Howdy All :
I haven't commented on the Ruger Wrangler, because until about two months ago, I hadn't had
a chance to actually handle one. Then, at a Gun Show, I had the opportunity to examine three
at three different tables. One was in Bronze, the other two were the Black Version.
I have to say, I was not impressed. The fit and finish were what you would expect from of $ 200
handgun, but I was troubled by the fact that the Cylinder Frame was made from Cast Aluminum.
This is obviously less rugged than an investment cast Steel Cylinder Frame, and explains, in my
opinion, why Ruger does not chamber the Wrangler in 22 WMR. When I went home that evening,
I did some internet surfing, and found out that parts were NOT interchangeable with Single Sixes,
which troubled me even more. Why had Sturm-Ruger in effect 're-invented the wheel ' ? The
answer was obvious: To get a handgun on the market to compete with the Heritage Rough Rider.
And they have done this. However, I feel they, like the character in the second Jurassic Park Movie
put it so cogently, " Didn't make the SAME MISTAKES - they made a whole bunch of NEW ONES ! "
Now, at this time, Heritage has released a Steel Cylinder Frame model of their Rough Rider - and
it is apparently not that much more expensive to produce, as the price is right in line with the rest
of their line of Rough Riders. I feel Ruger could have done followed the same path - made the
Wrangler with a steel Cylinder Frame, Cylinders, barrel, and investment cast Hammers, Triggers,
and internal parts, all interchangeable with the Single Six. The Grip Frame and Ejecter Shroud
could have been made from the Cast Zamac, as that is a non-critical component in terms of strength.
Then, to keep the price competitive with the Rough Rider, simply do less ' fit and finish ' on the
Wrangler- bead blast and blue the steel parts, Ceracote the Grip Frames, and put less expensive
grips on them. Options like Buntline Barrels, Birdshead Grip Frames, and fancy Grips
could have been handled just like Heritage is doing with the Rough Rider - a Wrangler
owner could order custom components to make his gun his own right from the online
website,
Having a Steel Cylinder Frame would have allowed Ruger to add the 22 WMR Cylinder as a catalog
option, like the grip frames. And, by making the Wrangler ' parts interchangeable ' with the Single Six,
it would have served as a better ' entry level ' handgun for young shooters on a budget. ( At the same
gun show, I heard from two Wrangler owners who had to return their relatively new Wranglers to the
factory, to correct reliability issues. I feel this is due to the more maleable nature of Aluminum vs.
Steel in the Cylinder Frame, and the fact Ruger had to add a new part, the Pawl Guide Spring, indicates
that they are aware of this fact.)
Ruger could then have continued to produce the more expensive Single Sixes in Stainless with Target Sights, and shooters who wished to take the ' step up ' to the higher quality
gun would have been able to do so when time and finances allowed. The Wrangler
would have served as the ' Gateway Six Shooter ' to those just getting interested in
Single Action handguns.
All this is just my $ 0.02 worth.
SiGunsmith