Huh. Ruger cerakoted my Wrangler bore. No wonder its inaccurate.

[silicosys4]

So far everything i've learned about Wranglers.

They are much better than Heritage RR's. Twice the gun, it was said. Head and shoulders above any competitor in its price range. That very well may be SOME peoples experience. But its not my experience.

My experience is that I shouldn't complain about Wrangler build quality because "what do you expect from a sub $200 gun"

I shouldn't complain about the 4" groups from my gun when other people are documenting groups half that size at longer range from theirs because "what do you expect from a sub $200 gun.

I shouldn't complain about obvious QC errors like cerakote in the bore because "what do you expect from a sub $200 gun".

For being twice as good as a RR, Wranglers sure do suck and there are a lot of people here bending over backwards to make excuse after excuse on behalf of a gun that is supposedly superior.

 

[Cowhide Cliff]

I am not aware what Ruger's quality criteria is for ammo groups across different models, but what might be considered "in spec" will probably be some generous limits of like 4 inches at 10 yards. I say that as I had issues with a Marlin bolt action .22 and after sending it back was told 2 inch groups at 50 yards was in spec. I did not like that considering I was getting half inch groups at 50y with a Ruger Charger and I have no idea what Ruger's in spec limit is for that, but my theory is that generous groups is common among manufacturers.

The speculation that those who make the barrels and chambers (same people) and the parts for the timing (cylinders, hands) are different between the Wrangler and higher priced firearms like the Blackhawk or Redhawk is silly because the reality is even if the parts are suspect, production management still sends them along and makes it someone else's problem. Sometimes production issues have nothing to do with the skill of the machine operators, but with machines themselves or tooling.

That's where the cost reduction comes into play; it's very possible that Ruger is using older, more worn machines to make the parts for the Wrangler, but those are machines that have been paid off and still decently functional, but have less repeatability and accuracy than newer machines.

In fact, looking at some videos of Ruger factory production, I see the fixtures being used in the mostly Haas CNC machines that aren't the most rigid and Haas machines I have a love/hate relationship with. They can be decent machines and in my career I've found the smaller the Haas machine, the better they are, but they are low cost machines and the longevity isn't there. I also get the sense watching these videos that when it comes to production, speed is more a factor, not precision.

This past week at work I was running a 22 year Robodrill and found that if it wasn't making chips that the Z axis would elevate by .0005" even when it was running a warm up cycle, however a few years ago I remember running a nearly 20 year old Haas mill that was so worn out it couldn't hold tools in the machine and

When it comes to modern manufacturing the operators have a role in quality checking as they are the first line in that process and what I see in videos and what I know from people who've worked at Ruger and my own experiences in machining, I do not think there is an issue at the operator level between product lines. Where I see issues is what machines are being used to make the parts that go on the Wrangler? What is the steel used to make the cylinders and barrels?

I'm not trying to toot the horn for Heritage because they're a lower priced revolver that actually works, but what I've seen from videos of their production versus Ruger is that Heritage is a smaller company that is better focused given they have been making their Rough Riders for decades compared to Ruger for the Wrangler and where the Rough Rider is the company's flagship product while the Wrangler is some marketing executive's attempt to grab market share to make some other higher up happy.

Bottom line: The Wrangler has always been a half hearted attempt by Ruger so they can add something to their catalogue and grab more potential customers, not really make something that people were asking for as nobody was asking for another sub $200 .22 single action.

I think that's where a lot of the problems with the Wrangler stem from.

So in that long winded post you first say that suggesting there is a difference is silly then you claim Rugers attempt at the Wrangler is half hearted. LOL Where does that half hearted come from then if it doesn't really exist?

 

[Pistolay]

Bottom line: The Wrangler has always been a half hearted attempt by Ruger so they can add something to their catalogue and grab more potential customers, not really make something that people were asking for as nobody was asking for another sub $200 .22 single action.

Right now, Ruger's website shows 26 different variations of the Wrangler, including 11 distributor exclusives. Seems like somebody's interested in them.

 

[TTv2]

So in that long winded post you first say that suggesting there is a difference is silly then you claim Rugers attempt at the Wrangler is half hearted. LOL Where does that half hearted come from then if it doesn't really exist?

I'm talking about the people actually making the parts for the Wrangler and those putting the Wrangler together. I don't think there is a lick of difference between the people who make parts regardless of whether they're working on Wrangler parts or Redhawk parts because they're all going to equally give their best to make good parts and it comes down more to what machines, fixturing, and tooling they're given to do the job.

There's a difference between the operators and Ruger management. The management, I feel, went thru with producing the Wrangler because they had a passion for doing it, and did it more to just make money.

I'll put it in simpler terms: Do you really think Ruger gives a flying phoenix if the Wrangler is a quality product? They don't, they only care if it makes money.

Heritage is different. The founders had an idea, they scrapped together funds, spent countless hours building said business and had a passion for producing their product and even tho Taurus owns Heritage now, that same focus on one gun keeps the quality high considering the size of what Heritage is compared to Ruger.

 

[TTv2]

Right now, Ruger's website shows 26 different variations of the Wrangler, including 11 distributor exclusives. Seems like somebody's interested in them.

The variations boil down to color, grip shape, and barrel length. Really not that difficult to offer a standard and bird's head grip and a variety of barrel lengths.

All of which are things Heritage does. Again, this is Ruger making moves to gain market share.

 

[Cowhide Cliff]

I'm talking about the people actually making the parts for the Wrangler and those putting the Wrangler together. I don't think there is a lick of difference between the people who make parts regardless of whether they're working on Wrangler parts or Redhawk parts because they're all going to equally give their best to make good parts and it comes down more to what machines, fixturing, and tooling they're given to do the job.

There's a difference between the operators and Ruger management. The management, I feel, went thru with producing the Wrangler because they had a passion for doing it, and did it more to just make money.

I'll put it in simpler terms: Do you really think Ruger gives a flying phoenix if the Wrangler is a quality product? They don't, they only care if it makes money.

Heritage is different. The founders had an idea, they scrapped together funds, spent countless hours building said business and had a passion for producing their product and even tho Taurus owns Heritage now, that same focus on one gun keeps the quality high considering the size of what Heritage is compared to Ruger.

I'm sure they care, just don't care as much as it is just a low price point product. You contradict yourself so much you keep saying everyone puts forth their best and then say they don't. Have you ever been inside of both a SRH and a Wrangler? There is an obvious difference in the quality of machining and finish of the parts.

You then admit probably less quality tools are used manufacturing those parts. Well I can tell you that goes hand in hand with operators experience. You honestly think they let a new high quality machine sit idle or be ran by their less experienced machinist? Seen that in too many cases and even running my own business. When I started out learning I started on older machines. When I started my own business which I ran for close to 40 years I placed new or less experienced workers on older machines doing jobs that require less precision. It's just how life works man.

 

[schneiderguy]

Per Ruger's website, the Wrangler is made at their Prescott AZ factory. The rest of the single actions are made in New Hampshire. So no, it's not the same people assembling them.

Count me in the "you get what you pay for" camp. Personally I would never buy a Wrangler. I really enjoy my Single Six, and have found it to be nicely finished and extremely accurate.

 

[TTv2]

I'm sure they care, just don't care as much as it is just a low price point product. You contradict yourself so much you keep saying everyone puts forth their best and then say they don't. Have you ever been inside of both a SRH and a Wrangler? There is an obvious difference in the quality of machining and finish of the parts.

You then admit probably less quality tools are used manufacturing those parts. Well I can tell you that goes hand in hand with operators experience. You honestly think they let a new high quality machine sit idle or be ran by their less experienced machinist? Seen that in too many cases and even running my own business. When I started out learning I started on older machines. When I started my own business which I ran for close to 40 years I placed new or less experienced workers on older machines doing jobs that require less precision. It's just how life works man.

The quality of the parts made is likely due to wider tolerances and whatever processes are faster.

I really don't know what you think the operators are doing between the different lines at Ruger, they're all doing the same amount of parts loading and deburring and being pushed by middle management for numbers numbers numbers. My point is you could take the allegedly more experienced workers who do the more expensive revolvers and have them work on the Wrangler and I do not think you would see a difference in quality because that is not the priority that Ruger management has for the Wrangler.

It's been my experience in machining that management puts new, inexperienced hires where they need them, not where they want them.

 

[bigpower491]

A Single Six solves all 22 caliber revolver accuracy, reliability, and appearance woes......

 

[silicosys4]

So i sent both my Wranglers back to Ruger for repair. The flat dark earth one had cerakote in the bore, keyhole occasionally, and displayed generally poor accuracy. The black one was keyholing badly and couldn't keep on paper at 10 yards.

Ruger sent them after doing no work to them. Tan one still has a cerakoted bore, black one also untouched aside from test firing.
Here is the test target they sent back with the black Wrangler.


Not very inspiring.

immediately Shot this test target with the black one



And another with the tan ruger that showed keyholing, threw the targets and the guns back in the box, and they are going right back.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I would be upset also and think that is odd of Ruger as their CS has a good rep.
Their "accuracy" was horrible.

The keyhole thing may be certain ammo, but that doesn't make up for the rest of the issues.

 

[J-Bar]

Thanks for the update, sorry for the frustration.

 

[shoebox1.1]

I’m sorry to hear that. I’d hope they would get it right this time

 

[Cowhide Cliff]

I would be upset also and think that is odd of Ruger as their CS has a good rep.
Their "accuracy" was horrible.

The keyhole thing may be certain ammo, but that doesn't make up for the rest of the issues.

Accuracy vary with certain ammo sure but I don't think one should keyhole with any quality ammo.

 

[ontarget]

Do you use a backer behind your target?
Some of your keyholes look more like torn holes from not having something like cardboard or plywood behind the paper.
Either way, that's not acceptable grouping from 10 yards.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Accuracy vary with certain ammo sure but I don't think one should keyhole with any quality ammo.

True, with quality ammo it should not be keyholing. Accuracy varying some with a .22, I can see.
Did want to ask to check that you weren't using something real light, super fast, or real heavy. Just trying to diagnosis it a bit.

 

[silicosys4]

Do you use a backer behind your target?
Some of your keyholes look more like torn holes from not having something like cardboard or plywood behind the paper.
Either way, that's not acceptable grouping from 10 yards.

I have 3 separate test targets going back with each gun. The tan gun only showed 2 or 3 keyhole. The black one keyhole 40-50% of the time.

 

[warnerwh]

Even cheap bulk ammo should not keyhole especially from new guns. In the last 50 years I've used I believe every type of cheap ammo made and don't ever remember key holing from any number of various guns.

I'll be watching for your next update. Hopefully your guns will be respectable when they return. This is really surprising from Ruger.

 

[Biblethumpncop]

My Wrangler would occasionally keyhole with Winchester M22 ammo. It doesn't keyhole with Aguila, Winchester Super X, CCI Minimags nor Federal American Eagle. Have you tried other ammo?

 

[JDeere]

What did Ruger have to say about it when you sent them back? Surely they sent a letter or invoice back with notes...

 

[JT-AR-MG42]

Here is the test target they sent back with the black Wrangler.

I do not doubt you or this story silicosys.
However, it stretches the imagination to believe that even with the overall poor/spotty product quality
Ruger is becoming known for that they would send you such a target
without a punchline.

Pity, Ruger used to be known for quality, not for having a customer service/repair dept. twice as large as their
manufacturing dept.
Maybe that explains their quick responses to the members that post about their Ruger problems but
I consider their quick turnaround time to be indicative of LOTS of practice, not necessarily concern for the buyer.

I'm not wealthy enough to waste money by any means but I would have re-sent them back (after receiving that target) and told Ruger
to just take the guns to the next Phoenix show and sell them to the L.A. gang members and their buyers
who attend to purchase batches of throwdowns for their youth member runners.
That way you could at least get 50 bucks for a gun of that quality.

JT

 

[Buzznrose]

Sad situation. I hope they make it right for you soon

 

[Pat Riot]

So i sent both my Wranglers back to Ruger for repair. The flat dark earth one had cerakote in the bore, keyhole occasionally, and displayed generally poor accuracy. The black one was keyholing badly and couldn't keep on paper at 10 yards.

Ruger sent them after doing no work to them. Tan one still has a cerakoted bore, black one also untouched aside from test firing.
Here is the test target they sent back with the black Wrangler.
View attachment 1133973

Not very inspiring.

immediately Shot this test target with the black one

View attachment 1133974

And another with the tan ruger that showed keyholing, threw the targets and the guns back in the box, and they are going right back.

I think I would be ticked off as well. Did the Ruger target list the ammo used, distance, how many rounds? What’s the diameter of the black bullseye? Did they even aim or is the accuracy from those revolvers just that bad?
To me that bullseye appears to be 3”. That 11 shot pattern is just awful.

I am sorry you wasted money time and effort on this, but I appreciate you posting. I see and hear so many people that love their Wranglers and claim “so-so” accuracy. I would have a hard time believing that you just happened to get 2 crap guns out of the thousands sold and all others are sparkling examples of inexpensive precision.
I don’t buy guns to just blow away ammo for fun. I would expect some accuracy. I don’t get my jollies making noise and hoping I actually hit what I am aiming at for added jollification.

 

[Speedo66]

If I were Ruger, I’d be embarrassed to send that target to a customer.

Yes, no keyholing, but that spread is abysmal.

 

[3Crows]

Was there a backer behind the target paper?