Single Action 22 Revolver

C

countryfied252

New member
I am wanting to get a single action 22 revolver. I know Ruger makes a good revolver but I cant afford a new one. I have tried to find a used one but I haven't had much luck. I also have heard good things about the heritage rough rider. Are there any other reliable brands of single action revolvers that you would recomend?
 
I would search the gun auctions and the classified ads on the gun forums for a nice used Ruger Single Six before investing my money in a Heritage.
 
You will see many opposing views after I post this, but I have to say I have been very happy with my Heritage Rough rider. Mine was around $130 out the door with both 22 LR and 22 Magnum cylinders, ballistic cloth holster, and in a wooden display case with a Civil War scene etched in the lid.
I am pleased with the accuracy, and it has been reliable. One unique feature is a hammer block manual safety on the left side opposite the loading gate. It tales a little getting used to for a revolver to have a safety leaver. But it might be a valuable addition for training a child, or newbie to guns.
The big complaint you will hear will come from the "It's made of pot metal" crowd. Yes, the frame is made of a zinc, aluminum, magnesium alloy called ZAMAC. It's not forged, or milled steel, or aluminum. But it also isn't the zinc material that used to be called pot metal. ZAMAC is actually used in the automotive, and aircraft industries in everything from engine parts to brake system parts. Other firearms that use ZAMAC parts include Hi-Point, Walther (P22), and many of the rimfire 1911 Colt copies.
 
If you can't afford a new one / haven't found a used one...

I'd seriously suggest you broaden your search to Double action revolvers...and then just shoot it in single action ...( like a S&W mod 18, or 617...) or a Ruger ....
 
I'll add a big +1 to what cheapshooter has to say. I own a number of handguns - Colts, S & Ws, Rugers, etc. I've shot SA for years and still prefer it over anything else. I wanted an inexpensive 22 SA a short time ago and ended up buying a Heritage RR with a 4 3/4" barrel - I love it. In fact, it's now my favorite SA 22 that I shoot an it has a permanent residence in my range bag.

Ignore all of the negative things that get posted on them - check them your yourself. One of the things that a lot of folks knock on them is the safety - shich sits to the left side of the hammer in the frame and flips up and down. Not what you usually find on a SA but hey, it's not a big deal and I have no problems with it at all. Mine is accurate and functions well - and I consider it an excellent value for the price. You can find them on sale once in a while. You can get one with just the 22 LR cylinder or the combo of both the 22 LR and 22 Mag cylinder. You'll also hear that Taurus recently bought them out - and there is plenty of negative vibes out there on Taurus (I've never owned one so I have no opinion on them). Heritage hasn't changed a thing though and for a beginning SA, I don't think you'd be disappointed. I have a Ruger Super Bearcat - I like the Heritage RR better, especially the size.

I've run across some used/vintage Ruger Single Six revolvers but they are usually int he $300 to $350 range in the area that I am in - used Bearcats the same.

I went with a 4 3/4" barrel Heritage as I often carry it and I like that barrel length. A lot of fellows like the longer 6 1/2" barrel models which I think are available with adjustable sights as well as the standard SA style sights (front blade/grooved frame). At least check them out.

Dont' get discouraged - you'll find something that is in your price range that will work well for you. Check your local gunshots as well as pawn shops. You'll run across something. Good luck to you and let us know what you end up with! :)
 
Plus one on the Ruger Single Six...especially one of the old three-screw variety. My wife's, bought new in '72, will easily shoot 1-1/2" gps at 25 yds with most any ammunition. It's a keeper tho with some honest and not so honest wear about it. We seldom use the .22 Magnum cylinder and in fact lost it for nearly ten years without knowing it was missing. I've never run across one of those old Rugers that wasn't a good one. The pic below shows a typical five shot group on a piece of 2" masking tape used as an aiming point...shot at twenty five yards from a sitting position. Best Regards, Rod

Single-Six.jpg
 
If the choice is truly between no SA 22 and a Heritage Rough Rider, I'd personally buy the Heritage with the knowledge that eventually I will probably upgrade when funds are better.

Uberti also has a SA 22 revolver that runs around $300 new. Don't know much about them. They look and feel nice however.
 
Military Gun Supply in Ft Worth had some used Single Six revolvers. I bought one not long ago. Look them up and see what they have. They ship.

They won't be on the website. You'll need to call them.
 
I've shot single six's and own an old model Super Bearcat and a MK II. They have all been so trouble free that its easy to say go Ruger. They may cost a little more but it's worth it, even a used one. If I were to get another 22 handgun, it'd be that new SP101 22LR, 8 shot 4.2" Bbl model with the fiber optic & adj sights. I haven't handled one but I bet it's typical solid Ruger revolver.
 
I have both the Rough Rider and the Single Six. My Rough Rider shoots to POA and is very accurate. For a cheap revolver I got a lot of use out of it (and still shoot it). It also has the nice 'three clicks' and half cock to load like a traditional six-shooter.... The Single Six is a much better built revolver hands down and is now my go to .22 in the field.... But from a 'critical' eye... the target can't tell whether hit with the Ruger or the Heritage..... Guess what I am saying is you can get a lot of good mileage and fun out of the RR if that is what you can afford. I know I did/do. Glad the subject came up! Time to put the RR back in the range bag for some fun shoot'n!
 
I was looking for a while and became stuck on the Single Six after trying/handling multiple single action revolvers. I picked up my Ruger Single Six Hunter 7.5 last Monday and I absolutely love it. It cost a lot to pick it up, but at the same time, I would rather buy once and never worry rather than buy one and then have to invest again.
 
The NAA minis are $300 or less. Not all of them are tiny, you know. Some have 3", 4" or 6" barrels and would make pretty decent plinkers. Check out the Sheriff, Earl and Mini Master
 
My rough rider is a piece of crap. POA and POI are nowhere near each other. Fixed sights with no way to fix it because it shoots high. The sharp edges of the cylinder ratchet are chewing the frame up. And selling it might as well be giving it away because of how cheap they are.

Save for the Ruger.
 
If you are going to buy used,,,

If you are going to buy used,,,
You might consider a Colt Frontier Scout.

This one of mine was my Mother's pistol,,,
Pop gave it to her around 1965.

20-lucille.JPG


It has survived three boys growing up shooting it,,,
I can't even imagine how many bricks of rimfire have gone through it.

Just last weekend a friend of mine was obliterating a 1" bullseye at 15 yards.

Just an option to consider.

Aarond

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aarondhgraham said:
If you are going to buy used,,,
You might consider a Colt Frontier Scout.

This one of mine was my Mother's pistol,,,
Pop gave it to her around 1965.

20-lucille.JPG


It has survived three boys growing up shooting it,,,
I can't even imagine how many bricks of rimfire have gone through it.

Just last weekend a friend of mine was obliterating a 1" bullseye at 15 yards.

Just an option to consider.

Aarond

.
Click to expand...

There is a blued one for sale locally for $499 that I have had my eye on
 
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