Ruger’s Wrangler opened the door to affordable .22 single action enjoyment. While the base gun is rock solid, they do tend to be a bit “crunchy” in the action, and accuracy can be improved upon. We’ve found base guns average 2.5” to 3” at 20 to 25 yards, while our accurized guns hover in the 1.5” or a bit better, depending on the ammo used. Some might question spending money on an inexpensive gun like the Wrangler but keep in mind many spend thousands customizing Ruger equally affordable 10/22 rifles, creating sublimely accurate rifles, competition guns and beautiful custom rifles. We look at the Wrangler as simply an affordable, quality “base” gun to create on.
Our action jobs smooth up that crunchy feel, resulting in a smooth, slick feel when cocking and a more more agreeable single action let-off. Pull weight is reduced slightly, but more importantly all of the interacting parts are polished and fitted allowing the pull weight to “feel” lighter than it is. With a single action you can’t go too light in the trigger as things can get unsafe then!
Re-shaping the loading gate (and lightening the spring) to make the gate easier to open — another real struggle with stock Wranglers — is a recommended touch.
The inside of the ejector rod housing and the rod itself can be polished making ejecting empties a delight — smooth and effortless.
A fluted barrel cuts weight but we think, more importantly, simply makes it look better!
While our sample gun has interesting flats cut on the cylinder, you may like to retain the stock Wrangler unfluted cylinder. We can, however, make sure the ratchet face on the cylinder is de-burred and chambers polished.
A new barrel crown is a significant contribution to accuracy as the stock crown is often marginal at best on this price-point plinker. We can also re-cut the forcing cone and polish it, also contributing to accuracy and shootability.
The action parts are MIM stock and as such, tend to have a “wavy” look to the flats. We can flatten the sides of the hammer and trigger on our surface grinder, polishing them to an elegant 220 grit finish or even a higher polish, depending on your wishes. While seemingly minor, this touch makes a huge difference in the over-all look.
We can also remove the casting lines on the zinc alloy grip frame and aluminum frame. Alas, Ruger does allow some minor imperfections in the castings at times, and we’ve encountered pin holes in some locations. We can fill those as well.
Note the scallop on the frame’s recoil shield which we think adds an elegant touch.
While our sample gun shows a dovetailed front sight, it is a pretty big job due to the fact Ruger felt it necessary to press-fit then crimp the fixed front sight in. Milling it off leaves a complicated hole to fill, then dovetail to be cut and new sight fit. We’d be happy to do it, however we’ll need to price it accordingly. We can, however, regulate the fixed sights by “adjusting” the rear sight cut (milling it slightly to one side or the other to adjust windage) and then adding weld and/or filing the front sight as needed. It’s an effective solution if your gun doesn’t hit where the sights are regulated from the factory and allows you to keep the rugged factory sights.
Keep in mind we’re a true custom shop so if you have your own ideas, feel free to speak up. You can have a “Complete” custom job or just choose the jobs you’d like done. Many simply want the action cleaned up, along with flattening the hammer and trigger sides. It turns an already fun gun into something a real pleasure to shoot! We’d also recommend accuracy work (muzzle and forcing cone) if you’re serious about accuracy in this “ultimate” trail pistol!
Prices are as follows and serve as baselines. They may be adjusted to meet your particular ideas:
O Basic action work (polish, tune, fit and adjust as needed): $155
O De-burr cylinder ratchet and polish chambers: $55
O Accuracy work (crown muzzle to precision 11 degree cut, re-cut forcing cone and polish): $75
O Surface grind hammer and trigger sides to flatten (and final polish to 220): $75
O Remove casting lines and fill pin-holes as needed: $85
O Flute barrel (requires barrel to be removed from the frame): $145
O Recoil shield scallop: $45
O Re-contour loading gate and adjust tension spring: $55
O Flat cuts on the cylinder: $175 (take about three hours, including set-ups).
O Regulate stock fixed sights (mill rear to one side or the other to adjust windage, and weld and/or file front for elevation). Includes test-firing and ammunition: $85
Cerakote: Since the Wrangler is a a combination of alloy and steel, we recommend Cerakoting. They are fun to finish in various two-tone ideas and also look very well in a conventional looking “blue” Cerakote. Price depends on your choices. We can also complete the custom work and return the gun to you “unfinished” for your favorite Cerakote provider to complete.
Please keep in mind these prices do not include shipping to and from our shop or insurance on the gun. Turn-around times can often be surprisingly fast depending on the work you require and the state of the shop’s workload at the time. We’ll be happy to give you an idea of the timing when you contact us with your ideas.
Questions: Please call us or drop us an email.
