Heritage Rough Rider .22 LR 6.5″ Black Revolver 6-Round
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 34 oz - 9 oz lighter than a comparable steel-frame Ruger Single-Six
- Barrel length of 6.5 inches provides a 30% longer sight radius than the 4.75" model
- Cost per round is approximately 8 cents using bulk .22 LR versus 25 cents for 9mm
- Simple three-screw frame design allows field maintenance with basic tools
Trade-offs
- No transfer-bar safety - hammer must be rested on an empty chamber for carry, a critical manual safety step
- Fixed, non-adjustable sights limit precision beyond 25 yards in field conditions
- Alloy frame is more susceptible to holster wear and cosmetic marring than stainless steel
- Black oxide finish provides minimal corrosion resistance - requires prompt cleaning after exposure to moisture
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
The Ironclad Armory Heritage Rough Rider .22 LR 6.5″ Black Revolver 6-Round is a single-action rimfire revolver built for economical practice, plinking, and field utility. It delivers a classic six-shooter manual of arms in a lightweight alloy frame with a purposefully simple fixed-sight system. At just over $135, it represents one of the most accessible points of entry into revolver ownership on the market today.
What is the Heritage Rough Rider .22 LR 6.5" Black Revolver used for?
This revolver is used for informal target practice, small-pest dispatch at close range, and introductory firearms training due to its low ammunition cost and manual single-action operation. The 6.5-inch barrel provides a respectable sight radius for basic accuracy, and shooting .22 LR means you can spend hours on the range for less than the cost of a box of 9mm. It's a tool for building fundamental skills without the noise, cost, or complexity of a centerfire pistol or a modern double-action revolver like a Ruger Wrangler.
How does the Heritage Rough Rider compare to the Ruger Wrangler?
The Heritage Rough Rider is functionally a direct competitor to the Ruger Wrangler, but it trades some material heft and a transfer-bar safety for a notably lower price point. The Ruger's investment-cast steel frame gives it a weight advantage and perceived durability for about $50-$75 more, while the Heritage uses a lighter alloy to keep the package under 35 ounces. For a pure plinker you clean after every outing, the Heritage covers the role; for something you might toss in a saddlebag for months, I'd lean toward the Stevens 334 platform for serious field work.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The unloaded weight is 34 ounces (964 grams), with an overall length of 11.78 inches and a barrel length of exactly 6.50 inches. Compared to many modern semi-autos, its profile is long and slender, making it exceptionally easy to pack in a standard range bag or secured case. The cylinder width is 1.47 inches, and the grip-to-sight height is approximately 4.8 inches, fitting standard small-frame holsters designed for similar single-actions.
Who is this NOT for?
This revolver is not for defensive carry, high-volume competition, or shooters who demand precision beyond 25 yards. The fixed notch-and-blade sights are non-adjustable, and the inherent accuracy limit of most .22 LR ammunition in a 1:16 twist barrel is about 2-3 inches at 50 yards under ideal conditions. Anyone needing rapid follow-up shots or who prioritizes modern safety features like a transfer-bar firing pin block should look at double-action revolvers.
What's in the box?
You receive the revolver, one 6-round cylinder, and an owner's manual covering basic disassembly. A cable lock may be included depending on the distributor's compliance kit. Notably, this model ships without a cleaning rod, brush, or the optional .22 Magnum cylinder, which is a separate $35-$50 purchase that requires fitting. For a more complete out-of-box experience, some buyers prefer the Stevens 555 Sporting shotgun packages that often include choke tubes.
Is the Heritage Rough Rider worth it at $135.99?
At $135.99, the Heritage Rough Rider is absolutely worth it as a dedicated fun-gun or a first-timer's trainer, provided you understand its mechanical limitations. You are paying for reliable function with standard-velocity ammunition and a platform that teaches deliberate firing, not for target-grade precision or all-weather durability. For the cost of three boxes of premium 9mm defensive ammo, you get an entire functioning firearm—that's a compelling value proposition for its intended role.
Key attributes
| upc | 727962707067 |
| manufacturer | Heritage Arms |
| manufacturer part number | RR22B6-BBK |
| action | Single Action |
| atf type | Revolver |
| barrel finish | Black Oxide |
| barrel length | 6.50" |
| caliber/gauge | .22 LR |
| capacity | 6 |
| color | Black |
| length | 11.78 |
| model | Rough Rider |
| package height | 1.8 |
| package width | 5.5 |
| product type | Revolver |
| shipping weight | 2.65 |
| sights | Fixed Front/Notched Rear |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with .22 Magnum ammunition?
- No, this specific model is chambered for .22 Long Rifle only. Heritage does sell a separate .22 Magnum cylinder (Part # HRR22M) that can be fitted by a gunsmith, adding roughly $45 to the total cost and about 2 ounces to the unloaded weight. Do not attempt to fire .22 WMR rounds in the standard .22 LR cylinder.
- Does it fit a standard small-frame revolver holster?
- Yes, it will generally fit holsters designed for single-action revolvers with a 4.75" to 6.5" barrel, like those for the Ruger Wrangler or older Colt Peacemaker clones. The trigger guard width is 0.86 inches. For a precise fit, check with holster makers like DeSantis or Bianchi that list "Heritage Rough Rider" specifically in their model compatibility charts.
- How long does the transfer process take?
- The FFL transfer process typically adds 3-7 business days to your shipping timeline after the firearm arrives at your chosen dealer. This includes the mandatory NICS background check, which is usually instantaneous but can be delayed for manual review. Your Ironclad Armory order ships within 1-2 business days from our warehouse.
- Can I detail-strip it for a deep clean?
- Yes, but full disassembly beyond field-stripping (removing the cylinder and grip panels) requires specific pin punches and spring tension knowledge. Heritage advises against end-users removing the mainspring or trigger group without proper armorer tools. A basic field clean after 200-300 rounds takes about 15 minutes with a .22 caliber bore snake and solvent.