Ruger Wrangler .22lr Review (lots of pictures)

<*(((>< said:

Just wanted to give an initial impression review on my recently acquired Ruger Wrangler in .22lr.

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Thanks for the write up and photos.

I sure like this revolver. An all around, simple as dirt, rugged revolver, just begging for a lot of shootin' and some holster wear.

<*(((>< said:

I agree it’s not trying to be something it isn’t, a blued nostalgic firearm. It’s the modern day Single Six but still built well enough for heavy use it seems initially. I know some will turn their heads in disgust over the cerekoting, but like I said for the price it can’t be beat. I can see a lot of kids getting one of these for their first pistol for birthdays and Christmas’.

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I recall when Ruger introduced a cheaper version of the 10-22 rifle a number of years ago. The receiver had a matte painted finish and the barrel had a micro-turned surface much like an M1 carbine, rather than smooth. That barrel had a high temperature smooth baked-on finish of some kind. However, since they didn't reduce the cost, it must have proven unpopular, because they soon went back to the original smooth blued and anodized finish. The one that I had sported a rainbow laminate birch stock and it sold easily when I sold it off.
The thing is that overall it wasn't that bad. Had they offered it only as cheaper option to the standard 10-22, and reduced the price accordingly, it probably would have been popular.
So the Wrangler is a different animal maybe, but it's very well made, has the same springs and safety devices, and has all of the fun of the Single Six.
And it's plenty durable I'm sure.
It just isn't a blued steel thoroughbred.

<*(((>< said:

Here is the ring you can barely make out, looks like a sleeve to me, what say you all? The finish work before the cerekoting looks to be hiding it well. I suppose it could be lathe marks instead?


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Looks like a machining mark to me from facing the end of the barrel.

Howdy Again

I got a chance to shoot one a couple of weeks ago.

Great little gun for the price. Clearly better than the Heritage 22 revolvers.

Although personally I prefer the Single Six, and have no plans to buy a Wrangler, if I was interested in them I would buy one in a minute.\

Still have not figured out what's with that cut out on the hammer.

I finally was able to get a handful of Ruger Wranglers from a couple of distributors for sale and everyone who picks one up and handles it likes it - I know that I like mine a lot! I only have one left in stock and they are still back-ordered from my distributors. The Wrangler is a well made revolver and just about the nicest sub-$200 handgun I have come across.

One thing I was pleasantly surprised by: all three colors look much better to me in person than they do in all the pictures I have seen. In photos the shiny black cylinder looks 'off' to me with the black Cerakote frame, and the silver frame looks bland in pictures. With the revolvers 'in hand' they actually look very nice.

Here's my pair. Gotta black double rig under construction as we speak.

That picture gave me a big smile, Craig. Thanks for sharing!

The appearance leaves me totally cold, and I have zero interest in a single action .22. I would not give $20 for one. I don't want to seem anti-Ruger. I do have a big bore Blackhawk, which I like.

I got mine yesterday. After my dad saw it, we had to go get him one this morning. Mine is all black, my dad got the bronze one. I took mine out today and almost put a whole box of 525 rounds through it. I couldn't stop shooting it. Due to the weight, it's very handy and slick to handle. It's really hard to articulate, but I enjoyed shooting the wrangler more than I do the Single Six. It just seemed easier.

I think I'm gonna go back tomorrow and get the Silver one. What the heck. Might as well have the whole set.

As for the finish, I like the utilitarian look. I'm just not sure of how well it's going to hold up. I dinged mine twice today and don't even know how I did it. Right through the coating down to the metal. I find that kind of odd in that I thought ceracoat was similar to duracoat, which is what I usually use. I duracoated my goto AR about five years ago and I'm not nice to it. The coating looks like I did it yesterday. I also did my Ruger Mark II. I do that to all of my firearms that are going to see rough outdoor use and the coating is still 100% or near 100% on all of them. Maybe Ruger just uses too thin of a coat.

Anyway, it's certainly worth the sub $200 price tag. It certainly shoots as well as any much more expensive .22 single action revolver that I've had. What was really nice was that when I saw the dings, I didn't care. This is definitely one of those pieces that you can throw in the glove box, on the four wheeler or anywhere it might come in handy.

I took delivery of one about a week ago and haven’t had the opportunity to shoot it yet, but first impressions are really good.

cjwils said:

The appearance leaves me totally cold, and I have zero interest in a single action .22. I would not give $20 for one. I don't want to seem anti-Ruger. I do have a big bore Blackhawk, which I like.

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Okay, I guess.

CraigC

I like those Wranglers! Looking mighty stylish too with those grips!

cjwils said:

The appearance leaves me totally cold, and I have zero interest in a single action .22. I would not give $20 for one. I don't want to seem anti-Ruger. I do have a big bore Blackhawk, which I like.

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More for the rest of us, then.

Even though I already have a S6 and S10, for some reason I still want one of these.


I am sure I will get one (or 2) after things calm down a bit. Thanks to everyone for the reviews and feedback.

tubeshooter said:

Even though I already have a S6 and S10, for some reason I still want one of these.
I am sure I will get one (or 2) after things calm down a bit. Thanks to everyone for the reviews and feedback.

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i have 22 single action revolvers by ruger (ss, bearcat) and heritage, to which i added the wrangler several months ago. my wrangler is a super value at $189 in my hands, otd. while my used $250 ss remains #1, if i were starting and finishing at owning just one new 22lr revolver it would be the wrangler, hands down.