Heritage Manufacturing has been cranking out the small-frame Rough Rider SA sixguns in .22 RF since 1993. While a close copy of the old Colt Frontier Scout, these little wheelguns are strictly economy-grade for those folks on tight budgets. That being said, they have always been reliable and accurate, plus they are perfect for novice handgun shooters. At one time, I was a close advisor to the folks at Heritage, and when Ruger came out with a .32 H&R Magnum built on their .22 RF SA revolver platform; I asked Heritage why they couldn’t do the same with their then recently introduced steel-frame Rough Rider. I got my answer at the 2005 SHOT Show when I visited the Heritage booth and there it was!
This first model had a 6.5” barrel, a black finish, and laminated wood grips. I told them I wanted a test gun and they sent me two. Both had a satin silver finish; one had a 4.75” barrel, the other a 6.5” barrel, white plastic “scrimshaw” grips, and consecutive serial numbers. Of course, I still have them, and have used them a few times in cowboy action shooting (CAS) matches.
I’m not sure when Heritage quit making the Rough Rider in .32 H&R Magnum; probably when they were sold to Taurus Holdings. At any rate, now they are back. Right now, the debut models are only available with a black satin finish, a 6.5” barrel, and black plastic grips. These two-piece plastic grips have tiny, molded-in stars for checkering, with the Heritage name in Gothic font near the butt. A muzzle to butt exam indicated decent metal to metal and metal to plastic fit. The finish on the barrel and cylinder are even, but the frame looks “dimply” like the black coating was sprayed on. The hammer has been redesigned and looks better than the one on older models. Left in the “white,” it has a nicely checkered spur for good thumb purchase
The Rough Riders barrel, cylinder and frame are alloy steel, while the grip frame/trigger guard assembly, plus the ejector rod housing, are a non-ferrous metal. Unlike the older .32 H&R RR, this new version has a cylinder with small flutes. A feature on all Heritage small-frame SA’s is the manual safety latch that is built into the left-side recoil shield. Pushing it up into the ‘on’ position, interposes a block between the hammer face and the frame-mounted, rebounding firing pin. Rotated to the ‘down’ position, a small red dot is exposed, indicating the gun is ready to be fired. I noted something different on the new model; the post on the safety latch runs through the recoil shield protrudes slightly when the safety is off. The tip end of the post is longer, and shaped to prevent the ejection of cartridge cases until the safety is activated, which unblocks the loading gate. This ensures that you apply the safety after firing.
For an economy-priced gun is has a fantastic trigger pull. You get the traditional “4-Clicks” as you thumb back the hammer; just like a Colt. The trigger is smooth-faced and about 0.25” wide. According to my electronic trigger pull gauge, it has a pull weight of 2.5 lbs., with no take-up and 0.15-inches” of over-travel. The rear sight notch is squared, but very shallow; while the rounded front blade is about 0.10” wide, with no taper. The little stars on the grip panels act like checkering and provide a secure hold. The frame has a spring-loaded cylinder pin latch, and removal and replacement of the pin is a snap, making it easy to remove or replace the cylinder. Taurus recommends keeping an empty chamber under the hammer, But IMHO, the rebounding firing pin mated with the hammer block safety, makes it safe to carry fully loaded.
My choice of .32 H&R Magnum test ammunition included loads that would be suitable for CAS, hunting, varmint control or even self-defense. From Black Hills I selected their “Cowboy” 90 gr. flat point lead bullet load; Doubletap provided some hot 60 gr. lead-free solid copper hollow nose loads, that at over 1500 FPS produce 452 ft. lbs. of muzzle energy. Then I had a supply Hornady’s Critical Defense, that has an 80 gr. FTX-HP bullet. A multi-purpose load is from Lost River Ammunition and has a 100 gr. Polycoat lead wadcutter. Most CAS competitors handload, so I included a reload I’ve used which has a a powder-coated 78 gr. RNL bullet over 2.5 gr. of Hodgdon Clays, and a standard SPP.
To carry the Rough Rider in the field or during a CAS match, I used an El Paso Saddlery 1880-S “Ranger” Double Mexican Loop holster. It has a wide skirt which forms the belt loop, and is rides high on the belt and is open an the top and the bottom. Mine is in russet color with fish scale stamping and, goes well with their 2.25” wide #150 River Belt. The one I have is the same color and has stamping like the holster, plus it has 1.5” smooth billets, and a brass buckle.
Before taking the .32 H&R Magnum RR to a CAS match, it went with me to an indoor range. Job one was to get bullet velocity readings, and check the regulation of the sights. I set up my Garmin Xero C1 Pro chronograph and shot the .32 H&R Magnum test loads at a B-27 target center placed at 10 yards. As expected, the heavier bullets shot closer to point of aim (POA), while the lighter bullets impacted lower. I noted the RR also shot an inch or two right of center. The bullet velocities are recorded in the Performance Table. For an accuracy potential evaluation, I used my Ransom Steady rest, and sent 5-bullseye target sheets down to the 15-yard line. Three 5-shot groups were fired with each of the test loads in single action. The sights were hard to see, and I was glad I had my prescription shooting glasses. I credit the fine trigger pull for my better-than-expected results. The tightest 5-shot group measured 0.78” using the Lost River wadcutter cartridges. Overall group average for 75 rounds was just 2.16.” Group data is also in the Performance Table.
Safety is the biggest issue at an indoor public range, and there are lots of no-noes. However, I came up with an idea that would be good practice for the upcoming CAS match. I clipped and stapled three reduced-size, cowboy “gunslinger” targets, in a T-shape arrangement to my cardboard backing. These targets measure 18X12-inches, which is about the size of most steel targets used at CAS matches. They were sent down-range about 8 yards, a typical distance for CAS handgun targets. I loaded the RR with 5 rounds of ammo from either Black Hills, Lost River or my handloads.
I then engaged the targets using an isosceles stance, and a two-handed hold. I put one bullet in each target going clockwise, counterclockwise, bottom top/top/bottom, etc. for 25 total rounds. I going at “match speed,” at least for me, and all 25 bullet holes were in the gunslingers. The best target was the one at the upper left – I’m not sure why, but all of my shots would have “pinged” steel at a match.
A few days later, at the Cowboy Town outdoor range, I shot some of the main match stages with Heritage Rough Rider, using “cowboy” loads. My favorite had a spinning a wheel with the shapes of playing cards on it. To begin the stage, you spun the wheel and the shape it stopped on was the shape target you started to shoot at first. I ended up with Hearts. The steel targets were in the shape of suits in a Poker hand, and with the sixgun, you shot 5 rounds, starting and ending with the shape you got on the wheel. I had no misses that day with the Heritage Rough Rider, and my overall score (for me) wasn’t bad.
Just to be sure, I double-checked the SASS Shooters handbook which states, “Small frame Model P revolvers such as the Cimarron Firearms Lightning, Uberti Stallion, and Ruger Single Six .32 H & R Magnum” are allowed. In the past, I haven’t had any trouble using my Heritage .32 H&R Magnum Rough Riders. However, the other western action shooting outfit, NCOWS, doesn’t allow them.
I was impressed with the newest Heritage Rough Rider in .32 H&R Magnum. I would like to see an improved rear sight, other grip, barrel, and finish options, but I’m sure that will be in the works, if the concept goes over well. With these small wheelguns you get “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly,” but otherwise, I have nothing but positives impressions. Now what I’d really like to see is a version with the 3.5” barrel, birdshead grips, and an adjustable rear sight. I believe that would make one helluva “kit gun.” I hope Heritage/Taurus is reading this!
Heritage Rough Rider Specifications
MECHANISM: Single action revolver
CALIBER: .32 H&R Magnum (accepts .32 Long/.32 S&W)
CAPACITY: 6 cartridges
BARREL: 6.5”
OA LENGTH: 11.78”
EMPTY WEIGHT: 35.6 oz.
SIGHTS: Fixed notch rear, blade front
FINISH: Black satin alloy steel
STOCKS: Two-piece black plastic
MSRP: $257.99
Heritage Rough Rider .32 H&R Magnum Cartridge Performance
| Cartridge | Ave. Velocity | Best Group | Average Group |
| Black Hills Cowboy 90 gr. FPL | 931 FPS | 1.51” | 1.73” |
| Doubletap 60 gr. Lead Free Solid Copper HP | 1505 FPS | 1.35” | 1.75” |
| Hornady Critical Defense 80 gr. FTX-HP | 1085 FPS | 2.39” | 2.57” |
| Lost River Ammunition 100 gr. Polycoat Lead Wadcutter | 930 FPS | 0.78” | 2.01” |
| Handload 2.5 gr. Clays, 78 gr. Powder-Coated RNL | 929 FPS | 2.03” | 2.73” |
NOTE: Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in feet per second 15 inches from the muzzle by a Garmin Xero C1 Pro chronograph, and accuracy in inches for three 5-shot groups at 15 yards.
To locate a dealer near you, visit www.lipseys.com/dealerfinder
