Heritage Rough Rider 3.5" New Grip Frame

[Tallball]

I got this little Rough Rider mostly because I've been wanting a single action revolver in 38 special with a short barrel, 3" or 3.5".

The little 38's with the bird's head grips looked super cool, but I wasn't sure how well I could shoot with grips like that. So I bought the cheap little Rough Rider just to check out the grip style, more than anything.

The bird's head grips felt okay in my hands, until I started shooting it. After a few cylinders I was annoyed. The grip gets really small at the bottom, and apparently my hand prefers a much thicker grip in that area.

After I shot it the first time, probably not even 100 rounds, it was absolutely filthy. I obviously should have cleaned it before I took it to the range. After a thorough cleaning, the action is smoother.

I ordered the "plowhandle" grip frame from Heritage for $25, and a set of grips that also cost $25. They arrived after about a week. It took about 20 minutes to switch out the grip frame and install the grips. Oddly enough, the trigger guard is part of the grip frame.

I'll take it to the range again within the next couple of weeks. It feels much better in my hand with the plowhandle grip. I'll see if it shoots better. Previously it shot noticeably high and to the left. According the suggestion of another THR member, I checked all of the screws. Most of them were loose. Maybe with everything tightened up it will shoot closer to POA. If I like it and it groups tightly with the new grips, I can always adjust the sights very very very carefully if I need to.

BEFORE

Heritage Rough Rider 22lr

• Tallball
• Jul 17, 2021

AFTER

Heritage Rough Rider 22lr New

• Tallball
• Jul 27, 2021

 

[adcoch1]

I like it better with your new grip frame! If it works out I'm sure somebody will want the old parts to convert their revolver to the birds head grips, so put em up for sale and move on...

 

[WestKentucky]

You know you just opened up a can of worms by dancing around the fact that you have a birdshead grip frame just laying around. People will fill your inbox asking if it’s for sale.

 

[Tallball]

"You know you just opened up a can of worms by dancing around the fact that you have a birdshead grip frame just laying around. People will fill your inbox asking if it’s for sale."

My evil plan after I'm done with my grip experiments is to get my daughter to fall in love with the Rough Rider, so that when she turns 21, that will be the 22 handgun she decides to claim from me (I told her she could have the 22 and 38 of her choice).

Maybe having convertible grip frames (one of them with pretty pink grips) and a convertible 22 magnum cylinder will win her over.

I'm doubting it. She already told me straight-up that she wants my Mark II. But I will hang onto the pink grips for a while and keep hoping.

 

[ontarget]

I swapped around the grip frames on some of my various RRs. I did like the plow handle on the 3.5 inch but switched it back to the BH. I still like tha BH grip on the shorter barrel too so I will just leave it that way for now. The grandkids like it so.....