rman43

A few days ago I found a Silver Ruger Wrangler and it insisted on going home with me. If you're not familiar with the Wrangler, it is Ruger's new economy single action .22 revolver. They only come in one size - 4-5/8" barrel with fixed sights. MSRP is $ 249, but if you can find them, they are retailing locally from $ 179 and up. The barrel and cylinder are made of carbon steel. The frame is made of aluminum alloy. The grip frame is a zinc alloy and the grips are black plastic. All metal parts except the cylinder are cerakoted. The metal surfaces are sandblasted with a fine grit, the ceramic cerakote is sprayed on and then baked. It is a durable coating that protects from rust and minor abrasion. The result is a dull matte finish.

I was finally able to make it to the outdoor range today. Here are my initial impressions: The gun is only 2 oz lighter than a Ruger Single Six with the same length barrel. It balances nicely and feels good in the hand. One complaint I've read is about how stiff the loading gate spring is. I either got an exception, or Ruger has listened and modified the spring in mid-production. The cylinder locks up tight, has negligible end shake and rounds load and unload easily. Trigger pull is a consistent 4.5 lbs, according to my trigger pull gage. It's smooth, has very little creep and breaks cleanly. That's really about perfect for a plinking or beginner's gun. I like it a little lighter and will probably do a "poor man's trigger job" on it. It only takes a couple of minutes and only requires a screwdriver.

I didn't punch much paper with it today. Almost all shooting was done on a 50 yard metallic silhouette. It is a heavy metal torso-sized target that "tinks" nicely when hit. I shot mostly one-handed strong hand and averaged at least 5 out of 6 hits. It definitely has "plinker" accuracy. Actually I think it is much better than that, but I'm pretty rusty. I'm sure it is easily capable of 100% hits at 50 yards. I did shoot one paper target at 25 yards with an impromptu rest with CCI Mini Mags and it grouped pretty well.

I think Ruger will sell a ton of these. They function and shoot well and just about anyone can afford one. (or 2) I apologize for the photos - they're cell phone pictures with no flash, so they came out dark.

Attached Images

	Wrangler right side.jpg (179.6 KB, 6 views)
	Wrangler left side.jpg (128.2 KB, 6 views)
	25 yd rested.jpg (100.4 KB, 5 views)

44s Rock

Sounds like this would be a great utility shooter! Thanks for the report.

Dennis H

I like it! Sounds like a perfect weather resistant snake shooter!

bearcatter

I've handled two, and did a report about it somewhere here. Both had the loading gate issue.

For what they are, they are a nice gun for the cost. Perfect truck gun, or any use where a scratch on a Single-Six would give you reason to cuss.

For me, I'm just not happy with coating finishes, or aluminum or zinc frames. Maybe they'll do one someday in stainless for another $ 50.

Bearcats are a lot more pricey, but worth it to me.

Dennis H

Thought that shooter looked familiar.

https://gunnerforum.com/gun-talk/308...-revolver.html

rman43

Well... I have some other Ruger single actions, but I still like the Wrangler too.

Attached Images

	Bearcat.jpg (222.4 KB, 8 views)
	Single actions.jpg (32.2 KB, 10 views)

Terry_P

RRMan can you resize in your image hosting service and repost? Those pics are juge.

The Wrangler is selling quite well as it looks like Ruger has decided to go after the low end market with it. I have seen multiple reports on RugerForum.net and most all quite positive. I guess if you buy a $200 handgun and it works and is accurate and fun to shoot then it will be a winner. Congrats on the new revolver.

rman43

Is that any better? For some reason the old photos showed up fine on my laptop. Images are weird and sometimes beyond my ability to figure them out.

Terry_P

Much better, thanks. Let us know how you like it once you put some lead downrange.

rman43

Will do - thanks!

north country gal

BC, the original Old Model Bearcats had an aluminum and brass frame. It wasn't until Ruger went with the Old Model Super Bearcats and then on to the New Model Bearcats that you got the all steel Bearcats. In that sense, then, the new Wrangler is following in the tradition of those original Bearcats. The more things change, the more they stay the same sort of thing.

Still, one thing about those Old Model Bearcats, either the standard or Supers, was the fit, finish and, especially, the beautiful triggers. Here's my 1970 vintage OM Bearcat in aluminum/brass that I just picked up, unfired, in the original box. Shot it, yesterday, and loved it. I'm sure the Wrangler is a great value and a good shooter, but, I agree, it's not a Bearcat. Only a Bearcat is a Bearcat.

bearcatter

I've got all the Bearcat material changes written down somewhere. The frames went from aluminum to steel with the Supers. The trigger guards went from brass anodized aluminum, to black anodize, to blued steel with the last half of the Super Bearcats. The ejector housing went from aluminum to steel and back again. One can't understand the reasoning behind all the changes. I just know I'm glad the stainless one came out when they did......

Though your Old Model sure looks pretty........