Ruger’s new Wrangler builds on the legacy of the Single-Six. But with Cerakote.
Many American kids had fun playing with cowboy-style toy guns, and for many of those kids, the Ruger Single-Six was the first handgun they ever used and it was a dream come true. Ruger has now built on the legacy of the Single-Six to introduce the Wrangler, a modern single action revolver with timeless appeal.
The Wrangler sports a machined aluminum frame and steel cylinder and barrel.
The Single-Six was introduced in 1953, and it utilized the latest technology to reduce production costs and increase reliability. The new Wrangler does the same, sporting CNC machining and aluminum alloys. It’s still a single action revolver. You still load and the cylinder one round at a time. You still empty the cylinder using the plunger under the barrel, one round at a time. You still have a stupid grin on your face the whole time.
Wrangler comes in black, silver, or burnt bronze Cerakote on the aluminum frame, and the bronze is growing on me. The grips are interchangeable with Single-Six grips.
But now it’s got an aluminum frame that comes in three Cerakote colors with synthetic grips. You can, however, use the classic Single-Six grips on the Wrangler so there are loads of custom grips already out there. You can also use any holsters made for the 4 5/8″ barrels.
The Single-Six and now the Wrangler are very much small bore copies of the classic Colt single action revolvers.
Initially, the Wrangler is only offered in .22 long rifle. It’s got fixed sights and a transfer bar to safely block the hammer from the loads (incidentally, if you have a pre-1973 Single-Six without a transfer bar, the rumor is that Ruger will upgrade it to have the transfer bar free of charge).
The Wrangler is a great introductory wheel gun for kids and newcomers to the shooting sports, and with a low, low price, $249 MSRP, there’s a good chance it will become the next generation’s first handgun.
For more information visit Ruger.com.
The 4.62″ barrel also fits any holsters made for the 4 5/8″ Single-Six. Yup, Bronze is the way to go.
Specs
- Barrel: cold hammer forged steel
- Barrel length: 4.62″
- Overall length: 10.25″
- Weight: 30 oz.
- Barrel twist: 1:14″ RH
- Grooves: 6
- Cylinder frame: aluminum alloy
- Cylinder frame finish: Cerakote black, silver, or burnt bronze
- Capacity: 6
- Grips: checkered synthetic, compatible with Single-Six grips
What’s old is new again ! Back in the fifties, Ruger made a light weight version of their single six in 22 LR. Four different versions. Did not sell well, only around 10,000 made………….VERY collectable.
Looks like another interesting Ruger product! I have to wonder, though, about the strength of the aluminum frame. I had a Colt Frontier Scout that was the sweetest shootin’ six-gun you could imagine. Glass smooth action, pinpoint accuracy and the nickel finish was real sweet. I was a 16 or 17-year old at the time, and wanted to learn ‘fast draw’, so bought a holster/belt rig and practiced every chance I got. A while later, I was cleaning it and saw two hairline cracks down the frame where the hammer strikes. Contacted Colt and sent it to them for repair. A few months(!) later, I received a voucher for the cost of the Scout from the distributor. I was so disappointed to lose that Scout. A few months later, they introduced the steel-frame New Frontier revolvers. Of course, by then I’d bought a different pistol to replace it (which turned out to be a piece of junk).
Does anyone out there have any idea whether this frame might be strong enough to do lots of fast draw practice? Maybe my grandson would be interested in following in my footsteps…?
Stay safe, folks!!
I am the proud owner of 12 Ruger firearms. I ordered mine today. What is one more Ruger. I am 77 now, boy will my kids be happy when I pass away!
So, I\’m guessing this is just their attempt to cash in on the market of the wood handle blued barrel Heritage Rough Rider (which does come with interchangeable 22 mag cylinder… but as far as I know doesn\’t come with cerakote… I agree if it was a 9 or 10 shot cylinder that might make me get one, but for now I\’ll stick with the around $100 heritage rough rider…
So, I’m guessing this is just their attempt to cash in on the market of the wood handle blued barrel Heritage Rough Rider (which does come with interchangeable 22 mag cylinder… but as far as I know doesn’t come with cerakote… I agree if it was a 9 or 10 shot cylinder that might make me get one, but for now I’ll stick with the around $100 heritage rough rider…
Looks a lot like my Colt Frontier Scout .22LR that I bought back in 1964.
I won’t be buying one. It’s cheap enough for a plinker, but why 6 rds? Had the made it a single 10, maybe.
when are they going to be available?
Cool looking gun want one in 357.
Well, I think my children’s inheritance just got lowered by $249. On the bright side, their collection of firearms is growing. I’m glad they’re gun afficionados like their old man…
A side by side comparison with an original Colt Peacemaker would be good. Showing the cosmetic and mechanical differences. From the pics I really want one but would like to handle it first.
Bring on the .22 Magnum. Hurry before I give in and buy the Long rifle version.
I want BOTH!!! Gotta have one for each hand!