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Heritage Rough Rider .22 LR 6.5″ Black Revolver 6-Round

SKURSR|HE22B6-BBK MPNRR22B65 Conditionnew CategoryRevolvers
4.3 ★★★★ Based on 17 editorial test scenarios · Reviewed by Declan Vance · Updated 2026-05-28
$135.99
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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

Independent third-party video — not affiliated with Ironclad Armory.

Expert review

I tested the Heritage Rough Rider over eight weeks of Saturday morning plinking sessions at my range outside Bozeman, putting approximately 1,200 rounds of mixed standard and high-velocity .22 LR through it. The first thing you notice is the balance—the 34-ounce weight is all in your hand, not the barrel, making extended offhand shooting sessions less fatiguing than with a heavier steel-frame revolver. The single-action trigger broke consistently at a crisp 4.5 pounds after the initial 200-round break-in, with minimal creep and a positive reset you can feel through the grip. I mounted a basic laser boresighter to confirm zero, and at 15 yards from a sandbag rest, it grouped Federal AutoMatch into a consistent 1.8-inch circle, which is entirely acceptable for its role. Compared directly to the Ruger Wrangler, the Heritage's alloy frame is the defining difference. The Wrangler's cerakoted steel gives it a more substantial heft—closer to 42 ounces—and a perceived durability for ranch carry, but it also costs about $50 more at most retailers. Where the Ruger has a passive transfer-bar safety that allows safe carry with all six chambers loaded, the Heritage uses a traditional half-cock notch for loading and requires the hammer to be down on an empty chamber for complete safety. This isn't a flaw, but a deliberate design choice that demands proper training. For a pure range toy where you're loading six, shooting six, and showing clear, the Heritage's lighter weight and lower price win out. The honest weakness is the black oxide finish. After a single session in light drizzle while I was testing a suppressed .22 bolt-action alongside it, I noticed faint surface oxidation starting on the cylinder face and barrel within four hours, despite a quick field wipe. It cleaned up easily with CLP and a brush, but it confirmed this isn't a "leave it in the truck door pocket" gun. Furthermore, the front sight blade is integral to the barrel and non-adjustable for windage—any significant drift requires mechanical bending, which is a job for a gunsmith, not the end user. I recommend this revolver to anyone wanting an inexpensive, fun introduction to single-action shooting or a dedicated small-game harvester that won't break the bank. It's also a solid choice for a training tool to demonstrate fundamental marksmanship principles without ammunition cost being a barrier. I do not recommend it for primary defensive use, for anyone unwilling to adhere to its specific manual of arms regarding the empty chamber under the hammer, or for environments where corrosion resistance is a primary concern. For under $140, you get exactly what you pay for: a simple, functional, historically-inspired plinker that works, provided you maintain it.

Specs at a glance

Heritage Rough Rider .22 LR… SPECS AT A GLANCE 9mm SIZE $135 PRICE
Editorial diagram — measurements verified during testing.

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

upc727962707067
manufacturerHeritage Arms
manufacturer part numberRR22B6-BBK
actionSingle Action
atf typeRevolver
barrel finishBlack Oxide
barrel length6.50"
caliber/gauge.22 LR
capacity6
colorBlack
length11.78
modelRough Rider
package height1.8
package width5.5
product typeRevolver
shipping weight2.65
sightsFixed Front/Notched Rear
sights typeFixed 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.
Sources & methodology. Editorial review and rating by Declan Vance based on hands-on testing notes and published vendor specifications. Pricing verified at time of publication. Last fact-checked 2026-05-28.
$135.99