Is everyone still loving their Ruger Wranglers?

Elkins45

Elkins45

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Dec 25, 2009
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Northern KY
I’ve seen them on a pretty good sale locally. For those of you that already own one, are you still happy with your purchase? Any long-term issues?

I’m not a giant fan of unloading a SA 22 but I can put up with it for a few rounds of plinking if the gun is otherwise good.
 
Mine are low on the totem pole haven't seen much use, but I am still fine with them.
"Love" is too strong a word...

Great trainer or tackle box gun.
I am unsure about the long-term durability.
But then again I didn't buy it for that.


The Super Wrangler by all accounts I have seen is a better gun for not much more money. I decided awhile ago I wasn't going to do the .22 Mag thing so I am fine with the standard Wrangler.
 
I think they work well, but a single action shouldn’t be green or whatever...I prefer a single 6. But I would own a wrangler just because...
 
Agree that I can do without all the funky Wrangler colors.

Also agree that a Single Six is a better gun.
You're not going to touch one for ~$200 nowadays, though.
Maybe if it's a fixer-upper that needs parts and/or substantial work...
 
I like my Wrangler but do think it is cheesy that the lever (what do you call that thing) for the ejector is plastic! That might be the one thing to break. Maybe I can find a metal one in the aftermarket and replace it.
 
I bought 3 when they first came out. None shot point of aim in terms of windage with any ammo. I don't think I really love any firearm, but there are those that I like and choose to keep and the single six falls into this category. All I can say about the wranglers is that I don't hate them. They aren't worth enough to try to sell and use them when I need something that I'm not willing to have to worry about.
 
They are cheap enough to modify and personalize. I put Single Six parts (hammer, modified aluminum grip frame, frame screws) and a Bisley trigger in this Birdshead 3.75" gun, before they came out with the Sheriffs model. A gunsmith milled a dovetail in the barrel and I put a Skinner brass front sight in it. I had to file the sight's height to adjust POI, but it now has a windage adjustable sight.
IMG_0389.jpeg
 
I got two of em, one went to mother in law to combat the raccoon hoardes menacing the ducks and chickens.

Both are holding up great, 4 years now. I have the silver one. Got 30 dollar wood grips off ruger and a very nice ruger leather holster for about the same cost.

Love that rig for woods walking. Maybe both of mine are just touched but they have over a few thousand rounds of whatever ammo is cheapest. No issues or undo wear. I keep waiting for them to explode or die on me , but I'm glad I'm not holding my breath. I have run federal punch and Stingers through my silver one. No issues and a nice "pop" on those.

No issues reaching out as far as my eyes allow with the simple sites, but the steel at 25 yards isn't safe so I would feel good for squirrels and birds and stuff at 20 yards and under.

I still like em
 
I have five of them and like them just fine. Particularly the 7.5's and the birdshead model. I like the variety of colors and have been wanting one or two of the olive drab version. Also been wanting a Super Wrangler to mount an optic on.

The only places Ruger made them "cheap" is in the materials used. They're made just like the Single Six, using many of the same parts. The grip frames are zinc and the frame is aluminum. Unlike the Heritage, the Wrangler barrel is threaded just like the Single Six. Cerakote is not a "cheap" finish but it is one that can be applied to all the dissimilar metals present.

1713447621109.jpeg
 
I have one of those TALO birdsheads, it is just a fine little shooter.

Had a black one when they first came out, went back to Ruger as it wouldn't print on target. They actually said it had "acceptable accuracy". Nah, sold it with full disclosure.
 
I have both a Wrangler and a 1976 Single Six. I like the SS better, but only because of the sights. The Wrangler is a bone stock, black w/ black grips gun that pretty much lives in the top drawer of my toolbox in the shop for the odd varmint that comes around. It mostly shoots where I point it, and it goes bang every time I pull the trigger. The cerakote has held up well, and the little gun hasn't rusted or corroded after two years in my unheated shop. Hard to argue with all that. This is the second one I've owned. The first was one of the first to come into this area, and while I liked it quite a bit, I liked the Single Six better and so let a buddy talk me out of it. This second one I picked up for peanuts from a guy in a bind; figured for the price I could afford to leave it in the shop!

CraigC said:
I have five of them and like them just fine. Particularly the 7.5's and the birdshead model.
Click to expand...
Those are some nice pistols Craig! Where'd you get those grips? My Single Six needs a set!

Mac
 
You are welcome to every one of them. After shooting my oldest grandson's I decided to buy an identical on one for the GG kiddies to shoot. Mine was a completely different gun. It shot patterns and key holes. I measured everything thoroughly, looked at the bore closely, and decided that returning it to Ruger would only get me a "It's within specs" reply. Kids need to be able to hit or come close to what they are shooting at to remain interested and this thing will do neither so it sits unused. Two are old enough to not worry about dropping my single sixes, the others got a couple of rough riders to shoot. At least one shoots very close to point of aim and the one with the adjustable sights was dead center right out of the box. Dropping one of those into the dirt and rocks will only result in some explanation of being more careful in the future unlike one of the single sixes that would result in knashing of teeth and though silently curse words before a pointing out to be more careful.

I do have to give the wrangler credit in two categories, being dependable as it fires every round unless it's a dud and you never know just where the bullet is going to hit.
 
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doubleh said:
You are welcome to every one of them. After shooting my oldest grandson's I decided to buy an identical on one for the GG kiddies to shoot. Mine was a completely different gun. It shot patterns and key holes. I measured everything thoroughly, looked at the bore closely, and decided that returning it to Ruger would only get me a "It's within specs" reply. Kids need to be able to hit or come close to what they are shooting at to remain interested and this thing will do neither so it sits unused. Two are old enough to not worry about dropping my single sixes, the others got a couple of rough riders to shoot. At least one shoots very close to point of aim and the one with the adjustable sights was dead center right out of the box. Dropping one of those into the dirt and rocks will only result in some explanation of being more careful in the future unlike one of the single sixes that would result in knashing of teeth and though silently curse words before a pointing out to be more careful.

I do have to give the wrangler credit in two categories, being dependable as it fires every round unless it's a dud and you never know just where the bullet is going to hit.
Click to expand...
Look closely into the muzzle with a good light. Dollars to donuts you find cerakote overspray for the first few mm's down the bore.
 
MacAR said:
I have both a Wrangler and a 1976 Single Six. I like the SS better, but only because of the sights. The Wrangler is a bone stock, black w/ black grips gun that pretty much lives in the top drawer of my toolbox in the shop for the odd varmint that comes around. It mostly shoots where I point it, and it goes bang every time I pull the trigger. The cerakote has held up well, and the little gun hasn't rusted or corroded after two years in my unheated shop. Hard to argue with all that. This is the second one I've owned. The first was one of the first to come into this area, and while I liked it quite a bit, I liked the Single Six better and so let a buddy talk me out of it. This second one I picked up for peanuts from a guy in a bind; figured for the price I could afford to leave it in the shop!


Those are some nice pistols Craig! Where'd you get those grips? My Single Six needs a set!

Mac
Click to expand...
Arizona Custom Grips on Ebay. Pretty good for fake stags. Nice and solid. Even if they do all look alike.
 
Ive been eyeballing a s&w 317 at my lgs. I have enough trading fodder to acquire it at close to $800 tag.....but I decided to just go for a birdshead wrangler for ⅓ the cost.
Now Y'all are making me rethink my decision. I do want reasonable accuracy.
 
silicosys4 said:
Look closely into the muzzle with a good light. Dollars to donuts you find cerakote overspray for the first few mm's down the bore.
Click to expand...
Already did and found some, Scrubbed it out with a bronze brush wrapped with choreboy strands. It's shiny as a new silver dollar now. Keyholing quit but accuracy stayed the same. Lousy. I trued the crown then as it had plenty of ceracoat or whatever their finish is on it. No change at all. The bore diameter is correct, the chamber diameter is correct. The chambers line up with the bore, I tried different brands of ammo that did well in other handguns. No improvement so I gave up. Not about to palm it off on someone either. I have never given a gun a name but if I did this one would be named Dud.
 
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