The Heritage Rough Rider Rancher Carbine is a single-action .22 LR revolving carbine: the six-round cylinder, loading gate and exposed hammer of Heritage's Rough Rider revolvers, built on an aluminum alloy frame with a walnut shoulder stock and a 16-inch barrel. It weighs 65.92 oz (4 lb 1.92 oz) and measures 32 inches overall. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Brand: Heritage Manufacturing 
• Model: Rough Rider Rancher Carbine 
• Caliber: .22 LR 
• Action: Single Action (hammer cocked by hand for each shot) 
• Capacity: 6 rounds, revolving cylinder 
• Barrel Length: 16 inches 
• Overall Length: 32 inches 
• Weight: 65.92 oz (4 lb 1.92 oz) 
• Frame: Aluminum alloy 
• Finish: Blued barrel and cylinder, black alloy frame 
• Stock: Walnut 
• Sights: Adjustable buckhorn rear, fixed front 
   

How It Works 

There is no magazine and no double-action mode. The hammer is cocked by hand before every shot, cartridges load one at a time through a loading gate on the right side of the frame, and empties are pushed out with the ejector rod, exactly as on a single-action revolver. The shoulder stock and 16-inch barrel make it a long gun rather than a handgun. There is no forend, so both hands stay on the stock behind the cylinder, because gas and fine debris escape sideways from the gap between cylinder and barrel. 
 

Usage 

Plinking, informal target shooting and small game at short range, where the .22 LR keeps recoil and ammunition cost low.

Owners mostly buy the Rancher for what it is: a cowboy-styled .22 LR plinker that works like a single-action revolver with a stock on it. The blued metal and walnut stock are the most common compliments.

Handling gets good marks. At a little over four pounds it is light, recoil is negligible, and the single-action routine of cocking the hammer for every shot suits new shooters being taught one round at a time.

The criticisms are the ones the design invites. Reloading through the gate one cartridge at a time is slow, and the cylinder gap spits fine debris to the sides, so reviewers recommend shooting glasses. Accuracy is described as fine for cans and small game at short range rather than precise, and fit and finish are judged against the price.