Ruger Wrangler versus Heritage Rough Rider

If your gun buying budget would allow for only one Western style .22 caliber single action pistol which of the two would you choose?

 

Ruger Wrangler. No question.

 

Ruger

 

If you're budgeting then save a little longer and get a Ruger Super Single Six. Far superior to either one. Real sights too.

 

Looked at both and went with the Ruger Wrangler.

 

Ruger every time. Have you seen and handled a heritage?

 

Ruger due to familiarity with the brand.

Ruger due to me preferring a transfer bar safety over a safety lever/hammer block on a revolver.

 

Recently went through the same choice. Ruger had better fit and finish. Ruger also didn't have the safety lever on the back which bothered me on the Heritage.

 

I have multiple specimens of both. And when I say multiple I mean 8 between the 2 models.
There is a definite difference in fit and finish.
Ruger wins that one hands down.
As far as mechanics goes, the Ruger is tighter.
I will say in all honesty, I can't tell a bit of difference down range between the two.
I've had to tweak the front sight on a Wrangler and on a RR to bring POI closer to POA, so no advantages either way there.
I truly believe that if the HRR was Cera coated instead of painted, the only difference would be the manual safety that turns people off. However that painted frame is a real problem for many and is frequently poorly applied, so I see their point.
I was doing a side by side comparison between a RR and a Wrangler, both NIB, and keeping the round counts the same to compare how they would wear as the round count grew.
I haven't updated that comparison in a while on THR, but at around 1k rounds through each, I don't see any unusual mechanical wear on either.
There are reports of bad ones from both camps, but I've been lucky and only experienced minor annoyances from either.
I can't really recommend one over the other, as they are both low budget guns that serve their intended purposes at their low price point.

 

Wow! So far it's unanimous. They have a new Wrangler model with wood grips and a holster.
It's tempting. The only thing I can see as an advantage for the Heritage is the optional .22 mag cylinder.but I would be shooting mostly .22lr anyway.

 

Another point, there are a few threads on THR about the modifications some of the members have done with their RRs.
Grips, grip frames, cylinders, and all of the internals are easily and cheaply available from the Heritage website. They also offer holsters. And all of the parts are interchangeable.

 

Well I did it. I ordered the Ruger Wrangler Talo edition Birds Head with wood grips and holster.
$279 from Range USA

 

I like that holster that it comes with.

 

NEW Ruger Wrangler Birdshead TALO Edition - YouTube
Nice video on the Wrangler Talo edition

 

I would have said Wrangler before I shot the two that I've had the opportunity to handle. Since I prefer groups and not patterns I can no longer recommend the Wrangler. If the Heritage doesn't keyhole, its a better revolver than the two Wranglers I've shot.

 

I did have an issue with one of my two Wranglers that required a return to Ruger, but it was fixed and back in a matter of days so I’m happy with them.



They’re not long range pistols, for me I like keeping shots to 15 yards or so because the sights don’t work with my eyes like my pair of 6.5” Single Sixes’ sights do.

Stay safe.

 

Here is some information on why the Ruger Wrangler will not be offered in .22 magnum:

https://americanhandgunner.com/our-experts/rugers-22-wranglers/

"As soon as the Wrangler was announced posters on internet forums started asking if Ruger .22 Single-Six Magnum cylinders could be fitted. The Wrangler has been deliberately engineered so as not to accept magnum cylinders. And the reason is found in two words: aluminum frame. The frame is designed to stand up for thousands upon thousands of rounds of .22 Long Rifle, however it will not do the same thing with the use of .22 Magnum cartridges. This Ruger Wrangler was designed to be a .22 sixgun to do many things, including those I have just mentioned. It is not to be made into something it was never intended to be — a .22 Magnum."
.

 

The Ruger any day of the week and twice on Sunday. Before the Wrangler, I always suggested folks spend a little more on a used Single Six. Now I tell `em to get the Wrangler. It is twice the gun and only a little more expensive. I've got numerous Single Sixes, three Wranglers and no Rough Riders, for very good reasons. Now looking for the 7.5" version.

That's what Ruger says but I don't believe that for one second. The two cartridges operate at the same pressure, so to the gun, the experience is the same.

 

I saw a 7.5 on Gun Broker

 

this same holster also nicely accommodates a ruger single six or s&w k-frame.

i also have both of these two rimfire revolvers; ruger wrangler over a heritage roughrider any day. in fact when it comes to any single-action revolver always make mine a ruger.

 

I have several Rugers, revolvers and semi autos. I really want to get the short-barreled Wrangler and then replace bird's head with a Single Six grip frame.

 

Know what you mean. They HAVE built some that shoot groups as the one I shot before I bough mine did. They look nice and feel nice. Mine was the first 22 I have ever owned that keyholed. My lowly RR shoots groups although not as small as my two single sixes but I didn't expect it to when I bought it.

Why do makers have so much trouble building a semi-auto 22 mag that works then?

 

I got curious and dusted off one of my Wranglers, made up a few targets, and stepped outside just to see whats what, if I'm remembering correctly. I found it doesn't keyhole with Aguila 40gr standard velocity, so I put four cylinders through, two cylinders on each target.

This was rested, two hands, at 10 yards. I took extra care with these two groups and I'm a fairly capable shooter under those circumstances. This is what I got with a 6 o'clock hold. Forgive the gross paper plates, they came out of the garbage and went right back into it afterwards.
3-4" ̶g̶r̶o̶u̶p̶s̶ patterns, 5" low. I dunno about anyone elses, but my wranglers shoot poorly even if they aren't keyholing.

 

Hey I just noticed something. Is anyone elses Wrangler cerakoted INSIDE the bore? It looks like I've got a flat dark earth bore.

 

That might not be good. Does it feel tighter at the muzzle with a cleaning patch?