{"id":195999,"date":"2022-03-09T12:00:41","date_gmt":"2022-03-09T18:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/?p=195999"},"modified":"2026-01-06T13:47:41","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T19:47:41","slug":"heritage-rough-rider-vs-ruger-wrangler-22-single-action-rivals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/heritage-rough-rider-vs-ruger-wrangler-22-single-action-rivals\/","title":{"rendered":"Heritage Rough Rider vs. Ruger Wrangler \u2014 .22 Single Action Rivals"},"content":{"rendered":"

As I get more into revolvers, I find myself looking for smaller caliber guns that are less expensive to shoot. That desire may or may not be influenced by recent ammo prices. I like the ability to shoot .38 Special from a .357 Magnum gun, but even that stuff ain\u2019t exactly cheap these days. Since revolvers are mostly fun guns for me, I actually prefer lighter calibers. So, naturally, I\u2019ve gravitated toward the various offerings in .22. Two of the most ubiquitous and affordable .22 revolvers are the single action Ruger Wrangler and Heritage Rough Rider. In the interest of full disclosure, I own a Wrangler, but not a Rough Rider. <\/p>\n

How do they compare?<\/h2>\n

In the video linked below, Dustin from Guns of the West gives us a brief comparison of the two based on his experience with both and knowledge of single action revolvers in general. There are some real differences between the two, with some good and a couple less than ideal things with each gun. Make sure you give the video a watch. Dustin does a great job breaking it all down.<\/p>\n

\"Heritage
Dustin from Guns of the West gives us a good breakdown of how the Rough Rider and the Wrangler stack up.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Heritage
The Heritage Rough Rider (L) and Ruger Wrangler (R) are both affordable, quality plinking guns. This model of Rough Rider also comes with a .22 Magnum cylinder in addition to the standard .22 Long Rifle.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

First, let\u2019s do a quick rundown of the basic features of each gun:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
 <\/td>\nHeritage Rough Rider<\/strong><\/td>\nRuger Wrangler<\/strong><\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Price Paid by Dustin<\/strong><\/td>\n$180.00<\/td>\n$210.00<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Available Calibers<\/strong><\/td>\n.22 Long Rifle or .22 Magnum<\/td>\n.22 Long Rifle<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Barrel Length<\/strong><\/td>\nMultiple<\/td>\n4.62 Inches<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Finish<\/strong><\/td>\nBlack Standard or Simulated Case Hardened<\/td>\nCerakote<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Colors<\/strong><\/td>\nN\/A<\/td>\nMultiple<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Capacity<\/strong><\/td>\n6 or 9<\/td>\n6<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Grip Options<\/strong><\/td>\nMultiple<\/td>\nMultiple<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Both pistols are available with birdshead grips.<\/p>\n

\"Heritage
Both guns have the firing pin mounted in the frame, as opposed to the hammer. Note the transfer bar on the Ruger (bottom right).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Heritage Rough Rider<\/h2>\n

At first glance, the Rough Rider seems to offer more than the Wrangler and it\u2019s less expensive to boot. But Dustin goes a little deeper and points out some differences that may sway you one way or the other.<\/p>\n

The Rough Rider\u2019s action is \u201cpretty true\u201d to the original Colt Single Action Army revolver. It\u2019s a four-click cocking action with the firing pin embedded in the frame as opposed to the hammer. The Rough Rider does have a thumb safety on the left side of the frame that serves as a hammer block, which I know some people don\u2019t like. The trigger pulled at 2 lbs., 7.1 ounces.<\/p>\n

\"Heritage
The Rough Rider has a frame mounted thumb safety that blocks the hammer from falling on the firing pin.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Rough Rider has a half cock feature, just like the Colt, which must be engaged to free the cylinder for loading and unloading. A loading gate provides access to the chambers. The cylinder has nice positive clicks as it\u2019s turned clockwise from one chamber to the next, making it easy to line up the chambers with the loading gate.<\/p>\n

\"Heritage
True to the Colt Single Action Army, the Rough Rider has a half cock function. The Wrangler does not.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Ruger Wrangler<\/h2>\n

The Wrangler has a typical Ruger single action design. As with the Rough Rider, the firing pin is in the frame. There is no half cock feature, and the cylinder is freed by opening the loading gate with the hammer down. The cylinder turns freely in both directions with no tactile clicks, as with the Rough Rider. This makes lining up the chambers for loading or unloading a bit more challenging. Upon closing the loading gate, the cylinder is turned clockwise until it reaches the next stop.<\/p>\n

Dustin points out that his Wrangler\u2019s cylinder has developed scratches on the finish from where it turns in the frame. I\u2019ve noticed the same thing with my Wrangler. Dustin\u2019s Rough Rider does not have this problem.<\/p>\n

\"Ruger
The Wrangler’s cylinder lacks the tactile precision of the Rough Rider and develops scratches from normal use.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Wrangler does not have a manual safety like the Rough Rider. Instead, it has the typical Ruger transfer bar system, which many will prefer. The trigger pulled at 5 lbs. 0.4 ounces.<\/p>\n

Dustin says the Wrangler\u2019s cocking action feels a little \u201cclunky\u201d compared to the Rough Rider. It has a point of resistance about halfway back. \u201cNot terrible,\u201d he says, \u201cdoesn\u2019t make it hard to use or anything, but the Heritage is definitely a smoother operating action.\u201d His demonstration does appear to confirm that observation. My Wrangler feels okay to me, but I admittedly don\u2019t have a ton of experience with revolvers, and I don\u2019t have a Rough Rider for comparison.<\/p>\n

\"Rough
Dustin says the Rough Rider’s (L) action is smoother than the Wrangler’s.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fit and finish, Dustin says, \u201cis not great\u201d on either gun but is just a little better on the Ruger. The grips on the Rough Rider aren\u2019t exactly flush with the backstrap, while the Wrangler\u2019s grips are fitted better to the rest of the gun. The Rough Rider\u2019s grips are a bit wider than the Wrangler\u2019s which Dustin says he prefers. That\u2019s obviously a personal preference for each shooter.<\/p>\n

Dustin gives the nod to the Heritage for the finish. While not a fan of the simulated case hardening on the frame of his example, he says he likes the blued barrel and notes that a blued frame is available. The only blued component on the Wrangler is the cylinder. The frame and barrel are finished in Cerakote which, Dustin notes, makes it easy to clean and allows lots of color choices.<\/p>\n

Which One Shoots Better?<\/h2>\n

The sights on both guns are virtually identical, with a front blade and a groove cut into the top strap. Neither has an advantage over the other, though the machining on the Ruger looks more refined.<\/p>\n

\"Rough
The sights on both guns are virtually identical. Rough Rider on the left, Wrangler on the right.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Range accuracy in Dustin\u2019s test went to the Ruger, with a 1.5-inch group, over the Rough Rider with a 2-inch group. Dustin notes that the Ruger\u2019s barrel is also shorter, and the gun fired closer to point of aim. He cautions that he has fired better and worse groups with both guns and that the viewer should remember that both guns are low cost plinkers. Neither is intended as a precision shooter. Both are pleasant to shoot and fill that role nicely.<\/p>\n

\"
The Wrangler (target on the right) held a tighter group and fired closer to point of aim than the Rough Rider, despite its shorter barrel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So, Which Is It?<\/h2>\n

So, what is Dustin\u2019s verdict? Well, it\u2019s probably no surprise that he prefers the Heritage Rough Rider, despite saying that both guns are \u201cgood shooters.\u201d It has a better trigger, a smoother action, and is more historically correct, if that\u2019s important to you. All for a cheaper price. The Rough Rider also offers more options in terms of barrel length, caliber, capacity, and aftermarket grips. Dustin\u2019s Rough Rider also came with a .22 Magnum<\/a> cylinder in addition to the standard .22 Long Rifle<\/a> cylinder, though it isn\u2019t standard with all Rough Riders.<\/p>\n

The Ruger is available in multiple colors and it\u2019s not surprising that it features the proven Ruger revolver action. The Ruger name also likely carries some weight for some folks. I\u2019ll admit to choosing the Wrangler because it\u2019s a Ruger.<\/p>\n