By R.K. Campbell | Contributing Editor
I have been a fan of single action revolvers as long as I can remember.
I appreciate the handling and the easy balance of a single action. For a working man with real outdoors chores, the single action revolver with its heavy frame and rock solid base pin can be a rugged life long companion.
Among my favorites is the Ruger Single Six .22. It is a fine first gun for young shooters. The price, however, can be a little discouraging. A quick check in early August found an average price of $699 for the Single Six! The Wrangler was at Cheaperthandirt.com for $208.40. But while a nice plinker, the Wrangler—Ruger’s inexpensive .22—doesn’t have adjustable sights or a .22 Magnum cylinder. The Super Wrangler was found at $283.40. Let’s look at what the newest .22 single action from Ruger has to offer.
Ruger’s reputation for durability, service and versatility makes for an exceptional value in the Ruger Super Wrangler. A few years ago Ruger introduced the Wrangler single action revolver. Using nonferrous alloy—perfectly well-used to a low pressure .22 Long Rifle cartridge—and using stronger metal in certain high stress areas, the Wrangler is a trouble free revolver. There are no spare cylinder versions. The .22 Magnum is deemed too hot a cartridge for use in zinc alloy frames. A Cerakote finish provides corrosion and wear resistance.
Ruger has introduced several colors of Cerakote, a 3.75-inch barrel version, and also a birdshead grip variation. The Single Six features a well-made set of adjustable sights, and a spare cylinder for .22 Magnum use. The Wrangler’s accuracy potential cannot be realized at all distances when fixed sights are used. The Super Wrangler is a true outdoorsman’s revolver while the Wrangler is more of a plinker for recreational use. The Super Wrangler isn’t an expensive revolver but it is more like the Single Six than the Wrangler.
The Super Wrangler may use .22 Short, Long, and Long rifle loads in one cylinder, not to mention shot shells. With the Magnum cylinder the longer and more powerful Magnum may be used. Originally designed as a rifle cartridge, the .22 Magnum increases short range power but extends the rimfire revolver’s range as well. The .22 Long Rifle is affordable and offers a great deal of utility.
By offering a spare cylinder in .22 Magnum, the Super Wrangler increases the usefulness and versatility of the revolver. The new cylinders will not fit in older Wrangler revolvers. The steel frame is stronger than the alloy frame of the Wrangler. With a 5.5-inch barrel the Super Wrangler features good velocity and accuracy. The balance and heft of the revolver are more than good, it is excellent, making for a revolver perfect for practicing for cowboy action type shooting.
Dimensions and design of the .22 Magnum are so different the two cartridges demand a different cylinder. It isn’t the same relationship as a .38 Special and the longer .357 Magnum. With the Super Wrangler’s adjustable sights, this handgun may be properly sighted in for a wide variety of loads. The grip frame is nonferrous material, the ejector rod housing is aluminum, but steel is in the right parts. The trigger and hammer are MIM types. Grips are inexpensive checkered plastic grips.
The Super Wrangler features transfer bar ignition. When the hammer is at rest a bar between the hammer and firing pin prevents the hammer from moving forward to strike the firing pin. As the hammer is cocked the transfer bar moves into place and as the hammer falls the transfer bar is smacked by the hammer and fires the cartridge under the hammer. This is a safe and reliable system.
The Wrangler and Super Wrangler, as well as all modern Ruger revolvers, may be safely carried fully loaded. To load the revolver, open the loading gate and rotate the cylinder as you load one round at a time. To eject spent cartridges, the chamber is lined up with the ejector rod and the rod is pressed to eject the cartridge. The trigger action is smooth and crisp. The action is at least comparable to the Ruger Single Six on hand for comparison. I could not ask for a better trigger action as the Super Wrangler trigger broke with 3.5 pounds’ compression. I rounded up a good mix of .22 Long Rifle and .22 Magnum ammunition and gave the Super Wrangler a firing test to determine how accurate the piece actually is. Most of the accuracy testing was conducted at 50 feet, just a bit past 15 yards but more reasonable for most handguns than 25 yard testing.
Load Velocity 5 shot group
.22 Long Rifle
Remington Thunderbolt 980 fps 1.4 in.
Winchester M 22 970 fps 1.5 in.
Aquila 40 gr. 955 fps 2.0 in.
CCI Mini Mag 1001 fps 1.5 in.
.22 Magnum
CCI MaxiMag 40 grain 1290 fps 1.25 in.
CCI TNT 30 grain 1509 fps 1.5 in.
Winchester 40 gr. FMJ 1199 fps 1.4 in.
Armscor 40 gr. 1325 fps 1.6 in.
Hornady 45 gr. Critical Defense 1255 fps 1.3 in.
The Super Wrangler is easily sighted in. I sighted the Ruger for 40 grain loads, the most common load I use. While accuracy testing is good I also fired quickly at small targets at various ranges. The revolver is fast on target and handles well. I like the Super Wrangler a lot. For fun shooting it is difficult to top a single action .22 caliber revolver. For value and affordability, it is hard to beat the Super Wrangler.
