Club Heritage 22

[whichfinger]

I ain't normally a "joiner," nor am I an instigator (unless I can get away with "let's you and him fight" ). But a potential Rough Rider owner PMed asking me to start a thread for Heritage owners and people interested in the brand, so here it is. If you own a Heritage of any caliber, please feel free to add your knowledge and experience, good or bad, to this thread. If you're considering adding one to your armory, please feel free to ask questions. If your mission in life is to bash Heritage revolvers, please feel free to go in peace and take a cold shower. The whole world knows that Ruger is the sacred god of the single-action revolver world. Please, no "save another two-hundred bucks and buy a used Ruger" posts.

I have two Rough Riders, both with the extra magnum cylinder. The first one I bought has a 6.5" barrel, adjustable sights, a satin finish, and grips refinished to resemble ivory. This one is far more accurate than I am. It's a gem, and I love shooting it.



The second one has a 5.5" barrel, fixed sights, a blued finish, and cocobolo grips. It shoots high and to the right, and there's no simple way to correct it, though I'm open to suggestions. (Hint: I already know I can take it to a gunsmith. I also know it would probably cost me more than the gun is worth. Hint two: I also know I could send it to Heritage, but they insist I do it on my nickel, which is closer to $40-$50 worth of nickels. It galls me to have to pay 1/3 the price of the gun to have the factory fix a manufacturing defect.)



I like them both, though the first one is my favorite. I know the sights are off on the second, and I can compensate to some degree, so I use it to plink cans that try to sneak into striking range. I use Number One to drop them when they think they're out of range. If no one can come up with a non-destructive "Bubba" fix, there's always my two-pound sledge. Heritage 22lr/.22mag revolvers are inexpensive, fun shooters. Anyone have one (or more) of their big-bore brothers?

 

[461]

I'd like to hear from any of the centerfire owners. I had a buddy with a .22lr/mag years ago and it was an ok shooter.

 

[ShakyJake]

Club Heritage

Hi whichfinger
I also have the shorter RR in blue with fixed sites, but have the hideous laminated woodwork. I am in the process of deciding what to do about it. As far as shooting, mine is a tad high and to the left,which is ok as my Virginian/Hammerli .357 is almost exactly the same. The RR is a very good little plinker and has been quite accurate to POA both .22lr and .22mag. And it is more like $250-300 difference between a new RR and a blued used SS Ruger around here in central Fl. recently. The RR is a good value understanding what you are getting. You may want to try different brands of ammunition, including the hyper-velocity. If it is shooting high, getting out of the barrel faster, may lower it a bit. Windage is another matter. Since it is a "five-shooter" you may try practicing some instinct shooting just below your line of sight. I have and have started to get it grouping toward the center of paper dessert plates at 15ft. FUN. Sights basically become non-issue. Other way is the way Jim Cirillo taught which was to raise the gun up so barrel was aligned with eyes. Qiuckly set gun so barrel was not visible top, right, left or down. The whole gun is basically the site. used for less than 15ft. if I remember. I am like you do not care to "play"with fixed site guns.
Anyway, also hope to hear from some more owners of an "other" American made SA revolver.
TaKe CaRe
Ted

 

[Craig_AR]

Talk about coincidental timing. I've had the wants for a .22 revolver for about 6 months, and had considered the S&W, Ruger Single Six, and Heritage RR. Had not shot any, but based on online reviews, and a rough price line of $600, $400, and $200, respectively, decided to find a Rough Rider. For a fun plinker that seemed the best fun per dollar deal.
I had located a Heritage dealer, but they only get half a dozen in stock at odd intervals, and sell out right away. Yesterday (7/5) I called to ask when the next batch was due in. None scheduled, but they did have one left from the last order. "I'll come right down."
Picked up a RR in .22 (both cylinders), blued, pearl handles, and fixed sights. Except for the handles, it looks a whole bunch like the blued gun in the first post. Right perdy.
First range session was today. I alternated shooting it and a couple of .38's. I love the way it feels in my hand. Was only working close distances (8 yards max), and am getting used to the sights.
Gonna enjoy shooting this one. Next trip out, I'll convince the wife to try it in addition to her S&W 41. She loves that one and it is hard to get her to switch. Oh, and of course, she generally out shoots me with it.

craig

 

[whichfinger]

ShakyJake,

I also have the shorter RR in blue with fixed sites, but have the hideous laminated woodwork. I am in the process of deciding what to do about it.

The grips on my Number One were camo. Krylon Ivory paint, a couple of topcoats of Krylon Gloss Clear Acrylic, preceded by some light work with fine sandpaper took care of that.

....it is a "five-shooter"....

?? It has a very effective hammer block. I've never worried about loading it full up.

Craig_VA,

Gonna enjoy shooting this one.

Yes, you are. Something I discovered early on when shooting a SA: you don't burn through ammo nearly as fast as a semiauto, and it's a whole lot easier to collect your spent brass for recycling.

 

[Craig_AR]

Sight Adjustment

whichfinger said,
"It shoots high and to the right, and there's no simple way to correct it, though I'm open to suggestions"
===================
From the Heritage FAQ:
http://www.heritagemfg.com/site/faq.cfm#q2

HOW DO I ADJUST MY FIXED SIGHT ROUGH RIDER TO SHOOT CLOSER TO MY POINT OF AIM?

* Just remember this simple formula:

o If it shoots high - you need a taller sight
o If it shoots low - you need a shorter sight. You can accomplish this by lightly filing the front of your sight to lower it.
o If it shoots to the left - you slightly bend the sight to the left
o If it shoots to the right - you slightly bend the sight to the right
=============

OK -I can understand bending the front sight. But, uh, how do you make it taller? Leave a glob of chewing gum on it?

craig

 

[whichfinger]

"...how do you make it taller? Leave a glob of chewing gum on it?"

Exactly. I have some JB Weld, but geez ...

 

[KiltedClaymore]

i love my rough rider. here is a question: if it only came with the .22lr cylander, can i order a magnum cylander for it and will it work?

 

[Apple a Day]

I've had one for about ten or eleven years- the .22 version with fixed sights. I have no idea how many thousands of rounds I've put through it. I finally wore off the notches on the hammer so it wouldn't cock any more. I sent off for a new hammer, cylinder, and cylinder hand, installed them, and she's good for tens of thousands more rounds.
Mine shot slightly to the left when I bought it. I little bend of the front sight fixed that. I've started several new shooters off on it using .22 shorts. It's got no discernable recoil, has an easy trigger, and forces them to cock the hammer each time they fire.
It's been a fun plinker and well worth the little money I put down on it.

 

[ShakyJake]

"Five-Shooter"

Hi whichfinger,
Looks like you have a winner here with Club Heritage. Got to be a lot out there for the company to remain in business so long. Thanks much for the woodwork suggestion, it will be tried when I get back from my trip. Need to explain that I have a Virginian Hammerli .357. Ironically both shoot to almost exactly same POA. Since it is SAA 4click lockwork, I KISS and only load SA's with 5, and DA's with 6. Helps my old brain with routine. The RR is the steel frame model. A little more heft. Thanks again for the suggestion and the forum.
TaKe CaRe
Ted

 

[whichfinger]

Looks like you have a winner here with Club Heritage. Got to be a lot out there for the company to remain in business so long.

Hard as it is to believe, I've never seen a bad review of a Rough Rider in print, discounting those who've never owned one. There will always be someone who bought one and had a bad experience, but there isn't a gun made that hasn't disappointed somebody.

Thanks much for the woodwork suggestion, it will be tried when I get back from my trip.

You're welcome. I've found the finish to be a bit on the soft side, so you'll need to be careful when setting it down or using it to rearrange someone's phrenological profile.

Need to explain that I have a Virginian Hammerli .357. Ironically both shoot to almost exactly same POA. Since it is SAA 4click lockwork, I KISS and only load SA's with 5, and DA's with 6. Helps my old brain with routine.

Makes perfect sense.

 

[whichfinger]

KiltedClaymore wrote:

... if it only came with the .22lr cylander, can i order a magnum cylander for it and will it work?

I see no reason why not. Mosey over to their web site and leave an email, and/or poke around for any info.

 

[whichfinger]

Craig_VA wrote:

OK -I can understand bending the front sight. But, uh, how do you make it taller? Leave a glob of chewing gum on it?

Okay, okay! I'm not a fan of brute force adjustments to precision instruments, since past experience has shown me I either make it worse or break it. But I finally screwed up the courage to bend the sight. First try worked out fine. Now all I gotta contend with is shooting high part, about two inches at 7 yards.

/eyeballing that tube of JB Weld ...

 

[Craig_AR]

Range & Sight Report

Wife and I headed to the range this morning after church. (This is or normal routine.) She stuck with her .22 semi, S&W Model 41. I alternated between that and my brand new RR .22. This was only second time at the range for the Heritage.
This time I used the bench rest to really check the (fixed) sights on the Heritage. I am most pleased to report that I had great groupings right at center. It appears my fixed sight Rough Rider had them fixed pretty well at the factory.


craig

 

[whichfinger]

This time I used the bench rest to really check the (fixed) sights on the Heritage. I am most pleased to report that I had great groupings right at center.

Dontcha wish you could do that offhand? What ammo were you shooting? Specifically, bullet weight? I've been sticking mostly with the bulk stuff - 38-40 grain, Federal, Win SuperX, Remington Golden Bullets.

 

[Craig_AR]

Ammo?

What ammo were you shooting?

Federal bulk, 550 rounds / box from WallyWorld.
I actually prefer it to the standard round Remington.

craig

 

[ShakyJake]

Where you go

Gee, I go away for a few days and I can't hardly find ya'll. Just got back from my Asthma Educators conference. My gun safe is the real wonder safe. When you lock it you wonder if the combination will work next time. It was my late brother-in-law's and was on his sail boat which he lived on. He kept it in the lower space for gun storage and ballast, without the door. Not meant for security. When he passed, did not leave the combination. Being a Foley locksmith graduate in another life, I dusted off my old book and took the door apart and eureka actually solved the combination. It is old and a bit worn, but does work (most of the time) It just takes patience. Did get it open on the third attempt. Only use this safe when going away for days at a time. Have other arrangements for daily security. Will now address the grips on the Rough Rider. Good to be back.
TaKe CaRe
Ted

 

[KiltedClaymore]

im in!

picked mine up at a gunshow NIB for $130.

 

[ShakyJake]

Grips

Finally have time to address the grips. Hope to have them done in the next week or so. Getting them on the board may be another thing. Still shooting great tho.
TaKe CaRe
Ted

 

[theNoid]

Hey I would like to thanks for all whom have participated in the club here. I would certainly like to thank whichfinger for starting it for us. Based upon your help here, my good bud Buzz has purchased and loves his RR. He ended up getting model pic'd below. So far we have gone through hundreds upon hundreds of rounds and not problem yet and don't expect to see any. So far shooting off hand (all we have done) killing beer cans and such from 10-25yrds, it doesn't miss if you do your job. It also apperas to be just as accurate with the 22mag cylinder...a bonus since he really likes the BANG of the magnums

Thanks again to all in the club here, it is much appreciated.

Noidster

 

[CapnTrainwreck]

this might be an old thread but i'll join up. i've got a 6.5" barrel .22lr/mag and a 5.5" .357 and i love them both. the .22 is dead on in lr and a little sloppy with the mag, but the .357 is an amazing machine.

 

[shaggy430]

These appear to be the "Hi-Point" of .22LR revolvers. People love them who own them and those who put them down have never shot them. I don't own a Heritage or a Hi-Point, but I am in the market for a .22 pistol. Right now I am jumping back and forth between a Ruger Single-Six and a Mark III. I would be open to a Heritage if they were decent quality.

Also, I figure that if I paid $150 new and didn't like it I could sell it for $140 quickly and not feel bad about it.

 

[scythefwd]

craig_va
To move a shot group down (the gun shoots high), either move the front sight up, or move the rear sight down. You can file the rear down and have the poi move down. I just wouldn't do it too much and you can kiss your bluing goodbye.

I have a 6 inch .22lr RR. No mag cylinder.

 

[powwowell]

Front Sight Question?

Could someone elaborate on "bending" the front sight? Do I bend it with padded pliers, padded locking pliers, padded hammer? Just how difficult is the sight to bend? How much force is required? My HRR is hitting right and high. More right than high. Thanks for looking at the post.

 

[jad0110]

For $150, I purchased my first NIB Heritage Rough Rider Combo back in '06, which was 100% reliable and 200% fun to shoot, despite being rather crudely finished as compared to the Single Six. Mine had a 6.5" barrel, and was finished in what appeared to be cheap flat black spray paint. It was also extremely accurate, much more so than my later Taurus 94. My K-22 is even better, but the Heritage was still plenty accurate. I sold both the 94 and the Heritage. I don't miss the 94, but I truly regretted selling the Heritage, I don't know what the heck I was thinking :banghead: .

But for $150, I recently got back into the Heritage club.

This particular gun is a gloss blue finish (not the flat black Krylon spray paint of my last Heritage) with a rather unusual 5 1/2" barrel. The 5 1/2" barrel models aren't even listed on Heritage Manufacturing's website, and I could find no evidence of a 5 1/2" model anywhere online except on Bud's website. This gun has fixed, open sights, which is the way I prefer my SAs - IMO, I just don't like the look of big bulky adjustable sights on the smooth classic lines of a SA.

Anyway, the new Heritage works flawless and is just as accurate as my previous gun. It points very naturally in my hands. I can readily shoot spent 9mm and 45 ACP cases on the ground from 10' or so away one handed. The trigger pull is clean, though there is a lot of overtravel. The finish is actually fairly decent for a gun at this price point. Overall, the fit and finish seem improved significantly over the gun I owned a few years ago.

This is a very fun gun that I don't mind tossing in my safe without cleaning, unlike my K-22 which I clean carefully after every outing.

The only problem I've experienced (on my first Heritage) was that the ejector rod housing screw came loose after around 500 rounds. A quick tightening fixed that. However, I eventually removed the ejector rod assembly (held in with a single screw at the muzzle end). I had put close to 900 rnds through it at that point, and gawd it was filthy in there. No big deal to remove, clean, and reinstall every 500 rounds or so.

Anyway, here are some photos of my current (2nd) Heritage: