Heritage rough rider 22 SA revolver in California ?

[Parker2020]

I was thinking about buying one of these after reading good reviews but the internet gun dealer I was going to purchase though had a notice it was not on the list for California approved handguns . I thought single action revolvers were exempted from these sales restrictions ? Can anyone clarify .

[norcal77]

They are exempted so list doesn’t apply, spend away.

[leman77]

A buddy of mine got Rough Rider and I wasn’t too impressed with the looks of it and the dumb safety. Please take a look at the Ruger Wrangler first, before you buy one.
I have two Ruger wranglers and they shoot great, and are a fun gun with a $200 price point.

[plumbum]

The advantage of the Heritage is the available WMR cylinder and the bargain basement price tag. I’ve shot them before, great plinkers and good value. The Ruger Wrangler is a very nice gun for the money too - so if you’re only going for a .22 LR, it’s just your preference.

[G-forceJunkie]

Buy a Ruger Wrangler, much nicer firearm for not much more money

[ponderosa]

If you don’t have a stockpile of 22wmr might as well just get the wrangler. Or pony up more $ and get a new model single six, A LOT nicer...

[Quiet]

Originally Posted by Parker2020

I was thinking about buying one of these after reading good reviews but the internet gun dealer I was going to purchase though had a notice it was not on the list for California approved handguns . I thought single action revolvers were exempted from these sales restrictions ? Can anyone clarify .

Handguns that are exempt from CA unsafe handgun laws are not listed on the Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale.

The single-action revolver exemption (SAE) applies to revolvers that are single-action and has a cylider with a minimum of 5 chambers and has a minimum barrel length of 3" and an overall length of 7.5". [PC 32100(a)]

Almost all of the Heritage Arms Rough Rider revolver series qualifies for the SAE.

[Quiet]

Originally Posted by ponderosa

If you don’t have a stockpile of 22wmr might as well just get the wrangler. Or pony up more $ and get a new model single six, A LOT nicer...

Ruger Single-Six > Ruger Bearcat > Ruger Wrangler > Heritage Arms Rough Rider

[Spyder]

I have 2 Heritage, and agree, go with the Wrangler.

Unless you want the 16" Heritage like mine. It's just silly fun, and worth the 150 bucks I paid for it just in laughs every time I take it out. And the 22wmr cylinder makes it a reasonably 100 yard plinking pistol.

[edgerly779]

I picked up one and just got 22 wmr cylinder

[Wordupmybrotha]

Happy with mine. Took my 10 year old shooting for the first time with it.

[Baer1911]

I 2nd Ruger Wrangler
The Rough Rider I had was no rider but awfully rough.

[Robert1234]

I got a Rough Rider for $124.00 a few years ago. That's about as much money as I'd spend on any cowboy type gun. I couldn't see any reason to pay one dollar more for a SA gun.

[KrisDSA]

Originally Posted by Parker2020

I was thinking about buying one of these after reading good reviews but the internet gun dealer I was going to purchase though had a notice it was not on the list for California approved handguns . I thought single action revolvers were exempted from these sales restrictions ? Can anyone clarify .

Buy the Ruger wrangler instead

[Mr. Beretta]

Originally Posted by G-forceJunkie

Buy a Ruger Wrangler, much nicer firearm for not much more money

Another Wrangler fan here!

[Dlbasinger]

Does the Bar Keep meet the CA. Exemption?

[Quiet]

Originally Posted by Dlbasinger

Does the Bar Keep meet the CA. Exemption?

Nope.

Because the Heritage Arms Barkeep series has a 2.68" barrel, it does not qualify for the SAE (which requires a minimum barrel length of 3").

Therefore, a CA FFL dealer can only legally transfer it via other exemptions (LEO sale, out-of-state intra-familial/operation-of-law transfer, PPT).

[pacrat]

Originally Posted by Parker2020

I was thinking about buying one of these after reading good reviews but the internet gun dealer I was going to purchase though had a notice it was not on the list for California approved handguns . I thought single action revolvers were exempted from these sales restrictions ? Can anyone clarify .

First, as others noted "dealer full of FUD". It is exempt.

Second, don't be swayed by the Ruger snobs. Who in turn take backseat to Colt snobs. The Heritage is a perfectly serviceable made in USA, SA 22. Don't like the safety, fine, don't use it. Just like folks do with their Ca neutered S&W Shields. No problems in the accuracy dept. The one I had accounted for a butt load of jackrabbits on my Mom's Az property.

The finish isn't as nice as the Ruger Single Six. But nicer than the fugly flat black paintjob on the Wrangler. Just like the finish on the Ruger single six isn't as nice as a Colt 22 Peacemaker.

FYI............I have Old Single Six, Old Bearcat, and Colt Peacemaker 22. I had a Heritage convertible, but gave it to my Grandson when he turned 18. It started life as my Mom's yard gun. Now it is being used by her G-grandson, to teach my G-grandson. As a "5th" gen Heritage user. I for see it being used to train his kids someday.

[Mark49]

I have two 4" and 6" Heritage i think is a great SAA cowboy. Mine came with the two cylinders. It a fun gun to just kick it with. I own a old colt .22 and the stainless Ruger. Are they that much better? maybe? Dont forget they have that lifetime warranty. Conclusion; it's not going to fall apart. Go for it!

[Wordupmybrotha]

I like the safety on the Roughrider. Can dry fire without snap caps.

[Sequencer60]

Originally Posted by Parker2020

I was thinking about buying one of these after reading good reviews but the internet gun dealer I was going to purchase though had a notice it was not on the list for California approved handguns . I thought single action revolvers were exempted from these sales restrictions ? Can anyone clarify .

If you must have a single action revolver, pay a little more for the Wrangler. I've owned both, and they are like night and day.

[Spyder]

Originally Posted by pacrat

The finish isn't as nice as the Ruger Single Six. But nicer than the fugly flat black paintjob on the Wrangler. Just like the finish on the Ruger single six isn't as nice as a Colt 22 Peacemaker.

I also agree with this. I like the Ruger better because it is more "correct" without the safety, but...I guess it's less correct because of the finish.

Maybe I'll have to actually buy a Wrangler so I can have both to compare.

I've mentioned it before and will say again, buy the 16" Rough Rider. There are several iterations, in both lr and magnum. I recommend buying it, with both cylinders. Hella fun.

[CoopsDad]

I have two in my home. A 6" and a 16", both with .22lr and .22 WMR cylinders. I paid $100 for the 6" and $20 for the magnum cylinder at the gun show in Batesville, and $165 for the 16". Both are gifts for my FIL, and he loves them. I think they're functional and reasonably accurate, if cheap looking/feeling. They remind me of a heavy and well-made cap gun from the 50's or early 60's. The thing looks like it was cast out of pot metal, sanded relatively smooth and spray painted with krylon. That said, it's a great value for $120 and $165, respectively. Aside from a High Point or building something using Home Depot as your parts catalog, where else can you find a dependable gun for that cheap?

The Ruger is a much higher quality choice. It looks and feels like knowledgeable people in a machine shop made it with the intention that you could show it to your friends and not have them start a GoFundMe for you because you're one of the poors.

[Mark49]

As I’ve said before. It’s a good gun for blowing off allot of .22. The one thing that is noticeable is the kinda hollow hammer. The fit, finish, handling is all good. I’ve have two, one is decades old. I’ve had zero issues with them... Back in the day Turners had them on sale with the extra cylinder for 99 bucks. Remember they come with a lifetime warranty.

[Robert1234]

Originally Posted by Mark49

As I’ve said before. It’s a good gun for blowing off allot of .22. The one thing that is noticeable is the kinda hollow hammer. The fit, finish, handling is all good. I’ve have two, one is decades old. I’ve had zero issues with them... Back in the day Turners had them on sale with the extra cylinder for 99 bucks. Remember they come with a lifetime warranty.

And it's a gun that's going to spend most of it's time in the safe, until you have someone who wants to learn to shoot, not some heirloom piece. Spend as little as possible on it.

[ar15robert]

I recently bought a heritage.could be bought at the major chain stores in az at 140 and up but they werent in stock got at another place in stock for 180 OTD.

As for the gun it aint a show piece i know that but bought to shoot off all the 22 ammo i have and first time it was shooting 2 inches hogh and about 3 inches to the left.I went home and filed rear site except i did wrong side!!So i took off the right side equally and read online some turn the barrel to rotate the front site and some take some pliers and bend them.So i opted to bend the front sight to the left to make it shoot right now i have it shooting perfectly and it actually groups pretty good too.

Was considering the ruger wrangler as well but came across the HRR in stock so hard to pass it up.IMO for the price im happy with it and about what i expected from it.Fun gun to shoot too.

[orangeusa]

Same as everybody else.

I bought one, disliked it, weird pot metal frame. Couldn't dial in the sights consistently.

Sold it, and bought a Single Six for twice the price, but I still have it...

.

[heidad01]

Never owned one because I find them particularly ugly and cheap looking.

[Robert1234]

Originally Posted by heidad01

Never owned one because I find them particularly ugly and cheap looking.

That's the exact reason I bought one.

[Spyder]

Originally Posted by orangeusa

Same as everybody else.

I bought one, disliked it

.

Not same as everybody else, because plenty of folks here like and enjoy the hell out of 'em.

[boattail]

I tried to talk a friend into buying the Wrangler over the Heritage. After handling both I agreed to endorse the Heritage. Much nicer trigger and smoother action then the Ruger example I was holding. I don't care for the safety but my friend liked it. For $129 it's hard to go wrong.

[bergmen]

Originally Posted by boattail

I tried to talk a friend into buying the Wrangler over the Heritage. After handling both I agreed to endorse the Heritage. Much nicer trigger and smoother action then the Ruger example I was holding. I don't care for the safety but my friend liked it. For $129 it's hard to go wrong.

What is the issue with the safety on the Heritage? What type of safety does it have?

Dan

[Robert1234]

Originally Posted by bergmen

What is the issue with the safety on the Heritage? What type of safety does it have?

Dan

It has a goofy hammer block at the left rear of the cylinder. Ugly, but so is the whole gun. I don't care for it, but I don't much care for cowboy guns other than as a cheap way to shoot up a bunch of .22 shorts I got a long time ago.

[bergmen]

Originally Posted by Robert1234

It has a goofy hammer block at the left rear of the cylinder. Ugly, but so is the whole gun. I don't care for it, but I don't much care for cowboy guns other than as a cheap way to shoot up a bunch of .22 shorts I got a long time ago.

Looked it up, wow, that is strange indeed. I wonder if this is some sort of "lawyer proofing"?

Dan

[Killer Bee]

the heritage is sort of like the modern day H&R of .22 revolvers, only with less options

there isn't really any new manufacture inexpensive and high quality these days, just isn't common if you can find it at all.. if you don't mind cheap finishes and clunky operation, then cheap will do you fine.. if you have higher standards you'll probably be disappointed with anything cheap these days..

about the only way to flatten the quality/cost curve is to shop for older models from the prominent manufacturers.. a careful and patient shopper may find something more to their liking with a little acceptable wear and tear and a better price point than modern premiums..

so by comparison, a new Ruger single six msrp is $700

Ruger single six penny start no reserve sold for $361

Ruger Single Six 22LR Revolver Adjustable Sights sold for $405

holy flat gates!
Early Ruger Single Six Flat Gate Revolver 22 LR 1955 C&R sold for $475


and here's some Colts

Colt New Frontier 22 caliber with a great trigger sold for $381

Colt New Frontier 22lr 4 3/8" Case Hardened LNIB sold for $564

Colt New Frontier .22 LR 6'' Revolver sold for $590

Colt New Frontier Buntline 22LR sold for $558

[boattail]

Originally Posted by bergmen

What is the issue with the safety on the Heritage? What type of safety does it have?

Dan

It's a hammer block only. There is no transfer bar like a Ruger or Smith there is a manual lever that blocks the hammer from falling on the firing pin. If you leave the safety off it's just like the old guns without a transfer bar....the hammer can fall and light off a round without your finger on the trigger.

It's quit simple and some really like it because they never have to worry about slipping a thumb off the hammer when decocking....the bar will catch it whether or not your finger is on the trigger.

[Robert1234]

Originally Posted by boattail

It's a hammer block only. There is no transfer bar like a Ruger or Smith there is a manual lever that blocks the hammer from falling on the firing pin. If you leave the safety off it's just like the old guns without a transfer bar....the hammer can fall and light off a round without your finger on the trigger.

It's quit simple and some really like it because they never have to worry about slipping a thumb off the hammer when decocking....the bar will catch it whether or not your finger is on the trigger.

I wish it wasn't there, but it doesn't bother me enough to buy a more expensive gun.

[aghauler]

Originally Posted by Wordupmybrotha

Happy with mine. Took my 10 year old shooting for the first time with it.

YES! Only get the HRR's with the fiber optic adjustable sights.

Had 3 HRR's one with steel frame, sold it, have the birdshead grip model and the one with the fiber optics.

[RandyD]

Originally Posted by Quiet

Ruger Single-Six > Ruger Bearcat > Ruger Wrangler > Heritage Arms Rough Rider

I agree with the above quote. In addition, if you monitor gunbroker.com you can find a Ruger Single Six for around $200. The Ruger Single Six will never be a disappointment to you.