Heritage Handguns

[David I.]

 I'm curious if anyone out there owns a Heritage "Rough Rider" handgun. I know they aren't the worlds highest quality and that you usually get what you pay for...or less! I'm not looking for the best or highest quality. My wife wants a single action cowboy style gun that will very seldom be used. She would prefer 32 SW long (preferably chambered for 32H&R mag.), so far all I can find in the style she wants is Heritage Mfg; Inc. I can find much better guns, including Rugers (which I own)....but there is no need to spend that much money, nor will my wife allow it!! She does NOT want a 38 special (kicks too much) and she already has a .380 auto that she does not like. Heritage smaller frame handguns are made in the USA, their larger frame guns are assembled in the USA using Italian made parts.
 Anyone own a Heritage Rough Rider handgun? I would appreciate any first hand knowledge of the guns. Thanks, David.

[tacklebury]

*sorry misread part*
 
Buddy has a .45 Colt.  It is a decent gun for basic plinking...

[quasne.inc]

My brother has a heritage rough rider in .22 lr/ .22 mag and we have shot it quite a bit.  He loves it.  I really like it and am thinking of getting one for myself.  His has a safety on it, which is about the weirdest thing to see on a revolver.  Not sure if the big bore ones do.  Its no ruger blackhawk but it is a heck of a lot of fun.

[Brett]

I would look for a good, used Ruger SS which you could get for about the same price as a new HRR.  If you deside to sell down the road you would likely get your money back on the Ruger.  You would be lucky to get half your money back if you were to sell the Rough Rider.   Plus with the Ruger I know that I would have a gun I could pass down to my kids or grand kids.  The Rough Rider has yet to prove it's self for the long hall. 

[David I.]

This is in reply to "Brett's" comments: Thank you Brett for the reply, but I need to make you (and everyone) aware of some things.
1) I acknowledge that Ruger is a much better gun, as I said I own some nice Rugers. I'm NOT "new" to guns.
2) I do NOT have the luxury of looking for a used gun, nor do I care to. My wife and I live in the sticks and not very close to a big city. We could go to a gun show rarely if we had to....but we prefer not to. I prefer to but new guns, I always have.
3) I will NEVER sell any gun I own. As far as handing down a "better" gun to my relatives....I'm really not concerned, it's for my wife not them.
4) My wife and I are NOT young people, and as I said this gun would be for my wife and hardly ever be used.
Which brings me back to my original question. I'm looking for comments from people with first hand knowledge of Heritage Rough Rider handguns....preferably the 32 caliber models (which have a steel frame). I already know they aren't top of the line guns. I just need to hear from some people who own some and how they like them (or not) and if they think the 32 caliber model would hold up knowing it would only be shot a few times per year. If I could see one in person or better yet shoot it, I would be able to come up with my own opinions...trouble is I can't do that.    Thanks again, David.

[Pop Green]

Hi David
I understand and agree with your position. That's why "Old Guys Rule". I bought a Heritage .22/.22 MAG last year and it has a blemished finish which allowed me to buy it for $120 new. All I wanted it for was to load with snake shot and have it on my tractor with me. It shoots fine although I had to bend the front sight a little to get it to hit at point of aim. It does feel good in the hand and always goes bang when you pull the trigger. I also have a 32 SW Long that I enjoy shooting. the recoil is low but the muzzle report is quite sharp. I don't shoot it without hearing protection. If your wife doesn't like a 38 Special she may not care for the 32 SW Long. As you said there are other more expensive .22 that are better quality than the Heritage but for your purpose it shouuld do you just fine. I say go for it.
Pop

[David I.]

Thanks POP GREEN for the honest and refreshing reply....I appreciate it. Take care, David.

[powderman]

DAVID. My bil brought his heritage 22-22 mag out a while back . I was really impressed with the way it handled and its accuracy. POWDERMAN. 

[BUGEYE]

I have an EAA bounty hunter 22/22mag which is the same gun. it too has the safety gate on it.
I've put a zillion rounds thru it and it's still going strong.
it's good enough that I don't need a ruger.
rugers are finished better though.

[David I.]

Thanks POWDERMAN and BUGEYE for your replies. In fact, thanks to everyone for your replies and help. I'm sorry I did not respond to the last two (most recent replies) sooner than this. Unfortunately, I had a second heart attack ( since my first in August ) last Wednesday the 12th. I just got back home yesterday. Life has been rather rough for me the last 6 or 7 months, in that amount of time I've had 4 heart cath procedures, open heart surgery in May and two heart attacks recently!
I'm actually a very healthy person of 56 years. Long story short...I had a couple heart defects that had to be taken care of. I still have an abnormal artery on my heart that can form blood clots, but is now mostly occluded. It remains to be seen if surgery is needed or even viable...they will do a viability study soon. Meanwhile I am on drug theropy which includes a "rat poison" blood thinner I absolutely abhor taking, but I don't have a lot of choices at this point in time if I wish to live!
 
Anyway, for the moment life goes on for me but all of this has cut deeply into my hunting plans for this Fall...I SHOULD be out there now but I can't yet. Rest assured, I will be out there soon this Fall.
Thanks to all again. And oh yah, I called Heritage and they said the model I'm looking for will be available approx. Thanksgiving.
 

[handi270]

hi David, sorry to hear about your health problems. Hope you recover soon.
A couple of months ago I traded for a rough rider 22 lr/22 mag. It is nickle plated with faux pearl grips. a model they no longer make. It is what it is, but i really like it. Like a lot of folks here, we are retired, so expensive guns are not in our future.
accuracy is much better than I expected.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

[David I.]

Thanks handi270 for the info and nice comments....I do appreciate it. I haven't visited the H&R rifle subforum for quite some time, but your name suggests you own or at least like H&R handi rifles...am I correct? I have an 1870 Buffalo 45-70 I purchased last year and did some work on, I also load my own ammo. I have my own shooting range on my property and started some long range target stuff until Winter came and then my heart problems. Anyway, I guess this subject is not for this forum so I will stop here.

[gustmouse]

I have the 3 1/2 inch bird's head grip fixed sight model with the 22LR/ 22 Mag cylinders.
It shoots right on out to 20 yards or so. Not bad for a $200 gun. 4 click hammer and block safety.
My Single Six is made a lot better. But it really doesn't shoot any better and I hate how it loads.
Open the loading gate and load, spin the cylinder to load the next round. The Heritage loads more traditionally.
Half cock, load, spin cylinder, load the next round. If it only didn't have that hammer block safety!
But it is what it is, Cheap Fun!

[boatboy]

I bought a used one The gun would fire 3 to 4 rounds out of 6


OK lets get it fixed
2 local gun smiths would not touch it (quality old school guys)
Called the factory and they wanted the ser#    I asked them a few questions found out that if it was over 3 or 5 years old (I dont remember which) THE FACTORY WOULD NOT REPAIR IT.


That was it sold as-is full disclosure for 50.00 and I never looked back


I have a couple single 6es one made in 1969 or 70 Ruger and smiths fix them


I have no desire to own a gun that will not out last me
Hank

[McDerry]

The 32 mag is built exaclty like the 22 convertible on a steel frame.  I like my steel framed Rough Rider convertible.  The parts are american made if you need new parts they are a call away.  The safety can be awkward. 
 
As for the 32 H&R it is no slouch, 32 s&w is a lot more mild.   The 32 mag will make that little gun recoil like a 38, the 32 smith makes it feel like a 22 mag.

[dangerranger]

Ive had one since the early 1980s, its had well over 40,000 rounds through it. its taught several kids to shoot. the best thing about it was the price, and the worst is its finish. its a painted on finish, and doesnt wear well. but Ive shot it side by side with my two Ruger single sixes and it shoots every bit as well. I use mine as an everyday gun that goes with me on the tractor, weedwacking,and burning brush. so Ive repainted it several times. one of Rugers big improvements was the use of coil springs. the Heritage uses leaf springs through out. so spring breakage is a posibility. Ive had to change only the trigger spring on mine, but Ive read of others who have needed a hand spring. but thats in 30 years of shooting it. heres a pic of mine.
 

 

 
if she likes the idea of the handi rifle she will probably like the heritage too. if I were looking for one for my wife tho Id look for one with adjustable sights. just a thought.  DR

[tacklebury]

Bud's has a few blemish items in .22 with the Adjustable and black/silver grips. 
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_963/products_id/411544718