Single Action 22

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remingtondude58

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Thanks to all of you who helped me a week or two ago in picking a 45 colt, I picked up a Ruger Blackhawk Convertible. Well, I really like it, and I think I want to get a single action 22 revolver to go with it. I am 18, and in my state, I can purchase a handgun used, but can't go through a FFL (I don't know about other states, but I would assume the "no FFL" thing to be similar.) Someone I know offered to sell me a Heritage with both the 22 LR and mag cylinder for $200, what do you guys think about the quality of these guns? I know they are cheap, and I don't think I will like there safety thing as much as the Ruger transfer bar, but do you guys think it will be a quality piece?
 
I don't think they're "bad" guns, but I think that's a pretty high price for one, especially one that's used. I know you're sort of in a different boat, but don't be a big rush to spend your money.
 
I bought a Heritage .22 LR / Magnum several months ago, 4.75" barrel, for about $240 I think. It's my first handgun ever, and I quite like it. I don't have any other single action revolvers to compare it with, but here are a few thoughts, FWIW.

Expect it to be a lot lighter than a Ruger. The frame of the Heritage isn't steel, but holds up just fine.
I've fired about 100 rounds of LR through it and 40 or so magnum rounds, and it works fine. I have never fired a Ruger single action, but comparing the single action trigger pull of the SP-101 I bought today (wohoo!), the trigger pull of the Heritage is pretty long.
The safety is alright, but you have to enable/disable it manually, unlike the Ruger transfer bar mechanism. I'm not sure if the safety is strong enough to endure a lot of dry firing with the safety is enabled (in which case the hammer hits the safety bar, instead of the firing pin, so it shouldn't damage the cylinder).
Like the original Colts, you have to half-cock the Heritage to be able to turn the cylinder for loading/unloading. I like this, it gives the gun more of an original feel. I'm not sure, but I think I heard that the Rugers don't have this half-cock feature.

In all, I think it's a good .22 SA revolver for the price, and if you don't want to spend much on one, then the Heritage seems like a fine choice. And it's made in America :)
 
They are cheap but lots of people like them.

$200 seems high to me for a used one, seems like they sell for just under that new at Academy.

I'd offer $150
 
price seems very high, you can get new ones here in nc for about that price. i picked up a stanless ruger with both cylinders for 280 otd used. dont know where you are but look around at the prices they are in the area and offer about there. good luck
 
Save your money son,..keep your eyes open for a Ruger Single Six,..you know in your heart you want one to match your .45 Blackhawk anyways... :)

Be patient,..it will come. Besides 200 bucks is too much for a used Heritage anyways....it's not a bad starter gun,..but it's not a Single Six either.

Just my .02 cents worth,..ymmv
 
As a certified single action nut, I will give you my no-holds-barred assessment. They are cheap guns. They 'may' suffice as an every-now-and-then gun and be fine as an inexpensive plinker but the honest truth is that they are cheap guns. The frames are pot metal, the barrels and cylinders are made from the cheapest grade of steel available. The barrel is "microthreaded", which means that it is ribbed, pressed into the frame (not screwed) and held in place with adhesive. The finish, though called "blued" is actually sprayed on. The grips are not real cocobolo but a spray on finish close to the color of cocobolo. Then there is the atrocious thumb safety. Some parts are plastic and there are plenty of reports on the net about the plastic ejector button breaking off.

Save your money, wait for a nice used Single Six. They are made just like the centerfire Blackhawks and Super Blackhawks, of the same quality materials and to the same standards. They are simply FAR superior guns and used ones can be had for $200-$300, I have three that fell into the low end of that price range. I have a near 50yr old Single Six that I bought about 10-12yrs ago for $200. In that time, it has been carried a great deal, shot even more, dropped, submerged, used and abused to the tune of at least 40,000rds and is no worse for wear than the day I got it.

IMG_7107b.jpg
 
Thanks everyone!

CraigC, that is a beautiful gun, I never knew that about how they attached the barrel and frame, and I think I am quickly becoming a single action nut like you.

IrishSeb, congrats on the new Ruger, you are correct, my Blackhawk does not have a half cock.

thunder173, I think I like this guy! Your right!

Everyone else, I guess I won't be taking it at that price, that is Buds Guns new price.
 
My name is Thunder173 and I,..uh,..have a problem????

Be careful Remingtondude58,...Ruger's Single actions can become addictive,...I have 4 now,..and have had others over the years as well,...you'll find that this becomes a common thread amongst those of us who suffer from the terrible lack of willpower to walk away! :)

Old Model 3 Screw .357/9mm Convertable in 6.5"
Single Six Convertable .22LR/.22WMR in 5.5"
Single Six "Baby Vaquero" .32 H&R Magnum in 4 5/8"
Super BlackHawk .44 Magnum, in 4 5/8's "
....and still looking............

They seem to just follow me home....... :) And they all get used,...a lot.
 
Sorry about the name.

I really like Ruger single actions also. I hope to get a few more. What part of Michigan do you reside in? I am towards the north end of Lake St. Clair, in the Chesterfield- New Baltimore area.
 
I gotta chime in with the rest; a little to high for a used Heritage. Be patient and get the Ruger with both cylinders. I am not partial to SAA, but as long as its a revolver then its good enuff for me!
 
I looked at one at my local Gander Mountain this evening, I was not impressed, it had many plastic parts, and the fit and finish did not seem good at all, adn the new price from GM was $200.
 
Looks like you made a good decision on not buying that one.

I see lots of folks talking about a Single Six, and they're awesome guns. My brother's had one for years. I got a Ruger Bearcat for my 18th Christmas. It's basically the Single Six's little brother. It's a great gun too, and I'd highly recommend it. My mom got it for me used, and I think she paid about 200 for it. I don't know how many rounds it has through it before I got it, but it's eaten....10 or 11 bricks now? so like 5000ish rounds?

I love it.

I'm a single action nut too. Now, what you DON'T want to do, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, is come check out the Black Powder forum on this website. You should also NOT consider, in any way shape or fashion, that BP revolvers run from about 150-250 for an intro model from Cabelas, AND ALSO IGNORE the fact that they're not very regulated, so pending your state law, you can have them shipped right to your front door.



As a tiny footnote, Cabelas does have a notice on their website for residents of Michigan to check their local laws before ordering, so you might wanna research that a bit. I don't know what it's about.
 
I was looking on the heritage website, and seen the birdshead models, are there any other companies that make birdsheads revolvers? (not just in 22)
 
Most SA shooters agree as to a 22 the Ruger Single Six is close to perfect for all reason stated. I have one in SS 6 1/2 bbl, had it over 30 yrs shot and carried often and for me absolutely no flaws. Save your pennies for one and you won't be disappointed.
 
+500 On the Ruger Single-Action revolvers being more addictive than some ahhhhhh "recreational pharmaceuticals" (EEEEEEEEEEVIL GRIN!)

I have a "Sheriff's Model" .357 Vaquero about a 3-3/4" barel, fixed sights
a 50th Year .357 Blackhawk 4-5/8" barrel adjustable sights
And a Single-Six 'Convertible' .22LR & .22Mag cylinders, 4-5/8" barrel fixed sights

On a recent Range Trip, guy next to me was shooting his Mdl 92 Baretta. Two cylinders with my Single-Six, and he went to the counter and bought a 6-1/2" or so barrel Single-Six, and he spent the next hout doing his best to use up a brick of ammo...
 
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