Really stupid Heritage safety question...

[KarateHottie93]

So uhm I accidentally bought a new Heritage Barkeep. After also ordering a magnum cylinder, a birdshead grip frame, and a birdshead mainspring from their website...I decided this firearm is carry worthy. At least for me it is. I have one REALLY stupid question though.

The manual hammer block safety is fine for the most part. I've gotten used to disengaging it while simultaneously cocking the hammer, all in one motion. The only thing that scares me is disengaging the safety while the hammer is resting on it, as it causes the hammer to fall forward the rest of the way. It's only like an 8th inch or so of travel, and with hardly any tension. Is there any possible scenario where that could cause enough impact to crush the rim and discharge a round?

 

[KarateHottie93]

Just wanted to add that I've been carrying it on the safety notch so the hammer won't fall forward when disengaging the manual safety. I just wanna be told that my fears are illogical so I'll stop worrying.

 

[WestKentucky]

Your fears are illogical. Quit worrying.

 

[Pat Riot]

Just curious...how does one “accidentally” buy a new Heritage Barkeep anyway?

I tried to buy one on purpose but there were none to be found by my LGS when they searched. Good for you!

I wouldn’t think 1/8” hammer movement would set off a .22. Can you not release the safety and lower the hammer that last little bit with your thumb?

 

[adcoch1]

I played with one a few days ago at the lgs, you needn't worry about that little movement while taking the safety off. Kind of a cool little 22, but the finish is a no-go for me.

 

[KarateHottie93]

Your fears are illogical. Quit worrying.

Thank you so very much!

Just curious...how does one “accidentally” buy a new Heritage Barkeep anyway?

I tried to buy one on purpose but there were none to be found by my LGS when they searched. Good for you!

I wouldn’t think 1/8” hammer movement would set off a .22. Can you not release the safety and lower the hammer that last little bit with your thumb?

Well uhm I went to pawn my RAMI for ONLY the $200 I needed to get a new alternator. They offered my five but I was dead set on two. Well then I saw the new Barkeep and took the five so I could walk away with what I needed, and still get this little thing. Only problem is I gotta pay more to get my RAMI out now.

 

[ontarget]

I played with one a few days ago at the lgs, you needn't worry about that little movement while taking the safety off. Kind of a cool little 22, but the finish is a no-go for me.

I've mentioned it a time or two here that I am a fan of the HRR in all of its variants.
I mean.... It is what it is. A low budget highly enjoyable rimfire SA. What's not to like? I have to agree with you on the finish though.
I think if they went to a Ceracoat type finish that more shooters would appreciate them instead of turning up their noses at the painted frames. JMHO.

 

[WestKentucky]

I really want to see the snubby with birdshead. Karate, I’m hoping you can give us a picture that I know a few folks here want to see.

 

[KarateHottie93]

I really want to see the snubby with birdshead. Karate, I’m hoping you can give us a picture that I know a few folks here want to see.

As soon as the grip frame comes, I most certainly will.

 

[aaronu]

No such thing as a stupid question. But there is such a thing as a question about the Really Stupid Heritage safety.

Even with the hammer block safety, Heritage recommends carrying the revolver with an empty cylinder under the hammer. Carrying the pistol with hammer down and hammer block engaged is appropriate. Before disengaging the hammer block I would cock the gun at least to the safety notch. Dropping the hammer onto the hammer block and then disengaging the hammer block is not a good idea. Especially if carrying with a live round under the hammer. It is unlikely that it will set off that round but if anything else were to happen while in that condition (someone jostles you, you are in a SD situation etc. the gun gets dropped)... the gun is unsafe at that point and may go off when you don't want it to.

Cock the hammer to the second notch. Load one, skip one, load four. Engage the hammer block. Lower the hammer under thumb pressure. When it is time to fire the gun point it where you want the bullet to go, cock the hammer, disengage the hammer block, then and only then put your finger on the trigger, aim and fire.

Very much the same as any older style single action revolver. I do the same with my old Bearcat, except of course it has no hammer block.

FWIW Heritage covers this well in their owner manual... I would not think to second guess them.

https://heritagemfg.com/heritage-rough-rider-small-bore-revolver-instruction-manual.pdf

(see pages 18-23)

P.S. Don't go too nuts getting stuff for your Barkeep. CZ RAMI is awful nice to leave in hock.

 

[KarateHottie93]

No such thing as a stupid question. But there is such a thing as a question about the Really Stupid Heritage safety.

Even with the hammer block safety, Heritage recommends carrying the revolver with an empty cylinder under the hammer. Carrying the pistol with hammer down and hammer block engaged is appropriate. Before disengaging the hammer block I would cock the gun at least to the safety notch. Dropping the hammer onto the hammer block and then disengaging the hammer block is not a good idea. Especially if carrying with a live round under the hammer. It is unlikely that it will set off that round but if anything else were to happen while in that condition (someone jostles you, you are in a SD situation etc. the gun gets dropped)... the gun is unsafe at that point and may go off when you don't want it to.

Cock the hammer to the second notch. Load one, skip one, load four. Engage the hammer block. Lower the hammer under thumb pressure. When it is time to fire the gun point it where you want the bullet to go, cock the hammer, disengage the hammer block, then and only then put your finger on the trigger, aim and fire.

Very much the same as any older style single action revolver. I do the same with my old Bearcat, except of course it has no hammer block.

FWIW Heritage covers this well in their owner manual... I would not think to second guess them.

https://heritagemfg.com/heritage-rough-rider-small-bore-revolver-instruction-manual.pdf

(see pages 18-23)

P.S. Don't go too nuts getting stuff for your Barkeep. CZ RAMI is awful nice to leave in hock.

Yeah I think I'll just use the safety notch along with the hammer block. I mean if I ever dropped it on the safety notch and broke anything...parts are super cheap lol.

And I know lol...I love that RAMI. I will never let that thing get lost in pawn. Plus they just got discontinued so it's gonna probably be a bit more rare one day.

 

[Waveski]

Carrying a Heritage revolver? In .22?
That is unusual.

 

[KarateHottie93]

Off topic question but does anyone know where to acquire the hand and hammer for the 9 shot version? I would like to convert mine but I can only find spare parts for the 6 shot. I may have to buy a 9 shot just to swap the parts over.

 

[ontarget]

Off topic question but does anyone know where to acquire the hand and hammer for the 9 shot version? I would like to convert mine but I can only find spare parts for the 6 shot. I may have to buy a 9 shot just to swap the parts over.

Did you try the Heritage website? It's sometimes a bit hard to navigate on a phone but they probably offer those parts.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Personal opinion: probably Heritage instructs owners to carry their single action revolver with an empty chamber under the hammer because it is a good idea to do so with other single action revolvers that lack a hammer block.
I carry my Heritage on the mountain hammer in the safety notch, hammer block on. I don't see hammer resting on the hammer block safety as a good idea.

 

[Barbaroja]

I’d say skip the safety all together and just carry it as intended with the hammer down on an empty chamber. Carrying 6 is not a smart thing to do with that gun. The worry about dropping the gun is not about breaking it, it’s about it landing on the hammer and firing off the round.
Edit: btw as soon as I saw the barkeep I thought that thing needs a birdshead grip! Great minds I guess, care to share a photo of it?

 

[doubleh]

I’d say skip the safety all together and just carry it as intended with the hammer down on an empty chamber. Carrying 6 is not a smart thing to do with that gun. The worry about dropping the gun is not about breaking it, it’s about it landing on the hammer and firing off the round.
Edit: btw as soon as I saw the barkeep I thought that thing needs a birdshead grip! Great minds I guess, care to share a photo of it?

You beat me to it. I was going to say, put the safety in the off position, forget it's there, and carry it like any other SA without a transfer bar. I have a bird's head Heritage and am seriously considering how to remove the safety and make a plug to hide where it is supposed to be.

 

[hannstv]

As soon as I see one in person I am going to accidentally whip my debit card out. I really want to see your revolver when you are finished.

 

[KarateHottie93]

Did you try the Heritage website? It's sometimes a bit hard to navigate on a phone but they probably offer those parts.

Yeah they only carry spare parts for the 6 shooter. I can't find the 9 shot hand and hammer anywhere. It's not a HUGE investment to just buy a 9 shot one to swap the parts from I guess. I can't wait to carry this Barkeep with a birdshead grip and 9 shots of 22 magnum.

I’d say skip the safety all together and just carry it as intended with the hammer down on an empty chamber. Carrying 6 is not a smart thing to do with that gun. The worry about dropping the gun is not about breaking it, it’s about it landing on the hammer and firing off the round.
Edit: btw as soon as I saw the barkeep I thought that thing needs a birdshead grip! Great minds I guess, care to share a photo of it?

When I can get the parts to convert it to a 9 shot, I will gladly give up a round and plug the safety lol.

 

[Barbaroja]

Well I’m not here to tell anyone what to do but I’ll say your going against the manufacturer’s instructions as well as traditional single action safety precautions. Good luck but I wouldn’t wanna be around should it slip from its holster. It’s not yourself you should be worried about hurting if everything went wrong, it’s anyone unfortunate enough to be around at the time because you knowingly took the risk, they didn’t.

 

[KarateHottie93]

Well I’m not here to tell anyone what to do but I’ll say your going against the manufacturer’s instructions as well as traditional single action safety precautions. Good luck but I wouldn’t wanna be around should it slip from its holster. It’s not yourself you should be worried about hurting if everything went wrong, it’s anyone unfortunate enough to be around at the time because you knowingly took the risk, they didn’t.

It has a manual hammer block and a safety notch. That's about as drop safe as you can get.

 

[Barbaroja]

It has a manual hammer block and a safety notch. That's about as drop safe as you can get.

Not according to the manufacturer.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

No such thing as a stupid question. But there is such a thing as a question about the Really Stupid Heritage safety.

Even with the hammer block safety, Heritage recommends carrying the revolver with an empty cylinder under the hammer. Carrying the pistol with hammer down and hammer block engaged is appropriate. Before disengaging the hammer block I would cock the gun at least to the safety notch. Dropping the hammer onto the hammer block and then disengaging the hammer block is not a good idea. Especially if carrying with a live round under the hammer. It is unlikely that it will set off that round but if anything else were to happen while in that condition (someone jostles you, you are in a SD situation etc. the gun gets dropped)... the gun is unsafe at that point and may go off when you don't want it to.

Cock the hammer to the second notch. Load one, skip one, load four. Engage the hammer block. Lower the hammer under thumb pressure. When it is time to fire the gun point it where you want the bullet to go, cock the hammer, disengage the hammer block, then and only then put your finger on the trigger, aim and fire.

Very much the same as any older style single action revolver. I do the same with my old Bearcat, except of course it has no hammer block.

FWIW Heritage covers this well in their owner manual... I would not think to second guess them.

https://heritagemfg.com/heritage-rough-rider-small-bore-revolver-instruction-manual.pdf

(see pages 18-23)

P.S. Don't go too nuts getting stuff for your Barkeep. CZ RAMI is awful nice to leave in hock.

---
The schematic shows an inertial firing pin assembly (parts 5.1-5.4) which *should* lessen the risk but, as has been pointed out, Heritage recommends treating the HRR like a hammer-nose single-action. So that's what to do.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Heritage may also recommend carry-five because the gun could fall in a situation where the safety got slipped to the off position.

 

[Antihero]

I don't understand the thrill of the Barkeep, let alone as a carry gun.

I mean.....I have and will carry a SA but a 22 short barrel SA without an ejector rod? Why?