American Handgunner Jul/Aug 2011 - Jeffersonian

THE SIXGUNNERJohn Taffin
Heritage
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 nontapered
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.
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.
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
Point
Of Aim
The
Heritage
.22 features
a manual
safety on the
left side of the
recoil shield.
This makes it
kid-safe under
adult supervision.
Rough Riders
The Heritage Rough Rider .22
is a convertible with 9-shot
cylinders chambered
in .22 and .22
Magnum.
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.
Heritage .22/.22 Magnum
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.
John says it’s
a real shooter
for the money.
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.
*
For more info: www.americanhandgunner.
com/heritage-mfg
44 WWW.AMERICANHANDGUNNER.COM • JULY/AUGUST 2011