rbernie
Contributing Member
I had a Uberti SA in 22LR/22Mag; bought it for $350 and it gave yeoman service until I sold it for a Colt Frontier Scout. If I wanted a combo 22cal revo, I'd go right back to that Uberti.
Single Action .22LR/.22M Combo
- Thread starter PJSprog
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I have a Heritage combo and it is an excellent gun. Looks good, shoots good, feels good and has had several thousand, mostly LR, run through it with zero problems.
With that said I would buy the Ruger if the price is close.
I bought the combo and occasionally shoot 22 WMR but at $.30 a round it adds up mighty fast. Since I am just shooting at steel or a target the mag doesn't really give me anything the LR won't (other than being LOUD).
Your gun and your money but personally I think the Ruger is a better deal at just $50 more. I like the 6 shooter because it saves on ammo when I have kids shooting. The Heritage I own is an awesome revolver and I am glad I have it. I recommend them to anyone that asks.
With that said I would buy the Ruger if the price is close.
I bought the combo and occasionally shoot 22 WMR but at $.30 a round it adds up mighty fast. Since I am just shooting at steel or a target the mag doesn't really give me anything the LR won't (other than being LOUD).
Your gun and your money but personally I think the Ruger is a better deal at just $50 more. I like the 6 shooter because it saves on ammo when I have kids shooting. The Heritage I own is an awesome revolver and I am glad I have it. I recommend them to anyone that asks.
MCgunner
Member
I have been told, for a few bucks more, you can get the Heritage with a steel frame. The cheapies are Zamak framed and I don't like Zamak in firearms.
The Rugers are worth the extra scratch, trust me on this, but if you just don't have it, I've heard good things about the little Heritage. I kinda like the 3" barrel birds head grip model, thought about getting that one just on the cool looks.
It's never the one on sale and I checked Academy's website and they didn't show it.
The Rugers are worth the extra scratch, trust me on this, but if you just don't have it, I've heard good things about the little Heritage. I kinda like the 3" barrel birds head grip model, thought about getting that one just on the cool looks.
It's never the one on sale and I checked Academy's website and they didn't show it.MCgunner
Member
I've got a brand new .357/9mm Blackhawk convertible and the loading gate ain't particularly stiff. But, then, I haven't been looking for that particular quality in the gun so far. It opens, it closes, all I can tell ya.
BCRider
Member
Look at the pictures of the HRR you can find online. In particular the close ups of the side plate fit. Now do the same for the Ruger Single Sixes.
The accuracy of any gun is obviously limited by the soul holding it. But if you're a fairly good shot and can manage to get 3 to 4 inch groups with a good gun at 25 yards for bullseye shooting I think you'll find that the Ruger will help you get more of the 3 inch groups and less of the 4 and larger size groups. I know that I've gotten some of my smallest 20 yard groups ever (the length of my club's indoor range) with my old mid 60's vintage Ruger 3 screw Single Six. The H&R and Iver Johnson 9 shot revolvers I've had or have at that same distance are lucky to keep all the rounds on the 10 x 10 inch target at all. I've never shot an HRR but the accounts I've read on the web suggest that most of them are not a match for a Ruger when shot by someone that can produce smaller groups.
Oddly enough I find that the guns which don't shoot nice small groups tend to be shot less and sold in favor of other guns. So having been down this road a few times now I'm a big fan of "buy once, cry once" and then enjoy the toy for the rest of your life. I've found that this applies to guns, tools, bicycles and other stuff.
The accuracy of any gun is obviously limited by the soul holding it. But if you're a fairly good shot and can manage to get 3 to 4 inch groups with a good gun at 25 yards for bullseye shooting I think you'll find that the Ruger will help you get more of the 3 inch groups and less of the 4 and larger size groups. I know that I've gotten some of my smallest 20 yard groups ever (the length of my club's indoor range) with my old mid 60's vintage Ruger 3 screw Single Six. The H&R and Iver Johnson 9 shot revolvers I've had or have at that same distance are lucky to keep all the rounds on the 10 x 10 inch target at all. I've never shot an HRR but the accounts I've read on the web suggest that most of them are not a match for a Ruger when shot by someone that can produce smaller groups.
Oddly enough I find that the guns which don't shoot nice small groups tend to be shot less and sold in favor of other guns. So having been down this road a few times now I'm a big fan of "buy once, cry once" and then enjoy the toy for the rest of your life. I've found that this applies to guns, tools, bicycles and other stuff.
Confederate
Member
When I was in college, I picked up a $69 RG chrome plated cowboy .22LR revolver. It was a fun gun to shoot, I didn't have to worry about it being stolen like I would have a better gun and the price was right. It had fixed sights and I knew where the point of aim was, and there was a particular canyon I liked to shoot at, even in the winter.
But I soon traded it in for a Ruger Standard Auto, $92, a much better gun. Still, I missed that little gun and even the cardboard box it came in. Years later, I was at one of these big sports places without my wife, and there on the shelf was a stainless Ruger Single-Six .22 LR/WMR. So I bought it. And it was so nice having a single-action .22 again!
But even ago there's the hard realities. Even though a single-action is fun to shoot, unloading and reloading it can be a chore on a range where you're often paying by the hour. A double-action revolver can be shot d/a or s/a, and an auto can be fired even more easily. So why do I have all three? Because if I got rid of two of them, I'd miss them. And, besides, it's cool to have a gun that can shoot the .22 mag! (It's not a half bad defense round, either.) But if you buy a single-action .22 combo, I'd recommend Paco Kelly's Accurizer tool (Google it.) It can make standard .22LR bullets just a tad bigger with just a tap or two. You can also change the configuration of the bullets as well.
Ruger makes two of the most popular .22LR pistols of all time. It also makes the outstanding Charger,
if you can find one.
°°°
But I soon traded it in for a Ruger Standard Auto, $92, a much better gun. Still, I missed that little gun and even the cardboard box it came in. Years later, I was at one of these big sports places without my wife, and there on the shelf was a stainless Ruger Single-Six .22 LR/WMR. So I bought it. And it was so nice having a single-action .22 again!
But even ago there's the hard realities. Even though a single-action is fun to shoot, unloading and reloading it can be a chore on a range where you're often paying by the hour. A double-action revolver can be shot d/a or s/a, and an auto can be fired even more easily. So why do I have all three? Because if I got rid of two of them, I'd miss them. And, besides, it's cool to have a gun that can shoot the .22 mag! (It's not a half bad defense round, either.) But if you buy a single-action .22 combo, I'd recommend Paco Kelly's Accurizer tool (Google it.) It can make standard .22LR bullets just a tad bigger with just a tap or two. You can also change the configuration of the bullets as well.
Ruger makes two of the most popular .22LR pistols of all time. It also makes the outstanding Charger,
if you can find one.
°°°
bannockburn
Member
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- Apr 24, 2007
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- 26,307
Confederate
I know what you mean by the SA .22 being so slow to load/reload as compared to a semi-auto .22. When I picked my Mk.II up at a gun show years ago the fellow who was selling it also had a similar finished (blued frame with a polished stainless grip), Ruger Single Six Bisley .22 on the table (there's one like it currently on Gunbroker). Both were the same price but I only had money for one of them. Really loved the look of the Bisley but thought the MK.II was so much more practical so that's the one I went with. For me it was the best decision but still would have loved to had that Bisley too!
I know what you mean by the SA .22 being so slow to load/reload as compared to a semi-auto .22. When I picked my Mk.II up at a gun show years ago the fellow who was selling it also had a similar finished (blued frame with a polished stainless grip), Ruger Single Six Bisley .22 on the table (there's one like it currently on Gunbroker). Both were the same price but I only had money for one of them. Really loved the look of the Bisley but thought the MK.II was so much more practical so that's the one I went with. For me it was the best decision but still would have loved to had that Bisley too!
texasred777
Member
I paid $159.95 for a Heritage Rough Rider .22lr/.22mag with a 6.5 inch barrel, back in 2010. I'm not sure how many shots have been down the tube, but a bunch. I've shot the mags quite a lot, but since it's a lot more expensive, I now just shoot the lr. When I first bought the gun, my son-in-law and grandson went out with me to try it out. It was such fun! The next day, the son-in-law went out and bought one for him and the grandson. The only handgun I've had as much fun with is a little Walther PPK/S .22lr semi auto. It's hard to say which is more fun; I guess it depends on what mood I'm in. lol
I've had no cons with the Heritage what so ever. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes to shoot and doesn't want to pay a high price for a revolver. I do have an Iver Johnson Sportsman 6 shot double action with a red dot sight. I use it some, but the Heritage is much more fun.
I've had no cons with the Heritage what so ever. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes to shoot and doesn't want to pay a high price for a revolver. I do have an Iver Johnson Sportsman 6 shot double action with a red dot sight. I use it some, but the Heritage is much more fun.
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Tallball
Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2014
- Messages
- 7,814
I got the Heritage 22 for $99 on a Black Friday sale. It felt so cheap and the sights were so tiny that I traded it in on something else a month or two later.
I grew up with a Single Six that was terrific.
Has anyone held or fired one of the EAA's? They are made in Germany, IIRC.
I grew up with a Single Six that was terrific.
Has anyone held or fired one of the EAA's? They are made in Germany, IIRC.
texasred777
Member
Tallball, don't know what you had, but my Heritage has great sights and doesn't feel 'cheap' to me. Just my opinion, but after lots of rounds through it, I really love it. The only .22 revolver I've seen that I like as much is the Ruger Bear Cat. It's not such a heavy, hand-full type of gun. I may buy one before long, but I don't think I like 'em more than the little Heritage. That's why I haven't bought one yet. I haven't shot one as many times as the Heritage, but can't see a lot of difference in the performance.
PJSprog
Member
Well, at lunch today, I went by a small gun shop just around the corner from the office and put my grubby little hands all over some guns. They had a couple of HRRs, an EAA Bounty Hunter, and a couple of Ruger Single Sixes.
I readily admit, the HRR felt considerably less substantial than the other two. No small part of that, I'm sure, is the fact that it is scaled down in size. The finish was definitely inferior as well. It didn't really feel like a "cheap" gun, though, just not as nice. I also didn't care for that goofy safety.
The EAA seems like a pretty well-made gun. Fit and finish was quite good on the one I handled. While I'm not exactly a big fan of nickle finish, it was a pretty nice-looking gun overall.
And yes, the Single Six is ... well ... it's a Ruger. Very nice gun.
I readily admit, the HRR felt considerably less substantial than the other two. No small part of that, I'm sure, is the fact that it is scaled down in size. The finish was definitely inferior as well. It didn't really feel like a "cheap" gun, though, just not as nice. I also didn't care for that goofy safety.
The EAA seems like a pretty well-made gun. Fit and finish was quite good on the one I handled. While I'm not exactly a big fan of nickle finish, it was a pretty nice-looking gun overall.
And yes, the Single Six is ... well ... it's a Ruger. Very nice gun.
MedWheeler
Member
To me, shooting a SA revolver is far from being just about shooting it. I actually enjoy the load/unload/cock steps required to operate them; it gives me that "authenticity" feel.
I can understand the concern about "paying for range time" with black-powder ones, though.
I can understand the concern about "paying for range time" with black-powder ones, though.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
The loading gate in the non-three screw Single Six has a spring that feels a tad stiffer when the loading gate is in mid travel. It is meant to keep the loading gate closed or open. It isn't hard to operate in my opinion, it just has a "cam over" feel to it.
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I didn't mean to imply the Ruger's loading gate was uncomfortable or impractical to use because of its stiffness. I was just comparing it to the Heritage and full size SAAs I've used that don't use the loading gate to unlock the cylinder. It's a minor preference. There is some annoyance that comes along with accidentally closing the gate with a light touch, too, so to each his own.
In general, though I really can't justify going for the Ruger over the Heritage for fun factor unless you're the type of person that just hates economy-built guns. And I can understand that feeling, but when the Ruger is literally 3 to 4 times as expensive as the Heritage and you have half a dozen people on this thread singing the Heritage's praises while only one or two are saying they were unsatisfied with it....
Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have a Single Six along with my Rough Rider. The Single Six's sights are awesome. The hammer is precise, locks back nicely. The cylinder has minimal play compared to the Heritage when loading/unloading. It feels really nice and substantial in the hand. Yet I still like the Heritage better.
It's the hammer location, the old-school feel (sights, half-cock, loading gate, simple blued finish, no extra ornaments). I don't worry about it lasting my entire life because, first off, I've put a few thousand rounds through it and it's none the worse for wear, and second, if it kicks the bucket and I have to buy another one, I've got a halfway decent display gun and I'm still doing good on overall cost.
Side note: I think both guns' inherent accuracy is better than 3 or 4 inches at 25 yards. I find the Rough Rider surprisingly easy to shoot accurately one-handed, but I'm guessing that with equal practice the Ruger will do better simply because the sights are far more precise.
Another side note: I'd forgotten about the recessed chambers on the Single Six. I really like that from an aesthetic point of view. On the other hand, it's a bit annoying more annoying to fish out the second cartridge when you forgot to skip one in the load-five technique.
In general, though I really can't justify going for the Ruger over the Heritage for fun factor unless you're the type of person that just hates economy-built guns. And I can understand that feeling, but when the Ruger is literally 3 to 4 times as expensive as the Heritage and you have half a dozen people on this thread singing the Heritage's praises while only one or two are saying they were unsatisfied with it....
Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have a Single Six along with my Rough Rider. The Single Six's sights are awesome. The hammer is precise, locks back nicely. The cylinder has minimal play compared to the Heritage when loading/unloading. It feels really nice and substantial in the hand. Yet I still like the Heritage better.
It's the hammer location, the old-school feel (sights, half-cock, loading gate, simple blued finish, no extra ornaments). I don't worry about it lasting my entire life because, first off, I've put a few thousand rounds through it and it's none the worse for wear, and second, if it kicks the bucket and I have to buy another one, I've got a halfway decent display gun and I'm still doing good on overall cost.
Side note: I think both guns' inherent accuracy is better than 3 or 4 inches at 25 yards. I find the Rough Rider surprisingly easy to shoot accurately one-handed, but I'm guessing that with equal practice the Ruger will do better simply because the sights are far more precise.
Another side note: I'd forgotten about the recessed chambers on the Single Six. I really like that from an aesthetic point of view. On the other hand, it's a bit annoying more annoying to fish out the second cartridge when you forgot to skip one in the load-five technique.
WestKentucky
Member
I have had 2 heritage guns and 2 rugers, all 22lr/22mag. The heritage guns are nice enough if all you want to do is scratch an itch for a new gun. They have a safety which I like, and are cheap. But they seem to be made of zamak and lose their pretty finish quickly. They are accurate enough to shoot cans and such but don't ever put it on paper and expect much. The ruger guns are head and shoulders a step up from the HRR guns. Build, fit, finish, materials, accuracy, longevity all better. The difference and the decision come down to the question of if you want the gun, or if you want to scratch that new gun itch. 400 bucks for the ruger leaves you a 300 dollar used gun that is easy to sell because they are in demand. 180 bucks in a heritage leaves you a 100 dollar gun that is low demand that will not move quickly. If you can swing the money for the ruger then do it, you will not regret it.
CajunBass
Member
I bought a HRR a couple of years ago. I didn't keep it long because I didn't care for the 6 1/2" barrel but I liked the gun itself. I used it for shooting shorts mostly and found it to be as tin can accurate.
No, it wasn't as nice as a Ruger. Probably wouldn't last as long as a Ruger. But on the other hand it cost about half what the least expensive USED Ruger I could find cost.
When I sold it, I got almost what I paid for it, so no complaints there.
Now, frankly, a Ruger is a much better gun. I'd look for a used one. Unless you used it to pound nails, or stir acid, I don't think you could hurt one.
Now, if I had my heart set on a DA 22, I'd look for an OLD Taurus 94 or 96. The old ones being identified by wooden grips. Those were and still are nice gun. I see them fairly often in the $275-325.00 range. Had one of each but sold them when I was out of work. Came close to buying another one the other day, but something else already had my eye. Those of course are not 22LR/22Mag, but I never shoot magnums anyway, so I don't think about them. YMMV on that.
No, it wasn't as nice as a Ruger. Probably wouldn't last as long as a Ruger. But on the other hand it cost about half what the least expensive USED Ruger I could find cost.
When I sold it, I got almost what I paid for it, so no complaints there.
Now, frankly, a Ruger is a much better gun. I'd look for a used one. Unless you used it to pound nails, or stir acid, I don't think you could hurt one.
Now, if I had my heart set on a DA 22, I'd look for an OLD Taurus 94 or 96. The old ones being identified by wooden grips. Those were and still are nice gun. I see them fairly often in the $275-325.00 range. Had one of each but sold them when I was out of work. Came close to buying another one the other day, but something else already had my eye. Those of course are not 22LR/22Mag, but I never shoot magnums anyway, so I don't think about them. YMMV on that.
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bikerdoc
Moderator In Memoriam
I have had a steel 6.5 inch Heritage since 03. The grand daughters prefer shootlng that to the Ruger 22/45 or my beloved NEF snub that was their great grandpa's. The 9 yr old is a deadeye shot with HRR and it is holding up to weekly use. She cleans it each use and loves the smell of Hoppes #9. It has been my training gun for all 4 grand kids. SAA lends itself to slow aimed fire the 4 rules.
Ed Ames
Member
Question on the HRR: Is it a "load five" action?
maxxhavoc
Member
I am also in the "had a Rough Rider, sold it" crowd.
Mine shot about 3 inches right, 2 inches high at 15 yards. I was going to weld a bead on the front sight and do some bending to get it to shoot to POA, but decided it was not worth it.
Shot it side by side with my Ruger MkII. Ruger shout around a 2" group, HRR shot about 5".
I sold it for the same money I bought it for. I didn't end up shooting too much .22 magnum, either.
Mine shot about 3 inches right, 2 inches high at 15 yards. I was going to weld a bead on the front sight and do some bending to get it to shoot to POA, but decided it was not worth it.
Shot it side by side with my Ruger MkII. Ruger shout around a 2" group, HRR shot about 5".
I sold it for the same money I bought it for. I didn't end up shooting too much .22 magnum, either.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
How about that "old-school" manual safety lever as an extra ornament?
Just kidding with you. lol.
PJSprog
Member
There's a gun show coming up next weekend in Belleville, IL, and another THR member who also lives in the area invited me to come to his shop to check out some SA 22s he has in stock. I'm not going to run out and buy one today (at least I'm not planning to ...), so I'll be pawing all over a bunch of them over the next week or so.
I really liked the feel of that EAA Bounty Hunter.
I really liked the feel of that EAA Bounty Hunter.
If your willing to deal with the (admittedly goofy) safety, it blocks the hammer, so IMO you can load six. If you want to try to ignore the safety and go traditional kaboy, it's load one, skip one, load four.
You can dry fire with the safety on, which isn't something you'd want to do with many rimfires.
fireman 9731
Member
I load 6 in mine and use the safety. I also dry fire with the safety on, which is a nice feature to me.
@chicharrones
lol, you got me there. I imagine if I started with the Ruger I'd hate it even more.
I always load 5 if I'm not shooting right away. I'll load 6 if I'm keeping the muzzle down-range the whole time.
Gotta admit, if my HRR shot high out of the box I'd be upset. That you can't fix by filing. The Heritage website indicates the guns are made to shoot low, probably so that people can dial in their point of aim. If you like the traditional "plane" of front sight in rear notch, it'll take some filing, but I'm a fan of the front notch sticking up a bit over the rear because it's easier to find (the rear notch is really pretty shallow)
I'm able to consistently hit a 3" metal target at 15 yards one-handed with no more than 1 second of aiming between shots with mine. I attribute that more to the gun just "feeling right" in the hand than that it has especially good accuracy. But I think with any handgun with a sufficiently long barrel, the gun's accuracy would have to be TERRIBLE to be worse than the shooter's practical ability. I would guess that a Ruger's accuracy is, on average, a fair sight better. But I also don't see that it matters to 95% of people shooting a single action. Again, if I can outshoot a handgun there's a major problem.
lol, you got me there. I imagine if I started with the Ruger I'd hate it even more.
I always load 5 if I'm not shooting right away. I'll load 6 if I'm keeping the muzzle down-range the whole time.
Gotta admit, if my HRR shot high out of the box I'd be upset. That you can't fix by filing. The Heritage website indicates the guns are made to shoot low, probably so that people can dial in their point of aim. If you like the traditional "plane" of front sight in rear notch, it'll take some filing, but I'm a fan of the front notch sticking up a bit over the rear because it's easier to find (the rear notch is really pretty shallow)
I'm able to consistently hit a 3" metal target at 15 yards one-handed with no more than 1 second of aiming between shots with mine. I attribute that more to the gun just "feeling right" in the hand than that it has especially good accuracy. But I think with any handgun with a sufficiently long barrel, the gun's accuracy would have to be TERRIBLE to be worse than the shooter's practical ability. I would guess that a Ruger's accuracy is, on average, a fair sight better. But I also don't see that it matters to 95% of people shooting a single action. Again, if I can outshoot a handgun there's a major problem.
Hondo 60
Member
.22lr & .22wmr are not real heavy loads.
I have a Heritage Rough Rider with a bird's head grip.
It's a "blast" pun intended -
I also have 1 on the expensive side - a S&W Model 34-1.
It's just as much fun - but doesn't have the versatility on the Heritage.
I have a Heritage Rough Rider with a bird's head grip.
It's a "blast" pun intended -
I also have 1 on the expensive side - a S&W Model 34-1.
It's just as much fun - but doesn't have the versatility on the Heritage.
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