Heritage Rough Rider Big Bore .45 Colt
Model: RR45B4
Heritage Rough Rider Big Bore .45 Colt
Model: RR45B4
Full Specifications
About This Firearm
Heritage Manufacturing built its reputation on the .22 LR Rough Rider — a cheap, functional plinking sixgun that sold by the thousands at every Walmart and big-box outdoor counter for two decades. The Big Bore is a different category: Heritage's first serious entry into centerfire SAA-pattern revolvers. The 4.75" barrel and 36 oz steel-frame package in .45 Colt is built on a meaningfully heavier and more substantial frame than the rimfire Rough Rider, with a transfer-bar safety paired with an inertia firing pin for all-six-chambers-loaded carry — a feature the Colt SAA and most Italian clones cannot offer.
The surprise with this gun is how much capability Heritage packed into the budget end of the market. The cocobolo grips and blued steel finish look the part, the transfer bar makes it safer to carry than any Colt-pattern SAA, and the steel frame handles standard .45 Colt loads without complaint. The limitations are real: owners and reviewers commonly note that Heritage's QC runs more variable than Ruger or the Italian-made SAA clones — some guns ship perfectly tuned, others have timing issues that need warranty work. For a buyer who wants an honest centerfire SAA-pattern revolver without committing to a premium price tier, the Big Bore earns its place — but expect to inspect the gun on receipt and check timing and lockup before shooting.
Best For
Strengths & Limitations
- Transfer-bar safety paired with inertia firing pin allows all six chambers to be loaded safely — a feature most Colt-pattern competitors at this price tier cannot match
- Steel-frame construction handles standard .45 Colt loads without the wear concerns of an alloy or plated frame
- Heritage's quality control runs more variable than Ruger or the Italian makers; check timing, lockup, and cylinder gap on receipt before shooting
- Aftermarket support (action work, replacement grips, holsters) is thinner than for the Ruger Blackhawk or major Italian clones
- Limited to standard SAAMI-pressure .45 Colt — no Ruger-only hot loads, and no manufacturer guidance for +P or hunting recipes
Category Rankings
How the Heritage Rough Rider Big Bore .45 Colt ranks among full-size .45 Colt handguns.
Ballistics Calculator
Calculate trajectory, drop, and energy for .45 Colt ammunition.
.45 Colt Ballistics →Where to Buy
No prices available at this time.
Alternatives to Consider
Similar full-size .45 Colt handguns ranked by similarity.
| NAME | BEST PRICE |
|---|---|
|
Uberti 1873 Cattleman El Patron .45 Colt
Uberti
|
— |
|
Ruger New Model Blackhawk .45 Colt
Ruger
|
— |
|
Ruger New Vaquero .45 Colt
Ruger
|
— |
|
Ruger New Vaquero Stainless .45 Colt
Ruger
|
— |
|
Cimarron Model P .45 Colt
Cimarron
|
— |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Heritage Big Bore reliability and durability compare to a Ruger Blackhawk?
Honest answer: not as good. The Ruger Blackhawk is built to industrial tolerances with consistent action quality and a service network that has been refining the same design since the 1950s. The Heritage Big Bore is a newer platform built to a lower price point, with QC that owners describe as variable — some guns ship perfectly, others have timing issues that need warranty work. For shooters who plan to run thousands of rounds through one revolver, the Ruger is the better long-term investment. For occasional shooting, the Heritage usually holds up fine.
Is the Heritage Big Bore the same gun as the .22 LR Rough Rider, just rechambered?
No. The Big Bore uses a meaningfully larger and heavier steel frame to handle centerfire pressures. The rimfire Rough Rider would not survive .45 Colt pressure. Heritage developed the Big Bore as a separate platform — the visual style is similar (it's still a Heritage Rough Rider in family appearance) but the internals, frame, and cylinder are scaled up for the centerfire role.
What should I check on a new Heritage Big Bore before firing it?
Three things. First, cylinder timing — slowly cock the hammer and verify the cylinder locks up before the hammer is fully back. Second, cylinder gap — should be roughly 0.004-0.008" with a feeler gauge; tighter or wider can indicate a problem. Third, barrel-cylinder alignment — a bore light through each chamber should show clean concentric circles, not offset shadows. If any of these fail, contact Heritage warranty before shooting.
