXPOSURE
Discharging...