My range test of the Super Wrangler

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contender

Ruger Guru
Joined
Sep 18, 2002
Messages
25,150
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Well, I picked up a Super Wrangler yesterday. I inspected it,,, and found it to be well put together,, and had all the normal things a new gun has. Looked good & had stains from the factory function test firing.
I didn't find any burrs, anomalies, or anything wrong with it. The loading gate is "normal" and not stiff like some have experienced.
It feels just like a Single-Six in the hand. Yes,, it looks different,, with the MIM hammer & the Burnt Bronze coloring.
The free spin pawl/cylinder was a nice feature.

So,, off to the range we went.
All shooting was done off hand, at 25 yds.
I tried (2) different brands of .22 LR ammo. Federal bulk pack cheapie stuff, and CCI Mini-Mags. I fired 18 rounds of each type before I'd check the target.
I had a nice group, about 3"-4" average with both types of ammo. Yes,, I had a few shots that I, (yes, my fault) pulled & called them.
Initial grouping was to the left,, and centered. Not bad at all.
After the .22 LR stuff, I adjusted the rear sight for the left grouping correction.
Next,, I swapped out the cylinder,, and started in with .22 Mag. I had some older (yellow boxed) Winchester 40 grn ammo. I had 14 rounds each of both FMJ & JHP. I also had a box of CCI 40 grn JHP to use. I just shot 12 rounds of that stuff.

Once I got the sights adjusted,, I enjoyed a good centered grouping of about 3" for all (3) types of ammo. So, apparently,, this Super Wrangler isn't going to be picky about ammo.

It'll be a FINE handgun for woods bumming, squirrel hunting, snake killing, or just plain range plinking.
And the price is very attractive. It should be a hit with the average Joe to enjoy a LOT.

I may try & take it out & do a head to head with an OM Super Single-Six to see how they do side by side at some point.
 
Joined
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Dallas, TX
Thanks for the review. In another thread, and I can't remember where or who. Someone asked why buy one of these, when you could get a nice used Single Six.

However I suppose the Wranglers are still cheaper than a used Single Six aren't they?

I would be interested to see what you think of them side by side with your OM Super Single Six when you get the chance.

Do you think it was more accurate with the Magnums or about the same?

Anyway, glad you like the Wrangler.
 

contender

Ruger Guru
Joined
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Lake Lure NC USA
It appeared that the .22 Mag was a little better in the accuracy dept.

As for why not buy a Single-Six,, yes,, the expense of a Single_six is higher than a Super Wrangler. But consider a new gun buyer wanting to get into SA handguns,, or a kid getting his first gun, or someone wanting a "truck gun" etc. The Super Wrangler will fit the bill easily.

I'll try to get out a Super Single-Six and go head to head with the Super Wrangler soon.
 

GasGuzzler

Hunter
Joined
Oct 22, 2012
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2,794
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DFW Area, Texas
I want one.

I may end up with a regular Wrangler though. I like the 4 5/8" barrel better (never owned one) and I don't need the WMR capability.

Just would like to have something to shoot other than this.

65OMSSa.jpg
 
Joined
Mar 24, 2002
Messages
6,243
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Oregon City, Oregon
Thanks for the review. In another thread, and I can't remember where or who. Someone asked why buy one of these, when you could get a nice used Single Six.
Ya know, the Heritage Rough Rider has become a big seller. These are sales Ruger would hope to re-capture. Ruger has produced this Wrangler revolver as direct competition to the Heritage revolver, but the Ruger is vastly superior.

And even a used Single Six will cost 2-to-3-times what this Wrangler will cost. These Wranglers are a bargain, and I've found them to shoot every bit as well as any Single Six.
 

t-reg

Single-Sixer
Joined
Jan 16, 2010
Messages
357
Location
MI
Got mine yesterday.
Initial inspection and impression is the same as OP's. Wouldn't mind seeing a little more crown on the muzzle and a radius on the end of the barrel.
Rudimentary freehand tests with LR cylinder show excellent accuracy potential.
Red dot will be mounted some night after work this week and bench testing will commence later in the week or next weekend.
 
Joined
Oct 20, 2022
Messages
714
Location
Oregon
Got mine yesterday.
Initial inspection and impression is the same as OP's. Wouldn't mind seeing a little more crown on the muzzle and a radius on the end of the barrel.
Rudimentary freehand tests with LR cylinder show excellent accuracy potential.
Red dot will be mounted some night after work this week and bench testing will commence later in the week or next weekend.
I also think the crown on the Wrangler is borderline non-existent. But, it works. If I ever end up refinishing one of my .22's, I'd like to put a nice crown on it. I love the old-school look of a deep fully rounded crown.
 

akmania

Single-Sixer
Joined
May 16, 2022
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Tn
Don't like the birds head grip it sounds like.
Well… maybe a 4 5/8" regular grip.
 

contender

Ruger Guru
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Sep 18, 2002
Messages
25,150
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Lake Lure NC USA
"GOOD LORD how big are the critters in NC"

Well, we do have black bears that weight in at 700 lbs plus sometimes. A 400+ bear isn't uncommon.

But the Super Wrangler is a fine woods bumming gun. I'd take it squirrel hunting w/o issues. Most of the snakes don't need killing, and our rattlers are protected anyway.
:D
 

contender

Ruger Guru
Joined
Sep 18, 2002
Messages
25,150
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Lake Lure NC USA
:D :D

We do have some good sized bears around here. Had a smaller one, (about 300 lbs) in the yard a few weeks back.

I'm always reminded of a time I was discussing a western elk hunt with an outfitter. He also offered "trophy bear" hunting. I asked him about what he called a "trophy." He replied; "Any bear over 250 lbs." I busted out laughing. Then I explained we don't pay one that size & smaller much attention around here. He asked where I was from, I said "WNC." All he had to say was; "Oh crap, no wonder."

But back to the Super Wrangler.

I think it's a great gun for what it's designed for. Getting back to the roots of the company, Ruger has been able to develop a firearm, using a different manufacturing process, to build a quality product, at a much lesser expense, AND sell them at a fair profit. Exactly what Bill did in the beginning with the Standard Auto.

If you enjoy a RF caliber as a woods bumming gun, or a good general purpose firearm,, the Wrangler or the Super Wrangler is a fine choice, without much expense.
 
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