ruger NEW BEARCAT User Guide
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
NOTE: This manual applies only to BEARCAT
®
revolvers with serial
numbers above 93-00000
CALIBER
.22 Long Rifle
!
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 dealer with firearms sold
in that state. Sturm, Ruger sells its products in compliance with
applicable laws and regulations. Because our products may be
sold in these states, we include the following:
California:
“A los niños los atraen las armas
de fuego y las pueden hacer
funcionar. Ellos pueden causarses
lesions graves y la muerte. Evite
que los niños tengan accesso a las
armas de fuego guardándolas
siempre con llave y descargadas
cuando no las esté utilizando. Si
usted tiene un arma de fuego
cargada en un lugar en que un
niño tiene acceso a ella y la usa
indebidamente, le pueden dar una
multa o enviarlo a la carcel.”
Connecticut:
“UNLAWFUL STORAGE OF A LOADED FIREARM MAY
RESULT IN IMPRISONMENT OR FINE.”
Florida:
“IT IS UNLAWFUL, AND PUNISHABLE BY
IMPRISONMENT AND FINE, FOR ANY ADULT TO
STORE OR LEAVE A FIREARM IN ANY PLACE WITHIN
THE REACH OR EASY ACCESS OF A MINOR UNDER 18
YEARS OF AGE OR TO KNOWINGLY SELL OR
OTHERWISE TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OR POSSESSION
OF A FIREARM TO A MINOR OR A PERSON OF
UNSOUND MIND.”
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 crime to store or leave a loaded
firearm in any location where an individual knew or should
have known that an unsupervised minor would gain access to
the firearm. Store your firearm responsibly!”
Massac
husetts:
“WARNING FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS ATTORNEY
GENERAL: This handgun is not equipped with a device that
fully blocks use by unauthorized users. More than 200,000
firearms like this one are stolen from their owners every year
in the United States. In addition, there are more than a
thousand suicides each year by younger children and
teenagers who get access to firearms. Hundreds more die from
accidental discharge. It is likely that many more children
sustain serious wounds, or inflict such wounds accidentally on
others. In order to limit the chance of such misuse, it is
imperative that you keep this weapon locked in a secure place
and take other steps necessary to limit the possibility of theft
or accident. Failure to take reasonable preventive steps may
result in innocent lives being lost, and in some circumstances
may result in your liability for these deaths.”
“IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE OR KEEP A FIREARM,
RIFLE, SHOTGUN OR MACHINE GUN IN ANY PLACE
UNLESS THAT WEAPON IS EQUIPPED WITH A
TAMPER-RESISTANT SAFETY DEVICE OR IS STORED
OR KEPT IN A SECURELY LOCKED CONTAINER.”
4
New Jer
sey:
“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 KNOW IS ACCESSIBLE
TO A MINOR.”
Texas:
“IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE, TRANSPORT, OR
ABANDON AN UNSECURED FIREARM IN A PLACE
WHERE CHILDREN ARE LIKELY TO BE AND CAN
OBTAIN ACCESS TO THE FIREARM.”
Wisconsin:
“IF YOU LEAVE A LOADED FIREARM WITHIN THE
REACH OR EASY ACCESS OF A CHILD YOU MAY BE
FINED OR IMPRISONED OR BOTH IF THE CHILD
IMPROPERLY DISCHARGES, POSSESSES, OR EXHIBITS
THE FIREARM.”
***************** *****
Please check with your licensed retailer or state police for
additional warnings which may be required by local law or
regulation. Such regulations change constantly, and local
authorities are in the best position to advise you on such legal
matters.
5
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 individual
circumstances. Guns should be
securely stored unloaded, in a
secure location, separate from
their ammunition.
See “Storage Warning”, page 21.
NEVER INSTALL
LOCKING DEVICE
INSIDE TRIGGER GUARD
WHY ARE WE INCLUDING A FIRED CARTRIDGE CASE
WITH EVERY RUGER PISTOL AND REVOLVER?
Certain states and jurisdictions now require that all newly manufactured pistols
and revolvers must be accompanied by a cartridge case, which has been test fired
from that gun at the factory. The case must be placed in a sealed container
bearing certain information concerning this test cartridge.
At the time of retail sale in those jurisdictions, firearms dealers must forward
such test cartridge to a designated destination such as their State Police
Laboratory. As independent Ruger Distributors have nationwide markets without
territorial restrictions, we have decided to include a fired cartridge case with all
new Ruger pistols and revolvers, to minimize the possibility of inadvertent noncompliance with these laws.
Retail customers located in other states, where laws or regulations do not require
the dealer to so act, may be assured that the fired cartridge case they receive with
the firearm at the time of retail purchase is proof that your new Ruger firearm
has undergone our normal test firing procedures during manufacture.
WARNING – LOCKING DEVICES
DO NOT INSTALL
INSIDE TRIGGER GUARD
INSTALL LOCK
AS SHOWN HERE
6
!
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 any doubts about your ability to handle or use a
particular type of gun safely, then you should seek supervised instruction. Such
personalized instruction is often available from gun dealers, gun clubs or police
departments. If none of these sources can help you, write to the National Rifle
Association, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-7400. They will assist
you.
The person possessing a gun has a full-time job. You cannot guess; you cannot
forget. You must know how to use your firearm safely. Do not use any firearm
without having a complete understanding of its particular characteristics and
safe use.
Remember: There is no such thing as a foolproof gun.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
General Information and Mechanical Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Ammunition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
To Load and Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
To Uncock (Decock) The Revolver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
To Unload or Eject Cartridge Cases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
To Remove or Replace Cylinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Disassembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
To Disassemble for Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
To Dismantle Interior Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Reassembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Care and Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Care of Stainless Steel Revolvers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Fixed Sights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Service and Parts Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Parts Drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
The Basic Rules of Safe Firearms Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
“RUGER” & “BEARCAT” are registered U.S. trademarks.
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 OF GREAT IMPORTANCE ARE
FOUND ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES:
!
8
FIREARMS ARE DANGEROUS WEAPONS–
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS IN THIS
MANUAL THOROUGHLY AND CAREFULLY BEFORE USING.
GENERAL INFORMATION
AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The mechanism of the RUGER®NEW BEARCAT® differs significantly from
that of Bearcats made from 1953-1973 and any other single action revolvers. The
information and instructions which follow apply only to the RUGER
®
NEW
BEARCAT
®
revolvers with serial numbers above 93-00000.
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE
OWNERS OF ALL “OLD MODEL” (PRE-1973) RUGER SINGLE ACTION
REVOLVERS, INCLUDING BEARCATS WITH SERIAL NUMBERS
BELOW 93-00000, SHOULD WRITE FOR DETAILS CONCERNING OUR
FREE SAFETY CONVERSION, WHICH CAN HELP PREVENT
ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY A BLOW TO THE HAMMER IF THE USER
HAS FAILED TO TAKE THE BASIC SAFETY PRECAUTION OF
KEEPING AN EMPTY
CHAMBER UNDER THE HAMMER. See Page 21.
!
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 unnecessary.
The only intermediate hammer position between “all the way forward” and “fullcock” is the loading notch. When the hammer is pulled back to this position, the
cylinder is unlatched and can be turned for inspection, loading or unloading.
NOMENCLATURE
9
FIGURE 2: The loading gate is in the open position (for
cartridge loading, unloading, or inspection.)
FIGURE 1: The hammer is in the
Loading Notch position.
Figure 1
Figure 2
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 loading
and 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 maximum
security against accidental discharge. As with any other firearm, however, it must
be used with strict attention to correct safety practices. In addition, the revolver
should be inspected frequently to assure that it is working properly.
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
The RUGER®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 firearms in poorly ventilated
areas, cleaning firearms, or handling
ammunition may result in exposure to
lead and other substances known to the
state of California to cause birth defects,
reproductive harm, and other serious
physical injury. Have adequate ventilation
at all times. Wash hands thoroughly after
exposure.
SHOOTING OR CLEANING GUNS
MAY EXPOSE YOU TO LEAD
AMMUNITION (CARTRIDGES) NOTICE
WE SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE
OR INJURY WHATSOEVER OCCURRING IN CONNECTION WITH, OR
AS THE RESULT OF, THE USE IN RUGER REVOLVERS OF FAULTY, OR
NONSTANDARD, OR “REMANUFACTURED” OR HANDLOADED
(RELOADED) AMMUNITION, OR OF CARTRIDGES OTHER THAN
THOSE FOR WHICH THE FIREARM WAS ORIGINALLY CHAMBERED.
!
12
TO LOAD AND FIRE
Always keep the revolver pointed in a safe direction!
1. Do not load the revolver until you are ready to use it.
2. Note: The base pin must be fully inserted and locked in position by the base
pin latch. If the base pin is not fully inserted and locked, the transfer bar may
catch under the firing pin as the hammer is being cocked.
3. W
ith your finger off the trigger, pull the hammer back one “click” so that the
trigger snaps forward into the loading notch. This permits the cylinder to
rotate.
4. Open the gate.
5. Turn cylinder clockwise, by hand, and insert cartridges into chambers.
6. Align a chamber with the barrel and close the gate. Decock the revolver.
TO ‘UNCOCK’ (DECOCK) THE REVOLVER
To let the hammer down to its forward position (against the frame), proceed as
follows: USE EXTREME CARE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DECOCK THE
REVOLVER, AS THE THUMB SLIPPING DURING THIS PROCESS CAN RESULT
IN AN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE IF THE TRIGGER IS HELD TO THE REAR.
1. Make certain that the revolver is pointing in a safe direction (See Rule 2, Page
31).
2. Make certain both hands are dry and not impeded in any way — gloves,
bandages, etc.
Any time the revolver is loaded, the
hammer is cocked and the trigger is
pulled and held to the rear, it will fire.
Cocking the gun or pulling the trigger
should only be done when you are ready
to fire immediately.
NEVER DROP OR STRIKE ANY
REVOLVER – COCKED OR UNCOCKED
– AND CARRY AND HANDLE THE
REVOLVER IN SUCH A MANNER THAT
THE HAMMER WILL NOT BE STRUCK.
NEVER CARRY ANY REVOLVER
WITH THE HAMMER COCKED.
WARNING –HANDLING
!
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