SA only operation and Heritage rev scope mounting

[V-fib]

I’m interested in the Heritage RR22MB9 .22lr revolver (9”bbl). I’m familiar with the SA/DA revolvers that when using the revolver in SA you cock the hammer back fire, then cock the hammer back again fire and so on. With a SA only revolver such as the Heritage is this how the SA works? In other words in a SA only revolver does the cylinder rotate to the next round when you cock the hammer back? Also, anyone that has a Heritage revolver can it be tapped for a scope?

Thanks

 

[MCgunner]

Yes, that's how it works. If the hammer has a firing pin made onto it, load with five and leave the cylinder under the hammer empty when the hammer is down for safe carry.

A gunsmith worth his salt could figure a way to add a scope mount if there's enough meat in the top strap to drill and tap it and perhaps mill it flat if need be. I don't think it'd be worth the money and time on a Heritage, myself. Up to you, though. You can get no drill scope mounts for a Ruger single action. Maybe B Square has something.

http://www.b-square.com/

 

[V-fib]

DEE DEE DEE!

MCgunner,

I guess the reason I’m confused about SA only revolvers is the description below that I found on the Ruger website. What do they mean by “They are loaded and unloaded one cartridge at a time – slow, but rugged.” So, you can still shoot all six in a row and then unload one at a time due to the fact that the cylinder doesn’t swing out as in a DA? Sorry for being so dense.:banghead:





(from Ruger website)
Single action revolvers are so-called because their trigger performs the single action of firing the gun after the hammer is cocked manually. They are simple, rugged, and of classic “old West” design. They are loaded and unloaded one cartridge at a time – slow, but rugged.

 

[JoeHatley]

So, you can still shoot all six in a row and then unload one at a time

Yes.

 

[Jim March]

Yup. The cylinder is fixed in place and can't swing out, so you have to load rounds one at a time through the "gate" usually on the right side.

There is an accuracy and toughness advantage to this "old skool" system. Since the cylinder is locked in, there is no "re-alignment" done each time the cylinder is swung in as on a DA. DA guns re-establish that alignment each time, and it can be off a hair and DOES deteriorate over time. If you slam shut a DA too often the crane (the arm that the cylinder swings out on) can bend.

The US Military taught a combat drill in the late 1800s whereby you would fire one, immediately reload that one shot you fired, and fire again, rinse and repeat. The idea was that if you got into a desperate jam you would still have all six on tap even late into a firefight. Obviously this was for a longer-range situation and firing from behind cover, not a close-range gunfight.

Now ALL that said, putting a scope on a Heritage is like putting $3000 fancy rims on a Yugo . If you want an accurate 22 for scope use get a Ruger Single Six "Hunter Edition" - you'll have to order one, they're a bit rare but come with integral scope mounts and factory rings. Here's a picture of one in .17, which I don't recommend:

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976787073.htm

The .22 version comes with dual cylinders in .22LR/22Mag. Which if you can learn to swap 'em quickly allows for another way to get around the "slow reloading problem" with SAs...the infamous "Clint Eastwood Reload"...