Took about 10 days if I remember correctly. I have two revolvers but figured I only needed one magnum cylinder as they are interchangeable.
Heritage Rough Rider
- Thread starter Goony
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Took about 10 days if I remember correctly. I have two revolvers but figured I only needed one magnum cylinder as they are interchangeable.
One difference I noticed between my older birdshead model and the later production one I've just acquired relates to the hammer. The original style was very utilitarian, squared off with a simple grooved spur, while the current type is polished, rounded on top, and has a checkered spur. It's a nice touch that's been added to this low priced gun.
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Spent a little time today updating the older birdshead version with which I started this thread. Installed one of the attractive new style hammers. This isn't at all complicated or difficult, a drop in operation that involves removal of the grip frame (five screws + the one retaining the hammer). Also put on some faux stag grips. The hammers now come in stainless, blackened, and gold finishes, and run only $10-15 directly from Heritage.
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That's cool... I guess... if you want to spend extra time & money customizing a low-cost plinker.
To me the low cost is the most compelling reason to buy a Heritage RR in the first place, as opposed to spending a little more up front to buy something a little nicer - like a Ruger Wrangler.
By the time you add the cost and effort to install custom grips, a prettier hammer, etc. you might as well have ponied up a few more bucks to get the slightly better-quality Ruger.
I bought mine when they were on sale for $130 with a $30 rebate. The rebate was just enough to cover the cost of a $30 22WMR cylinder. So I figured I could do a lot worse than getting a fun to shoot, cheap, 2-caliber plinker for $130 total.
Spending more to customize a cheap plinker just seems like a losing proposition to me. That kinda' defeats the whole point of buying the Heritage RR in my way of thinking. I'm just enjoying mine for what it is - instead of trying to make it something it isn't and never will be.
But to each his own.
Just my 2 cents - and its worth just what it cost ya'
To me the low cost is the most compelling reason to buy a Heritage RR in the first place, as opposed to spending a little more up front to buy something a little nicer - like a Ruger Wrangler.
By the time you add the cost and effort to install custom grips, a prettier hammer, etc. you might as well have ponied up a few more bucks to get the slightly better-quality Ruger.
I bought mine when they were on sale for $130 with a $30 rebate. The rebate was just enough to cover the cost of a $30 22WMR cylinder. So I figured I could do a lot worse than getting a fun to shoot, cheap, 2-caliber plinker for $130 total.
Spending more to customize a cheap plinker just seems like a losing proposition to me. That kinda' defeats the whole point of buying the Heritage RR in my way of thinking. I'm just enjoying mine for what it is - instead of trying to make it something it isn't and never will be.
But to each his own.
Just my 2 cents - and its worth just what it cost ya'
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max503
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My only fixed sight S&W is a 36. It just needs to be Minute-of-badguy accurate.
A 22 is no fun if you can't hit a pop can at 25 yards without a bunch of mental gymnastics.
If they'd just put a driftable groove on the rear I'd have one.
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youngolddude
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I've seen them on sale for $69. I've also seem them not fire frequently. The oddball thingy on the left side spoils the looks to me.
It reminded me of the carburetor I bought with a lifetime warranty. 5 carbs later plus the cost of a mechanic to dial it in soured me on them. YMMV
It reminded me of the carburetor I bought with a lifetime warranty. 5 carbs later plus the cost of a mechanic to dial it in soured me on them. YMMV
I also have a Wrangler. It got upgraded with some nicer grips sourced directly from Ruger (pic attached below), which wasn't intended to make it the equivalent of a Single-Six. I'd remark that its accuracy and that of my Rough Riders are comparable, but the Heritage product is more fun to shoot solely on the basis that ejecting empty cases with the Wrangler is somewhat of a pain due to its non-indexing, free wheeling cylinder.
Notice I used the word "fun" above. That's what inexpensive guns like this are all about. It's not costly to personalize them to make them even a bit more "fun". With the Heritage product, there's also a plethora of modestly priced engraved cylinders available to spiff them up a little. Whether or not that's a "waste of money" depends entirely on how you view your guns, on the one hand merely as tools or something you enjoy handing and looking at as well. I suppose I'm unapologetically in the latter camp.
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GypsmJim
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As a kid back in the '50's all the boys on my street had a cap gun. Years after I grew up and moved away my Dad was cleaning out the attic and found some of my toys. He was donating them to the Salvation Army, but figured that giving them a "gun" was not politically correct. He saved it for me.
I have seen and handled Rough Riders at gun shows. I swear, my ole' Fanner Fifty has a comparable fit and finish, plus it doesn't have that thingy on the left side.
After owning a Single Six for over 50 years (my first handgun) I DID buy a Wrangler, but only because I was able to buy a matched pair. Personally, I think the free-wheeling cylinder makes it easier to load and unload.
The Wrangler is a fine revolver, and the extra cost over a RR is insignificant in my mind.
I have seen and handled Rough Riders at gun shows. I swear, my ole' Fanner Fifty has a comparable fit and finish, plus it doesn't have that thingy on the left side.
After owning a Single Six for over 50 years (my first handgun) I DID buy a Wrangler, but only because I was able to buy a matched pair. Personally, I think the free-wheeling cylinder makes it easier to load and unload.
The Wrangler is a fine revolver, and the extra cost over a RR is insignificant in my mind.
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While I like to admire the looks of nice bluing and wood as well, I lean more towards the "tools" view of guns. I admire them more as intricate machines with a fun use.
As for the HRR, even the nicest wood grips and a beautifully checkered hammer aren't going to change the fact that fit and finish of the rest of the gun is a bit, shall we say ROUGH (pun absolutely intended).
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The particular one I've shown here as accessorized is a couple decades old, and I fail to see anything deficient (or "rough") with its fit and finish (see attached closeup and judge for yourself). I'd concede that with more recent production, I've seen the main frame not so well done as the grip frame, which is curious since both are castings.That of course is the main thing that's off-putting to many, that for the sake of economy of manufacture these components are made of a zinc alloy. This is the same complaint leveled at the Colt Scout (which on that basis remains to this day prohibited in some jurisdictions). I'd maintain that other Rough Rider components like the barrel and cylinder are machined and blued on a par with the same as found on, say, a Single-Six. In any case, I don't regret the small effort and expense involved in customizing this example so as to be a bit more to my liking.
I've acknowledged that in two respects there are functional shortcomings with the Heritage product. First, the hand, while cheap and easy to replace, has proven too fragile. Second, the plastic ejector rod tab is too flimsy and also prone to breakage.
I've acknowledged that in two respects there are functional shortcomings with the Heritage product. First, the hand, while cheap and easy to replace, has proven too fragile. Second, the plastic ejector rod tab is too flimsy and also prone to breakage.
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Since this thread has lots of twists and turns.........
S&W Model 10 .357 Magnum with elk stocks by bgmntmn
Only handgun I ever scored 250 our of 250 on the Texas concealed handgun test so you just need to learn how to use it!
S&W Model 10 .357 Magnum with elk stocks by bgmntmn
Only handgun I ever scored 250 our of 250 on the Texas concealed handgun test so you just need to learn how to use it!
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That's true of all .22/.22 Mag convertibles. S&W included.
Yeah the fit and finish on that old one is definitely better than the ones they are currently producing. I didn't even realize there were any that old, I never even heard of them until a couple of years ago.
For one that looks that nice, spending a couple of bucks to spiff it up makes a little more sense.
Seems like I read somewhere that there are (or were) some made with steel frames - maybe? Though I might be thinking of some other gun...
I don't mind the idea of the safety. Especially since these are a good tool for teaching new shooters how to handle a gun. Though it does mar the SAA lines of the revolver. One thing I thought about doing was buying a spare safety lever to see if I could reshape it to more closely match the contour of the recoil shield.
IMO that would do more to improve the looks of the gun - more than grips or a new hammer. Maybe if I ever get to the point of not having enough projects to work on, I still might give that a try.
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Heritage Manufacturing commenced operations way back in 1992. In 2012 the company was acquired by Taurus. In 2018 the factory was relocated from Miami, FL to Bainbridge, GA.
The safety lever is plastic and so it ought not to be too difficult to recontour it. For those who object to the device altogether, it can be removed and replaced with an aftermarket plug (see the vendor's photo attached below).
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Probably better for display than use.
I hadn't seen one of these before, a Friends of NRA carbine: As-New Heritage Rough Rider Rancher Friends of NRA Carbine
I've never seen one with the NRA markings before either.
But FWIW, I have seen the same 22LR "carbine" on sale in ads from Bi-Mart.
I have purchased 6 Heritage firearms over the last 24 months.
Rancher 16" .22 LR/WMR Gold Edition
Rancher 16" .22 LR/WMR Adjustable Sights
RR 6.5" .22 LR/WMR 9-shot
RR 6.5" .22 LR/WMR 6-shot
RR Big Bore 5.5" .38/.357
Heritage '92 16" Carbine .38/357
Only had 2 issues, a broken mainspring in a Rancher .22, and a slightly misfitted cylinder stop in the .38/.357 RR Big Bore 5.5". I fixed both issues easily myself. I have had no misfires or issues with aim (outside of my failing vision in one eye) from any of them.
I also recently bought a Cimmaron 4.75" Pietta Pistolero Dual Cylinder in 9mm and 38/357 to match the RR Big Bore (also made by Pietta) & the Heritage '92.
The odd-man-out in the long gun photo is my 1957 Mossberg 352 .22 from childhood, fitted with a new Rancher sling, lol!
Rancher 16" .22 LR/WMR Gold Edition
Rancher 16" .22 LR/WMR Adjustable Sights
RR 6.5" .22 LR/WMR 9-shot
RR 6.5" .22 LR/WMR 6-shot
RR Big Bore 5.5" .38/.357
Heritage '92 16" Carbine .38/357
Only had 2 issues, a broken mainspring in a Rancher .22, and a slightly misfitted cylinder stop in the .38/.357 RR Big Bore 5.5". I fixed both issues easily myself. I have had no misfires or issues with aim (outside of my failing vision in one eye) from any of them.
I also recently bought a Cimmaron 4.75" Pietta Pistolero Dual Cylinder in 9mm and 38/357 to match the RR Big Bore (also made by Pietta) & the Heritage '92.
The odd-man-out in the long gun photo is my 1957 Mossberg 352 .22 from childhood, fitted with a new Rancher sling, lol!
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