.22 Rough Rider

[Traffer]

Another thing about the Single Six vs Rough Rider.....If both are used moderately for 30+ years I suspect the Ruger will be worth maybe $1000 in future $'s and the Rough Rider will be much closer to $100....maybe.

Well I bought a Honda instead of a Ferrari. In 30 years the Ferrari will have appreciated a lot and the Honda will be in a junk yard. Does that mean I should have bought the Ferrari? Some of us cannot spent 5 or 6 hundred dollars on a gun that we can get an equivalent for $150. Does that mean we should be berated for not spending the money we don't have? Just sayin.

 

[Traffer]

I looked up the google maps street view of the Rough Rider factory. Looked like a dumpy little warehouse in the bad part of town, these are probably made with slave labor and tears.

That being said, I still want one!! They are so inexpensive and I've got plenty of .22, with no gun at all to fire it in (that's right, I don't own a .22 gun!). I might have to pick one up soon. I'll see if I can find one at a gun show, because the shipping and FFL fees from an online purchase would add like 50% to the price LOL!

The repair facility that did my repairs said "Taurus" on it. There are two different Heritage gun companies. One is Heritage Arms the other is Heritage Manufacturing. The Rough Rider is made by Heritage Manufacturing. My guess is that it is just a Taurus aimed at the cowboy gun market.

 

[Reloadron]

There is nothing wrong with the heritage Manufacturing Rough Rider SAA guns. They came out around the mid 90s as a combo with a 22 LR and 22 Magnum cylinder. Suggested retail back then was about $100 and I thing dealer's cost was about $60. The machining was rough and the edges were sharp with a lovely crunchy trigger. Other guns were well over twice the cost so no, it was not a S&W Model 17 or K-22 and not a Ruger Single Action Six but it also did not carry the price of the other two guns. Did they shoot? Yes, they were functional. Were they accurate? You got what you paid for.

Conclusion? If you want a really nice and accurate 22 revolver that is quality this is not the gun for you. In their defense I remember the guns from the early 90s so like Taurus they have been marketing lower cost guns for a few years successfully.

Just My Take....
Ron

 

[bannockburn]

Traffer

I use small drywall anchors in all of my .22s so I can dry fire them. Work great in my semi-autos and revolvers and do a great job of preventing any firing pin damage to the breech face or cylinder.

Thought about getting a Rough Rider .22 a few years ago when they were on sale for $99 but still got plenty of mileage left with my old Single Six.

 

[fireman 9731]

Thanks for that answer. I was going to ask about that. The fact is though neither cylinder (the original or the new one they sent) has ever been dry fired. The one that came with it was not. I know that because I was the only one to have shot it. The new one from the factory came with a letter saying that they tested it with 6 shots of Winchester ammo. It also has the dents in the cylinder. And I have never fired it. (Never pulled the trigger on it) So my assessment is that the alignment is a little off. Do you think that I should send it back again?

That's hard to answer without seeing a picture of exactly what's going on. My 22lr cylinder has some light peening on it, probably from a few dry fires. It does not affect function any, as the cartridges freely enter and exit the chambers. If yours functions fine I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[AlfonsDeWolf]

@Traffer, I don't think at all that I was berating and don't think that word is fair based on what I said. But Ok, let's look at that. $5-600? I bought a perfect or near so Single six with .22 mag/.lr from a Cabelas for $340. With that available for that buying new is not necessary at all.

As far as your Ferrari/Honda correlation compared to this decision you are WAY FAR off. We're talking about $170 difference. Buying a Ferrari you will spend WAY more to have that. Check insurance rates, maintenance costs, parts/tires/gas NOT to mention the amount of money you lose on loans or if you plonk down $200k there is a cost of that money NOT being invested. A Honda is an excellent way to lower your auto bills, but a Ferrari is not the right analogy. So, I had a viewpoint, you and the o.p can take that or flush it at your will. At the least the o.p is getting ideas about his purchase and what others, the possible future buying public, think about it. I think he inquired as such.

 

[Traffer]

@Traffer, I don't think at all that I was berating and don't think that word is fair based on what I said. But Ok, let's look at that. $5-600? I bought a perfect or near so Single six with .22 mag/.lr from a Cabelas for $340. With that available for that buying new is not necessary at all.

As far as your Ferrari/Honda correlation compared to this decision you are WAY FAR off. We're talking about $170 difference. Buying a Ferrari you will spend WAY more to have that. Check insurance rates, maintenance costs, parts/tires/gas NOT to mention the amount of money you lose on loans or if you plonk down $200k there is a cost of that money NOT being invested. A Honda is an excellent way to lower your auto bills, but a Ferrari is not the right analogy. So, I had a viewpoint, you and the o.p can take that or flush it at your will. At the least the o.p is getting ideas about his purchase and what others, the possible future buying public, think about it. I think he inquired as such.

I have not seen any single six revolvers going for $340. That is a bargain. However this Rough rider is a pretty good gun for the money. Maybe not for investment. But most guns are not bought for investments. And in truth I cannot afford a Ruger single six. But I could and did afford a Rough rider. Sorry about reacting the way I did. I see so many people puff up their superior guns (that many of us cannot afford) that I reacted without seriously considering.... sorry. I still like my purchase for $129. I have never fired a revolver before (nor a semi auto for that matter) and I am very excited about shooting this thing. It is actually better than I expected. Check one out. They are not that bad. On another note, I found a real bargain a few weeks after I bought this Rough Rider. I got a Norinco 213 9mm hardly ever fired for $100 from private party. I have not fired it yet. But it also looks like something I am going to enjoy the heck out of. My guess is though that I will like the revolver better. Just like the feel of it.

 

[Traffer]

Traffer

I use small drywall anchors in all of my .22s so I can dry fire them. Work great in my semi-autos and revolvers and do a great job of preventing any firing pin damage to the breech face or cylinder.

Thought about getting a Rough Rider .22 a few years ago when they were on sale for $99 but still got plenty of mileage left with my old Single Six.

Thanks for that tip. That Ruger is a beauty. I would be willing to trade you even up for my Rough Rider.

 

[AlfonsDeWolf]

@Traffer, we're all good. We got our views out there, that's all that matters. There is another direction, buy neither or put off the decision a bit. Most of my gun buying decisions would have been different if I waited. I wish that were the case today. I learned. About these guns not being investment decisions I might disagree a bit on that. Not investment grade maybe on each of them but one should be easier to find buyers for in the far off future and I suspect that the $ valuation should be quite different also. Remember, at some point almost all guns privately owned today will be sold....someday. And this will matter....someday.

 

[Traffer]

@Traffer, we're all good. We got our views out there, that's all that matters. There is another direction, buy neither or put off the decision a bit. Most of my gun buying decisions would have been different if I waited. I wish that were the case today. I learned. About these guns not being investment decisions I might disagree a bit on that. Not investment grade maybe on each of them but one should be easier to find buyers for in the far off future and I suspect that the $ valuation should be quite different also. Remember, at some point almost all guns privately owned today will be sold....someday. And this will matter....someday.

Indeed. When buying the guns that I have bought recently, (I have not had or shot a gun in over 30 years) my first thought was in every instance, "If I find that I don't like this can I turn it around immediately and make a profit". If the answer was yes, I bought it. But still, I am on a very very tight budget. I may have to liquidate gun purchases in a hurry. I am just learning about hand guns. I "knew" about long arms 35 years ago but the knowledge of value from then is pretty useless now. Years ago a military surplus rifle was by far the best bargain in high powered rifles. Now that is not true any more. Lot's has changed and there is lots to learn or re-learn.

 

[AlfonsDeWolf]

Traffer, if money is quite tight look at immediate "needs". "Wants" can wait. If it's for home protection, deer hunting in the east, maybe camping protection, one shotgun is all you need and I think you can fill your needs with about $300. Obviously the fewer guns you have the lower your gun costs. Try to find one gun that fits multiple purposes? Just trying to help

 

[bannockburn]

Traffer

Sorry but that Single Six was a gift to me from a very good friend of mine who at the time was getting out of gun collecting. It took a bit of cleaning up (he use to take it along while running his trap lines), and finding a used but in decent shape set of factory grips. I added a .22 Magnum cylinder to it a few years back and it is my favorite .22 single action revolver.

 

[Traffer]

Traffer

Sorry but that Single Six was a gift to me from a very good friend of mine who at the time was getting out of gun collecting. It took a bit of cleaning up (he use to take it along while running his trap lines), and finding a used but in decent shape set of factory grips. I added a .22 Magnum cylinder to it a few years back and it is my favorite .22 single action revolver.

Sorry, I was joking about the trade. Your gun is to mine as a Rolls Royce is to a Ford Fusion. On another note (and I hate to belabor this point) I used that drywall anchor tip. I happened to have the right anchors. My gun has a bar safety that prevents the hammer from striking the firing pin when it is on. The manufacturer says it is ok to dry fire it with the safety on because the hammer never touches the firing pin. When I dry fired it with the anchor, I left the safety on just in case. To my surprise it dented the anchor and the cylinder WITH THE SAFETY ON. I am going to test it to make sure that the safety actually works. I had a 410 when I was a kid that had a faulty safety. I nearly shot my foot off with it. That is one scary scenario to me.

 

[javjacob]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=10199784&postcount=24

This^^^
Comparing the Ruger Single Six to the Heritage Rough Rider is like comparing a Colt to a Saturday night special. One will hold its value and the other will become almost worthless.
Quality guns although more expensive up front always end up costing less in the long run.

 

[javjacob]

Nothing wrong with cheap guns though. Just saying if you have the money always buy quality.

 

[Traffer]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=10199784&postcount=24

This^^^
Comparing the Ruger Single Six to the Heritage Rough Rider is like comparing a Colt to a Saturday night special. One will hold its value and the other will become almost worthless.
Quality guns although more expensive up front always end up costing less in the long run.

Have you owned a Colt single six? Have you owned a Rough Rider? Have you fired a Rough Rider?

 

[fireman 9731]

I might be able to shed some light on that comparison as my dad owns an Uberti Cattleman in 22lr (a copy of the colt). It lives in my safe and I have fired it some. The fit and finish and quality of materials is vastly better on the Uberti. However, the action and trigger is nearly identical to the Rough Rider, they are both good. They both shoot exactly the same.

 

[AlfonsDeWolf]

@Traffer, another thing you seem to be dismissive of is the value of a warrantee. I have no idea what Heritage's is like other than what you said:

"They first tried to talk me into thinking it was my fault (she actually said the because I used 36 grain bullets instead of 40 grain it voided the warranty. But she gave up on that when I asked her if she actually knew anything about guns. And I said "so you are not going to honor your warranty because i used Remington Golden bullets, one of the most common rounds made."

Now, if you just bought this in December I don't need to tell you this is stinky. I'd hate to think of down the road just a little. Ruger's, on the other hand, is legendary. I have never heard bad, only glorious examples. I recall how someone had an old, worn out Blackhawk, maybe from the 60's. He sent it in, they replaced everything on it. He said it was basically a brand new gun. His only cost was mailing to them. While this may be the most extreme example, many others are close. Oh, and often of warrantee stuff they send a prepaid mailer. They may be the best company in the U.S for warrantee work (not just gun co) This has huge value to the owner and future buyer.

 

[Traffer]

@Traffer, another thing you seem to be dismissive of is the value of a warrantee. I have no idea what Heritage's is like other than what you said:

"They first tried to talk me into thinking it was my fault (she actually said the because I used 36 grain bullets instead of 40 grain it voided the warranty. But she gave up on that when I asked her if she actually knew anything about guns. And I said "so you are not going to honor your warranty because i used Remington Golden bullets, one of the most common rounds made."

Now, if you just bought this in December I don't need to tell you this is stinky. I'd hate to think of down the road just a little. Ruger's, on the other hand, is legendary. I have never heard bad, only glorious examples. I recall how someone had an old, worn out Blackhawk, maybe from the 60's. He sent it in, they replaced everything on it. He said it was basically a brand new gun. His only cost was mailing to them. While this may be the most extreme example, many others are close. Oh, and often of warrantee stuff they send a prepaid mailer. They may be the best company in the U.S for warrantee work (not just gun co) This has huge value to the owner and future buyer.

You don't have to keep trying to convince me that a Rolls Royce is better than a Yugo. Or are you actually trying to berate me?

 

[AlfonsDeWolf]

@Traffer. Wow. You have convinced me....some people are a pure waste of time and effort. I apologize to the o.p trying to help someone else. I will bow out now.

 

[webrx]

wow,

in answer to the original question, I have had one many years ago, also had a single six, and currently have a pietta full size revolver with both cylinders. I personally like the Pietta better than the Ruger as it is a 10 shot revolver and is full size.

Both the Ruger and the Pietta were better guns (felt better to me) than the RR, but, they cost 4 times as much also when I bought them.

The RR shot ok, it was not a Cadillac, but it shot ok, clearance was a little big on mine so had a bit of powder blast come out of the front of the cylinder, especially when shooting magnums, keep you hands clear of this area when shooting with any revolver.

The RR shot ok and was fine for plinking or carrying as a snake shot gun. I traded it off a while back for $100 bucks worth of fly fishing stuff so for me it held its value give or take 25%.

Wood grips if it was me, but I like wood.

d

 

[SARuger]

I have a Single Six and the Rough Rider, the Heritage shoots all ammo better than the Ruger. This coming from a die hard Ruger fan......

Ruger exceeds everyone in customer service and the Ruger will always gain or hold value. But for a beat around .22LR/WMR, hard to beat!

Just watch Hickok45 shoot his, now granted, he can shoot very good but dang!

Hickok45 shooting his Rough Rider

 

[MedWheeler]

As I stated, I already have the HRR, and I am well pleased with it.

However, let's assume I don't have one yet, and I want one, or any single-action .22 revolver, and I want it now.

I can walk in pretty much anywhere and pick one up for $200 or less out the door (the $200 figure assumes both cylinders.)

A Ruger Single-Six for $340? Nope. Not gonna happen "now."

First off, it's used. That means I have to wait to come across, at the right time and in the right place, one that someone else happened to decide to get rid of (since they're so much better a gun, there are few people relative to total owner count that do.), and it has to be so priced.

Virtually everything else we buy is for "the here and now", and we don't give a hoot that it depreciates as it passes through the door of the store. It's okay, people, to buy a firearm on that premise once in a while. They don't all have to be "for the grandkids."

 

[Steve51]

I have two Rough Riders and have had them for several years. They are quality handguns for the price. The 2nd one I purchased is case hardened and it shoots to the left - I bent the front sight to compensate for that. The first one I purchased is dead on perfect.

In the picture - the bottom two on the left are Rough Rider Combos (.22lr/.22mag)

 

[Traffer]

Just to clear up the dialogue about me sending this thing back.
They did take it back and fix everything that needed fixing. I did not even need to pay any shipping. At the time I did not know if the slight peening of the cylinder was a major issue. Apparently not. The finish had "blemishes". Not horrible blemishes where there was no color on it, but areas where the blue or black was discolored and on close inspection was not perfect.
They sent it back with a new cylinder. A paper with the test data on the fix. They refinished the frame. Many, maybe most folks would not have even cared to send it back, as it worked just fine. The woman who tried to talk me into accepting responsibility for using wrong ammo was not a perfect rep but she soon gave up on that nonsense. So all in all I would give the gun and the service an A, considering the price. I would recommend it to anyone except possibly someone who had a lot of money to spend and wanted something with brand recognition and high resale value.