The trigger is a real gem-fairly light (not as light as an El Patron Competition, but lighter than the USFA Rodeo), and with a very crisp break with absolutely no play whatsoever. The original alloy frame Bearcat is light, well-balanced, and comfortable in the hand, more so on all counts than the Single Six. For now, I’ll just close with observations about the pistol and how it handles. Look for a firing review on that pistol, along with a direct comparison to its three-screw Single Six cousin, in a future article. The 1964 Bearcat is well used, and will continue to see time at the range. The “Alpha Cat” is now retired, reunited with an original Bearcat box and owner’s manual and potentially becoming too valuable to keep shooting. USFA Single Action Army unmodified 3-screw Ruger Single Six 1960 Ruger Bearcat Thus, at most, only 2,382 “Alpha Cats” were produced with that lowered sight. This modification probably started around serial number X165 and ran through Z999, continuing on through later numbering schemes until the end of “1st issue” production. Additionally, this was a very late “Alpha Cat” on which the front sight had been reduced in height ¼-inch to improve aim. Not only that, this particular example was a rare “Alpha Cat”, which used a letter at the beginning of the serial number (A001 through Z999 excluding the letter “O” for obvious reasons). It was from 1960, the third year of a fourteen-year production (1958-1971) before the alloy frame was changed to steel (1971-1974). The shop thought this particular Bearcat was from 1971. So, it followed me home, whereupon I started doing research and found I’d inadvertently struck pay dirt. By this time another collector whom I know had walked into the shop and told me if I didn’t take it, he would. Rare unmodified Ruger “Alpha Cat” BearcatĪfter completing my rounds I headed back to that Ruger Bearcat and cocked it a few more times.

Old ruger single six serial numbers