We don’t know how many Wrangler revolvers Ruger’s made and sold since they announced it back in 2019, but it’s probably enough to fill the holsters of everyone who’s ever acted in a cowboy movie. Ruger’s take on a .22LR version of their venerable Single Six priced at less than two bills, depending on barrel length, is exactly what a large percentage of the gun-buying public wants in a range gun. Or a kit gun. Or a varmint gun. Or . . .
You get the idea. As we said when we reviewed the Wrangler many moons ago, perhaps its most attractive feature is that it can be pretty much whatever you want it to be. With either Bisley or bird’s head grips in four different barrel lengths, there’s a Wrangler for just about anyone.
With the new Super Wrangler, Ruger has taken that versatility and dialed it up to eleven.
Ruger chose a 5.5″ barrel length for the Super Wrangler which is right there in the sweet spot between the lengths offered in the Wrangler (3.75, 4.62, 6.5 and 7.5 inches). And in addition to an adjustable rear sight, Ruger ships the Super Wrangler with a pair of steel 6-round cylinders, one chambered for .22LR (or .22 or .22 short) and a second cylinder for .22 WMR.
Ruger engraves the .22 WMR cylinder with ’22 WIN MAG’ just to keep things straight. The .22LR cylinder isn’t engraved, but you’re not likely to cram a .22 WMR round in one of the .22LR chambers.
Just like the Wrangler, the Super Wrangler is a classic single action design, the lineage of which goes all the way back to the Colt Single Action Army. Also like the Wrangler, the Super Wrangler is easier to load. You don’t have to half-cock it (in fact you can’t). Cock the hammer and open the loading gate (which disables the hammer).
The cylinder now spins freely in either direction. Load ‘er up, close the gate and you can carefully drop the hammer. Also unlike the Colt, you can safely carry the Super Wrangler with rounds in all six chambers thanks to Ruger’s transfer bar system.
Where the Wrangler has a basic rear notch sight, the Super Wrangler is equipped with an adjustable rear sight. The front sight is the same classic black ramped blade. The improved sights combined with a long sight radius mean the Super Wrangler is capable of impressive accuracy. Whether you’re aiming at a bullseye, a beer can, or a bunny, you can be deadly with it at distances out to 25 yards and well beyond as long as you do your part.
The Super Wrangler has the same sprung ejection rod as the Wrangler and the Single Six. If you haven’t shot this kind of single action revolver before, that’s the way you extract spent cases.
What’s the attraction of a single action rimfire six gun now that we’re well into the 21st century? If you’re asking that question, you obviously haven’t shot one yet.
The Super Wrangler scratches that cowboy itch that so many of us have left shamefully unscratched for most of our lives. Yes, there are unquestionably quicker, more efficient ways to send rimfire ammunition down range at paper, steel, beverage containers, or small four-legged critters. But I’m not sure anyone has invented a more satisfying way to do it.
I shot a lot of rounds with the Super Wrangler, both .22LR and .22 WMR. The standard .22s emit a gentle poof that’s barely felt. That’s the benefit of almost 2¼ pounds of weight. Swap out the cylinders and load ‘er up with .22 WMR and you feel like you’re actually shooting something with some punch.
Pulling the trigger with .22 WMR in the Super Wrangler produces noticeable, though still quite tame recoil that’s somehow more satisfying. At least to me. Tamer (and less expensive) .22LR will no doubt be the first choice of most, especially when plinking or training a new shooter. But the magnum loads were just more fun to shoot.
Like the Wrangler before it, the Super Wrangler ships with nicely checkered polymer grips that are perfectly serviceable. Then again, there are plenty of aftermarket grip options available for those who want something a little more attractive in materials ranging from laminate to rosewood to faux ivory to bone.
The Super Wrangler may be the best choice in an affordable single action revolver that just about anyone can afford, carry, and shoot. Its steel and polymer grips still keep it in a very friendly price range. Ruger offers it in three Cerakote finishes; black, silver and bronze.
If you’re hankering for blued steel and more rounds in your cylinder, Ruger has you well covered with their New Model Single Six revolvers. But you’ll drop another four or five Benjamins for those upgraded materials and finishes. Hence the seismic popularity of the Wrangler and — it seems a very safe bet — the Super Wrangler going forward.
The Ruger Super Wrangler gives you everything most people want in a fun, reliable, and historically evocative single action revolver, one that leaves you plenty of money to buy lots of ammunition to keep it well fed. It’s hard to think of a more satisfying handgun purchase at anything close to this price.
Specifications: Ruger Super Wrangler Single Action .22 Revolver
Caliber: .22LR (.22 and .22 short) and .22 WMR
Capacity: 6 rounds
Barrel Length: 5.5″
Overall Length: 11″
Weight: 37.7 oz.
MSRP: $329 (about $260 retail)
Ratings (out of five stars):
Aesthetics * * * *
Out of the box, it looks very good. The design is a timeless American classic and the Cerakote finish is nicely done. You can swap out the polymer grips (not to mention the ejector rod and sights, too) and make this a downright impressive looking revolver if you so choose.
Ergonomics * * * * *
There’s a reason the Colt SAA design is still revered today. Ruger has carried all of that forward in the Single Six and now in the Wrangler and Super Wrangler revolvers. These pistols are examples of a superior, classic design that just fits naturally in your hand and lets you shoot comfortably (particularly given the rimfire chambering) all day long.
Reliability * * * * *
It just works. Strike marks on the casings were robust and consistent. If you get a failure to fire, it won’t be the Super Wrangler’s fault.
Overall * * * * *
It’s hard to get across just how satisfying it is to shoot the Super Wrangler. The combination of the adjustable rear sight and a 5½” barrel means you won’t have any difficulty hitting what you’re aiming at. And with the option of shooting .22 WMR loads, the Ruger Super Wrangler is even more versatile and useful that its predecessor. Go out and buy one. You will never regret the purchase.