Factory second bearcat
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Factory second bearcat
New addition that just arrived to the RPM stables. Factory second bearcat with S suffix serial number. I believe these suffix guns are more rare than the S stamp in front of trigger guard.
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Re: Factory second bearcat
Wow, very cool & rare!
Good for you
Good for you

I do not "own" these guns, I am but the next caretaker
Re: Factory second bearcat
That's neat. What makes it a second?
NRA Life Member, TSRA Life Member
A firearm without a round chambered is an expensive fancy paperweight.
A firearm without a round chambered is an expensive fancy paperweight.
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Re: Factory second bearcat
Nice one Rick.......I have a few S marked Bearcats myself though not sure of the numbers....yes I believe you are correct the S in the serial number is less common than the S on the bottom.....though it is reverse for the Lightweights.....RR pic added.....
Large S and small s

I thought this was an S but it is a 6 .....my eyes are not what they use to be

Large S and small s

I thought this was an S but it is a 6 .....my eyes are not what they use to be


Re: Factory second bearcat
Heck Radical, believe I had rather have that old 6 than one or several of them S marked.
FT44
FT44
Re: Factory second bearcat
Something in the bluing or finish is not up to Ruger standards, but the gun functions properly and is safe, so it gets the "S" stamp to signify it is a second.
The lightweight "S" guns actually shipped almost 10 years (1966) after they stopped making them. I'm not sure about the bearcats.
JaydaWg
I do not "own" these guns, I am but the next caretaker
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Re: Factory second bearcat
S = expen$iveJAYDAWG wrote: ↑Tue Oct 07, 2025 11:54 amSomething in the bluing or finish is not up to Ruger standards, but the gun functions properly and is safe, so it gets the "S" stamp to signify it is a second.
The lightweight "S" guns actually shipped almost 10 years (1966) after they stopped making them. I'm not sure about the bearcats.
JaydaWg
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Re: Factory second bearcat
Rodney, I like the S explanation. S= expenSive