Want a .22 revolver. Need advice
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Coyote3855
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Not familiar with Heritage Rough Riders. You can't go wrong by saving another $100- $150 and buying a used Ruger Single Six. I've owned one since 1961 and it's as good as the day I bought it. Except of course there is almost no blue left. It was carried daily on the ranch for almost 30 years, but doesn't get much use now.
You can't go wrong by saving another $100- $150 and buying a used Ruger Single Six. I've owned one since 1961 and it's as good as the day I bought it. Except of course there is almost no blue left. It was carried daily on the ranch for almost 30 years, but doesn't get much use now.
Bought mine the same year, same state, same story as my neighbor. I used it during college to shoot jack rabbits at $.50 a piece to keep me in food and beer.
Carried it on the ranch for years and years. Still got it. Taught my son and grandson to shoot with it.. Best $65.00 I ever spent.
Bought mine the same year, same state, same story as my neighbor. I used it during college to shoot jack rabbits at $.50 a piece to keep me in food and beer.
Carried it on the ranch for years and years. Still got it. Taught my son and grandson to shoot with it.. Best $65.00 I ever spent.
MCgunner
Member
That's pretty laughable. The Single Six isn't that expensive, a bit over 300 bucks. I'd save.....
shotgunjoel
Member
Get the Ruger. If you get the Heritage you'll end up buying a Ruger later anyway.
collector rob
Member
My Ruger single-six convertible is going on 30 years old. I've never had to do a thing to it. I don't know what dad paid for it. It was my Christmas present back in 1979.
Radagast
Member
The Single Six would be my one choice for an indestructible, accurate, reliable last a life time .22 revolver. I still regret selling mine.
That said, the reviews of the Heritage Rough Rider by owners on forums such as THR have all been quite good.
Well outside your price range but another great pick, is a second hand S&W model 17 or model 18. Again these are good for tens of thousands of rounds, and will help train you in double action shooting, a skill that will later carry over to a defensive revolver.
In summary, if it is not too much of a financial strain, save up and get the single six. If this is unrealistic and you are on a tight budget, the HRR should do well enough until such time as you have the funds to upgrade.
That said, the reviews of the Heritage Rough Rider by owners on forums such as THR have all been quite good.
Well outside your price range but another great pick, is a second hand S&W model 17 or model 18. Again these are good for tens of thousands of rounds, and will help train you in double action shooting, a skill that will later carry over to a defensive revolver.
In summary, if it is not too much of a financial strain, save up and get the single six. If this is unrealistic and you are on a tight budget, the HRR should do well enough until such time as you have the funds to upgrade.
Guillermo
member
a good 22 revolver is a joy to behold.
I strongly suggest an old smith or colt
I strongly suggest an old smith or colt
CajunBass
Member
Get a rough rider. Enjoy shooting it. Save up and get a Ruger. Then you'll have two guns.
frankiestoys
Member
I have a Rough Rider it isn't a bad gun ,I only have about 5 hundred rounds through mine so no problems YET. I own three Rugers , and yes guys, some Smiths(I like the Rugers better) . If you want a cheap 22 ( I bought mine for my son) its fine.
But no doubt if you want a gun you just can't ware out buy the a Ruger.
But no doubt if you want a gun you just can't ware out buy the a Ruger.
Guillermo
member
oh...I forgot
one of the finest 22 revolvers is oft forgotten...the Dan Wesson
one of the finest 22 revolvers is oft forgotten...the Dan Wesson
BHPshooter
Member
I used to sell a lot of Heritage guns, and personally, it was worth it to me to save up for a New Bearcat.
Not saying the Heritage guns aren't good, I just like the S&Ws and Rugers better.
FWIW,
Wes
Not saying the Heritage guns aren't good, I just like the S&Ws and Rugers better.
FWIW,
Wes
TimboKhan
Member
The general tone here seems to be that the Rough Riders aren't bad guns, it's just that the Ruger is better. Having shot both, I cannot disagree with either statement. If it were me I would save up for the Ruger, if for no other reason (and I can't imagine that there would be no other reason) than that I do not believe that the Heritage models come with a .22 Mag cylinder. I may be wrong about that, but I KNOW the Rugers do, and shooting .22 mag from a single six is a delight.
evan price
Member
Wow, I had the exact same problem. I wanted a single-action .22 revolver for the kids and I to shoot. They have the Rough Riders for $180 with the .22lr & .22 mag cylinders around here, held them, the added safety is a bit wierd but OK it looked pretty good for the price.
Went back to the big gun dealer in the city and was about to buy one when I saw a Ruger New-Model Single-Six in the case with both cylinders for $219- 6.5" barrel, adjustable sights, and walnut Ruger medallion grips. 95% gun after a good cleaning.
How could I refuse that? The Heritage guns are good for what they are- cheap alternatives to the Rugers. But to get a Ruger for not much more than a Heritage- win!
A quick search on Gunbroker showed lots of Rugers in the under $300 range.
Went back to the big gun dealer in the city and was about to buy one when I saw a Ruger New-Model Single-Six in the case with both cylinders for $219- 6.5" barrel, adjustable sights, and walnut Ruger medallion grips. 95% gun after a good cleaning.
How could I refuse that? The Heritage guns are good for what they are- cheap alternatives to the Rugers. But to get a Ruger for not much more than a Heritage- win!
A quick search on Gunbroker showed lots of Rugers in the under $300 range.
bikerdoc
Moderator In Memoriam
I bought heritace with both cylenders so the family would leave my ruger for me, alas there are too manyof them. need another.
I usually end up using my ruger 22/45 on these range outings.
I usually end up using my ruger 22/45 on these range outings.
MovedWest
Member
It's tough to beat a Ruger single six. I have one that was passed down to me from my dad who bought it in 1968. It's a super single six, which I would recommend. The "super" model has a spare 22WMR cylinder which is nice, but the best part is the adjustable sights. You'll find that the 22LR is going to be one of your most used weapons, so an extra $100-150 isn't that much more for the length of time you'll have it. You'll probably spend that on ammo alone in the first month.
-MW
-MW
wnycollector
Member
This thread may interest you in your search for a .22 revolver http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=466757
Magnumite
Member
I'd go with the Ruger or Smith. Had a revolver similar to the RR years back and wasn't impressed. Traded it for another pistol.
22-rimfire
Member
After years of buying 22 handguns, it is better to save for the higher quality gun and keep it.
That said, I have heard the Heritage Rough Rider is an okay revolver for the money. Important qualification... the money. It is cheaply made and will not least if you shoot it a lot. If you are like most, you will shoot it a lot at first and then slowly dial down the shooting or you'll add another 22 handgun and the shooting is spread out between the two or three.
If it is a matter of getting the Rough Rider or nothing, choose the Rough Rider. Shoot, enjoy, and learn. It is time well spent.
If you have a choice, let's say two single actions.... Heritage Rough Rider and Ruger Single Six, you will almost always choose the more expensive one to shoot. That should tell you something.
The old Colt SA's are good revolvers too and most came with two cylinders. I personally choose Colt over Ruger. But that is me.
If you are leaning toward a double action revolver and that is my preferred 22 revolver choice, I'd buy the Smith Model 17 or the current 4" Model 617. I always preferred Colts, but they are pricey now. But, a 4" Colt Diamondback 22 for $800 in as new condition would be a very good choice. They are my favorite 22 revolver. Easy to pack. The have a nice size, have top notch quality, and are quick pointing.
You generally get what you pay for when it comes to revolvers. Semi-auto 22 pistols are cheaper. Choose Buckmark or Ruger Mark III there. Very good guns.
Some will suggest you find a used H&R 999 Sportsman model (probably under $300 in good condition). They are fairly good guns for the money and probably a bit better than the Rough Rider and they are double action. H&R made a lot of different models. The 999 was their top of the line at the time. That was my first 22 revolver. It was a learning experience. I bought a Colt Diamondback a few years later and never shot the H&R again. Sold it off after letting it lay around for about 10 years.
That said, I have heard the Heritage Rough Rider is an okay revolver for the money. Important qualification... the money. It is cheaply made and will not least if you shoot it a lot. If you are like most, you will shoot it a lot at first and then slowly dial down the shooting or you'll add another 22 handgun and the shooting is spread out between the two or three.
If it is a matter of getting the Rough Rider or nothing, choose the Rough Rider. Shoot, enjoy, and learn. It is time well spent.
If you have a choice, let's say two single actions.... Heritage Rough Rider and Ruger Single Six, you will almost always choose the more expensive one to shoot. That should tell you something.
The old Colt SA's are good revolvers too and most came with two cylinders. I personally choose Colt over Ruger. But that is me.
If you are leaning toward a double action revolver and that is my preferred 22 revolver choice, I'd buy the Smith Model 17 or the current 4" Model 617. I always preferred Colts, but they are pricey now. But, a 4" Colt Diamondback 22 for $800 in as new condition would be a very good choice. They are my favorite 22 revolver. Easy to pack. The have a nice size, have top notch quality, and are quick pointing.
You generally get what you pay for when it comes to revolvers. Semi-auto 22 pistols are cheaper. Choose Buckmark or Ruger Mark III there. Very good guns.
Some will suggest you find a used H&R 999 Sportsman model (probably under $300 in good condition). They are fairly good guns for the money and probably a bit better than the Rough Rider and they are double action. H&R made a lot of different models. The 999 was their top of the line at the time. That was my first 22 revolver. It was a learning experience. I bought a Colt Diamondback a few years later and never shot the H&R again. Sold it off after letting it lay around for about 10 years.
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MCgunner
Member
Not me. I guess it's a matter of impression, but I always found the Frontier Scout to be a cheesy, cheap POS compared to a Ruger. The alloy frame was the deal, I think. The New Frontier had a steel frame, but I still like the Ruger better. It has a more solid feel to me and I prefer the sights. Maybe it was the plastic grips on the Colt, don't know, was just an impression, but I always preferred the Ruger. Of course, you can still buy a new Single Six.
You can also get it in Stainless.
22-rimfire
Member
I also prefer the New Frontier for shooting and the Peacemaker for looks. Both with steel frames. I wouldn't go as far as calling the Frontier Scout cheesy, but I definitely prefer the steel frame over the alloy framed ones that preceeded them. My Frontier Scouts are collector guns and I have never shot them. Nothing wrong with the Ruger Single Six.
I had a older heritage rough rider. It was a piece of crap, inaccurate and the ejecter rod screw stripped clean from the obvious overwhelming recoil of a 22lr and occasional magnum.
The only redeeming quality was i bought it for $99 and sold it to a pawn shop for $120.
The only redeeming quality was i bought it for $99 and sold it to a pawn shop for $120.
MCgunner
Member
Wow, is that pawn shop still in business? They got hosed. LOL!
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