Heritage Rough Rider .22 LR 4.75″ 6-Round Revolver
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 31.2 oz — lightweight for all-day carry compared to steel-frame single-actions.
- Direct-cost platform at $156.99 — one of the most affordable new-production revolvers on the market.
- Simple takedown — field-strips to three main components in under 60 seconds with a screwdriver.
- Classic single-action operation — teaches fundamental manual-of-arms and safety discipline.
Trade-offs
- Zinc alloy frame — lacks the long-term durability of steel or aluminum alloy frames under heavy use.
- Fixed sights are non-adjustable — limits precision correction for windage or elevation.
- Single-action only — requires 2.5+ seconds per aimed shot, making it unsuitable for defensive use.
- No included .22 Magnum cylinder — requires a separate $40-50 purchase for caliber conversion.
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
What is the Heritage Rough Rider .22 LR 4.75\u2033 6-Round Revolver? It's a single-action, rimfire revolver built on a zinc alloy frame with a 4.75-inch barrel, designed as an economical and mechanically simple introduction to the traditional single-action platform. The 6-round cylinder chambers .22 Long Rifle, and the fixed sights, exposed hammer, and black laminate grips deliver a classic Western profile that prioritizes manual operation over modern convenience. For shooters who value mechanical transparency and historical operation over rapid fire or tactical features, the Rough Rider occupies a specific, budget-conscious niche.
What is the Heritage Rough Rider used for?
The Heritage Rough Rider is used primarily as a training and recreational tool. It's an ideal platform for teaching new shooters the fundamentals of manual revolver operation, safe handling of a single-action mechanism, and the discipline of deliberate, aimed fire. At a weight of 31.2 ounces, its balance is stable enough for informal plinking and rimfire silhouette shooting out to about 25 yards, where the fixed sights remain effective. It can also serve for close-range pest control, although its single-action design makes follow-up shots slower than with any double-action firearm like our Stevens 334 bolt-action rifle.
How does the Heritage Rough Rider compare to the Ruger Wrangler?
The Heritage Rough Rider is a more modular but less rugged alternative to the Ruger Wrangler. The key mechanical difference is the frame material: the Rough Rider uses a zinc alloy that keeps its unloaded weight at 31.2 ounces, while the Ruger Wrangler's aluminum-alloy frame provides greater long-term durability for roughly the same price point. The Rough Rider often includes an interchangeable .22 Magnum cylinder as an option, a feature not standard on the base-model Wrangler. For pure mechanical ruggedness and longevity, the Ruger is the better choice; for maximum caliber flexibility on a tight budget, the Heritage configuration offers more utility. Read our comparison of budget single-actions here.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The Heritage Rough Rider weighs 31.2 ounces (884 grams) unloaded and measures 10.5 inches in overall length. The 4.75-inch barrel provides a sight radius of approximately 5.9 inches, which is sufficient for the fixed notch-and-blade sights to be usable on standard silhouette targets. The cylinder diameter is 1.34 inches, and the grip frame has a circumference of 4.8 inches, making it suitable for medium to large hands. These dimensions make it a compact but not pocket-sized firearm, comparable in profile to many historic .45 Colt single-actions but with the lighter recoil of a .22 LR.
Who is this NOT for?
This revolver is not for anyone seeking a defensive firearm, a high-volume plinker, or a precision competition tool. The single-action mandate means you must manually cock the hammer before every shot, a process that takes a practiced shooter about 2.5 seconds per round, making it unsuitable for any defensive scenario. The zinc alloy frame, while cost-effective, lacks the impact resistance of steel or modern aluminum alloys for intensive long-term use. If your primary need is fast, reliable pest dispatch or tactical training, a semi-automatic pistol or a double-action revolver is a far more efficient choice.
What\u2019s in the box?
In the box, you receive the revolver itself, one 6-round cylinder, and a basic cable lock. Unlike some competitors, the standard package does not include a cleaning kit, spare grip panels, or a second cylinder for .22 Magnum, though that is a separately purchasable accessory. The documentation includes a manual with specific warnings about the safe handling of single-action revolvers, including the mandatory step of loading only five rounds and leaving an empty chamber under the hammer for safe carry. You\u2019ll need to supply your own ammunition, eye and ear protection, and a suitable case for transport.
Is the Heritage Rough Rider worth it at $156.99?
At $156.99, the Heritage Rough Rider is worth it strictly as an introductory or novelty firearm. You are paying for a functional, shootable single-action mechanism at a price point that is difficult to match, making it an accessible entry into cowboy-action shooting or historical firearm operation. The trade-off is in materials and long-term service life; the zinc alloy frame will not withstand the same level of neglect or high-round-count abuse as a steel-framed revolver costing three times as much. For the shooter who wants a \u201crange toy\u201d to practice fundamentals without financial stress, it delivers. For a serious, all-weather field gun, consider investing in a more durable platform like a bolt-action Stevens 334 in .308 Win.
Key attributes
| upc | 727962708613 |
| manufacturer | Heritage Arms |
| manufacturer part number | RR22NI4BW |
| action | Single Action |
| atf type | Revolver |
| barrel finish | Black Nitride |
| barrel length | 4.75" |
| caliber/gauge | .22 LR |
| capacity | 6 |
| color | Nickel |
| model | Rough Rider |
| package height | 1.8 |
| package width | 5.4 |
| product type | Revolver |
| shipping weight | 2.5 |
| sights | Fixed |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with .22 Magnum ammunition?
- Not without an optional accessory cylinder. The factory-standard cylinder is chambered exclusively for .22 Long Rifle. Heritage sells a separate .22 Magnum cylinder that can be swapped in, but it is not included at the $156.99 price point and typically adds $40-50 to the total cost.
- Does it fit a standard small pistol safe?
- Yes, its dimensions of 10.5 inches long by 5 inches high allow it to fit most compact pistol safes. For reference, it requires a safe interior depth of at least 11 inches to accommodate its length comfortably. I recommend checking the specific internal dimensions of your safe model before purchasing.
- How long does shipping take to an FFL?
- Shipping typically takes 3-7 business days once the order is processed and your selected Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder's information is verified. Delivery times are dependent on carrier transit and your FFL's processing speed for incoming transfers.
- Can I return it if it doesn\u2019t fit my hand?
- No, firearms cannot be returned for fit or ergonomic preferences due to federal regulations. All sales are final once the firearm is transferred through an FFL. I strongly suggest handling a similar model at a local dealer to check grip circumference, which is 4.8 inches on this model, before purchasing online.
- Does this work with a standard .22 LR bore snake?
- Yes, a .22 caliber bore snake will work for cleaning the 4.75-inch barrel. Given the revolver's design, you will also need to clean the six individual cylinder chambers, which requires a .22 caliber brush and solvent, adding about 5 minutes to a typical cleaning session compared to a semi-automatic.