north country gal

Nice day, yesterday, so we headed to the range for some shooting, but this time it was 22s, only. Took a day off from shooting the big stuff.

Especially wanted to give my new baby birdshead Bearcat Shopkeeper with 3 1/2" barrel its first run.


This is the second edition of the Bearcat Shopkeeper with a longer 3 1/2" barrel, instead of the 3" on the original. The extra half inch makes for a longer ejector rod for the sake of easier unloading. This second edition is also a first for a Bearcat with its traditional fluted cylinder, which I prefer to an unfluted cylinder in a single action.

Here it is along with my standard length stainless Bearcat with adjustable sights and a 6 1/2" Single Six for comparison.


Or, for another comparison, here it is with my Birdshead Vaquero in 45 auto.


Had to file down the front sight on the Shopkeeper just a smudge to move groups up, but windage was perfect.


Here's a group shot with my adjustable sight version of the standard Bearcat for comparison. You can see that the better sights do help, even at this short distance, but still very pleased with the Shopkeeper.


Moving out to 25 yards and beyond, as in this one at 27 yards, you can see those adjustable sights paying off. Now, I don't like the looks of those big sights on this version of the Bearcat, but they do bring out what a Bearcat can do.


For example, shot this one, yesterday, with this adjustable sight version. I can't do this every time, of course, but the Bearcat sure can. Will make it a goal to shoot a better group, this summer.


As for the Shopkeeper, again, performance and function was flawless. No trouble at all shucking empties. It's a neat little 22 LR single action in every respect and one that I will be carrying in this custom made holster for this specific edition of the Bearcat, the holster being made by a local craftsman.


Welcome home, baby birdshead. Mama will take good care of you.

bearcatter

I didn't know there was a revised Shopkeeper out; thanks for sharing that. I think the fluted cylinder sort of "un-Bearcats" it, but still looks good. Probably drops a couple of ounces off the weight, to make up for a half inch more barrel.

With my fixed sight Cats, I'm happy to stay inside three inches at 50 feet, my usual shooting distance. If I'm real careful, I know they're capable of less than two. Like yours, my windage was dead on out of the box, but they shoot low with a six o'clock hold. A twelve o'clock gets them on the money. I've never filed sights, since that's only good at one distance anyway.

Machinist

Very nice. I like the feel of the Single Six or Single Ten guns so I never paid attention to those, but you make them sound interesting, especially in steel or SS for the weight. Maybe I will need to handle one, though I am really leery of buying a Ruger. Probably should try to find one of the small SA .22s like gunrunners.

Love your reviews and comments.

RidgeRunner

Congratulations "mama". Your new baby looks like a keeper. She's a beauty and shoots well too.

44s Rock

She is a beauty!

north country gal

Thanks, guys.

I much prefer fluted cylinders on my SAs for the sake of tradition, so glad to see it on this new edition of the Shopkeeper. Just a personal preference, but nice to now have a choice on the Bearcat.

As I have written before on other Bearcat threads, it's the small size of the gun that makes it hard to shoot, same as any small revolver. Have to practice to get decent accuracy with any small handgun. Just the price you pay for that easy to carry size.

The Bearcat, itself, is actually inherently very accurate. Unlike the Single Six with its 22 mag bore size, the Bearcat has never had anything but a true 22 LR bore size. Out to about twenty yards, I can shoot he Bearcat most as well as our Single Sixes. Past that, the size and weight advantage of the Single Six kicks in, but, let's face it, most handgun shooting is 20 yards and under, anyway.

Of course, for me, the Bearcat is a single action and that moves it to the top of my list in handgun types.

north country gal

Should also add that I LOVE the birdshead grip on the Shopkeeper. It's a perfect match for this little gun. Gives it a derringer kind of handling and feel.