Heritage Rough Rider .22 LR 4.75 in Blued 6-Round Revolver
About this product
The Heritage Rough Rider .22 LR 4.75 in Blued 6-Round Revolver is a single-action rimfire wheelgun patterned after traditional cattleman designs, built for minimal-fuss plinking and training. It's manufactured by Heritage Manufacturing with deliberate simplifications that push the price under $150—a rarity in a market where most new-production revolvers start around $450. Let's be clear: this isn't a Ruger or Smith & Wesson, and understanding its design choices is the key to knowing if it fits your range kit.
What is the Heritage Rough Rider .22 LR used for?
The Rough Rider is a dedicated plinking and introductory training tool, not a defensive or high-volume competition firearm. It forces the manual discipline of single-action shooting through a six-round cylinder while using the lowest-cost centerfire ammunition available. I recommend it for backyard steel targets, small-game varmint control at distances under 50 yards, and as a first firearm for shooters learning the fundamentals of trigger control and sight alignment without recoil anticipation.
How does the Heritage Rough Rider compare to the Ruger Wrangler?
The Heritage Rough Rider undercuts the Ruger Wrangler on price by roughly $70, but the Wrangler's all-steel construction provides superior durability. The primary trade-off is material: the Rough Rider uses an aluminum-alloy frame to hit its 33.4-ounce weight and $133.99 price point, whereas the Ruger Wrangler's steel frame adds about 8 ounces of mass for better recoil damping and long-term wear resistance. For a casual plinker fired a few hundred rounds a year, the Rough Rider's alloy frame is sufficient; for someone planning thousands of rounds of cowboy action shooting, the Ruger's steel build is the better investment.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The revolver's overall weight is 33.4 ounces (946 grams) with an empty cylinder, largely due to its aluminum-alloy frame. The 4.75-inch barrel gives it an overall length of approximately 10.5 inches, with a cylinder width of 1.4 inches—compact enough for most standard pistol cases. The grip circumference, a critical fit metric, measures 5.2 inches around the Cocobolo wood panels, which is slimmer than many modern double-action grips and better suited for smaller hands.
Who is this NOT for?
This revolver is not for anyone requiring a defensive sidearm, a suppressor host, or a high-volume competition gun. The single-action mechanism is too slow for defensive use, the barrel lacks threading for a suppressor (unlike some specialized .22LR pistols), and the alloy frame isn't designed for the tens of thousands of rounds demanded by weekly league shooting. If your primary use case involves rapid reloads under time pressure, consider a semi-automatic like a Taurus TX22 or a rimfire conversion kit for your centerfire platform.
What's in the box?
You receive the revolver, one six-round cylinder, and the mandated cable lock—Heritage does not include a case or cleaning kit at this price point. The cylinder is machined for .22 Long Rifle only; unlike some convertible models, this version does not include a supplementary .22 Magnum cylinder (that's a $35-45 upsell). Inspect the hammer-block safety's function before first use; it's a simple cross-bolt design that blocks the hammer from contacting the firing pin when engaged.
Is the Heritage Rough Rider worth it at $133.99?
At $133.99, the Rough Rider delivers functional value for a specific, limited role: low-cost familiarization and recreational plinking. You're paying for a mechanically simple, nostalgia-driven design that works reliably with standard-velocity ammo. It won't match the fit and finish of our Stevens 334 Rifle in .308 Win, but for a new shooter or a seasoned hand wanting a 'fun gun,' the price-to-performance ratio is defensible. Just manage your expectations regarding materials and long-term round count.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- Costs $133.99—$70 less than a base Ruger Wrangler for equivalent plinking function.
- Weighs 33.4 oz (946g)—lighter than all-steel single-actions for extended carry in a field kit.
- Hammer-block safety provides a physical firing pin block, a basic but measurable safety upgrade over true antique designs.
- Cocobolo wood grips offer a 5.2-inch circumference, ideal for shooters with small to medium hand sizes.
Trade-offs
- Aluminum-alloy frame limits long-term durability compared to steel—not suited for 10,000+ round count regimens.
- Fixed sights cannot be adjusted for windage without permanent modification to the top strap.
- No included case or .22 Magnum cylinder—expect to spend $40+ for the cylinder and $60 for fitting.
- Single-action-only operation requires manual cocking for each shot, making it impractical for defensive use.
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 727962500200 |
| manufacturer | Heritage Arms |
| manufacturer part number | RR22B4 |
| action | Revolver |
| atf type | Revolver |
| barrel finish | Black |
| barrel length | 4.75" |
| caliber/gauge | .22 LR |
| capacity | 6 |
| color | Black |
| length | 10.03 |
| model | Rough Rider |
| package height | 1.7 |
| package width | 5.4 |
| product type | Single Action Only |
| safety | Hammer Block |
| shipping weight | 2.5 |
| sights | Fixed Sights |
| sights type | FIXED |
| state restriction (ca) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO CALIFORNIA |
| units per box | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with .22 Short or .22 Long ammunition?
- Yes, the Rough Rider's chamber will safely fire .22 Short, .22 Long, and .22 Long Rifle cartridges due to shared rim dimensions. However, point of impact may shift slightly with different cartridge lengths, and cycling reliability is highest with standard-velocity .22 LR. I recommend testing with a 50-round box of CCI Standard Velocity to establish your zero.
- Does this revolver come with a warranty?
- Heritage Manufacturing provides a one-year limited warranty from the date of purchase against defects in materials and workmanship. Claims must be initiated through their customer service department, and the firearm typically must be shipped via an FFL for service—a process that usually takes 3-5 weeks including transit time. Keep your original sales receipt.
- Can I mount an optic or install aftermarket sights?
- No, the Rough Rider's 4.75-inch barrel model has a fixed front blade and a notch machined directly into the top strap; there is no dovetail or drilling for optic plates. Your sighting options are limited to filing the front blade for elevation or widening the rear notch for windage—permanent alterations I don't recommend for a plinking gun.
- How long does shipping to an FFL usually take?
- Processing and shipping from Ironclad Armory typically take 2-3 business days after payment confirmation, with ground transit adding 3-7 business days depending on your FFL's location. Your chosen FFL must have their license on file with us before we can release the shipment—email it to [email protected] to avoid delays.
- Does this work with a .22 Magnum cylinder?
- Not without modification. This specific model (blued, 4.75-inch) ships with a .22 LR-only cylinder. Heritage sells a separate .22 Magnum cylinder as an accessory for approximately $40, but it must be fitted by a gunsmith to ensure proper headspace and timing—a 30-minute job costing about $60 in labor at most shops.