bikerdoc
Moderator In Memoriam
I got one. It works well and newbies use it to learn basics. They have magical powers to put big smiles on peoples faces for not a lot of money.
Heritage Arms Rough Riders... Any good?
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CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Considering that I paid $200, $225 and $250 for three of my Single Sixes, I don't consider a used Ruger to be a huge upcharge. Besides, would you rather spend $250-$300 on something good that will last several lifetimes or waste $150-$200 on something crappy?
Jlr2267
Member
What's "crappy" about a $150 RR?
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Everything.
Jlr2267
Member
Price isn't crappy.
The fact that they shoot well isn't crappy
So, I would say "everything" is not crappy
DNS
Member
Bought a used one four years back and surprisingly it shoots very well. Finish is crap and obviously not all steel but neithers a lot of carry guns nowadays.
Mines 22lr, no mag cylinder. If you really want a convertible then I'd save up for a Ruger. The Ruger will last several lifetimes and its all steel to handle magnum loads.
Mines 22lr, no mag cylinder. If you really want a convertible then I'd save up for a Ruger. The Ruger will last several lifetimes and its all steel to handle magnum loads.
CajunBass
Member
Yea, I've paid that much for them a couple of years ago too. They had a couple in the case at my LGS the other night when I was in. They're tagged closer to $400.00 these days ($399.99). I might be able to talk them down to $350.00 but that's still a long way from what a RR costs.
Which would I rather have? I'd rather have the Ruger. I've got a Ruger for that matter. That's not the question. I suspect most people would RATHER have a Ruger. The question is "Is the Rough Rider a decent enough gun for the money."
I think it is. You don't. No problem.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
The price is great, what you get for it is not.
Zinc (pot metal) frame and grip frame.
"Micro-threaded", press-fit barrel held in place with adhesive.
Ugly, unnecessary safety.
Plastic ejector prone to breakage.
Gritty action.
Spray on finish.
Mediocre accuracy.
Bottom of the barrel but at least it's cheap. If you can't afford a $250-$300 used Single Six, you sure as hell can't afford to throw away $150 on a Heritage. Save your pennies, buy something good, thank me later.
BCCL
Member
Not all Rough Rider .22's have a zinc frame, they make them in steel for sales in states that have ridiculous "low melting point"/"Saturday night special" laws. Illinois has that law,and the new RR I just bought as a steel frame.
xxjumbojimboxx
Member
Craig you got a really good deal on those single sixes.. try finding a deal like that today, My RR is made of steel too btw, and honestly, it so big and heavy, i dont see it breaking under the usage of the gun... maybe if i chuck it at a boulder or something... But, Im not going to do that!.. I take very good care of all my guns, the valuable ones, and the cheap ones... Proper maintenace will provide you with a Rough Rider that could last generations as well. Look at it this way. I have an H&R pull pin revolver, that waeighs a third of what the RR weighs, and that thing has been plinking since the 60's.. literally, its all about how you care for it.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I see them go for less than $300 on Gunbroker all the time. IMHO, some folks would rather buy the Heritage that's readily available than look for a good Single Six.
The steel Heritage uses for their guns is the lowest grade used anywhere in firearm's manufacture, 12L14. There are some that don't believe it should even be used in muzzleloaders. Chosen for its ease of machining. Ruger uses the same steels they use in Blackhawks and Super Blackhawks.
If you shoot it very little, I'm sure it will last a while too. I shoot the hell out of my Single Sixes. My 50yr old Old Model has at least 30,000rds through it over the 12-13yrs I've owned it and I seriously doubt a Rough Rider will last as long.
The steel Heritage uses for their guns is the lowest grade used anywhere in firearm's manufacture, 12L14. There are some that don't believe it should even be used in muzzleloaders. Chosen for its ease of machining. Ruger uses the same steels they use in Blackhawks and Super Blackhawks.
Jlr2267
Member
It's a 22, the frame isn't gonna break...well, I've never seen one break
I've never seen or heard of a loose or missing barrel either, but maybe it's happened. Personally, I like the safety.
I would agree this might be a legitimate issue after years of service
Mine is as smooth as my SS...maybe you handled a dirty one..??
The finish is not on par with a SS, agreed.
Unless there are some objective numbers to reference, I would question any claim that the RR's inherent accuracy is less than the Ruger SS. Some folk may be more accurate with one or the other.
Some folks don't want to pay 2x for a better finish, and an unnecessary, all steel frame. Yes, the Ruger is a better built gun, no question. Is it worth 2x...I guess that depends on the buyer and his/her intended use.
I have both. I bought the RR specifically as a plinker/trail/truck/fishing gun and it serves that purpose well.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Frames don't have to break. Do a search on THR and TFL to find a thread about a pot metal Cimarron Plinkerton to see what happens.
If you're okay with a glued-in barrel, that's fine. Some folks like to actually zero their fixed sight guns and that means turning the barrel. Can't do that with a Heritage.
Doesn't take years.
Uh, or several brand new ones over the years.
Only 25yrs of reading everything I can on single actions, online and in print. I have yet to see a user post a bench rest report on a Heritage. Have only seen them in print and by online reviewers. Results not very good. While any good Single Six should shoot at least 1.5"@25yds. Have you bench tested yours, or are your feelings just hurt because I told the truth about your shooter? A Ruger won't shoot as well as a S&W or Colt on average, are my feelings hurt over that? Uh, no.
Obviously. It is up to the user, as is whether or not a steel frame is unnecessary. How many 50-60yr old Rough Riders you see around???
22-rimfire
Member
Low blow!
I'm 100% with you for the most part with the zinc framed Rough Riders (RR). I just think you're better off in the long run to just get the Ruger and be done with it. But I have said that it is better to buy a RR and shoot than postpone a purchase for a many months or years to get the Ruger.
returningfire
Member
Get a used SS for less than $300, yes they are out there. It will be worth as much or more after five years of use, but what would a five year old used RR be worth?
Jlr2267
Member
I thought we were discussing the HRR
Some folks don't need or want to...why would they pay extra for it?
Mine's lasted years...have you experience with broken ones in less than a year?
Ok, I'll take your word for it, although it contradicts my own experience
I've not, neither my SS. Maybe you should share your data if you have divined the "truth" somehow. Should be an interesting read.
How many single sixes you see for < $100
mcdonl
Member
Depends on your use... I keep mine in one of three places (The gun cabinet), a bucket with lures and baits or a tackle box...
It always works and is accurate enough for what I need, but I do not worry about beating the crap out of it...
It always works and is accurate enough for what I need, but I do not worry about beating the crap out of it...
tpelle
Member
I've looked at them in the past, and tried REALLY HARD to make myself like them, but I just couldn't! There's just something about the finish of the frame that screams "CapGun" to me.
Granted, however, that if you look at the way the one piece grip fram attaches to the main frame, they really look like a knock-off of that old Colt .22 (Can't remember what it was called...."New Frontier" or something like that?).
I wanted a .22 single-action revolver, but didn't like the Ruger due to their non-authentic loading sequence. (Yes, it's safe. I know that. But I wanted something with a little more authentic feel to it.) I also did not want any oddball safety levers, etc. I ended up buying an EAA Bounty Hunter. Here's a report I did on it, with pics, from back when I bought it:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=600240
Granted, however, that if you look at the way the one piece grip fram attaches to the main frame, they really look like a knock-off of that old Colt .22 (Can't remember what it was called...."New Frontier" or something like that?).
I wanted a .22 single-action revolver, but didn't like the Ruger due to their non-authentic loading sequence. (Yes, it's safe. I know that. But I wanted something with a little more authentic feel to it.) I also did not want any oddball safety levers, etc. I ended up buying an EAA Bounty Hunter. Here's a report I did on it, with pics, from back when I bought it:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=600240
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
If you don't think any other pot metal firearm is relevant, then stick your head back in the sand.
If some folks have no "need" or "want" to hit what they're aiming at, then I guess the Heritage is for them.
How much do you shoot it? I've never heard of anyone pu tting more than 4-5000rds through one. Most the folks who jump to defend them really don't have a clue how durable they are because they don't do enough shooting to find out. Seen enough reports about broken ones....
Handle many single actions??? I reckon if you don't know what one is supposed to feel like.....
So how can you argue with me about it???
I believe I have.
Very few. They cost more because they're worth more.
Jlr2267
Member
Its entirely irrelevant. Some steel guns break too...is that an argument for pot metal?
Every gun does not need the barrel turned. Maybe you have been extremely unlucky.
Maybe a brick/month
El Mariachi
Member
I still love mine----even two years and a thousand+ rounds later. Best $165.00 I ever spent on a hand gun.....
xxjumbojimboxx
Member
who cares? it was 150 to start with, sometimes lower then 100 bucks on the used market. 100 bucks for good fun shooting is worth it in my opinion, esspecially when im known to blow twice that in a day when i take my ak out.
xxjumbojimboxx
Member
Here's how i see it...
There are folks out there who simply cant find joy in something if its not better than at least the majority of whats out there... Either way, It's the same reason poeple knock the hi point 995. Its probably becasue they've never had one, or they shelled out 800 bucks for their beretta storm and would feel stupid admitting that a 995 gets the job done... when it certainly does.
Ive put 1 5000 round brick + of .22lr and something like 500 rds of .22 mag through my HRR, Theres no issues, The wheel hasnt flown out of the gun and stuck a fellow shooter in the head. The ejector is fine (mind you im careful to line up the cyclinder before pushing the ejector in, that may be why they are prone to breaking....misalignment that is) Either way she gets the job done. And i didn't have to pay 450 for something brand new. In fact, I personally think that same 450 would be better spent on 3 HRR's... Least that way my buddies could shoot too without making me sacrifice any of my time.
There are folks out there who simply cant find joy in something if its not better than at least the majority of whats out there... Either way, It's the same reason poeple knock the hi point 995. Its probably becasue they've never had one, or they shelled out 800 bucks for their beretta storm and would feel stupid admitting that a 995 gets the job done... when it certainly does.
Ive put 1 5000 round brick + of .22lr and something like 500 rds of .22 mag through my HRR, Theres no issues, The wheel hasnt flown out of the gun and stuck a fellow shooter in the head. The ejector is fine (mind you im careful to line up the cyclinder before pushing the ejector in, that may be why they are prone to breaking....misalignment that is) Either way she gets the job done. And i didn't have to pay 450 for something brand new. In fact, I personally think that same 450 would be better spent on 3 HRR's... Least that way my buddies could shoot too without making me sacrifice any of my time.
CajunBass
Member
You're talking about the old "Frontier Scout" 22's that Colt made. (The "New Frontier 22 had a steel frame and adjustable sights.) I'm glad someone else thinks so. I had a Scout a few years ago, that was in near NIB condition (with the box). The very first thing I thought when I saw the gun was that it looked just like a Rough Rider. The "finish" on the Colt frame (paint) was a bit nicer and the ejector rod was metal, but that's about it. I bought it to get the box, and figured the gun was free. It went on down the road when I got tired of having a bunch of guns that I never shot.
I went looking for a Rough Rider yesterday but my LGS didn't have any in stock. They didn't have much of anything in stock to tell you the truth. I'll keep looking.
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