3" bbl Heritage .22WMR?

[robinkevin]

I am thinking about buying one for a self defense gun.
My reasoning: On a fixed retirement buget, now all I have to carry is a Berreta Model 21 .22LR, and a Cobra.38 Derrringer. One limited power, the other only 2 shots.
The Heritage is on sale for $200, fires 6 .22WMR , transfer bar, small size birdshead grip and 3" bbl. US made and appears well made. For the money seems to be a good deal!
Being on a budget I considered a used .38 revolver but they usually run $125-50 more than I have. There are some .32 and .38S&W revolvers out there but the cartriges have less power than the .22WMR. Yes I understand the S/A Heritage is slow to reload (hope I don't even to shoot once!) The Heritage is large enough to aim and shoot accurate enough at combat distances ( est:21 ft).
What do you guys think? Would the Heritage make a decent little revolver for the need and limits that I have? I would love to have a S&W Chief's special but dream on...
Thanks,
ZVP

Let this plowboy give you some advice. Don't ask here or anywhere else on the net for advice like this. Opinions like butt holes everyone has one and they usually all stink. One person will agree the other will disagree. Some swear by cheap firearms and others think you should eat noodles to pay for a better firearm... some just assume people are single with no family to take care of like them... enough of that soapbox rant however...

Here is my advice you. Ignore anything you read on this forums go by ballistic charts and facts, then make the choice yourself like people did before the age of internet and forums. You will find that you will be a lot better off. Remember there is always a better firearm and when you are picking of the better of the cheapest there is a ton better ones. But then someone says for $100 more you can get this, well then at that point for $100 more you can get something even better. When does one decide what is good enough. Facts are facts and no pistol is the idea weapon and the difference in defensive calibers in real world shootings are slim to none. Remember most defensive ammo we have today is far better than anything used 50 years ago yet even the ammo of years gone by got the job done. Most run after the first shot is fire anyhow regardless if it even hits it's mark. Look at the facts and go by want to do, not what some wanna be know it all tells you.

God bless and good luck to you.

 

[ZVP]

Very good advice! I may pass on this bargan because it is looking less like one...
ZVP

 

[ZVP]

Thanks!

Thanks for all the answers and opnions.
I am sure re-thinking this one!
At least I am not gun-less at the moment and maybe the Heritage won't be the ideal defender...
Thamk you all so much for helping me!
ZVP

 

[CraigC]

...not what some wanna be know it all tells you.

I guess having been there and done that makes us wannabe's. Likewise, sharing our experiences makes us know-it-alls. I reckon we all ought to just pack up, go home and take up knitting.

Only a fool refuses to learn from those who came before him.

 

[jcwit]

Let this plowboy give you some advice. Don't ask here or anywhere else on the net for advice like this. Opinions like butt holes everyone has one and they usually all stink. One person will agree the other will disagree. Some swear by cheap firearms and others think you should eat noodles to pay for a better firearm... some just assume people are single with no family to take care of like them... enough of that soapbox rant however...

Here is my advice you. Ignore anything you read on this forums go by ballistic charts and facts, then make the choice yourself like people did before the age of internet and forums. You will find that you will be a lot better off. Remember there is always a better firearm and when you are picking of the better of the cheapest there is a ton better ones. But then someone says for $100 more you can get this, well then at that point for $100 more you can get something even better. When does one decide what is good enough. Facts are facts and no pistol is the idea weapon and the difference in defensive calibers in real world shootings are slim to none. Remember most defensive ammo we have today is far better than anything used 50 years ago yet even the ammo of years gone by got the job done. Most run after the first shot is fire anyhow regardless if it even hits it's mark. Look at the facts and go by want to do, not what some wanna be know it all tells you.

God bless and good luck to you.

One of the best advice posts I've ever read, Hats off to you sir!

 

[jcwit]

I guess having been there and done that makes us wannabe's. Likewise, sharing our experiences makes us know-it-alls. I reckon we all ought to just pack up, go home and take up knitting.

Only a fool refuses to learn from those who came before him.

WOW! Just WOW!

How are we to know who the fool truly is.

 

[Texan Scott]

To the original poster:

All other arguments aside, reliable used .38 spl revolvers can usually be had for fairly little, and both used guns and cheap ammo are commonly available. They may be a bit ugly, or less than impressive, but you're not in the market for a looker, just something that goes 'bang' every time, right? As far as ammo goes, some loads are better than others, and some cost more, but all of them make .38 caliber holes. Even the previously suggested wadcutter.
The previous recomendation about trading your old guns toward a new one seems sound, if it helps get what you feel you need.
Good luck in your search, don't succumb to stress (yours or others'), stay safe and heaven bless.

 

[MrAcheson]

I own one of the revolvers the OP is asking about. Don't do it OP.

Leaving out the discussion of SA revolver and caliber, the Heritage is not a good gun. The $200 version is a zinc-alloy casting. The frame is soft and mine has been chewed up by the cylinder star. This creates cylinder shake. And I've never fired anything out of it with the .22 WMR cylinder, just the .22lr. The fixed sights on this model are tiny. They are also impossible to get on target because the front sight is too short. Also the safety is not a transfer bar, it is a manual hammer block which I would never want to operate in hurry.

You'd be better off carrying that beretta until you can save up for a quality used piece.

 

[jhco50]

In my hands, the single-action is deadly. Of course I have shot them for 40 years or so.

 

[Hondo 60]

CraigC hit the nail on the head in post #4.

While my Heritage is a fun gun, I carry either a 38 spl or 9mm for SD

 

[seeker_two]

If you don't mind throwing in the Beretta for trade, you could get a good .38SPL revolver (Charter Arms, Rossi, Armscor, used Ruger) to match your derringer. You may even find a good deal on a SA revolver (I have a .357Mag Blackhawk as one of my HD guns).....

Unless you want a good plinking gun, go larger than .22lr.....

 

[silvermane_1]

zvp, imho buy what you can afford and practice often, like the old saying goes practice makes perfect,and folks remeber a well place .22lr/wrm can still kill as well as a well placed 9mm luger, .357, .38 ect.

 

[leeroy71]

Personally, I think the double deuce mag is plenty for SD. It out penatrates the .38 spl. Although its a smaller hole. But a small hole where it matters is better than a bigger, shallower hole.

But really, who cares, I don't want shot with anything!
Shoot what you like or can afford. Shoot often enough to be proficent. And leave the debating to the Weasels in D.C.