Heritage Rough Rider 22LR/22Mag

[SM Bob]

I have been looking at the Heritage Rough Rider 22LR/22Mag. For those
of you that own them: How do you like them? Are they holding up OK
for you? I know they aren't a Ruger Super Single Six. I have seen no
deals what so ever lately, either locally or online for used or new Super
Single Sixes. If money were no object I wouldn't even think once about
it. I'd get the Ruger. I like the fact that these Heritages are made in the
USA. Bud's Gunshop has the blue 6.5" adjustable sight 22LR/22Mag for
$230 delivered to my FFL. What say you Heritage owners?

                              Robert

[Flash]

As I always said, they assume to be great if you want to keep a pile of papers from blowing away in the wind. This ingenious device is also commonly known as a paper weight. Save your money and buy a Ruger and be done with it.

[Tommyt]

I'm pretty sure I read here on GBO just recently a good number of posts about them
and the common complaint was not Shooting Point of aim
and they couldn't be adjusted or there is no Adjustments
Are they maybe a cut out rear site ?
But maybe now that I posted this you will be able find those posts ?
If you get one I wish you the best
I found mine (Ruger) at a Gun show for 300 with papers and box
I'm not busting I'm just saying some times you just walk right into one
Tommyt

[Alias DW]

       Buy the Ruger.

[kynardsj]

Like the others said, spend a bit more and get the Ruger.

[Swampman]

The Ruger isn't known for being accurate either.

[jack19512]

I have a single six and a rough rider.  I purchased the rough rider to pack on my atv and whatever.  My RR shoots fine elevation wise but I have the fixed sight model and had to bend the front sight blade slightly and now it shoots very good.  I think a lot of the people that post negative things about the RR have never had one.

The RR will never meet or exceed the single six in quality but you can't expect that for the price you pay for it.  It really is fine for most anything I would ask of it.  I guess it just depends on what you plan on using it for.  I've had no problems with mine.

[SM Bob]

Thanks for the replies fellas. I'm just looking for a 22LR/22Mag single action for plinking and general blasting.
I like Rugers and I own a couple of Blackhawks. (SS 357 Mag 4 5/8" and a blue 6.5" 41 Mag) I paid a
lot less each for them than I have seen Single Sixes going for right now. I probably won't even put a brick
of shells through it in a year, so I think it will be OK for what I want to do with it. I'm not expecting it to be
of the same quality as a Single Six.

                                 Robert

[Keith L]

It is your money so you need to do what you want.  You did ask a question and it was answered, so in a year or so when that gun is not making you happy please recall that you were warned.  This is another case of in life there is no free lunch.  A cheap gun is a cheap gun, not just for others, but for you as well.  Every time I have done what you are thinking about I have trouble and at some time wish I hadn't spent my money on it.  It always happens.  And by that time Single Sixes or whatever the alternative is will cost that much more.

[xd45nut]

I have had a Roughrider for about a year now and it still functions perfectly after quite a bit of use and I plan on getting another one soon. The only issue I have with mine is that at about 25 yards it shoots 2 inches to the left. So if you do decide to get one I recommend the modal with adjustable sights. Also you might consider a used Ruger BearCat.

[Scibaer]

i have a rough rider. mine has the 6 1/2 barrel, blued with cocobolo grips and iron sights.
 it shoot to point of aim and functions perfectly. i have shot everything from bc caps to hypervelocity rounds thru it with no problems what so ever.
i dont even clean it , just a wipe down every 50 rounds or so.
i dont shoot the 22 mag rounds, i dont see the need for those, but i do intend to get a 17 hmr version.
buy it, use it for its intended purpose, dont abuse it and you should be ok. dont pay more then $175 and get the adjustable sights if you can find one
there is a chance you'll get one that needs to be regulated, some shoot way left or right
my 2 cents

[Brett]

From all the post I've read from folks that actually own them I have drawn the following conclusions.

a.  Fit in finish is generally acceptable for it's price point. If you are looking for heirloom quality, look elsewhere.   

b. There is about a 50/50 chance that the gun will have perfect timing and shoot to point of aim out of the box.  I'm sure this is skewed because unhappy buyers are more likely to post complaints than satisfied customers are to post praises.  My best guess is that the chance of getting a good one is closer to 75%.

c. QC is spotty at this point.  A 25% chance of getting a dud is still too high in my opinion.   

d. I haven't drawn any conclusions regarding customer service.  Seems most folks that have trouble with them just trade them off rather than go threw the trouble and expense of sending them back to Heritage.

e. Be vary leery of used RRs for reason c above.

[walks with gun]

   Iv'e had 3 of them and haven't had any problems with them I wouldn't mind having another to keep in the truck.

[xd45nut]

Sorry but I think that is a bad comparison. The Hyundai may look and feel cheap but according to Consumer Reports most Hyundai modals it will out last most BMW’s. for the most part people who buy BMW’s will sell them off before they start having problems but the guy with the Hyundai is going to put 150K on it before he gets a new car. A better comparison would have been a Chevy Malibu and a Honda Accord. They both Roughrider and the Ruger will serve you fine for years but in the end you may get an extra few out of the Ruger.

By the way here is a used Ruger fur under $300 at Bud’s. Jump on it man!!!

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/654_774/products_id/411538973

[BUGEYE]

  It sure is easy to spend other peoples money.

[Swampman]

Did I mention that the Rugers aren't very accurate.  Their oversized bores prevents good accuracy.

[jack19512]

Did I mention that the Rugers aren't very accurate.  Their oversized bores prevents good accuracy.

That just isn't necessarily true.  Mine is very accurate and with the 22 lr cylinder.  There are two things that really bother me.

1. Is people that give their opinion on the RR and have never owned one.
2. Is people that keep saying Rugers aren't very accurate.

[rybo]

I own a RR, its got adjustable suigths, I bought it used and its as fun a little plinking gun as it gets. Shoots fine with the 22 LR, 22 mags were ammo sensitive.
If you want a plinker, it'll do just fine and won't break the bank.
I like rugers, have several, but they aren't "cadillacs" by any means.

[xd45nut]

If you want a plinker, it'll do just fine and won't break the bank.
I like rugers, have several, but they aren't "cadillacs" by any means.

+1 on that. This is the "Cadillac":
http://usfirearms.com/cat/12-22.asp

By the way have you looked at the Plinkerton by Cimarron? It should be in the same price range as the Heritage.
http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/Specialty/Plinkerton.htm#
http://www.gunblast.com/Cimarron-Plinkerton.htm

[cybin]

I have owned a Single six--and it didn't shoot worth a darn--my brother-in-law owned one for a short while and it shot poorly as well--the ruger semi auto .22's are rugers best .22 shooters IMO. The RR doesn't look all that bad IMO--actually feels pretty good too.
Years ago (1967) to be exact--I bought a real cheap --(even for the times ) .22 revolver--IEG--made in Germany--$25.00--my brother-in-law had one--couldn't hit the broad side of a barn--mine shot a clover leaf with 5 of the 6 chambers--one chamber didn't line up just right and always produced a flyier--I had finger nail polish on it and carried it under the hammer empty.
So you can get a fair gun with the RR--or you can get a lousy gun--or you may get a fantastic gun---you roll the dice--but easier to eat $160.00 (what I saw them go far at the last gun show I went to) than $300.00.

cybin

[Swampman]

Did I mention that the Rugers aren't very accurate.  Their oversized bores prevents good accuracy.

That just isn't necessarily true.  Mine is very accurate and with the 22 lr cylinder.  There are two things that really bother me.

1. Is people that give their opinion on the RR and have never owned one.
2. Is people that keep saying Rugers aren't very accurate.

I've owned at least 30 Ruger handguns and probably 1/2 Single Sixes.

[Flash]

Did I mention that the Rugers aren't very accurate.  Their oversized bores prevents good accuracy.

That just isn't necessarily true.  Mine is very accurate and with the 22 lr cylinder.  There are two things that really bother me.

1. Is people that give their opinion on the RR and have never owned one.
2. Is people that keep saying Rugers aren't very accurate.

Why would someone own one if they can afford something other than a poor quality revolver? I've held them, shot them but would NEVER own one.

[Glanceblamm]

I have to say with Win 22 Mag 40 grain...my SS was a bit more accurate than standard velocity LR obturating. (But that was with old mag cylinder and I haven't tried the new cylinder yet). But I think I got a good SS and it shoots fine capable of 1.5"-2'' group at 20 yards from rest. Heck, with CB longs it groups pretty Okay. So I'm keepin it.

..TM7

I have the Nephew's SS here at the house "the darn thing won't cock" and cured a sticky Cylinder pivot latch. It shoots like TM7's but I would raise the claim to 25yds and offhand.
Am going to hate giving it back to him.

[SM Bob]

If you want a plinker, it'll do just fine and won't break the bank.
I like rugers, have several, but they aren't "cadillacs" by any means.

+1 on that. This is the "Cadillac":
http://usfirearms.com/cat/12-22.asp

By the way have you looked at the Plinkerton by Cimarron? It should be in the same price range as the Heritage.
http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/Specialty/Plinkerton.htm#
http://www.gunblast.com/Cimarron-Plinkerton.htm

Hey XD45NUT,
Thanks for the tip on the Cimarron Plinkerton! It looks like a nice piece!

                          Robert

[mitch132]

I've had a Heritage RR .22LR/Mag for 8 or 9 years now. Back then they were $100 at the local gun store. It is the first handgun I ever owned. I've put over 2000 rounds of LR through it since then, mainly plinking at an 8" steel gong, and can do so at 25-30 yards freehand with ease. I've never shot it at paper or from a rest but it shoots well enough for a .22. The safety is butt ugly, but renders the gun truly safe. The timing is perfect and shows no turn line on the cylinder. They are not the pieces of S that others make them out to be, but they are just plinkers. They will never win a beauty contest, but they are reasonably priced and have provided me with many hours of enjoyment. They used to be priced so well that my father, who was between jobs at the time, was able to buy one for me and one for my brother to practice with. I see the price has risen some now, but they are still available at Academy for $139.99 for the .22 LR only version.

I am glad to see that at least one American firearm manufacturer is willing to make a half-decent firearm that almost anyone can afford so that people on any budget can get outdoors and shoot some. Shooting should not just be for the rich and privileged, but open for all to enjoy.

Also I assure you that the smile on my 5 year old little cousin's face after he hits the gong with my Heritage is just as big as if he had hit it with a Ruger or USFA or even a Colt!

[jack19512]

Here is a pic of a 6 shot target shot with my SS using the 22 lr cylinder from a distance of 15 yards.  Keep in mind all of the so called experts claim the SS does not shoot accurately using the 22 lr cylinder and that the SS is not a target revolver.  I had one flier but I am sure it was caused by either myself or the ammo.  Also this group was shot before cataract surgery on both eyes.

[Keith L]

My SS is ammo sensitive with the .22 mag cylinder.  It is quite accurate and consistent with 22 LR.  Mine seems to be backward of the "rule" but it works.  And I bought it used for less than $200.

[jack19512]

I've owned at least 30 Ruger handguns and probably 1/2 Single Sixes.

I can't figure out why you keep buying them if you are unhappy with the accuracy.   

[jack19512]

Why would someone own one if they can afford something other than a poor quality revolver? I've held them, shot them but would NEVER own one.

Can't speak for anyone but myself.  As stated in my previous post I bought one to pack with me on my atv.  I would much prefer to damage or lose a RR than my SS.  I have no complaints about the RR I purchased.  To each his own I guess.   

[jack19512]

with the RR and even with the safety on, I believe (but not sure)  they recommend keeping an empty under the hammer.

It's been a while since I read the owners manual but I think it states in the manual to do this.