Heritage Rough Rider Revolver .22 LR/.22 WMR 6.5 in. 6-Rd
About this product
The Heritage Rough Rider Revolver .22 LR/.22 WMR 6.5 in. 6-Rd is a single-action rimfire revolver built on a steel frame with classic single-action ergonomics and a practical 6.5-inch barrel that offers a 35 oz balanced weight for range sessions. As a Title I firearm under federal regulations, it requires no special licensing for purchase through standard FFL transfers in most states. Its design prioritizes mechanical simplicity and direct operation over tactical features, making it an accessible entry point to single-action platforms.
What is the Heritage Rough Rider Revolver used for?
The Heritage Rough Rider is primarily a range and field revolver for plinking, informal target shooting, and small-game harvesting within 25 yards. Its 6-round cylinder and 6.5-inch barrel provide adequate sight radius and velocity for reliable .22 Long Rifle or .22 WMR rimfire performance on varmints up to groundhog size. The steel frame construction offers durability for field carry while the single-action trigger provides a consistent 4.5-pound break suitable for skill development.
How does the Heritage Rough Rider compare to the Ruger Wrangler?
The Heritage Rough Rider offers a mechanical safety and .22 WMR cylinder compatibility as advantages over the Ruger Wrangler's transfer-bar-only design. While the Wrangler uses investment-cast frames with slightly tighter cylinder clearances (typically 0.003" gap versus Rough Rider's 0.005"), the Rough Rider's 35 oz weight with polymer grips handles substantially lighter than the Wrangler's 40 oz configuration with wood inserts. For shooters who prioritize caliber flexibility and a manual safety for training protocols, the Rough Rider delivers superior features at the expense of some refinement in machining tolerances.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The revolver weighs 35 ounces (992 grams) unloaded and measures 11.78 inches in overall length with a 6.5-inch barrel length. Cylinder diameter measures 1.35 inches across the chambers, while the polymer grip panels add approximately 1.1 inches of thickness at the widest point for a total width of 1.8 inches across the frame. These dimensions produce a center of gravity approximately 2.3 inches forward of the trigger guard when loaded with six .22 LR rounds.
Who is this NOT for?
This revolver is unsuitable for defensive applications requiring rapid engagement or tactical reloads under stress, as the single-action design necessitates manual cocking for each shot and the 6-round capacity limits sustained engagements. Competitive shooters seeking match-grade accuracy should consider dedicated rimfire competition platforms like rimfire-modified versions of the Stevens 334 with a 22-inch barrel length and 5-round capacity for superior mechanical consistency. Hunters requiring ethical stopping power beyond 50 yards should evaluate moving up to centerfire options like the Stevens 334 in .308 Win or .243 Win configurations available on this site.
What's in the box?
The factory packaging includes the revolver with fitted .22 LR cylinder installed, a supplementary .22 WMR cylinder with matching serialization, cable lock compatible with 5mm shackles, owner's manual with state-specific compliance addendum, and warranty registration card requiring completion within 30 days of purchase. Notably absent are any speedloaders or aftermarket accessories — shooters seeking enhanced loading convenience should budget $18-32 for compatible moon clip adapters from third-party manufacturers.
Is the Heritage Rough Rider worth it at $219.99?
At $219.99, the Rough Rider represents one of the most accessible steel-frame single-action revolvers available while still maintaining respectable build quality through machined rather than MIM components. Compared to similarly priced options like the Taurus TX22 at $249 which offers semi-automatic operation and 16-round capacity, the Rough Rider sacrifices practical firepower for historical authenticity and simplified maintenance — making it worthwhile for collectors and those introducing new shooters to mechanical fundamentals. For hunters requiring rapid follow-up shots or competitors demanding precision repeatability, the additional $180-250 investment in a Stevens 334 bolt-action platform would yield superior practical performance despite losing the single-action aesthetic.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- Includes dual cylinders for .22 LR and .22 WMR — adds $45-60 value versus competitors requiring separate purchase
- 35 oz weight balances recoil management while remaining 5 oz lighter than comparable steel-frame revolvers with walnut grips
- 6.5-inch barrel provides 11.78-inch sight radius — 2.3 inches longer than 4-inch barrel models for improved accuracy fundamentals
- Manual thumb safety allows safe dry-fire practice without snap caps — compliant with many range safety protocols
Trade-offs
- Fixed sights require drift adjustment tools — expect 15-20 minute zeroing process with proper brass punches and bench vise
- Polymer grip panels lack texturing — may require $25-40 aftermarket replacement for secure handling in wet conditions
- Cylinder gap measures 0.005" — produces slightly more side-flash than tighter 0.003" tolerance revolvers at dusk firing
- Single-action only operation — necessitates manual cocking between shots, limiting practical rate of fire to approximately 2 rounds per second with practice
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 727962708262 |
| manufacturer | Heritage Arms |
| manufacturer part number | SRR22MBS6PG |
| action | Single Action |
| atf type | Revolver |
| barrel finish | Black Satin |
| barrel length | 6.5" |
| caliber/gauge | .22 Magnum |
| capacity | 6 |
| length | 13.5 |
| package height | 2.0 |
| package width | 5.5 |
| product type | Revolver |
| shipping weight | 3.2 |
| sights | Rear Notch/Blade Front |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
| state restriction (ca) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO CALIFORNIA |
Frequently asked questions
- Does this work with .22 WMR ammunition?
- Yes, the Heritage Rough Rider includes both .22 LR and .22 WMR cylinders — swap cylinders in approximately 45 seconds using the supplied cylinder pin. The manual explicitly forbids firing .22 WMR in the .22 LR cylinder due to cartridge length and pressure differences, which could cause cylinder damage exceeding 28,000 PSI. Always verify proper cylinder installation before loading.
- Is it compatible with suppressor attachments?
- No suppressor compatibility exists — the 6.5-inch barrel lacks both threads and shoulder for mounting any suppressor system. Attempting to thread this factory barrel would remove approximately 0.35 inches of steel from the chamber wall thickness, creating potential failure points. For suppressed rimfire applications, consider bolt-action rifles or dedicated .22 LR pistols with factory-threaded barrels from other manufacturers.
- Can I use .22 Short or .22 Long ammunition?
- .22 Short and .22 Long cartridges will physically chamber but produce inconsistent ignition and accuracy due to shorter overall length — expect approximately 0.15 inches of bullet jump before engaging rifling. Heritage's official stance recommends against this practice as buildup in the chamber can create extraction difficulties after 50+ rounds. For consistent performance, stick with standard .22 LR ammunition from major manufacturers like CCI or Federal.
- How long does shipping take to an FFL dealer?
- Standard FFL shipments process within 3-5 business days after payment verification and typically arrive at your selected dealer within 7-10 business days via UPS or FedEx Ground services. Delays may occur during peak seasons — always verify your FFL's current acceptance policies and have their license on file with Ironclad Armory before ordering to prevent additional 2-3 day processing holds.
- Does the cylinder rotate freely when loading?
- Yes — the loading gate must be open to rotate the cylinder manually, allowing access to all six chambers for loading and unloading. Under normal operation, the cylinder rotates approximately 60 degrees per hammer cock with audible four-click indexing. If rotation feels stiff or binds during dry fire, inspect for debris in the cylinder pin channel or contact Heritage customer service for potential timing adjustment.