Introduction
The glint of sunlight on polished steel, the satisfying click of a hammer, the affordable thrill of putting lead downrange – these are the things that draw many of us to the world of firearms. Among the many paths into this hobby, the humble single-action revolver holds a special place. Simple, reliable, and steeped in history, it embodies a certain rugged charm. Today, we’re taking a deep dive into a modern iteration of this classic: the Heritage Rough Rider 22LR 22 Mag Combo, a popular choice for shooters seeking a blend of affordability, fun, and versatility. This review will explore everything from its design and build quality to its performance on the range, helping you determine if this revolver is the right fit for you.
The Heritage Rough Rider is known for being an accessible firearm and for delivering a great value proposition. It’s not meant to compete with high-end, custom revolvers, but it carves a niche as a fun, reliable, and inexpensive way to enjoy the classic experience of single-action shooting. Its widespread popularity is a testament to its simple formula: a straightforward design, a low price, and the promise of good times at the range.
Let’s begin exploring the details of this versatile pistol.
Design and Features: A Blend of Tradition and Function
The Heritage Rough Rider immediately strikes a familiar pose. It’s a single-action revolver through and through, owing its lineage to the iconic Colt Peacemaker. The lines are clean, the proportions are classic, and the overall aesthetic is one of rugged simplicity. The review model is blued, offering a deep, dark finish that contrasts nicely with the wooden grips. Heritage also offers the Rough Rider in various other finishes, including nickel-plated options and different grip materials, allowing for a degree of personalization. The colorways offer a range of styles, from traditional Western to modern.
The design emphasizes ease of use and reliability. The cylinder holds six rounds, and the loading process is straightforward. The loading gate, located on the right side of the frame, swings open to allow access to the chambers. You then load each round individually, a process that feels deliberate and connects you with the history of these revolvers. The cylinder is released by pulling back on the cylinder pin, and the user must then manually rotate the cylinder to load and unload rounds.
Sights are intentionally kept basic, reflecting the pistol’s focus on affordability and practical use. The front sight is a simple, fixed blade, and the rear sight is a notch milled into the top strap. This setup is adequate for plinking and general target shooting at moderate distances, and it’s not designed for precision competition.
A significant feature of this particular combo is the inclusion of two interchangeable cylinders: one chambered for the ubiquitous .22 Long Rifle (.22LR) cartridge and the other for the more powerful .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (.22 Mag) round. This dual-cylinder capability significantly enhances the revolver’s versatility, catering to different shooting preferences and ammunition availability.
Safety is another important consideration. The Heritage Rough Rider incorporates a manual hammer block. This means that the hammer must be pulled fully back to cock the revolver and then released. The hammer block prevents the firing pin from striking the primer unless the trigger is pulled, making the revolver very safe to carry.
The specific barrel length of the model being tested is a four and three-quarter inch.
Build Quality and Durability: Striking a Balance
The Heritage Rough Rider is crafted to offer a solid shooting experience without breaking the bank. The frame is made from alloy, a choice that helps keep the weight down and the price accessible. The grips on the tested model are beautiful wood, providing a comfortable and classic feel in the hand.
The overall fit and finish are generally quite good, especially considering the price. The bluing on the steel is deep and even, and the various parts of the revolver fit together well with smooth operation. There are some areas where the cost-cutting is evident. This is not a hand-fitted, heirloom-quality revolver, and some tolerances might be slightly looser than in higher-end models. For example, the cylinder gap might be a bit wider.
Regarding durability, the Heritage Rough Rider is a robust firearm for its intended purpose. It’s built to withstand regular use and should provide years of reliable service with proper care and maintenance. Given that the frame material is alloy, it’s important to clean the gun regularly and keep it lubricated.
Performance on the Range: Putting the Rough Rider to the Test
The real test of any firearm is how it performs on the range. After all, it is meant to be shot.
The setup for this range session involves a comfortable shooting environment with plenty of space and good lighting. The ammunition used includes a variety of .22LR and .22 Mag cartridges from different manufacturers. This is to test the Rough Rider’s performance with different types of ammunition.
The accuracy is tested at distances of 10 and 15 yards. The .22LR consistently produces respectable groupings, with the shots often clustering within a couple of inches at 10 yards. Some ammunition will naturally perform better than others. The .22 Mag, with its higher velocity, demonstrates a flatter trajectory, but the accuracy is still good. The point of impact is fairly consistent, with the revolver tending to shoot slightly low for both cartridges.
The recoil with .22LR is practically non-existent, making it exceptionally enjoyable and accessible for all shooters, even beginners. The .22 Mag, on the other hand, produces a noticeable, yet still manageable, recoil. The handling is good, with the grips providing a comfortable and secure hold.
Reliability is the other key element of performance. The Heritage Rough Rider functioned flawlessly with both .22LR and .22 Mag ammunition during the tests. There were no failures to fire, eject, or feed. It is important to always follow the gun’s maintenance instructions.
Swapping between the .22LR and .22 Mag cylinders is very easy. The cylinder pin is pulled, the current cylinder is removed, and the new cylinder is inserted. This takes only seconds. The cylinder swap delivers the sensation of shooting two different guns.
The .22LR and .22 Magnum Combo: A Versatile Partnership
The inclusion of both .22LR and .22 Mag cylinders is one of the most appealing aspects of this Heritage Rough Rider combo.
The benefits of this combination are considerable. The .22LR cartridge offers an inexpensive and readily available ammunition option, perfect for casual plinking, target practice, and introducing new shooters to the sport. The .22 Mag cartridge, however, provides a significant step up in power.
When using the .22LR cartridge, you can find ammunition in virtually any gun shop or online retailer. The variety of available .22LR loads is extensive.
The .22 Mag offers a much higher muzzle velocity than the .22LR, translating to increased range, flatter trajectory, and greater energy on target. This makes the .22 Mag a more effective choice for small game hunting or defense (though it should be noted that this is not considered a primary self-defense gun).
The ballistics between the .22LR and .22 Mag cartridges are dramatically different. The .22LR is known for its affordability and the relatively low noise level. The .22 Mag, on the other hand, has a significantly greater range, more power, and a greater propensity for creating serious damage to targets.
Value and Competition: A Place in the Market
The Heritage Rough Rider is a true value-driven firearm. The typical retail price places it firmly in the budget-friendly category, making it an attractive option for those on a tight budget or those looking for their first handgun.
The most direct competitor to the Heritage Rough Rider is the Ruger Wrangler. Both revolvers offer a similar single-action experience. Other competitors include other single-action revolvers, but it is the Ruger Wrangler that is the most direct competitor in price and style. The Heritage Rough Rider, with the inclusion of the .22 Mag cylinder, offers a degree of versatility that others can not, making the Heritage Rough Rider stand out.
The Heritage Rough Rider offers an outstanding value proposition. It delivers a fun and reliable shooting experience, particularly with the inclusion of both .22LR and .22 Mag cylinders.
Pros and Cons: A Quick Summary
Pros:
- Affordable price.
- Classic single-action design.
- Reliable performance.
- Fun to shoot.
- Includes both .22LR and .22 Mag cylinders.
- Easy to swap cylinders.
- Good value.
Cons:
- Basic sights.
- Build quality is good, but not exceptional.
- Manual hammer block.
- Not suited for high-volume competition shooting.
Conclusion: A Classic Ride with Modern Versatility
In conclusion, the Heritage Rough Rider 22LR 22 Mag Combo offers an excellent blend of classic appeal, reliable performance, and affordability. It captures the spirit of the traditional single-action revolver while offering the versatility of two distinct cartridge options.
The Rough Rider is perfect for anyone looking for a fun and affordable plinking gun. It’s a great option for introducing new shooters to the world of firearms due to its simplicity and manageable recoil, especially with the .22LR cylinder. It also suits experienced shooters who appreciate the nostalgia of single-action revolvers and enjoy the flexibility of both .22LR and .22 Mag rounds.
The Heritage Rough Rider 22LR 22 Mag Combo stands as a great option in the market.
