Plain and honest is how I would describe this Rough Rider. Heritage gives it a blue-black finish and a single-action mechanism chambered in .22 LR, and it asks very little in return for hours of fun.

For a first revolver, it is hard to beat the combination of small price and gentle recoil. A .22 Long Rifle round costs pennies and makes a pop, not a bang, so new shooters build confidence without flinching. It will punch paper, ring steel, and take the odd varmint at close range around the barn.

The routine of cocking, aiming, and shooting teaches fundamentals. You load through the gate one at a time and eject with the rod, which slows things down in a good way. Kids and grandparents can enjoy it side by side, as long as they follow the rules.

Wipe the finish after use, keep the cylinder lightly oiled, and store it with the hammer down on an empty chamber. It ships to your FFL dealer, where the background check is completed when you pick it up.