Heritage Rough Rider or Beretta Neos?

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doctorj77

doctorj77

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I'm looking to buy a .22 for fun.

I'm stuck in between two guns. A Heritage Rough Rider NIB for $197 or a Beretta Neos NIB for $250. I like the simplicity of a SA revolver, but like the convenience of a semi auto, + can add optics on the Beretta.

I have a Iver Sealed 8 and would like to get away from the double action.

Can anyone offer their experience with either of these models or recommend one over the other?
 
I bought a -barely used- rough rider a while back, got it for a song so I figured what the heck, why not.

Mine operates smoothly, locks up tight, and has a decent (though heavy) trigger. Accuracy with the .22 Magnums is surprisingly good, accuracy with .22LR is decent enough for plinking but my other .22lr pistols are all more consistent.

One oddity on my Rough Rider is that the front sight is off a bit to the right. I know this so I just compensate with a bit of "Kentucky windage" and all is good but it's a prime example of the quality control level of the Rough Rider pistols.

It's obvious that my Rough Rider is an inexpensive gun that was manufactured as inexpensively as possible. It's fine for what it is, but with prices creeping up past $200 I would honestly tend to steer folks towards saving a bit more $$$ and buying other firearms (read "Single-Six" or "Ruger MK III").

(EDIT: forgot to say, I have no experience with a NEO so I can't advise there).
 
A search on Heritage Rough Rider should bring up lots of comments.

I have two, one in satin finish, 6 1/2" barrel, and adjustable sights, the other in blue with a 5 1/2" barrel and fixed sights. The fixed sights are off high and right which takes some practice to compensate for, but that's the only negative comment I have about the guns. One major advantage of a SA is you don't burn through ammo quite as fast. :D The one with adjustable sights is more accurate than I am at plinking range. I love the gun, and if you're looking for a (relatively) inexpensive SA plinker, go for the adjustable sight version. And for 200 bucks the one you're looking at better have adjustable sights.

The satin model came with "camo" laminated grips, which I thought looked cheesy, so I refinished them:

Heritage65wgrips.jpg
 
I can understand your wanting something other than the Iver. Not a good example to evaluate double action 22 revolvers.

I'd choose the Beretta. Better yet, get a Ruger Mark III with bull barrel.
 
Yeah the Iver was an impulse buy, at $85 I figured why not. Its been ok, just a pain to unload since it doesn't have an ejector.

I should've mentioned my spending cap is $250. Can I get a Ruger in the price range? I always though those commanded $300+, at least for 5-6in barrel models.
 
Put me in the camp of folks who recommend saving up a little for a Ruger of either flavor.

I've been cruising GunBroker for a few months while deployed, and have bought the following (prices below sale price, averaging around $15 per for shipping since some are from the same dealer, and I'm getting a good deal on FFL transfers from a THR member, who I will be sure to reward beyond his minimal FFL fee).

Ruger Single Six, 3-screw, fixed sights, in good condition: $205
Ruger Single Six, adjustable, poor finish but mechanically sound: $160
Several Ruger MkIs for $150
Ruger MkII cosmetically poor for $105

Note that this accumulation is for teaching groups of newbies, thus the plethora of cheap-but-good rimfires.

That said, the $197 on a Heritage would better be put towards a used Ruger Single Six. The Heritage isn't necessarily a bad gun, considering that a Ruger will probably last for over a century, the extra $20 is really insignificant in the long run.
 
All reports on the Beretta I've read are that if it fits your hand it's a fine gun.

Quality on the RR is hit or miss and I don't think it's in the same league as the major manufacturers.

If you're buying just for the sake of buying there are several choices you can look at.. any of which would be a better choice than the RR IMO and all can be had for under $250..


The Beretta
Browing Buckmark Camper (I gave 239 for a new one a couple of years ago)
S&W 22A's (regularly at Gander Mountain for $229, ask them to take off the GM warranty and save another $20)
Ruger MKxx (used but can occasionally find them new under $250)
Ruger 22/45 (same as above)

ETA: Have a look at rimfirecentral.com, the best forum/resource on the net for rimfires.
 
My wife chose a Neos DLX when we went .22 shopping. Well made, accurate enough for use, and the adjustable sights are nice. Very smooth trigger and it works great with Federal bulk pack.
 
I should've mentioned my spending cap is $250. Can I get a Ruger in the price range?
Click to expand...

Sure, used. I recently picked up a scoped Mk 2 for 275, has a 60 dollar scope and 50 bucks plus worth of B Square mount on it plus some offset rings. I could sell the optics for more than 25 bucks, but I like 'em. Shop around, do the gun shows. You should be able to find a nice Ruger for that price cap, maybe even something fancy like stainless and/or a Mk2 Target or something.

Revolvers, should be able to find an older single six under that price cap.
 
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