Replacing plow handle grip with bird's head on RR .22

By dangerranger

Mar 11, 2012#2
Most times its the mainspring holding the grip frame away from the reciver, and you just have to push the spring to close it up. but if it still doesnt want to line up, You can check the fit by removing the springs [ main and gate ] and fit it up that way. with all the springs out of the way you should be able to see down all the bolt holes and there should be no gaps around the frame.
I have had to clean up a few drilled holes but mostly on old production guns. Since CNC machines have become the norm thats mostly gone away. DR

By Lost Californian

Mar 11, 2012#4
I took Heritage up on their discount offer and got a nickel plated bird heads grip, too. Mine does not match up with my receiver either, no matter what I do with it. I can get two of the 4 screws in, and then it is very obvious that the other two holes were mis-bored or whatever you call it - ain't no way the screws will fit. I didn't contact Heritage about it, just wrote it off. Would sure like to hear what you hear back from them.

By Lost Californian

Mar 12, 2012#6
I am trying to get a nickel plated Rough Rider and thought that if I could get the grip frame from Heritage, I could save a buck or two. Turns out that nobody will plate the gun for me, they call it "potmetal" and won't touch it, so most likely I will order a do it yourself kit and plate the gun myself.

I have two RR, one plow handle, one bird's head. I have switched the grips from receiver to receiver and have no problem, so I think these nickle plated grips are left overs from times past when they offered nickle plated .22s, and these ones did not fit, which is why they are laying around. I could be wrong...been wrong many times before.

By 7624452

I received an email from Heritage that leaves me speechless. I'll just post the text of my communications as it would be hard to otherwise explain. Does anyone have an email address for Heritage other than "missfire" ? Please let me know. Before you ask, I do not conduct any business via telephone.

ME: “Will the birds head and the regular backstrap fit the same frame on the Rough Rider .22?”

HERITAGE:” Thanks for your email.
Yes they fit only the rough rider 22.
Hope this helps,
Miss Fire
Heritage Manufacturing Inc.

ME:” Since you stated that it would fit, I purchased a birds head frame. Today I attempted to
install it and the screw holes do not match my frame - what say you ?

HERITAGE:” Rarely this might need a little gun smithing to align. Take it to your local gunsmith for some tweaking, if not give us a call and send it in. We will take care of it for you.
Thank you,
Miss Fire
Heritage Mfg., Inc.

ME:” I do my own gunsmithing. I really like your product as it is reasonably priced and very
functional. I had a colt frontier scout eons ago when I was young. Your product seems to be
a copy of it with a safety added. Your product is more durable than the colt. I was
constantly replacing broken springs and tightening the barrel on the colt - your product has
never failed to function for me. Unless you changed the specs at some point in time your
parts should be interchangeable. If I send it to you will you replace it ? Serial number of
my Rough Rider is ****** in case there are different frames.

ME:” I have found one other person who has a nickel plated frame and the screw holes are
mismatched the same as mine - so I assume the problem is universal for nickel plated frames.
I need to exchange my frame for a black painted frame. Please advise.

ME:” Do you agree to trade my nickel plated frame for a painted one ?

HERITAGE:” We do not know if are parts are interchangeable with the colt as far as we know they are not. If you need it replaced send it in and we will take care of it for you. We can not use another other parts from another gun.
Thank you,
Miss Fire
Heritage Mfg., Inc.

By 7624452


Mar 15, 2012#11
"missfire" is a generic email address that I assume is assigned to whomever is doing customer service. I also faxed a copy of the entire email exchange to them. I thought I was praising their product - I did not know that they would be unable to interpret my statement. My post is an exact copy of the messages. Does anyone have another email address ?

By 7624452

Mar 15, 2012#13
I had no particular reason for ordering the nickel plated frame, so I probably ordered the only one they had that did not fit. I have no reason for purchasing a cheap gun either, but I like to tinker and like I said in the email, it reminds me of a colt I had many years ago. I think it was a frontier scout .22 with aluminum frame. The barrel kept coming loose and the springs would break on a regular basis. I've run more rounds through the RR than the colt(app. 200 wmr and 2000 lr) and nothing has broken. As is my habit, I detailed the gun before I fired it. There was a lot of rough edges and shavings in it, but I've seen worse in guns that cost four times as much. I'll probably just send the thing to them and see what they do.

By dangerranger

Mar 16, 2012#15
Try talking to a real live person! DR