Ruger Super Wrangler Optics Mount By Skinner Sights

Andy Larsson grew up hunting in the mountains of Montana. While spring bear hunting with him one year, I heard all the tales he experienced growing up. To be honest, I was envious of his Western experiences and lifestyle. He was exposed to so many more outdoor experiences with his hearty parents than a kid from Maryland.

His father, a minister and Christian missionary, had moved the family to Montana because of his love for the outdoors. He exposed the family to year-round camping, fishing and hunting trips, experiencing not only what Montana had to offer but also Alaska. Andy followed his father’s footsteps and served as a minister for over 30 years. All the while sharing his knowledge and outdoor experiences with his own family.

Andy’s father was also a Montana Hunter Safety instructor for 67+ years, the longest ever in the state, and Andy is as well, being an instructor with over 35 years, and his son, Danny, 20+ years. Andy’s grandson, Enoch, is a junior instructor and will surely follow the Larsson tradition of teaching hunter safety to Montana residents. Andy was also a competitive pistol shooter, narrowly missing a chance to compete on the U.S. Olympic team.

New Horizons

Opportunity came a-knocking when Andy’s high school principal, Dr. Skinner, was looking to sell his small business making aperture sights, which he called Skinner Sights.

Andy had a background running shop machines from his high school industrial arts program and even worked his way through college doing so in a gun shop near his school. With his practical hunting, shooting and machinist background, he was a perfect candidate for making aperture sights and bought the business from his mentor and principal, Dr. Skinner.

Over time, Andy expanded the product line with his deep knowledge, experience, innovation, imagination and perspiration. What was once a one-item business now offers several hundred products, ranging from peep sights, scopes, red dot sights, slings, mounts and many other gun-related items. He also incorporated a “stitch shop,” making several useful and practical items, such as pistol rugs, rifle cases and ammo pouches, to make your shooting needs easier and more convenient.

Andy’s machining knowledge has also grown, incorporating CNC machining and robotic machines such as “Bar Stock Betty” and “Rapid Rosie.” Today, his son, Danny and his grandson, Enoch, also work for the company, along with a few other dedicated employees.

Super Wrangler Optics Rail

One of Andy’s newest products to hit the market is an optics rail for the budget-friendly Ruger Super Wrangler. This product is pure genius, requiring no gunsmithing to convert an iron-sighted single-action revolver into a futuristic thumb-buster of a gun with a well-machined optics rail.

By simply removing two screws from the factory sights and replacing them with Allen head screws to secure the rail, you are set to use the added optic of your choice.

Whether you want to increase magnification for far-off targets to achieve pinpoint accuracy with a scope or fast target acquisition with a red dot sight, the option is now available to you.

Andy stated the inspiration for the rail came from an early childhood experience. Isn’t it amazing how we’re able to extract a decades-old experience and apply it to something in the far-off future? That’s the bread and butter of innovation.

“When I was 13 years old, my school bus driver (who was also a hobby gunsmith) helped me drill and tap my Ruger Blackhawk 357 for the common pistol scope of 1973, the Bushnell Phantom. It was not the best mounting system, but it worked. With it, I hunted bear, deer, and even antelope. What I learned from this and over 50 years of handgun hunting and bullseye handgun competition is represented in the mounts I build today. The Wrangler with an optic makes a great small game hunter, plinker, and informal target revolver.”

Installation

Installing the Ruger Super Wrangler Rail is not only fun but also easy. Maybe being so easy to install makes is what makes it fun, since there’s no frustration involved!

After removing the front and rear sight screws and tapping out the rear sight cross pin, you’re ready to install the rail. If you can align two holes and install an Allen screw with the provided Allen Key, you can do this. Once the rail is installed, the Super Wrangler takes on a new look and personality.

While still a single-action shooter, it looks like a futuristic blaster with the Weaver/Picatinny rail mounted to it. Versatility is a good thing, and the rail offers two options: a scope or a red dot sight. Either option will improve your shooting, especially for those with more seasoned eyes. Once the rail was installed on my gun, I went with an inexpensive BSA 2-7X32 scope.

Last year, Andy obtained Belt Mountain Base Pins and is now making them. I ordered a “Keith” #5 for my Super Wrangler, and it surely tightens the cylinder, removing any wobble while giving it a custom feel.

Shooting

Shooting was done at 25 yards using a 6×6” block of wood with a sandbag on top. Various .22 LR ammo was used, including CCI Mini-Mag and Stinger rounds, Winchester Super X, and Federal 40-grain solids. Groups were roughly half of what they usually were using iron sights.

Having the ability to mount a scope on the budget-priced Ruger Super Wrangler increases its versatility for hunting, plinking, or competition by allowing you to shoot more accurately. The rail is just one example of many products Andy has designed over the years to help make shooters’ experiences more enjoyable.

Check Them Out

If you’re a shooter looking for products to make shooting life easier, check out Skinner Sights. This family-run business produces quality goods at fair prices, and they will personally explain how to install or use any of their products, should you have any questions.

For more information, visit SkinnerSights.com.

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