Heritage 22 Revolver Review | A Reliable Firearm With Old West Vibes!

Are you looking for a firearm that combines classic style with exceptional performance? Look no further than the Heritage 22 Revolver. This beauty has been a longtime favorite among gun enthusiasts, and for a good reason. Its sleek design and smooth shooting experience are second to none, making it a joy to hold and fire. 

But let me tell you, this revolver is more than just a fun gun with a pretty face. In Heritage 22 Revolver review, I'll dive deep into this classic revolver's features, performance, and overall value, so you can see why it's a must-have for any gun owner. Get ready to fall in love with the Heritage 22 Revolver.

Does Taurus Make Heritage Revolvers?

While Taurus is the parent company, Heritage Manufacturing later took over the brand in 2012. It is one of the largest gun manufacturers in the world. They are a force to reckon with when making affordable, high-quality heritage Rough Rider revolvers.

Since the Taurus handover, Heritage Manufacturing has stood by these standards. They effortlessly exceed clients' expectations through impressive packaging and limitless options that mimic the real old-west spirit.

For instance, My Rough Heritage Rider came in an attractive light brown box. Together with my revolver was a pistol chamber flag, hang tag, and trigger lock. Something else, the barrel measures approximately 6 ½ inches from muzzle to breech.

Some ammo retailers also insert discount coupons on ammo or the optional Magnum cylinder. Another incredible first impression is the smooth and comfortable cocobolo wood grip. The hammer, made from a stainless steel frame, is ideal for new shooters. The swing-out loading gate looks sturdy enough to last several seasons.

Is the Heritage Rough Rider 22 Easy to Use? 

Before revolvers, I was more accustomed to semi-automatic sights (tritium three dots). Much later, I also realized that single action stands out regarding accuracy. In my experience, the fixed sights in single-action revolvers are simple and work much better than adjustable sights in handguns.

The gun's customizable, old-western feel and features make it easy to use. It's a perfect gun to add to your gun arsenal if you're looking for a classic .22LR revolver that can serve both as a fun plinking firearm and a reliable backup option for your range sessions, as well as an attractive display piece.

The front sight resembles a blade and sticks out slightly from the rear sight and barrel. Heritage manufacturing has the rear sight placed on the top part of the frame from a u-notch cut.

The 6 ½ inch barrel translates to minimal recoil with small caliber guns. That enables me to fire accurately. And new shooters can take advantage of the lack of recoil to improve their fundamental firing skills.

The modern revolver has, in addition to what the old-time revolver has, the hammer block safety. The feature with four positions is on the left side (opposite the loading gate). The first one, fully forward, rests against the firing pin. This is the hammer's resting place after firing.

There is also one feature of a modern thumb safety (opposite the loading gate) which I maneuver using the shooting hand. Flipping it up (to a safe position) blocks the firing pin. If I flip it down (fire position), you'll notice a little red dot on the gun frame. That shows that the revolver is ready to shoot.

Is the Heritage Rough Rider 22 Any Good?

The build quality of Rough Rider guns is outstanding. It weighs roughly two pounds and has a nice texture that helps you hold on even when your hands are wet or sweaty.

Above all, the trigger pull on this gun is excellent, and the cylinder empties well.

The revolver has proven to be dependable, although its screws tend to loosen. After firing several thousand rounds, the finish shows signs of significant wear and tear, but the gun still performs well with even the cheapest bulk ammunition. While its accuracy is average, it gets the job done.

The only disadvantage is the time-consuming loading and unloading process. But I enjoy using a speed loader. After loading your revolver, it's pretty simple to point naturally, target, and shoot. As a result, you can achieve incredible accuracy even when firing 22LR ammo at high speeds. 

If you intend to use your weapon as a hunting handgun, it has adjustable turrets that allow you to dial in your shots. This can be extremely useful when attempting to hit targets over 50 yards away. The accompanying scope is also useful when dry firing.

Loading and Shooting

Like other single-action revolvers, a Rough Rider is plenty accurate and has perfect timing. This is unlike any other low-cost revolver on the market. They also have a manual guide instructing experienced and novice shooters on proper shooting techniques.

Rough Riders have fixed cylinders and do not swing out during loading. You must pull the hammer to a half-cocked position to load your firearms and rotate the swing-out cylinder. That allows users to load one cartridge at a time into the cylinder.

Open the right side loading gate on the frame opposite the hammer and insert ammo one by one into the empty chamber one by one. Rotate the manually cocked cylinder and repeat the process until you get the chambers of the six-shooter revolver full.

Once the loading gate closes, you can proceed to the next firing level. Soon after shooting, the gate reopens, and the hammer resumes to half cock. To unload a Heritage Rough Rider 22, you must again place the hammer in the half cock position. An ejector rod under the barrel presses to eject the spent casing simultaneously as the cylinder rotates.

You can find the ejection rod craftily built inside the barrel. Pull and release the plunger if you intend to empty all six chambers. Then turn the cylinder, clean, and rinse. Repeat the cleaning process several times for the best results.

Maintaining the Heritage Rough Rider 22

I've used several single-action revolvers, and the Rough Riders 22 is one of my favorites in terms of maintenance. I clean it after each shooting session. I wipe the outside with a damp cloth and then apply a few drops of CLP or gun oil to the moving parts inside. Here are some quick maintenance tips that I use.

FAQs

Why Are Heritage Revolvers So Cheap?

Heritage Revolvers are affordable because of their simple design. It used lower-cost materials and streamlined manufacturing processes.

Is a 22 Revolver Powerful?

A 22 revolver is powerful and effective for target shooting, small game hunting, and self-defense in certain situations. But it’s not as powerful as larger caliber firearms.

Who Makes the Most Reliable Revolvers?

Many manufacturers produce reliable revolvers, but some of the most respected brands include Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Colt, and Taurus.

Are Revolvers Worth Buying?

Revolvers can be an excellent investment for those who value simplicity, reliability, safety, and classic design. They are also ideal for those who prefer a firearm with less recoil and noise than other guns.

Is Heritage a Good Revolver?

The Rough Rider revolver series is a solid gun with many characters and impressive history. While they speak volumes of the historic Old West culture, some modern innovations continue to give them a run for their money. With marketing tactics and introducing larger calibers, competitive brands may seem like they dominate the scene. The Rough Rider outperforms them in accuracy, affordability, and positive gun reviews. 

I won't deny that I occasionally crave a double-action trigger on semi-automatic pistols. Rough Riders always bring me back home, thanks to their various rim shapes and different barrel lengths. In a nutshell, it is an excellent gun to practice shooting a single-action revolver. They are also affordable compared to a longer barrel gun. Above all, it's also ideal for beginners who value safety when handling guns with short-barrel lengths.