Heritage Arms Barkeep Boot .22 LR Revolver — 6-Round
About this product
What is the Heritage Arms Barkeep Boot .22 LR Revolver? It's a compact, single-action revolver built specifically for .22 Long Rifle cartridges with a six-round cylinder that emphasizes traditional mechanics and straightforward operation. This model uses a Zamak alloy frame with a black oxide finish, weighs 25.5 oz, and measures 6.38 inches overall, making it a distinctly lightweight and short platform in its class. It's designed for shooters who want the manual-of-arms familiarity of an old-west-style revolver without the bulk or expense of centerfire counterparts.
What is the Heritage Arms Barkeep Boot .22 LR Revolver used for?
It's primarily a training and recreational plinking firearm. The low-cost .22 LR ammunition and mild recoil make it ideal for introducing new shooters to the fundamentals of single-action revolver operation, including manual cocking, trigger discipline, and cylinder management. It's also a capable small-game hunting tool for pests within 25 yards, and its concealable 6.38-inch length suits it for discreet carry in a tackle box or hunting pack where minimal weight matters.
How does the Heritage Arms Barkeep Boot compare to the Taurus TX22 Compact?
The Barkeep Boot is fundamentally different and serves a different training purpose. While the Taurus TX22 Compact is a semi-automatic pistol offering a 13+1 round capacity and striker-fired operation that mimics modern defensive handguns, the Barkeep Boot is a manual-cocking, six-shot revolver. The TX22 is objectively better for training muscle memory relevant to modern self-defense pistols; the Barkeep Boot is better for drilling deliberate, single-action fundamentals and is more tolerant of low-powered or inconsistent .22 LR ammunition types that might fail to cycle a semi-auto.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The revolver weighs 25.5 ounces (722 grams) fully loaded and has an overall length of 6.38 inches (162 mm). This compact size stems from its 2.5-inch barrel and short grip frame, putting it in a category significantly smaller and lighter than full-sized .22 revolvers like the Ruger Wrangler, which typically weighs over 30 oz. This specific weight makes it comfortable for all-day carry in a belt holster or deep-concealment role where ounces count.
Who is this NOT for?
It's not for anyone seeking a modern defensive firearm. The single-action requirement (you must manually cock the hammer before each shot) and six-round capacity make it ill-suited for defensive scenarios compared to any modern double-action revolver or semi-auto. It's also not ideal for competitive shooting where speed is a factor, and the Zamak alloy frame, while durable for .22 LR pressures, won't hold up to the tens of thousands of rounds a steel-framed revolver like those in our vintage firearms maintenance guide can endure. Consider a Stevens 334 rifle for a more robust .308 Winchester platform if primary use is hunting larger game.
What's in the box?
You receive the revolver, a wood-handled ejector rod for spent case removal, and the factory cardboard box with compliance paperwork. Unlike many modern handguns, it does not come with a lockable hard case, a cable lock, or spare grips. The ejector rod is necessary because the cylinder does not swing out; cartridges must be loaded and unloaded one at a time through a loading gate, and cases are punched out individually through the rod port, a process that takes about 45 seconds to fully clear a cylinder.
Is the Heritage Arms Barkeep Boot worth it at $160.99?
Yes, for its specific niche, the price is justified. At just over $160, it undercuts most new-production .22 revolvers by $80-$100, offering an accessible entry point to single-action shooting. You're paying for a functional, no-frills tool that teaches core mechanics, not for target-grade accuracy or premium materials. If your budget allows and you want a more versatile .22 for hunting small game, our Stevens 555 Sporting in .410 offers shotgun versatility, but at over triple the price.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 25.5 oz — over 4 oz lighter than a loaded steel-frame Ruger Wrangler.
- 6.38-inch overall length — 1.2 inches shorter than many comparable 4-inch barrel .22 revolvers.
- Costs $160.99 — undercuts most new production .22 LR revolvers by at least $80.
- Includes functional ejector rod — essential tool for clearing the fixed cylinder is provided.
Trade-offs
- Zamak alloy frame — not as durable over the ultra long-term as a steel frame revolver.
- Fixed sights only — no adjustment for windage or elevation, limiting precision beyond 25 yards.
- Single-action only — requires manual hammer cocking before every shot, slowing follow-up shots.
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 727962706763 |
| manufacturer | Heritage Arms |
| manufacturer part number | BK22B1BHGPRL |
| action | Single Action |
| atf type | Revolver |
| barrel finish | Black |
| barrel length | 1 |
| caliber/gauge | .22 LR |
| capacity | 6 |
| length | 6.38 |
| package height | 1.8 |
| package width | 5.5 |
| product type | Revolver |
| safety | Hammer/Thumb |
| shipping weight | 2.1 |
| sights | Fixed Front/Notched Rear |
| sights type | FIXED |
| units per box | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with .22 Magnum ammunition?
- No, the Barkeep Boot is chambered specifically for .22 Long Rifle (LR) only. The cylinder is not dimensioned for the longer .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR) cartridge. Attempting to chamber a .22 WMR round will not allow the cylinder to rotate into battery and could create a dangerous obstruction.
- Does this work with a standard .22 LR suppressor?
- No, the barrel is not threaded for a suppressor mount. The 2.5-inch barrel has a fixed, tapered crown. Adding threading would require gunsmithing, which is generally not cost-effective on this alloy-frame revolver and would likely cost more than the firearm itself.
- How long does shipping take to an FFL?
- For in-stock items, processing and shipping typically take 2-3 business days. The firearm is then shipped via UPS or FedEx with adult signature required. Total transit time to your chosen Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder is usually 5-7 business days, depending on your location relative to our warehouse.
- Can I dry-fire this revolver safely?
- Heritage Arms does not recommend dry-firing any .22 rimfire revolver excessively. While the transfer bar safety system helps protect the firing pin, repeated dry-firing on an empty chamber can still peen the chamber edges. Always use snap-caps for dry-fire practice; we recommend the Tipton .22 LR Snap Caps, sold separately.
- Does it fit a standard small-frame revolver holster?
- Generally, yes. Its profile is similar to a small-frame Colt Single Action Army or Ruger Wrangler. Holsters designed for a 2.5-3 inch barrel Single Action Army (SAA) clone will typically fit, though you may need to confirm the specific measurements, particularly the trigger guard width, for a secure fit.