[6] Because of its compact size and frame, it is advertised as being ideal for hikers or campers in need of a .22 LR revolver, or "kit gun".

He said that the Bearcat was the first revolver for which the Ruger engineers developed the transfer bar and that they could easily have made it that way in 1974.

When that department sent out the 1974 catalog and order forms to the distributors, they forgot to include the Bearcat.

The original Bearcat featured a fixed Patridge front sight and a square notched rear.

[12] In 2008, a 50th Anniversary edition was released with gold-filled script and special engravings, with 2,539 units produced.