SW vs. Heritage Arms 3.5" .22 combo

[pete_on_the_coast]

Does anybody have both guns?   If so, what is your opinion of each?

If SW takes toooooo long to come out in 2.5" or higher, is the Heritage Arms a viable alternative?

I'm sure it's bigger and heavier, not as well made, but how close does it come to be a carry that could compete with the NAA?

[TwoGunJayne]

I've not exactly heard glowing reviews about the Heritage Rough Rider pistols. I've almost bought one a couple of times, but for some reason shied away. I might succumb and get one eventually. I know a shop that has 2 of the combo in stock last I checked.

If you want small, wait on a Sidewinder. If you don't mind it being a bigger single action, US Firearms has made a 12 shot .22 single action. I hear good things about them.
http://www.cascity.com/us-fire-arms-introduces-12-shot-new-model-1222-revolver/230/
If they offered it as a .22lr/.22mag combo in stainless, I'd have one already. Oh well.

Taurus offers the .22lr/.22mag combo 992 revolver in SA/DA. It's sort of a copy of a Smith and Wesson. I know someone with the Smith. He loves it, and it's not very big. Note that these others are huge compared to the Sidewinder. The Heritage and others aren't exactly in the same category.

[bigwheel]

Nice looking guns. Thanks for the pics. Amazing what they are turning out nowadays. Now who do you think would be the market niche for big holster needed hawg leg revolvers in .22? Must be some kinda nostalgia thing huh?

[TwoGunJayne]

People with STYLE, of course! 

You've got to admit that the US Firearms .22 single action is good-looking. People with their plastic and zinc cheap .22s just don't have that STYLE! 

Maybe the niche is US, since we're talking about them!

[bigwheel]

They all looking good. It looked like the one with the white handle holds 13 rounds or so. Nice feature. I just cant think of much utilitarian use they would be to an average old johnny lunch bucket type person. Might work for a skittish house mouses booger chasing off episodes..for them who aint astute enough to learn how to safely operate a semi auto...but then inferior to a single shot shotgun for simplicity and ease of use. They should take some market surveys before they make all these gadgets.

[MR_22]

You've got to admit that the US Firearms .22 single action is good-looking. People with their plastic and zinc cheap .22s just don't have that STYLE! 

A USFA 12-shot revolver is probably the finest-made firearm I have ever owned. I loved it so much that I never even dared shoot it. USFA has stopped producing revolvers and is now making polymer guns--like the Zip .22. I ended up selling the USFA 12/22 for more than twice what I paid for it and the guy who bought it was extremely pleased to be able to find one, let alone get one in as-new unfired condition.

If you want one, good luck finding one.

[glenn]

http://www.uberti.com/firearms/1873-cattleman-22-lr.php

[TwoGunJayne]

awwwww..... no STAINLESS!

[RogueTS1]

I really like the looks of the SAA there.

[rhett]

Does anybody have both guns?   If so, what is your opinion of each?

If SW takes toooooo long to come out in 2.5" or higher, is the Heritage Arms a viable alternative?

I'm sure it's bigger and heavier, not as well made, but how close does it come to be a carry that could compete with the NAA?

In the picture I placed two quarters for size reference, the NAA cylinder has a smaller diameter than a quarter. My NAA Magnum Frame 1 5/8" barrel should give a good reference to a Sidewinder.

The NAA is a much better made pistol and was designed for concealment from the get-go.

The Heritage RR 3 1/2" is rather large for concealment being a small caliber. It is fun to shoot, and was purchased to be a tractor/truck pistol where abuse is expected and not to be concerned about. They have their place and the conversion cylinder is what sold me. Wish I would have waited for a Nine Shot Conversion, Oh Well.

The picture says more about carry than I can put into words.

[Uncle_Lee]

I had a small Heritage with the birdshead grips like the one in the picture and a Ruger Bearcat that I shot together.
The Bearcat had better fit and finish but that is all.
Thousands through each and neither had any problems.
Both could shoot straighter than I could shoot them.
The only thing I didn't like about the Heritage was the plastic safety . I don't like a safety on a "cowboy gun".

OH, you can buy 2 Heritages for the cost of one Bearcat if you don't go just on fit and finish but go on lasting and shooting straight.

[TwoGunJayne]

They make a 9 shot Heritage convertible? I'm sold. I'm getting one.

[rhett]

The only thing I didn't like about the Heritage was the plastic safety . I don't like a safety on a "cowboy gun".

Yes sir, the only modification I have done was to pull that darn safety out. It is held in by a spring and detente pin, left a ugly hole but I did buy it as a beatter-upper. It still has the second click safety like most all single action revolvers. Oh, the cross bolt safety on my Marlin (Remlin) 336 is in the parts drawer too.

[lohman446]

What is the size of the heritage compared to the bearcat?  Remember in another thread I talked about wanting a .22LR / . 22MAG the size of a bearcat.... I'd settle for a heritage if it is that size

[pete_on_the_coast]

Thanks, Rhett, your picture is worth a thousand words!

[Uncle_Lee]

What is the size of the heritage compared to the bearcat?  Remember in another thread I talked about wanting a .22LR / . 22MAG the size of a bearcat.... I'd settle for a heritage if it is that size

The short barreled Heritage with birdshead grips is just a tad bigger than a Bearcat but not enough to fight over.

[Dinadan]

What is the size of the heritage compared to the bearcat?  Remember in another thread I talked about wanting a .22LR / . 22MAG the size of a bearcat.... I'd settle for a heritage if it is that size

The short barreled Heritage with birdshead grips is just a tad bigger than a Bearcat but not enough to fight over.

Am I right in thinking that the Heritage cylinder is more the size of a Single Six cylinder than than a Bearcat cylinder? Either way, there is a huge jump in diameter from NAA's cylinder size to the Bearcat, then a smaller jump to the Single Six cylinder diameter.

[leafhopper]

I've been eyeing the heritage 3-1/2" birdshead to go with my other two Heritage and they also make the 3-1/2 in a .32 which I would love to have but I don't want to add another caliber to my arsenal. I currently have the Heritage Rough Rider 6.5" .22 and a 45/410 hand cannon. I think I really NEED the .22 3-1/2" birdshead to balance out my collection!

[Uncle_Lee]

Like I said, the Heritage is a tad bigger but not enough to fight over.
I was just holding them in my hands and shooting them, not measuring the OD with a mike.

[Uncle_Lee]

We have talked so much about the Heritage that I missed mine so bad.
I saw this one cheap and just had to buy it.

Oh, for those that worry about how to tell the wife.
She drove me to get it.

[OV-1D]

  Now thats a wonderful woman . 

[bigwheel]

Looking mighty purty Sir!

[TwoGunJayne]

I was looking at a Heritage just the other day. If it were a combo, I'd have bought it and just not been able to resist.

[Uncle_Lee]

What clinched the deal was that one box of long rifles and two boxes of shorts came with it.
(and a flap holster and the mag cylinder)
Looks like maybe a box or two of LR's through it.

[Lost Californian]

I traded my  3 1/2" barrel bird head's grip Heritage Rough Rider for the NAA Wasp. I had the both cylinders, bought a set of fake pearl grips for it, and had a guy I know redo the hammer to a Bisley style....





I like my Wasp better than I liked the HRR. I agree with what the others have said about the fit/finish.

Another option that is out there for those with deep pockets is the Ruger Shopkeeper. It is a 3" barrel, bird heads grip Bearcat framed .22 sa. Can't recall right now which distributor special had it made, limited run and all the originals were snapped up. See them on the auction sites for stupid money now. Sweet wheelgun, tho.

Quick search says it was Lipsey's, http://www.lipseysguns.com/post/Ruger-Bearcat-Shopkeeper-Stainless-22-LR.aspx

[Uncle_Lee]

That looks like what my HRR was.
White plastic birdshead grips & shortbarrel.

Yes, I think the Shopkeeper is a nice pocket piece.
I've posted pictures of it here in the past.

[Dinadan]

Uncle Lee - we need a side by side photo of that Heritage and one of your Hoglegs or Earls. I would kind of like a shorter barrel version, or maybe a birdshead model like Californian's. There is something to be said for a less expensive gun where a scratch or two is no big deal.

[Uncle_Lee]

OK, here is Hogleg #13 and the Heritage with a 6.5" barrel that I just bought.
As much as I get out and shoot now days, I doubt if it will get too many scratches.

[TwoGunJayne]

That's it, I'm very definitely getting a Heritage combo.

[Dinadan]

Thanks, Uncle. Just looking at that photo increased my red blood cell count. Makes me want to wear a duster so I would have a coat long enough to hide a pair of those!

[Uncle_Lee]

A good canvas duster would cost more than the revolvers but they would outlast the duster...
He said he had shot it but you can't tell that he did.
If you watch good deals can be found. I wasn't even watching for this one, it just popped up.