Bearcat Shopkeeper

[UpperAtmosphere]

I'm going to take my son to an NRA First Steps class in a couple of months, so I'm on the hunt for a small .22 that will fit his small hands. Some research has pointed me to a Ruger Bearcat. I've got a Single Six, and I know the Bearcat is smaller than that.

The Shopkeeper seems to be about ideal - short barrel, stainless finish, and I like that birds head grip. Anybody have one and care to comment?

I've also got a NAA mini revolver, but that's not for the new shooter.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

I have a "normal" Ruger Bearcat that I inherited from my father in law. Wonderful revolver but mine does not have rear sights - just a channel. Seems pretty accurate despite that and it is a honey of a small, SA revolver. I do love the look of a birdshead but I wouldn't give the "plain old' up for nothing.

VooDoo

 

[MutinousDoug]

Like Vodoun, I have a standard Bearcat that I carry backpacking and hunting but I have a modified T-grip type adapter to make it more shootable for me. I am not a big guy (5'-6") so with this set up and Wolff mainspring kit, it is a comfortable and grouse/bunny accurate setup.
The Shopkeeper is very attractive but the shorter barrel makes sight alignment with the "cowboy" rear sight more critical, so may be problematic for new shooters.
A S&W .22 kit gun with adjustable rear sights and a Tyler T-grip would be about my ideal in a compact trainer revolver if you're feeling flush.

 

[WestKentucky]

I'm waiting to see a shopkeeper. Been looking since January. I will probably pick up the first one I see.

 

[TreeDoc]

I'd stick with a regular bearcat. Those grips are small and I'd bet they would fit his hand, longer barrel will also help on sighting. The gun is light but the extra length would help balance it somewhat. One last thing, even though the stainless looks really cool, the blued gun it easier to sight because of less glare and the front sight can be dotted with some florescent paint which makes it even easier to aim. My young nephew will attest to that.

 

[bannockburn]

Second the notion of also using a S&W Kit Gun for those with smaller hands.

 

[fatcpa]

I have the Bearcat Shopkeeper. I've only had it out a couple of times. I have big hands and the curve of the birdshead stock fits right in the middle recess of my palm. It's a little hard for me to judge how it might fit a child's hand, but I think it would be pretty comfortable, but maybe not quite as stable as the regular single action grip. It might require two-handed shooting for the little guys to start with. The little gun is pretty heavy for its size, so the recoil is almost nonexistent. The short sight radius took a little getting used to, but by the end of my first shooting session, I had it figured out. Mine shot a little low of point of aim. I think the gun would make a good child's gun. Fit and finish are good and the engraved cylinder adds to the overall looks. The supply of the Shopkeeper is fairly limited, so not every kid on the block would own one.

 

[CraigC]

I don't have the Shopkeeper but I do have a standard 4" New Bearcat. Once accustomed to the smaller grip, it's a very accurate, fun little sixgun to shoot.

Wonderful revolver but mine does not have rear sights - just a channel.

And what do you think that channel with the square groove at the rear is? It's the rear sight. These are known as "fixed" sights. Unless you need adjustment, there is very little difference in the sight picture between the Bearcat's fixed sights and an adjustable rear sight.