Ruger Bearcat Instruction Manual

							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! 
						

							13
1
24
3
a. b.
DECOCKING (UNCOCKING) THE REVOLVER
a.With the thumb controlling the hammer as shown above (1), squeeze
trigger to permit hammer to ‘break free’ (2). Carefully lower hammer.
b.When hammer is past load notch, IMMEDIATELY release trigger (3). Then
lower hammer slowly to its resting position completely down against
frame (4).
3. Grasp the revolver (if right handed) so that the thumb and forefinger of your
left hand are firmly holding the frame, forward of the trigger guard. Thus,
your left hand is in full control of the revolver (See Figure a, below).
4. Place your right thumb firmly on the hammer spur and, with your thumb
securely in control of the hammer, squeeze the trigger only enough to permit
the hammer to ‘break free’ of the trigger and carefully lower the hammer past
the load notch position. At that instant, IMMEDIATELY RELEASE THE
TRIGGER and then slowly permit the hammer, STILL SECURE UNDER YOUR
THUMB, to move fully forward to its resting position against the frame. 
NOTE: It is imperative that finger pressure be removed from the triggerjust as
soon as it is past the load notch position of the hammer. Then, properly, the
trigger and hammer will move towards their fully forward rest positions
together (See Figure b, below).
Practice this important gun handling skill with an unloaded revolver until you
have developed the proper control and ‘touch’ to decock your revolver safely. The
key to safe decocking is having the weight of the revolver controlled with one
hand, while the thumb and forefinger of the ‘shooting hand’ control the hammer
and trigger. 
						

							14
!WARNING – FIRING
When firing any revolver, be sure all persons are a
safe distance to the rear of the shooter. When fired,
all revolvers discharge gas and particles through the
clearance gap between the cylinder and the rear of
the barrel. These particles of lead, powder grains or
lubricant are projected broadly sideways at high
speed and thus can injure a person who is standing
too close to the revolver. When firing any revolver,
always be certain that nothing – including either of
your hands – is in the path of the hot gas and
particles which are discharged from the front and
sides of the cylinder. When shooting, adequate eye
protection is essential. All shooters and bystanders
must wear shooting glasses and hearing protection.Exposure to shooting noise can damage hearing.
HOT GASES EXIT
BARREL/CYLINDER GAP
7. COCKING – To fire the revolver, the hammer must first be manually cocked.
When cocking the hammer, have a firm hold on the grip with the shooting
hand, and DO NOT TOUCH THE TRIGGER WHILE COCKING THE HAMMER.
TOUCH THE TRIGGER ONLY WHEN YOU ARE READY TO FIRE.With the fore
portion of your thumb firmly on the hammer spur, draw the hammer fully to
the rear until it stops. Then permit the hammer to move forward (it will only
be slightly) until the trigger engages in the hammer at full cock.
8. FIRING – Once the hammer has been cocked, a light pressure on the trigger
will disengage the trigger from the hammer. The hammer will fall forward
striking the transfer bar and the revolver will fire.
9. After firing, the hammer will remain down. To fire subsequent shots, fully
release the trigger and repeat steps 7 & 8 above for each shot.
CAUTION:The hammer must be carefully eased fully forward before
the hammer is drawn back to the full-cock position for the first
shot. The hammer should be drawn with a firm positive motion to
the full-cock position for each shot, thus actuating the working parts for
complete indexing. Unless this procedure is followed in any single-action
revolver, the cylinder is apt to be out of index when fired.
!
The revolver is now in its normal carrying condition — hammer and trigger fully
forward and transfer bar lowered out of firing position.  
						

							2
3
4
1
5
REPEAT
FOR ALL
CHAMBERS
Do not eject unfired cartridges onto any surface where the cartridge rim might
strike a solid object and discharge the cartridge.
15
DRY-FIRING: Going through the actions of cocking, aiming, and pulling the
trigger of an unloaded
gun is known as “Dry Firing.” It can be useful to learn the
“feel” of your revolver. Be certain the revolver is unloaded and that the gun is
pointing in a safe direction even when practicing by dry-firing.The RUGER
®
NEW BEARCAT®revolver can be dry-fired without damage to the firing pin
or other components.
“FANNING”:NEVER fan the Ruger Bearcat revolver. Fanning is an unsafe way to
fire a gun and is abusive to the revolver mechanism.
TO UNLOAD OR EJECT CARTRIDGE CASES
Keep the revolver pointed in a safe direction! Do not attempt to unload when the
hammer is cocked.
If the hammer is cocked, it must first be decocked. (See instructions pp. 12 - 14)
Then:
1. Open the gate.
2.W
ith the finger off the trigger,pull the hammer back one “click” until the
trigger snaps forward into the loading notch. This permits the cylinder to
rotate.
3. Turn cylinder clockwise, by hand, to align a chamber with the ejector rod.
4. Push the ejector rod rearwardly, by means of the thumb-piece on its forward
end, so that it slides through the chamber to push out the cartridge or fired
case. Release spring-loaded ejector rod. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until all chambers
are empty.
5.Check each chamber to be certain that all
cartridges have been removed, then
close the gate.
CORRECT UNLOADING SEQUENCE 
						

							16
1. Open the gate.
2. With the finger off the trigger, pull the hammer back one “click” until the
trigger snaps forward into the loading notch. This permits the cylinder to
rotate.
3. Press base pin latch (on left side) and withdraw base pin.
4. Remove cylinder from loading gate side of frame.
To replace cylinder, simply reverse the above procedure. Holding the gun with
the barrel pointed away from you and in a safe direction, rotate the cylinder 1/4
turn in a clockwise direction to ensure that the pawl is correctly positioned on
the cylinder ratchet, before replacing base pin. Finally, close the gate.
WARNING: never remove, replace or carry a loaded cylinder.
The cartridges can fire if their rims are struck.
!
ALWAYSCARRY NEWBEARCATS
WITH HAMMER DOWN.
WARNING – SAFE CARRYING POSITION!
The safe carrying position for a New Bearcat
Revolver is with the hammer fully down and
the trigger forward. In this position the
hammer does not contact the firing pin. See
figure 3, on page 10. In older (1958-1973)
Bearcats with serial numbers below 93-
00000, the hammer, when in the full
forward position, does rest against the firing
pin.
Accordingly, never car
ry an “old model”revolver with the hammer fully forward andthe cartridge in line with the firing pinbecause a light blow to the hammer canreadily cause discharge.It is always safest to
carry the hammer down over an empty
chamber regardless of revolvers type. See
page 25 for details about our free safety
conversion offer for older Bearcats.
The loading notch must not be used as a
carrying safety. Its only purpose is for
loading and unloading.The revolver can be
fired by excessive pull on the trigger when
the hammer is in the loading notch
position. The loading notch provides only
partial security against accidental discharge.
If this notch is damaged, as it may be by
“fanning”, it offers no security. Never
depend on this or any mechanical safety
device to justify pointing the firearm at
yourself or any person.
TO REMOVE OR REPLACE CYLINDER 
						

							17
!WARNING – DISASSEMBLY
2
3
4
1
5
REPEAT
FOR ALL
CHAMBERS
DISASSEMBLY
The user of a RUGER®NEW BEARCAT® revolver should carefully read all
disassembly directions and study all the illustrations and the Parts List in this
manual before attempting to take the gun apart. Know the names and location of
the parts before removing any of them. Although the RUGER
®NEW
BEARCAT® revolver mechanism is composed of only a few parts, it is essential
that the disassembly and reassembly operations be carried out with knowledge
and care.
Only a few tools are required: a screwdriver or two to remove the grip panel and
grip frame screws, and a drift punch to remove the hammer and trigger pivots
(pins). A small plastic-faced hammer can be useful in drifting the trigger pivot
out and in.
The tip of the screwdriver blade should perfectly fit the grip frame screw slots. A
tip too large will scrape away metal, while a too-small tip will damage the screw
slots.
Before taking the gun apart, set up to do it properly. Cover the work surface with
a soft cloth so that the gun finish (and sights) will not be damaged, and provide a
tray into which the parts can be put as they are removed from the gun.
TO DISASSEMBLE FOR CLEANING
(Make Sure Revolver is Unloaded!)
1. Open the gate, pull the hammer back one “click” into the loading notch and
rotate the cylinder a few times to be visually certain the revolver is
completely unloaded. Leave the gate open.
2. Press in fully on the left side of the base pin latch, and while holding it in
that position, withdraw the base pin. Remove the cylinder and close the gate.
This is as far as you need to go for routine cleaning.
Never clean, lubricate,
disassemble or work on a
revolver while it is loaded. Never
install or remove a loaded
cylinder. A loaded cylinder can
discharge if dropped or struck.
Read instructions before
disassembling gun.
UNLOAD BEFORE CLEANING 
						

							18
TO DISMANTLE INTERIOR PARTS
1. Remove grip panel screw and lift grip panels away from grip frame.
2. Bring hammer back to full cock position and insert any convenient nail or
pin into the small hole at the lower end of the hammer strut; then press the
trigger and permit the hammer to move to a forward position. (It will be
observed that the pin which has been placed in the hammer strut hole serves
to confine the mainspring.)
3. Remove the screw which fastens the trigger guard to the cylinder frame.
4. Remove the hammer pivot screw, hammer and pawl.
5. With a small screw driver, free the fixed leg of the cylinder latch spring from
its anchoring hole on the left inside wall of the cylinder frame.
6. Remove trigger pivot screw, trigger and transfer bar.
7. It will be noted that the trigger spring and plunger are positioned in a hole at
the rear of the trigger guard bow. The innermost coil of the trigger spring is
enlarged to prevent its loss during disassembly and reassembly, and care
should be observed in removing the plunger and spring to prevent
deformation of the spring.
8. The hammer plunger is retained in the hammer by means of a small pin
which may be removed by means of a small drift.
NOTE: Always use a good quality screw driver which properly fits the screw
slots to avoid unsightly deformation of the screw heads.
ALTHOUGH THE FOREGOING OUTLINES THE CORRECT
PROCEDURE, WE WISH TO EMPHASIZE THAT SUCH DETAILED
DISMANTLING IS SELDOM IF EVER NECESSARY.
The revolver is, at this stage, disassembled as far as it needs to be for major
cleaning and maintenance. However, if it is necessary to go beyond the above
steps, the following cautions and suggestions should be carefully followed:
Ejector/Ejector Housing:Wrap one hand firmly around barrel and housing when
loosening the screw. Remove screw, then carefully lift housing (which contains
compressed spring and ejector rod) away from the barrel.
Base Pin Latch/Nut and Spring:The nut must be held firmly (with jaw-protected
pliers) while the latch is being unscrewed. Don’t lose the spring. When
reassembling, be certain the nut and spring are on the left side of the frame. (See
Parts Drawing, p. 30) 
						

							REASSEMBLY
(Again, Make Sure Revolver is Unloaded!)
1. Assemble pawl to hammer and transfer bar to trigger. Partially insert
hammer/pawl assembly in its recess in the frame. Insert trigger/transfer bar
assembly in its slot in the frame. Then complete insertion of the two
assemblies into the frame.
2. Align hammer in frame and insert hammer pivot screw.
3. Replace cylinder latch and spring. Then, install trigger pivot screw.
4. Insert the base pin, taking care to be certain the ‘dished out’ section of the
base pin collar is adjacent to the bottom of the barrel. 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
when the hammer is being cocked.
5. Install mainspring assembly in the grip frame. Be certain the strut is
positioned properly. See the Parts Drawing for correct strut positioning. 
6. Be certain the mainspring strut seat is correctly positioned on its step in the
grip frame. Then, draw the hammer back to the full cock position and
remove the small pin from the mainspring strut. Pull trigger and allow
hammer to fall. Pull the hammer back one “click” to the loading notch.
7. Open the gate, withdraw base pin and install the cylinder. Reinsert the base
pin and be certain it is fully seated and locked in position.
8. Before loading cartridges into the chamber, cycle the revolver several times.
Check to be sure that cylinder rotates and locks correctly; that trigger
returns in a positive manner when released; and that loading gate opens and
closes normally.
CARE AND CLEANING
Always be certain the revolver is completely unloaded before cleaning.At regular
intervals, or when the revolver has been exposed to sand, water or other adverse
conditions, disassemble, clean and oil it.
To clean the revolver after firing:
1. Remove the cylinder as described on p. 16.
2. Clean the barrel from the muzzle by running a cleaning rod with solvent
coated patch through the bore several times. A bronze wire brush, of a size
appropriate to the bore size, attached to the cleaning rod should then be
pushed the full length of the bore several times.
3. Again swab the bore with a solvent coated patch. Then wipe the rod clean
and, using a dry patch, swab the bore until it is clean.
4. Repeat the above procedure for each of the six chambers.
5. Run a lightly oiled patch through the bore and each chamber.
19 
						

							Firing a revolver with oil, grease, or any
other material even partially obstructing the
bore may result in damage to the revolver
and serious injury to the shooter and those
nearby.
Do not spray or apply lubricants directly on
ammunition. If the powder charge of a
cartridge is affected by the lubricant, it may
not be ignited, but the energy from the
primer may be sufficient to push the bullet
into the bore where it may become lodged.
Firing a subsequent bullet onto the
obstructed bore may damage the revolver
and cause serious injury or death to the
shooter and those nearby. Use lubricants
properly. You are responsible for the proper
care and maintenance of your firearms.
IMPROPER LUBRICATION
DESTROYS GUNS
20
!WARNING – LUBRICATION
Some cartridges with lead bullets deposit metal fouling in the chamber throats,
in the forcing cone of the barrel, and in the bore. If ‘leading’ is noted in your
revolver, clean it out before it builds up and interferes with reliable functioning
and accuracy. A special ‘lead removing’ cleaning tool (for bore and chambers) is
available from gun stores.
The revolver’s internal mechanism can be lubricated without disassembly. A few
drops of light oil recommended as suitable for firearms, applied periodically
about the various frame openings, will work its way into the mechanism parts.
The exterior of the revolver should be cleaned with a solvent and then wiped with
an oily cloth.
STORAGE
GUNS SHOULD NOT BE STORED LOADED!
USE THE LOCKING DEVICE SUPPLIED WITH THE REVOLVER FOR STORAGE.
(SEEPAGE6)
Do notkeep your revolver in a leather, fabric or canvas holster when it is stored.
These materials attract moisture, even though the holster may appear to be
perfectly dry.
TO RENDER THE REVOLVER INOPERATIVE FOR SAFE STORAGE
With the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, open the loading gate and check each
chamber to be sur
e the revolver is completely unloaded!Depress the basepin latch
on the side of the frame and remove the basepin by pulling it toward the muzzle
and out of the frame. Next, remove the cylinder from the frame. 
						

							Store the revolver and frame in different locations. When disassembled in this
manner, the revolver is inoperable. It is impossible to fire the revolver until the
cylinder and basepin have been correctly replaced.
To reassemble the revolver for firing, open the loading gate and reinsert the
cylinder. Next, press the basepin latch on the frame and fully reinsert the
basepin. Check to be sure the cylinder rotates freely in a clockwise direction.
With the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, close the loading gate. The revolver
is now reassembled and can be loaded and fired.
While the revolver is less likely to be used by unauthorized persons when
disassembled in the above manner, it is always safest to store a firearm with
the supplied locking device correctly installed, or to store the firearm in a gun
safe or other secure location, away from children and unauthorized adults.
Guns should always be stored securely, unloaded
and separate from their
ammunition.
21
Never place or store any firearm in
such a manner that it may be
dislodged. Firearms should always be
stored securely and unloaded, away
from children and careless adults. Use
the locking device originally supplied
with this firearm for storage.
The use of a locking device or safety
lock is only one aspect of responsible
firearms storage. For increased safety,
firearms should be stored unloaded and
locked in a location that is both
separate from their ammunition and
inaccessible to children and any other
unauthorized person.
STORE SECURELY & UNLOADED
!WARNING – STORAGE