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SA wheel pistol in .22LR recommendation
- Sir Henry
- Administrator / Owner
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- Location: Price County Wisconsin

SA wheel pistol in .22LR recommendation
Iโm in search of a new wheel gun. I want it to be .22LR, SA and have a birdshead grip. Any recommendations? The Ruger Shopkeeper would be perfect if I could find one.
Hi, my name is Gene and I'm a Henryholic from Wisconsin.
Range Reporter: Henry Repeater
Range Reporter: Henry Repeater
Re: SA wheel pistol in .22LR recommendation
Heritage Rough Rider. Comes with plain .22lr/.22wmr cylinders. and engraved cylinders can be ordered for about $40 each. Nice little shooter, and inexpensive (~ $200). A Ruger Bearcat Shopkeeper is a Lipsey's special and runs around $700.

https://heritagemfg.com/

https://heritagemfg.com/
Last edited by GunnyGene on Tue Oct 25, 2022 8:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
Bellum Omnium Contra Omnes is rapidly becoming a reality (11/2023). Para Bellum.
- Sir Henry
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- Location: Price County Wisconsin

Re: SA wheel pistol in .22LR recommendation
Thanks Gene. How is the finish quality?GunnyGene wrote: โTue Oct 25, 2022 8:36 amHeritage Rough Rider. Comes with plain .22lr/.22wmr cylinders. and engraved cylinders can be ordered for about $40 each. Nice little shooter, and inexpensive (~ $200).
https://heritagemfg.com/
Hi, my name is Gene and I'm a Henryholic from Wisconsin.
Range Reporter: Henry Repeater
Range Reporter: Henry Repeater
Re: SA wheel pistol in .22LR recommendation
Sir Henry wrote: โTue Oct 25, 2022 8:42 amThanks Gene. How is the finish quality?GunnyGene wrote: โTue Oct 25, 2022 8:36 amHeritage Rough Rider. Comes with plain .22lr/.22wmr cylinders. and engraved cylinders can be ordered for about $40 each. Nice little shooter, and inexpensive (~ $200).
https://heritagemfg.com/
Not bad. Better than you'd expect from a $200 gun.
PS: Bought this to replace an LCR, for dealing with the occasional copperhead/cottonmouth around the property. .22wmr ratshot works well at close range.
Bellum Omnium Contra Omnes is rapidly becoming a reality (11/2023). Para Bellum.
- Vaquero
- Ranch Boss
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Re: SA wheel pistol in .22LR recommendation
Gene, I have a pair of Heritages, a 6.5" that I've had for many years the finish is wearing a little around the trigger guard and the front of the grip. Not bad I'd think for a pistol i got for $160.
Looks a lot like the wear on the bottom of the receiver of my H001.
I bought one of the bird's head grip about 4 or 5 years ago, I carry it some with the mag. cylinder. I've thought about adding a Wrangler with this grip just yet to pull the trigger
on that yet.
I'd buy another Heritage no problem.
The only thing I don't like is the safety, but other than that they are hard to beat at the price.
RP
Looks a lot like the wear on the bottom of the receiver of my H001.
I bought one of the bird's head grip about 4 or 5 years ago, I carry it some with the mag. cylinder. I've thought about adding a Wrangler with this grip just yet to pull the trigger
I'd buy another Heritage no problem.
The only thing I don't like is the safety, but other than that they are hard to beat at the price.
RP
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Monte Walsh "You have No idea how little I care".
Ain't No Apologies for My Temperament
Si vis pacem, para bellum
H001, H006, H012
Ain't No Apologies for My Temperament
Si vis pacem, para bellum
H001, H006, H012
- North Country Gal
- Firearms Advisor
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- Location: northern Wisconsin

Re: SA wheel pistol in .22LR recommendation
Gene, it's going to be real hard to find any Rugers right now, especially Bearcats. Bearcats have always been more of a specialty gun for Ruger compared to their other other single actions, so not a priority gun in the production que. I have a standing order with my LGS to get one of the birdshead versions as soon as they become available, but it''s been well over a month, now. Plenty of Ruger Wranglers around, though, if you want to go the economy single action route. The Heritage, too.
I noticed that Taylor's is showing stock on most of of their Uberti SAs, now, so you might want to explore that option. They don't showing Stallion versions, but they do list the https://taylorsfirearms.com/hand-guns/c ... h-rev.html in 22 LR
And hit the gun shops/shows for used SAs. That's how I've found my SAs this last year.
I noticed that Taylor's is showing stock on most of of their Uberti SAs, now, so you might want to explore that option. They don't showing Stallion versions, but they do list the https://taylorsfirearms.com/hand-guns/c ... h-rev.html in 22 LR
And hit the gun shops/shows for used SAs. That's how I've found my SAs this last year.
- Sir Henry
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Re: SA wheel pistol in .22LR recommendation
Thanks Joanie Iโm going to start visiting more gun stores.
Hi, my name is Gene and I'm a Henryholic from Wisconsin.
Range Reporter: Henry Repeater
Range Reporter: Henry Repeater
- North Country Gal
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Re: SA wheel pistol in .22LR recommendation
- fortyshooter
- Ranch Foreman
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Re: SA wheel pistol in .22LR recommendation
Those Heritage shoot well and the cylinder lockup is tight when hammer is cocked. The frames are a type of cast zinc alloy with an aluminum grip frame. Mine shoots really well even after I shortened the barrel and added a new front sight. Only thing some folks don't like is that out of place safety on left side of cylinder. It can be reomved and hole plugged and then load one skip one and then 4 for carry. It has the Colt like 4 click action.
Not a bad shooter for less than 200 bucks. Think they made a 9 shooter too. You can swap out the standard plow handle grip for the birds head since they do sell the parts. Three shot group on that card!
Not a bad shooter for less than 200 bucks. Think they made a 9 shooter too. You can swap out the standard plow handle grip for the birds head since they do sell the parts. Three shot group on that card!
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The Happy Kaboomer
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Re: SA wheel pistol in .22LR recommendation
I'd reccomend a Ruger Wrangler with birds head grip. I have one and its fun.......Heritages do nothing forr me. They look and feel cheap.
- Vaquero
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Re: SA wheel pistol in .22LR recommendation
I have a wrangler also, and to me it's about the same as the Heritage.The Happy Kaboomer wrote: โTue Oct 25, 2022 11:51 pmI'd reccomend a Ruger Wrangler with birds head grip. I have one and its fun.......Heritages do nothing forr me. They look and feel cheap.
Don't really like the finish, it reminds me of the barrel finish on Henry's BBS series. Cheap.
Don't care much for it but I'm used to it by now, but will not own another of either.
This past weekend I shot the Heritage and Wrangler side by side and "I" shot the Heritage much better.
If I was lookin for another inexpensive 22 revolver I would choose the Heritage over the Ruger.
RP
Monte Walsh "You have No idea how little I care".
Ain't No Apologies for My Temperament
Si vis pacem, para bellum
H001, H006, H012
Ain't No Apologies for My Temperament
Si vis pacem, para bellum
H001, H006, H012
- Sir Henry
- Administrator / Owner
- Posts: 14594
- Joined: Sun Mar 20, 2016 10:58 pm
- Location: Price County Wisconsin

Re: SA wheel pistol in .22LR recommendation
Shooting is what itโs really all about. My Rossiโs are not much to look at especially the furniture but they shoot quite well.
Hi, my name is Gene and I'm a Henryholic from Wisconsin.
Range Reporter: Henry Repeater
Range Reporter: Henry Repeater
- fortyshooter
- Ranch Foreman
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- Joined: Sat Dec 09, 2017 10:37 am
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Re: SA wheel pistol in .22LR recommendation
Very nice Heritage collection Randy! They are fun little guns to shoot and customize. Mine seems to shoot the plain 22 LR more accurate than the 22 Mag but the Mag cylinder has the cool looking cards engraved on it that make my Blackjack configuration look the part. Maybe I will try another brand of 22 Mag ammo other than the CCI.Vaquero wrote: โWed Oct 26, 2022 8:10 amI have a wrangler also, and to me it's about the same as the Heritage.The Happy Kaboomer wrote: โTue Oct 25, 2022 11:51 pmI'd reccomend a Ruger Wrangler with birds head grip. I have one and its fun.......Heritages do nothing forr me. They look and feel cheap.
Don't really like the finish, it reminds me of the barrel finish on Henry's BBS series. Cheap.
Don't care much for it but I'm used to it by now, but will not own another of either.
This past weekend I shot the Heritage and Wrangler side by side and "I" shot the Heritage much better.
If I was lookin for another inexpensive 22 revolver I would choose the Heritage over the Ruger.
RP
- fortyshooter
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Re: SA wheel pistol in .22LR recommendation
My Heritage in Blackjack form with 22 Mag cylinder installed and side safety removed and plugged.
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Re: SA wheel pistol in .22LR recommendation
You've got a couple choices of .22mag, but with that short barrel it's probably not going to make a big difference. Hornady has a good selection and there's also Federal, Winchester, Fiocchi, and Browning in that caliber to name a few.fortyshooter wrote: โWed Oct 26, 2022 11:11 amVery nice Heritage collection Randy! They are fun little guns to shoot and customize. Mine seems to shoot the plain 22 LR more accurate than the 22 Mag but the Mag cylinder has the cool looking cards engraved on it that make my Blackjack configuration look the part. Maybe I will try another brand of 22 Mag ammo other than the CCI.Vaquero wrote: โWed Oct 26, 2022 8:10 amI have a wrangler also, and to me it's about the same as the Heritage.The Happy Kaboomer wrote: โTue Oct 25, 2022 11:51 pmI'd reccomend a Ruger Wrangler with birds head grip. I have one and its fun.......Heritages do nothing forr me. They look and feel cheap.
Don't really like the finish, it reminds me of the barrel finish on Henry's BBS series. Cheap.
Don't care much for it but I'm used to it by now, but will not own another of either.
This past weekend I shot the Heritage and Wrangler side by side and "I" shot the Heritage much better.
If I was lookin for another inexpensive 22 revolver I would choose the Heritage over the Ruger.
RP
Bellum Omnium Contra Omnes is rapidly becoming a reality (11/2023). Para Bellum.
- North Country Gal
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Re: SA wheel pistol in .22LR recommendation
There are some 22 mag self defense ammo loads designed for use in a short barrel, but I can't see that they would be any more accurate and they are more expensive. My one 22 mag rifle loves the various varmint tip 22 mag loads, though.
- Sir Henry
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Re: SA wheel pistol in .22LR recommendation
My CZ loves the varmint tip 22 mags too. The 17 HMR is still more accurate though.North Country Gal wrote: โWed Oct 26, 2022 12:47 pmThere are some 22 mag self defense ammo loads designed for use in a short barrel, but I can't see that they would be any more accurate and they are more expensive. My one 22 mag rifle loves the various varmint tip 22 mag loads, though.
Hi, my name is Gene and I'm a Henryholic from Wisconsin.
Range Reporter: Henry Repeater
Range Reporter: Henry Repeater
- North Country Gal
- Firearms Advisor
- Posts: 6823
- Joined: Thu Apr 07, 2016 12:46 pm
- Location: northern Wisconsin

Re: SA wheel pistol in .22LR recommendation
Yeah, hard to beat the 17 HMR. Even had one in a Contender pistol that was awesome.
