Ruger Wrangler
A budget-friendly single-action .22 LR revolver from Ruger.
The Ruger Wrangler is a single-action revolver from Sturm, Ruger & Co. that fires .22 Long Rifle cartridges. It was introduced in April 2019. To keep manufacturing simple and costs down, the revolver relies heavily on aluminum and zinc castings, uses an unfluted cylinder, and incorporates metal injection molded parts. Its price is often called "very attractive," coming in at less than half the suggested retail price of Ruger's Single-Six or Bearcat models.
The Wrangler holds six rounds. Barrel options are 3.75, 4.62, 6.50, and 7.50 inches. The shortest barrel also comes with a birdshead grip choice. The most common Cerakote finishes are black, silver, and bronze, though other colors appear as distributor exclusives. Most models have black plastic grips, but some include wooden ones, and aftermarket grips are easy to find. The sights are fixed, set for 15 yards, with a blade front and an integral rear. A transfer bar safety allows all chambers to be loaded safely with the hammer down on a loaded chamber.
Unlike the Single-Six and other traditional single-action revolvers, the Wrangler’s hammer has only two positions: cocked and fully forward. When the hammer is fully forward and the loading gate is open, the cylinder spins freely without clicking as each chamber passes. To remove the cylinder, open the loading gate, press the base pin latch, and pull out the base pin assembly; the cylinder then slides out from the loading gate side. The manual says dry firing won’t damage the gun, but some users report that it can peen the cylinder bores, making it hard to load or fully seat rounds.
The Super Wrangler, announced in April 2023, is an upgraded version with an MSRP of $329. It’s built from alloy steel, has a 5.50-inch barrel, an overall length of 11 inches, and weighs 37.7 ounces. Its front sight is a ramp, and the rear sight adjusts for windage and elevation. It comes with an extra .22 WMR cylinder, though that cylinder won’t fit the standard Wrangler or the Single-Six.
All Wrangler and Super Wrangler variants have a 1:14-inch right-hand twist rate and six grooves.
The Wrangler is banned from sale in Minnesota because its frame and grip materials conflict with the state’s definition of a “Saturday night special pistol.” The frame is A380 aluminum alloy (ultimate tensile strength of 45,000 psi) and the grip is cast zinc (melting point about 787°F).
Quick Facts
- Origin
- United States
- Is Ranged
- Yes
- Designer
- Ruger
- Design Date
- 2019
- Unit Cost
- $269-279 / (MSRP)
- Production Date
- 2019–present
- Variants
- Super Wrangler
- Mass
- 28-34.1 oz
- Length
- 8.62-13 in
- Part Length
- 3.75-7.5 in
- Cartridge
- .22 Long Rifle
- Action
- Single-action revolver
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Ruger Wrangler was introduced in April 2019 as a lower-cost alternative to Ruger's existing Single-Six and Bearcat revolvers. Its construction relies heavily on aluminum and zinc castings, along with metal injection molded components, to reduce manufacturing expense. The revolver features an unfluted cylinder and a transfer bar safety, allowing all six chambers to be loaded safely with the hammer resting on a loaded chamber.
Unlike traditional single-action revolvers, the Wrangler's hammer has only two positions: 'cocked' and 'all the way forward,' omitting the usual loading and safety positions. When the hammer is forward and the loading gate is open, the cylinder spins freely without the indexing clicks typical of other single-action designs. To remove the cylinder, the user opens the loading gate, holds down the base pin latch, and pulls out the base pin assembly.
The Wrangler is banned from sale in Minnesota due to its frame and grip materials. The A380 aluminum alloy frame has an ultimate tensile strength of 45,000 psi, and the cast zinc grip has a melting point of 787.15 °F, both of which fall below thresholds defined in Minnesota's statutes for a 'Saturday night special pistol.' Selling or manufacturing such a pistol in Minnesota is a gross misdemeanor.
Reader's Guide
The Ruger Wrangler occupies a notable position as an entry-level single-action revolver that brings the classic Ruger design to a lower price point. Its extensive use of aluminum and zinc castings, along with metal injection molded parts, allowed Sturm, Ruger & Co. to offer a revolver costing less than half the MSRP of the Single-Six and Bearcat models. The Wrangler's simple two-position hammer and free-spinning cylinder when the loading gate is open distinguish it from traditional single-action revolvers. While the instruction manual states the Wrangler can be dry fired without damage, some users have reported that dry firing can peen the cylinder bores, potentially preventing rounds from being loaded or fully seated. The revolver's legality in Minnesota is restricted because its frame and grip materials fall under the state's definition of a 'Saturday night special pistol,' making sale or manufacture a gross misdemeanor. The Super Wrangler, announced in April 2023, offers an upgraded alloy steel construction, adjustable sights, and an additional .22 WMR cylinder, but is not compatible with the standard Wrangler or Single-Six.
Did You Know?
- The Wrangler's hammer has only two positions: 'cocked' and 'all the way forward,' unlike the traditional four positions of other single-action revolvers.
- The revolver is banned from sale in Minnesota because its A380 aluminum frame and cast zinc grip violate state statutes defining a 'Saturday night special pistol.'
- The Super Wrangler, announced in April 2023, includes an additional .22 WMR cylinder that is not compatible with the standard Wrangler or Single-Six.
- Some users have reported that dry firing the Wrangler can peen the cylinder bores, despite the instruction manual stating it is safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ruger Wrangler?
It is a single-action .22 Long Rifle revolver produced by Sturm, Ruger & Co., debuting in April 2019. It holds six rounds and serves as Ruger's most budget-friendly entry into the single-action revolver market.
Why is the Ruger Wrangler priced so much lower than the Single-Six or Bearcat?
Ruger cut manufacturing costs by leaning on aluminum and zinc castings, an unfluted cylinder, and metal injection molded parts instead of pricier machined components. The finished price lands well under half the suggested retail of Ruger's other single-action .22 models.
What barrel length options does the Ruger Wrangler offer?
Buyers can pick from 3.75, 4.62, 6.50, or 7.50 inch barrels. The shortest 3.75-inch variant is also offered with a birdshead-style grip for a more compact carry profile.
What safety and sight features does the Ruger Wrangler have?
It employs Ruger's transfer bar safety, which blocks the firing pin from reaching the primer unless the trigger is actively pulled. Sights are nonadjustable—a front blade paired with an integral rear notch—set for a 15-yard zero.
What are the cylinder and barrel twist specifications?
The six-round cylinder feeds .22 LR cartridges, and the barrel features six grooves with a 1:14 inch right-hand twist. The unfluted cylinder design is a deliberate cost-saving choice that keeps the revolver accessible to new shooters.
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