My Experience with my Heritage Rough Rider

[Scout21]

I originally posted this in another thread, but felt compelled to copy it over to a separate thread so as to prevent topic drift.

I got a 4.75 inch Rough Rider a while back and it's the biggest piece of garbage I've ever had the displeasure of handling. It spits lead like crazy and randomly locks up on me, requiring me to remove the cylinder to resolve the issue. Not to mention all of the screws tend to back out and require retightening. I've even lost a screw before I found out that they had to constantly be checked on. Loctite is an absolute must.

But worst of all is that it can't even hit a piece of printer paper at 15 feet (yes, feet, not yards.) I can consistently empty the whole cylinder without hitting the paper. It is the fixed sight model, so I would understand if POA didn't match up with POI. However, that's not the issue with my gun. My gun does not have any sort of repeatable group, at all, period.

I thought maybe the ammo I was using was the issue. Nope, no improvement with over a brick's worth of several different brands. Is there a possibility that I need to use a rest? Negative, didn't help. Maybe I just can't shoot it well? I let multiple people shoot the junky thing to no avail.

Knowing that there are lemons here or there with every product I eventually decided to give Heritage a chance to rectify the issue. I called to explain the situation and the woman I spoke with was fairly dismissive of my problem, stating that "the fixed sight models don't always shoot to POA." I told her that the sights were not my issue because if they were, the gun would produce some semblance of a group, just not quite to POA. I then explained the lead spitting and lock-up issue. She said that I can send it in, but I'd have to pay shipping. She quoted me $50 for their shipping label. That was not acceptable. I told her that the gun was broken from the time I bought it and that I shouldn't have to pay anything more. We talked some more and it was clear that I wasn't going to get anywhere and that I was wasting my time. I've worked in customer service before, I know what "go **** yourself" sounds like in polite terms.

I've got to say I'll never recommend any Heritage product for the rest of my days. I feel like a fool for wasting my money on this piece of handheld scrap metal. I even paid extra for the magnum cylinder. This is the only time I've gotten burned by a gun or gun manufacturer.

I recognize that it may sound like I'm hating on Heritage, but I really wanted to like this thing. An inexpensive, American-made .22 revolver is certainly something that has been lacking in the market for quite some time and Heritage fills this niche perfectly. However, looking back I wish I would've waited and dropped the extra $50 for a Ruger Wrangler, because I know from experience that Ruger takes care of their customers.

 

[BoBo522]

Sorry to hear about your experience. I have two Rough Riders and they are both decent little revolvers for the money. Guess you got a bad one, sadly it does happen. Agree with you on their customer service though - ever since they were acquired by Taurus, their CS staff has adopted a “go away” manner that’s quite unpleasant.

 

[beag_nut]

Just thinking, but perhaps Heritage has declined since Taurus bought them? How long ago did that happen, anyway?

 

[Scout21]

Just thinking, but perhaps Heritage has declined since Taurus bought them? How long ago did that happen, anyway?

I assume your asking how long ago I talked to Heritage's customer service. If I had to guess it was maybe a year ago, not entirely sure. I'll check my email as I tried to get the issue sorted out through email before I decided to call instead. Taurus appears to have bought Heritage in 2012.

----------------------------------------------------

I found the email, I sent it on January 31st, 2020. It took two weeks to get a reply.

Hello, I'd like to inquire about sending my .22 LR/WMR Rough Rider in for warranty repair. I have had issues with accuracy since the gun was purchased. I have tried multiples brands of ammunition and none will consistently hit a standard 10.5" x 12" pistol target from 5 yards away, even from a rest. I believe that I got a defective gun as I've never heard of a pistol being this inaccurate. It also spits quite a bit of lead from the cylinder gap when shooting which may contribute to its accuracy problems.

Additionally I've had issues with the cylinder locking up while shooting it, requiring me to remove and replace the cylinder in order to keep shooting. Is this normal for a Rough Rider?

My gun is still under it's 1 year warranty so if it could be serviced it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time.

 

[ontarget]

That is very unfortunate. I purchased 3 of the HRRs a couple of years ago and all 3 had very rough chambers. I called and they sent me 3 new cylinders, no questions asked and didn't even want the rough ones back.
I also have a 6 inch model that was purchased in 1993 and is still good to go.
My experience with Heritage has been the polar opposite of yours.
I wish they had taken care of you instead of losing a customer for life.

 

[Tallball]

I bought one a few weeks ago and finally got to shoot it last week.

The fit and finish are unimpressive. It does not shoot to POA, but at least it makes a nice little group about six inches high and to the left at seven yards (with several different shooters).

I bought it mostly to see how well I can use a bird's head grip (the jury is still out on that), but overall I'm not impressed.

 

[Mr. Mosin]

Anyone could've told you the new ones are absolute garbage. I handled 3 consecutive Rough Riders, and they all 3 should've never left the factory- let alone been shipped. Buy a Ruger Wrangler.

 

[Scout21]

Anyone could've told you the new ones are absolute garbage. I handled 3 consecutive Rough Riders, and they all 3 should've never left the factory- let alone been shipped. Buy a Ruger Wrangler.

I wish "Anyone" would have let me know before I wasted my money.

 

[Scout21]

That is very unfortunate. I purchased 3 of the HRRs a couple of years ago and all 3 had very rough chambers. I called and they sent me 3 new cylinders, no questions asked and didn't even want the rough ones back.
I also have a 6 inch model that was purchased in 1993 and is still good to go.
My experience with Heritage has been the polar opposite of yours.
I wish they had taken care of you instead of losing a customer for life.

I've been thinking about contacting them again, but I'm afraid they'll tell me to kick rocks as the one year warranty is long over and they'll likely tell me to pay for shipping again this time around. I may just drop it, though, as every time I look at the thing it pisses me off. I may sell it at a loss with a full disclosure.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

We had 6 rough ryders in the family. My sons always shot to the left. He traded it towards something else. My 3 and the wifes 2. Are pretty decent shooters. My 16 inch with adjustable sites does very well.

 

[Buzznrose]

I've been thinking about contacting them again, but I'm afraid they'll tell me to kick rocks as the one year warranty is long over and they'll likely tell me to pay for shipping again this time around. I may just drop it, though, as every time I look at the thing it pisses me off. I may sell it at a loss with a full disclosure.

Seems to me you have nothing to lose if you complain.

But anymore these days, I won’t buy a gun from a manufacturer that won’t warranty the gun forever. Folks like to slam on Glock, but they make things right regardless how old or abused the gun is. I hear Ruger is excellent also.

 

[jstert]

i have two hrr 4.75” 9-shot 22 revolvers that i bought new 7-8 years ago. both are perfectly adequate as a cheap weekend plinker. i am happy with them. i just recently bought a new 6.5” 9-shot; it’s junky, feels rough in the hand, safety switch is atrociously stiff, seems was never once checked by an adult before it left the factory.

i also have a ruger wrangler and single six. a new wrangler can be had for under $200 and is very well worth the extra coin compared to the junk that hrr produces these days.

 

[MedWheeler]

I got my two in 2012 and 2015 (4.75" and 3.5" respectively.) That's a sample size of two, admittedly small, but twice the size of yours. Mine have been satisfying, the 4.75" one especially so. The 3.5" birdshead one is cool, but not as comfortable in hand. There certainly are those who get bad ones, and I've heard of them. I haven't. I don't know if, had the Wrangler already been out when I got mine, I would have gone that route instead, but probably not, actually, as I don't care for the Cerakote finishes (or colors) offered on any of them, nor the plastic stocks.

Given your experience, and the option of another "cheap" .22LR SA revolver being available, I can understand your disillusionment and your resolve not to buy another.

 

[PzGren]

I've been thinking about contacting them again, but I'm afraid they'll tell me to kick rocks as the one year warranty is long over and they'll likely tell me to pay for shipping again this time around. I may just drop it, though, as every time I look at the thing it pisses me off. I may sell it at a loss with a full disclosure.

I would try it again and if they point out that the warranty period is expired, you have the email as proof of your timely complaint. If customer service will not give you a satisfactory answer, ask for the next higher level.

The problems that you describe are so severe, that the causes should be visible in a close up inspection.

 

[doubleh]

I learned a long time ago that if you don't get a good result with the first person you speak with to wait thirty minutes or so and call again. You will probably get a different person to speak with. Still no good result, wait a while and repeat. Still not getting anywhere, start moving up the ladder. The worst out come is that you will have wasted some time without any benefit but there is a very good chance that things will be made more reasonable. Be polite with each one. You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

I have purchased two HRRs in the last several months. One shoot just slightly to the left, the other is on target. The only problem is both have some slightly sticky chambers, a problem quickly solved at home.

 

[doubleh]

I am with PzGren on this. I know not all RRs are junk. I have two bought in the last few months that are pretty good, especially considering their price. No, they are no where close to a single six but why would anyone expect them to be. Being truthful I shoot both with about the same accuracy.