Squat Squad, this one is a look back to December 22, 2021, the day Ruger announced the Wrangler Birdshead. If you’re a fan of the Ruger Wrangler, this is the kind of gun you pick up as a second choice or just another one for the collection, because these little single-action .22s are that affordable.
Ruger launched it a little earlier than I expected. I figured it would show up right before SHOT Show in January, but a distributor email caught me by surprise, so I grabbed the gun, opened the box (Pennsylvania paperwork and all) and put together this quick first look the same day.
Quick note: this is an unboxing first look, not a SlavGuns range test and evaluation. No rounds were fired in this video. The details below come from what I covered on camera and from Ruger’s own launch announcement.
TL;DR
- What it is: a more compact version of the Ruger Wrangler single-action .22 LR revolver.
- Two big changes: a Birdshead-pattern grip frame and a shorter 3.75″ cold hammer-forged barrel.
- Three Cerakote colors at launch: black, silver and burnt bronze. The one in my video is the silver.
- Same Wrangler basics: six-round .22 LR, blade front and integral notch rear sight, transfer bar and loading gate interlock.
What makes it a “Birdshead”
The main difference from a regular Wrangler is the grip. On the Birdshead, the back of the grip is more curved and doesn’t stick out at the bottom like the standard Wrangler grip, and the front strap is straighter. In the hand, it’s much more comfortable to hold. As for the name, look at the profile and you can almost picture a parrot’s head. That’s the bird.
Ruger says the black grip panels are standard and can be swapped for aftermarket Ruger Birdshead-pattern grips, so if you want to dress it up later, you can.
Shorter 3.75″ barrel
The other change is the barrel: 3.75 inches, cold hammer-forged. In the video I guessed the standard Wrangler runs a six-inch barrel. That was off. Ruger lists the standard Wrangler at 4.62 inches, so the Birdshead is a bit shorter and handier. Ruger also notes it fits Single-Six style holsters that accommodate a 3.75″ barrel, which makes finding a holster a lot easier than with some odd new model.
Finishes
At launch the Birdshead came in three Cerakote colors:
- Silver (the one I unboxed, with a black cylinder and black grips)
- Burnt bronze
- Black
Like the rest of the Wrangler line, it uses an aluminum alloy cylinder frame, which is a big part of how Ruger keeps this gun so affordable.
Who it’s for
The whole point of the Wrangler is cheap fun. A single-action .22 LR is a safe, simple way to get a new shooter started, introduce friends or family to the sport, or just remind yourself that range time doesn’t have to be serious. The Birdshead takes that same recipe and makes it more compact and more comfortable in the hand.
What came next
I promised a detailed video once I had more time with this gun, and that full Birdshead review is up on the channel now. If you want to see the original Wrangler or the bigger Super Wrangler, I’ve got you covered on the site too:
- Ruger Wrangler .22 LR Single Action Revolver: where the Wrangler story started for me
- Ruger Super Wrangler Review: .22 LR + .22 WMR Done Right: the steel-frame, two-cylinder big brother
Ruger’s launch announcement is here: Ruger Announces New Birdshead-Style Wrangler Revolvers.
My take
The Wrangler was already one of the best values in rimfire, and the Birdshead is the version I’d hand to someone who wants something smaller and more comfortable to hold. The grip is the real upgrade here, and the shorter barrel makes it feel like a proper little trail and plinking gun. Just remember this was an out-of-the-box first look from launch day, so check Ruger for current models and availability before you buy.
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Birdshead or standard grip on a single-action .22? Let me know in the comments. Thanks for reading, and keep on squatting!
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