revolver repair
 

About 8 years ago I bought a Heritage MFG. Inc Rough Rider Combo revolver (22 lr and 22 mag cylinders came with it) A very cheap alternative to the Ruger Super Single Six. Obviously not in the same category.
The gun never reliably discharged the 22 mag rounds, but I only recently sent it in for service. They contacted me to say that it needed the following repairs to be servicable.......
1. $8.00 Replace Cylinder Hand
2. $15.00 Replace Hammer
3. $6.00 Replace Firing pinCE
4. $30.00 Replace Magnum Cyclinder
5. $20.00 Replace Loose Barrel
6. $00.00 Bench Time/Labor
7. $15.00 Shipping and Handling
$94.00 Total for all repairs and shipping

Since I only paid $75.00 when it was new I fugured I' d just use it as a 22 lr only. I told them not to repair it and i received it back in the mail today.
Now I' m having second thoughts about sending it back and getting it up and running for the $94.00
Or should I cut my losses and get the Ruger Super Single Six I' ve always wanted?
Your thoughts?

RE: revolver repair
 

I have a Single Six and I wouldn' t trade it for anything. I grew up shooting my uncle' s and as soon as I was old enough and had the money I got my own. They are tough, reliable and accurate. I would cut my losses if I were you.

RE: revolver repair
 

Cut your loses and buy a Ruger Single Six.I can' t see putting more money into a inexpensive gun.94.00 would be a good down payment on a gun you want.You can' t go wrong buying a Ruger S.S.This year Ruger has a 50th anniversary Single Six.Check on www.gunsamerica.com. I' ve been seeing new ones for under 250.00. They also come with the 22 mag cylinder.They have a 4 5/8" bbl with fixed sights.You' ll find much better prices there on GA.Chalk your Heritage up to experience. You usually get what you pay for.
Ruger Redhawk

OPPS ! I need to correct this. I said seeing 50th Anniv Ruger Single Sixes for under 250.00. My mistake I meant 350.00.

RE: revolver repair
 

Thanks for your input frizzelr and Ruger Redhawk. Your thoughts are pretty much what I was thinking. The loose barrel can be made servicable by cranking on it with a barrel wrench and adding a dab of loctite to the clean dry threads. While not a real " smith' s" solution, I' m confident it' ll hold for several hundred rounds at a time. I probably don' t have more than 300 rounds thru it to date. I expect (know) that will change if I purchase the Ruger.
The issues related to every other repair they mentioned only apply to shooting it with the 22 mag rounds. I believe this to be the case b/c it has operated flawlessly with regualr 22 lr ammo. I' ll keep a closer eye on it though.
So, I guess I will chalk it up to experience. Being a super-duper cheapskate I was lured by the price back when I still held my FFL. From what I hear the newer updated Rough Riders are much improved and have even been touted as great guns even though inexpensive. I have read several write-ups in the past couple years where gun reviewers were duly inpressed with the gun. Especially the steel frame models. But as if often the case, initial runs of early prototypes (like mine!)don' t always pan out. But hey, $74.00 for a servicable single action 22 lr revolver with a six " barrel and decent groups is ok I guess.
I turn 50 years old on July 16th and my better 1/2 has given me the go-ahead for the 50th anniversary Single Six as a birthday present. I was born when the Single Six was born! Seems like a fitting gift! Case closed!
One last thing. I expect to carry it as a side-arm when deer hunting. It is a fairly common incident for me to get a shot at bunnies when I am leaving the deer woods and approaching my parking area. Do you think I would gain any serviable advantage to a barrel longer than the 4 3/4 " .....should I consider a 5 1/2" or even a 6 1/2" model? Blued or Stainless? I hunt in a lot of foul weather, but I also take great care of my firearms and would prefer something with less " glint" . I' m not opposed to the shiny-er models, but don' t know if it would really be worth it. Your further thoughts?

RE: revolver repair
 

My uncle has the longer barrel on his and I have the shorter barrel on mine. His is easier to shoot well because of the longer sight radius while mine is easier to carry. Kind of a trade off there I guess. If I had a choice to get another one I would go with stainless. My bluing is all worn off from the holster.

RE: revolver repair
 

8mm/06. Congrats on your 50th BD.I hit the half century mark a few months ago myself.
You said your better 1/2 said you could get a 50th anniversary SS.The 50th only comes in blued with the 4 5/8 or 4 3/4" bbl,whichever it is.Not that that 1/8" makes a difference one way or the other.I picked one up a few months ago.They only come with the fixed sites. I was hoping they were offered in a longer barrel but unfortunately they don' t.If I were buying one to use instead of putting away I would get the longer barrel,adj sites and in S/S.
Ruger Redhawk

RE: revolver repair
 

Thanks for the info Ruger.
I know I would prefer the longer barrel, and while I like the looks of a matte blue finish, I understand the practicality of the stainless.
The commemorative would only be a collectible if I didn' t continually shoot it....which I intend to do.....therefore I' ll opt for the hunting/target model I know I' ll get more use out of. Thanks again

RE: revolver repair
 

8mm/06 Your welcome.If you want a shooter get one that will fit your needs. I posted another topic about a W.B.Ruger Commemorative (22 semi auto) being released.Ruger makes so many variations sometimes it' s hard to decide which one you want.You won' t go wrong with a S/S Single Six.For an investment these special editions are fine.To use just the standard production models will do all that' s needed.
Ruger Redhawk

RE: revolver repair
 

UPDATE!!!
I put down $100.00 on a brand new Super Single Six 22lr 22 mag combo, Stainless, 6.5" barrel, regular wood grips, adjustable sights. Turns out when I contacted the FFL dealer listed by Gun America for my area, he asked me what the used ones were going for. When he heard the range of prices he said " just a minute, let me look that up...." He came back to the phone telling me he' d help me get one new without stepping on it very much.

I' m getting the brand new one for under $350.00, everything included, shipping tax...the whole 9 yards. I know there were some used ones out there that were less, but by the time I paid shipping and transfer fee they were the same or more as the new one from this fella. Turns out he is in the Guard, collects Springfileds 1903' s and Garands. Told me he' d help me out with acquiring those as well.
Some days you step in it and some days you don' t!

RE: revolver repair
 

How did it get into such bad shape? Did it deteriorate from shooting mainly .22LR?? If so, it is obviously a dangerous piece of junk. Melt it down for fishing sinkers and get a Ruger!!