ruger wrangler gunsmith question

[Grizz]

I got to looking at the Ruger Wrangler, with a new cylinder it could shoot 22 mag. there is enough room at the front of the cylinder to fit a cylinder that would fit the 22 wmr. 22 wmr snake shot would cycle ok if the 22 lr cylinder were bored for them.

Ruger Wrangler_128-000.jpeg

The super-wrangler has a 22 mag cylinder, could it be modified fit wrangler? Does anybody do this? Or is there some reason that the wrangler can't ever shoot WMR?

tia,
grizz

[GunnyMack]

Seems like a valid question to me Grizz! Might be worth a call to Ruger and find out if there is an issue with a convertible LR/Mag Wrangler.
I still want a Bearcat though.

[33wcfshooter]

You can check with Ruger to be sure but I think the standard wrangler has a different frame alloy (zink i think) and i heard a few years ago nothing hotter than 22 lr. was recommended due to cracking. The super wrangler has a steel frame (basically a single six just with a cheaper finish to keep price down) so that's why it has a 22 mag. option.
Hope this helps.

[Grizz]

Thanks Guys. I want a Bearcat too! I prefer the Wrangler that self-identifies as a Vaquero vs the single-six frame . . . LOL ..

Some gunsmiths make cylinders from scratch, but I suppose that would cost more than the Bearcat. Wait, does Bearcat shoot wmr? Wait, how about a 22 wmr kit for the Vaquero? A barrel and a cylinder.

I might be pushing the cost of a new Land Cruiser, idk . . .

;) grizz

[GunnyMack]

Gary Reeder has done a WMR Bearcat. However it's stainless with Blu/black laminate grips and what was described in the article I read as engraving... More like poorly executed acid etchings . Heck one of the animals I can't even identify, might be a groundhog? On the barrel I'd Gary Reeder Perfect Packing Pistol- yuck!
The stainless I like. Could live with the grips but that gawd awful chicken scratch is a deal breaker.

[Grizz]

Gary Reeder has done a WMR Bearcat. However it's stainless with Blu/black laminate grips and what was described in the article I read as engraving... More like poorly executed acid etchings . Heck one of the animals I can't even identify, might be a groundhog? On the barrel I'd Gary Reeder Perfect Packing Pistol- yuck!
The stainless I like. Could live with the grips but that gawd awful chicken scratch is a deal breaker.

Thanks for that info. I'm not a fan of engraved guns for field use. Or anything else either. But I get why there's a market for them. If I had an engraved gun I would feel obligated to install a nitrogen filled display case with special lighting and climate controls. As it is, my guns contact enough "engravers" over their lifetime, and I know their stories ! ! !

[Grizz]

Besides, I have Mom's High Standard wmr 2-shooter . . . should be fun to chrono that against the wrangler. Might not be much difference if the velocities are about the same .. .

:) grizz

[JimT]

Bobby Tyler at Tyler Gun works has a .22 Magnum Bearcat option. John Taffin wrote about it.
https://gunsmagazine.com/our-experts/ty ... earcat/ppl

[Grizz]

Bobby Tyler at Tyler Gun works has a .22 Magnum Bearcat option. John Taffin wrote about it.
https://gunsmagazine.com/our-experts/ty ... earcat/ppl

Thanks Jim

fixed the link i think --> https://gunsmagazine.com/our-experts/ty ... r-bearcat/

great guns

[JimT]

Thank you!

[Scott Tschirhart]

Johnn Linebaugh rechambered a Bearcat cylinder for me to .22 WMR so it’s not an uncommon procedure.

He didn’t think the Magnum put any more stress on a revolver than the .22lr

[GunnyMack]

Is this ugly or what!?

20240808_174410.jpg

20240808_174338.jpg

[Grizz]

Is this ugly or what!?20240808_174410.jpg20240808_174338.jpg

Yes

[Walt]

I think everything he turns out is needlessly gaudy and has his name plastered all over it. Although the quality of his shop's work is probably fine, I wouldn't own one of his guns.

[GunnyMack]

This is the only one of his guns I've seen, I'm not impressed. I'm sure the quality of the work is very good but how about just an inconspicuous stamp that doesn't cover the gun in pure fugliness.

[samsi]

You can check with Ruger to be sure but I think the standard wrangler has a different frame alloy (zink i think) and i heard a few years ago nothing hotter than 22 lr. was recommended due to cracking. The super wrangler has a steel frame (basically a single six just with a cheaper finish to keep price down) so that's why it has a 22 mag. option.
Hope this helps.

The standard Wrangler frame is aluminum, only the grip frame is Zamac/Zinc alloy. Ruger supposedly made some changes to prevent a Single Six 22 WMR cylinder from fitting the aluminum Wrangler, but that may be internet lore for all I know.

To my knowledge, all of those 22 mag Bearcat conversions are on steel frame Bearcats, not the old alloy ones.