Back to considering a cheap Heritage revolver.

[mgkdrgn]

Sorry that I wasn't more clear about the title. I wasn't worried much about the price, but was only considering it because of the birds head, . . . and the "cheap" was in reference to [yes] price, but also materials used in the Heritage, . . . but not to say it wasn't good for its price.

But after due consideration, and because it is the case that the blue of a Ruger would look much better, I went with the Ruger Single Ten. Price is a bit higher than I would care to go with a .22lr shooter, but it should last for years to come and if I take care of it, may be worth as much or more in the future. So, I am getting:

Buy quality

take care of it

enjoy it for years

you'll never go wrong

 

[Saddlebag Preacher]

I bought a Heritage 22/22 mag 6.5 inch to use as a beginner fun gun with my 11 year old nephew. He can shoot rifles and shotguns pretty well but I wanted to teach him a little handgun safety. I didn't want to spend the money on a ruger or more expensive gun because I normally shoot and carry .45's.

I've had to adjust the front sight to shoot POA as it was shooting to the left. (Slightly bent the sight till it corrected the POA).

Just for the heck of it, I loaded it with the 22 mag cylinder and put five rounds in it and put it on top of the shelf by the front door as I've been having problems with some possums in the garbage cans at night. (Live in the country) I didn't want to use expensive .45's or a shotgun on a possum if I caught one.

Well, there was a noise the other night on the front porch, so I grabbed the Heritage thinking it was a possum. This time it was a Large racoon and it went after me...I was able to get a couple of shots into it before I was bit.

We think it was rabid and is being looked at. So I say, cheap or not, the Heritage was the one I had at the time and it did it's job.

 

[Coal Dragger]

Just for clarification you didn't get bit did you?

 

[Orion8472]

Yeah, it could be taking both ways. Were you bit?

Again, I'm quite sure the Heritage would work and I MAY end up with one in the future. I just sent off the check to the FFL where I "won" the auction. It was a "Buy It Now" thing.

 

[JaxJim]

I've never regretted purchasing a quality item (firearms, tools etc.). I have however, been quite disappointed when I've bought a lower quality item to save a buck or two.

As many have said above: cheap can end up costing more in the long run.

 

[jcwit]

cheap can end up costing more in the long run.

And there times and circumstances when inexpensive relates to value far above what the cheap price was.

Do all rimfire shooters purchase Lupua or Eley ammo? Do all reloaders only purchase Lupua cases only or only reload with Vihtavuori powder.

Most all products out there that have been available for sale for years and years do have their place in the market. Those that do not go the way of the Yugo, which by the way was nothing more than a rebadged Fiat.

 

[Coal Dragger]

I have used a lot of Lapua and Eley .22LR ammo for shooting matches. There is no substitute for good ammo.

I also don't shoot bulk pack .22LR ammo at all, since it seems to misfire too regularly. In fact if a person get's misfires 10-20% of the time, like with say Remington .22LR ammo the true cost per round that works is not too far off of better quality ammo that actually works consistently.

 

[scottgv]

Rugers

Just a perspective item: doesn't any other old geezer remember when Rugers came out as 'cheap revolvers' weren't they reviled as not Smiths or Colts??
I have the exact pictured Heritage, but in 32 magnum, valued both because it was a present from my wife, and because it carries well, always works and if I do my job it hits what I shoot at.

 

[jcwit]

I have used a lot of Lapua and Eley .22LR ammo for shooting matches. There is no substitute for good ammo.

I also don't shoot bulk pack .22LR ammo at all, since it seems to misfire too regularly. In fact if a person get's misfires 10-20% of the time, like with say Remington .22LR ammo the true cost per round that works is not too far off of better quality ammo that actually works consistently.

I currently spend $155.00 per brick of 500 rounds of Lupus Midas ammo that I shoot in my bench rest rifles.

However I've also just finished the 3rd bulk box of Winchester 555 with out a misfire, these bulk boxes of Winchester cost $22.00 a box. Granted they were not as accurate at the Midas, but for shooting clay pigeons on the bank at 70 yds offhand they do just fine. The same can also be said for the 525 round boxes of Blazer .22 rimfire that I have shot for the last 10 years on an off, misfires during this time? "0" as in none.

So the quote

In fact if a person get's misfires 10-20% of the time, like with say Remington .22LR ammo the true cost per round that works is not too far off of better quality ammo that actually works consistently

Does not necessary hold water as the assumption of a 10 to 20 % fail rate is false.

Granted the following is some of the worse ammo available only surpassed by some imported Russian ammo.

http://www.cabelas.com/remington-22lr-525-round-pack.shtml

Mayhap we need to have imported some quality cheap chinese rimfire ammo.

 

[C5rider]

Can't fault a fella's decision to go with either one. Here's some non-scientific studies that I've done in the past.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=640428

 

[joeq]

I have a Rough Rider and don't particularly like it. I had the cylinder lock up about a month after owning it. They did fix the problem and shipped it back pretty quickly. Fit and finish is exactly what you would expect for a cheap revolver, not all that good. One of my biggest dislikes is the ugly safety they put on the revolver. There is no need to have a safety on this gun. I bought this one dirt cheap and don't use it very much so it's not a bid deal to me.

 

[andrewstorm]

Ruger bettre by far

Period. remingtons golden bullets are 3% duds,try federal,or winchester for less duds.or use cci for best results.

 

[Coal Dragger]

Jcwit,

I picked up a bulk pack of Remington. 22LR a few months ago, and the failure rate was right at 20% on ignition. Tried putting it through a Cooper M57, a Kimber M82, a Benelli MP95, a Ruger MKII, a Ruger 10/22, and some low end S&W auto. Same results in all guns.

Now if I can get bulk ammo through the CMP that stuff is great. Barring that I shoot a lot of CCI standard velocity. Price is reasonable, and it shoots almost as well as CCI Green Tag.

 

[Saddlebag Preacher]

No, no bite, but I did jump up on the bench.... Letting the vet look at the carcass, but they don't thnink he was rabid now......just loco...

And maybe at midnight, someone may have heard a 54 year old man "Scream like a girl"..LOL

 

[CraigC]

In fact if a person get's misfires 10-20% of the time, like with say Remington .22LR ammo the true cost per round that works is not too far off of better quality ammo that actually works consistently.

I burn A LOT of Remington GB's (2000-3000rds a month) through any of about two dozen rimfires and have NEVER had a 10-20% failure rate. Or even anywhere close. In fact, of the last several thousand rounds I've been through, I can't remember a single dud. Bought by the case, I can get Federal for about $2 less per 550rd box but prefer Remington.

 

[jcwit]

I picked up a bulk pack of Remington. 22LR a few months ago, and the failure rate was right at 20% on ignition. Tried putting it through a Cooper M57, a Kimber M82, a Benelli MP95, a Ruger MKII, a Ruger 10/22, and some low end S&W auto. Same results in all guns.

Did you click on the link I furnished in post 59 regarding remington?

Now if I can get bulk ammo through the CMP that stuff is great.

The CMP does not sell bulk ammo in .22 rimfire, however they do have a good price ($25.50 & $32.99 a brick of 500 rds) on Aguila LR if that meets your needs. Usually I use Palmetto when they have a free shipping spec. Recently had Blazer bulk for $15.99 a box of 525 w/free shipping.

I personnally have no experience with Remington GB's, weak springs?

 

[Orion8472]

I have the Federal bulk box [550] and at just over half way through the box, haven't had a single misfire. It has done so well that I bought 4 more boxes.

Now, at the last gun show, I DID pick up a 500 round box of Wolf Match Extra that I plan on running in my Uber 10/22 [see upcoming pics in the rifle section].

Once again [on this topic], I am quite happy with the decision I made, . . .BUT I do not want it to sound "elitist" against those who own and enjoy the Heritage revolvers. I may end up with one at some point down the road, . . . particularly if I can find another one like I posted earlier in this thread.

 

[Coal Dragger]

Jcwit,

I guess CMP muat have stopped selling it then. When I shot for Missouri State University we bought the stuff by the case from the CMP. Federal made it if memory serves.

 

[Orion8472]

Got the Single Ten in. Defective. . . . . . . even before shooting it.

Was doing the "wobble test" on each 10 hammer pulls. One was really tight. Next hammer pull wouldn't lock back. 9 normal hammer pulls, 10th doesn't lock back. Consistently.

I'm pretty disappointed . . . getting a gun and discovering that it has to go back to Ruger even before shooting it. I got it because people were telling me the Ruger was better quality than the Heritage. Perhaps, generally that is true. But my dad's Heritage has worked flawlessly.

Goes to show you that JUST because something is a "better maker", doesn't mean you'll have "smooth sailing".

 

[CraigC]

Wobble test???

 

[Orion8472]

cylinder wobble to make sure there isn't too much movement.

 

[CraigC]

How much movement is there? It shouldn't be bank vault tight. There needs to be at least a little slack on any revolver that is not linebored.

 

[Orion8472]

9 out of 10 had typical wobble. The 10th had absolutely NO movement. The next pull back of the hammer was when the hammer would not lock back.

 

[Coal Dragger]

Orion8472,

Before you get too wound up about the gun being defective, take the cylinder out, clean everything, lube it, and then try again. Better yet after clean and lube, just go out and shoot it. If you still have an issue after that, then off to Ruger it should go.

 

[pharmer]

Heritage is OK like so many other brands. The YUGO was OK if you needed a cheap car right now. But the pride of ownership just ain't there. Joe