Affordable Single Actions .357/.22
Heritage Manufacturing is importing Pietta parts from Italy and assembling “Rough Rider” authentic looking replica single action sixguns in this country. While they have the authentic styling they also feature the use of a transfer bar safety making them a true six-shooter. The sights are traditional single action following the hog-wallow trough through the top of the mainframe, however they provide a very good sight picture with a square notch rear sight which is matched up with a non-tapered front sight. The front of the cylinder is nicely chamfered in the old black powder style as is the front of the ejector rod housing.
Grips are 1-piece Cocobolo, fitted very well, and although they are a little wide for my taste they could easily be re-shaped. Heritage offers a choice of full blue, blue with a case colored frame, and full nickel plating as well as a choice of the traditional barrel lengths of 43/4″, 51/2″ and 71/2″. The test gun is a 71/2″ full blued version, which is finished quite nicely with excellent fit. The Heritage is nicely tuned, and the cylinder locks up tightly with no play.
The Heritage .22 features a manual safety on the left side of
the recoil shield. This makes it kid-safe under adult supervision.
The Heritage Rough Rider .22 is a convertible with 9-shot cylinders chambered in .22 and .22 Magnum.
John says it’s a real shooter for the money.
Point Of Aim
Finding a sixgun with fixed sights shooting to point of aim with one’s choice of ammunition, eyesight, and method of gripping a revolver is pretty much hit and miss. Any time one is found the owner should feel very fortunate. The Rough Rider manual mentions the front sights on these sixguns are made tall to be filed by each shooter with the load selected.
This .357 Magnum front sight needs filed down somewhat as it shoots about 6″ low for me with most loads and about 2″ left. The latter is an easy fix as it just requires the barrel to be tightened slightly. This is so commonplace with fixed sighted single actions I have a barrel vise, which fits in the trailer hitch of my pickup for adjusting barrels in the field. Just about any gunsmith could perform the same operation easily. Although the sights need to be tweaked for everyday use groups are excellent with a variety of loads, hovering around the 1″ to 2″ size at 20 yards. The Heritage Rough Rider .357 retails for $499.99.
Point of impact was a bit low and left with the .357 Magnum SAA version for John.
The factory sight is left high to regulate it for your favorite load.
Heritage .22/.22 Magnum
The Heritage single action Rough Rider could be the answer to a budget-busting, 9-shot .22 sixgun for family or outdoor use. As an extra bonus it comes with a second cylinder chambered for .22 Magnum. The Rough Rider, which carries a manufacturer suggested price of $239.99, is produced in the Heritage Manufacturing plant in Florida. Not only is it relatively inexpensive, but if one has young children the fact the .22 Rough Rider has a manually operated safety behind the recoil shield could add to the desirability.
Unlike the centerfire Rough Riders, this rimfire version does not have a transfer bar. The firing pin is located in the frame and when the safety is in the upward position the hammer cannot contact the firing pin. With its traditional 3-click action the proper way to carry this little .22 is with the hammer down on an empty chamber.
The action on the Heritage .22 is relatively smooth, the cylinder locks-up tightly and the trigger pull is just over 3 pounds. Barrel length is 61/2″, and the finish appears to be bluing on the cylinder and barrel, with a baked-on black coating on the frame and grip frame. Grips are 2-piece exotic hardwood which seem to be Cocobolo, are well fitted to the grip frame, and feel quite comfortable in my hands.
Five years ago, I had a test Heritage .22 which was fitted with an adjustable rear sight and a post-front sight with a red fiber optic insert. This one has traditional single-action fixed sights, which shoot to point of aim. Groups averaged around the 1.5″ to 2.5″ size at 20 yards.
In today’s market this little .22 represents a pretty good bargain. I’ve heard from several shooters who have them and they are all well pleased. For the price, the Heritage is a revolver that will give good service, and you won’t have to worry about scratching some expensive firearm. Take it to the field and forget about it — these are real working guns for a farmer, camper, hunter or anyone.
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