Heritage Rough Rider Custom Revolver - Shorty 9 Shot .22 WMR (Barkeep Inspiration?)

This is a long overdue video overview of my custom Heritage Rough Rider 9 shot stubby .22 revolver.

[@TerranPlanetaryDefenseForce]

This looks so much better than the actual barkeep

[@JustSomeDude503]

This is a GREAT project pistol! I love it! Heritage needs to take note. I would totally buy this set up. Especially because it is 9 shot.

[@jmmx69]

They did

[@JustSomeDude503]

​@@jmmx69So you're telling me that I can buy this pistol with these features, factory made from Heritage? Is that what you're saying? If so what model is it?

[@WayneThePreacher]

Excellent Job, Heritage should take notice!!!

[@cheeseymann]

For sure, I'd like one of these lol. Might head to buds and get a couple revolvers today

[@davesmith5092]

They did. Just released the Barkeep.

[@WayneThePreacher]

@@davesmith5092 Thanks!!!

[@CubanWriter]

@@davesmith5092 The Barkeep lacks some of the key features of this firearm, including the Bird's Head grip and the capacity.

[@behindenemylines3361]

@@davesmith5092 I was looking at them - pretty decent gun

[@brandonjohnson5692]

Never was a fan of the bird head grip, but that little feller looks bad ass! Great work!

[@greenspiraldragon]

The birds head grip is just for a lower profile grip for carry. A full sized grip takes up a huge amount of room.

[@brandonjohnson3451]

Badass and Cali compliant ☝

[@mtslyh]

What a beautiful piece. You did some really nice work there.

[@sirdovermeyer]

They just came out with the Barkeep which is pretty similar to this. Awesome work regardless

[@BM205]

Buddy you hit the mark on that! Beautiful custom gun that makes alot of sense

[@johnsizemore1623]

I'm 57 yrs old, and still do fit n finish on evey firearm I get, n maybe a tweak or two. Just finished a brass frame 1873 frontier; in the middle of doing it, I questioned myself, putting that amount of work into it, it wouldn't improve the function all that much, but as always I'm very pleased with the results. Good job on that man, that's EXACTLY how I would've went about it!

[@knife_knut]

That is freakin’ sahweeeet! Great job! 👍

[@jonslife3533]

Just a suggestion , but for a quick reload , carrying a second loaded cylinder Might be an option

[@Phoenix_Atlas]

That won't be a quick reload

[@jonslife3533]

@@Phoenix_Atlas be a lot faster than poking em out one by one with a rod

[@joeytomato]

If you want a quicker reload, buy the barrel that's less than an inch longer, and get a friggin ejector... And it will come with a birdshead if you opt for one. The barkeep is pretty stupid and I'm impressed with how many people actually buy them. ...or spend more than 130 dollars on a gun.

[@jonslife3533]

@@joeytomato I can't say shit, I've spent 40 dollars on a beat up 22 rifle

[@randyhardy3692]

@@Phoenix_Atlas idk man I can swap cylinders pretty dang quick on mine lol

[@polishbear0015]

I’d pay close to $350 for that lol! Looks amazing.

[@jeffreylocke8808]

Neat little custom touches there. Thanks for sharing this custom build sir. I use a lanyard ring from Bowen Classic Arms and their paracord lanyard on all my X-frame revolvers. It can be clipped to my holster to keep from losing it in transit.

[@jamesmziegler]

I recently bought a 9 round Barkeep with a 2" barrel and birdshead grip. Very nice. It came with a WMR cylinder so I bought the LR cylinder on the Heritage website.

[@casonderieg2340]

Dude you just have good taste I'm always running across your videos and absolutely love your gun mods you have amazing creativity with your firearms.

[@billsummy2412]

Reminds me of those turn of the century British Bulldog revolvers! Nice job :-)

[@philais]

I reload my North American Arms Mini .22 the same way. Take the cylinder out. Works just fine. Good job!

[@MartyMartMar]

Ditto

[@franksimpson9039]

great job --you can buy the birdshead grip frame by itself from heritage`s web site for $ 30.00 as well as a lot of grips ,cylinders, and small parts ---

[@booliganshootingsports]

Yeah, unfortunately, when I built this one, the grip frame was out of stock. It was more cost effective to buy two guns and then have a second one for more projects!

[@muletownman6900]

@@booliganshootingsports that is a great job, I wish I had one like that. I don’t have those skills, but I just found out about the Barkeep. Keep up the great work!

[@fatjeezussouthtexasoutdoor5244]

One of my favorite barkeep builds on the interwebs 👍👍👍

[@booliganshootingsports]

It’s the original one, lol. Predates the barkeep by a year or so.

[@fatjeezussouthtexasoutdoor5244]

@@booliganshootingsports they really need to send you $$$$....the local Academy can't keep the Barkeep in stock so I bought a 6.5" and have the Barkeep on order. Next build is the Hatfield SGL 12, inspired by your build👍👍👍 Keep 'em coming bro, GREAT CONTENT!!!

[@callsignfrankcastle3761]

This is an amazing build I've been looking to find a compact single action revolver for my first pistol but I haven't been able to find one yet but this thing is literally what I want as a compact single action revolver

[@Joe..3.8.0.9_]

Your very good at gun smithing , congrats Joe..... Navy Veteran

[@PaulSter]

Whew, great work. I recently got a Barkeep w/ wood grips, and then just today bought a Rough Rider (need to pick up from my FFL) with bird head grips and then ordered some white pearl grips. I'm hoping I can swap over the backstrap and grips from each other. Bought them as toys, but starting to take them seriously.

[@williamjohnston3770]

Wow that's a great idea and looks sharp. Show us the Fireballs sometime.

[@brockwinchester4578]

Never wanted one til now. Nothing better than doing it yourself!

[@wastelandwanderer7685]

Yes, this is how I want my Barkeep

[@kennethdare1996]

Heritage should Make these ! I'll bet they would sell out

[@PetuniaIii-pd1ww]

This is so American...! not my style, but I love people willing to tinker, fiddle, modify, and make themselves happy...we just own a plain jane heritage, and tightening screws before cleaning it after use about all we do...

[@merc4hire308]

You are very skilled.

[@booliganshootingsports]

Thanks, but honestly, this build wasn’t too difficult at all.

[@mschrage618]

Heritage needs to hire you!

[@Irakproductions]

It reminds me of an oversized naa mini revolver.

[@MtnManLucas]

I love the Bird’sHead grip !

[@herbderbler1585]

Heritage just started producing their own version of this and for the life of me, I don't understand why they didn't opt for the bird's head grip. It makes perfect sense for this type of firearm. And they definitely need to be less stingy with the nine-shot mechanism across their whole product line. It almost seems like they're copying you, but maybe they should have copied a little closer. Either way, good job creating a nifty little gun all on your own.

[@booliganshootingsports]

I actually messaged their marketing people about your exact points. I told them they appear to have done a great job on the Barkeep, but man, with 9 shots and a birdshead grip they would never be able to keep it in stock. Demand for MY custom version has been so high that I've considered getting an FFL07 to start producing them for sale, so I can only imagine that a factory version with a warranty would sell like gangbusters. Heritage does this thing though, where they really encourage you to buy a bunch of these. They're SO inexpensive that most people will buy a barkeep now and then buy a birdshead 9 shot barkeep later too. So it makes sense that they'd stagger the release to get basically double the sales. That's just my viewpoint as someone who does marketing for a living, lol.

[@herbderbler1585]

@@booliganshootingsports lol, you're probably right. They can milk the sales one feature at a time.

[@dondee5439]

Very well done. I had long thought REMOVING THE CYLINDER for reloading would be a great idea and you actually did it. Pushing empties out one at a time as originally designed by HERITAGE is too slow and tedious for my tastes.

[@daveh4914]

Pretty cool. If someone was making those, I'd buy it

[@booliganshootingsports]

That’s the fun part, you can make it yourself! But yes, I’d love if Heritage would release something similar off the shelf.

[@GrumpyOldMan3313]

Top shelf work! That's a great looking piece.

[@daveh4914]

Liked this mod when I first saw it. Heritage has got a thing going for sure. Same frame and action but multitudes of barrel lengths, grips, .22wmr cylinder, buntline revolvers, a"tactical "pistol with rail and fiber optic front sight, even a revolving carbine. Priced low, and they must be selling like hotcakes, based on the annual number that heritage makes. As for myself I did end up buying a barkeep recently, along with a .22 mag cylinder for it, just for fun.

[@johnkeisterelquattro2553]

That is absolutely awesome man!! You should actually do that for people. I’m willing to bet you would get a lot of business in no time!!!!

[@Cumberlandprepper1]

Wow very nice job 👍🏻

[@alanrogs3990]

I recommend an old High Standard 2" Sentinel. A great 9 shot 22lr double action revolver with a very comfortable grip.

[@austinkurzen6506]

Very glad to see this done! Good stuff man!

[@jasonosbon5804]

Pretty cool man.

[@TheWalkWithAl]

That’s called ingenuity that is OK interesting little pistol you Got there

[@joebyrnes9254]

Shut up and take my money!! You’ve just made what I have been begging heritage to do since the barkeep was unveiled!!

[@booliganshootingsports]

More like Heritage finally made the gun that people were clamoring for after I made this one several years ago, lol. I have no doubts that Heritage will eventually release a birdshead grip version and a 9 shot model.

[@pappy451]

@@booliganshootingsports . . . we can hope !

[@kentonmiles]

Pretty Bird lol. Looks good and 9 shots

[@KleinHeister]

Man this is great. Nice job dude I like seeing people put effort into stuff.

[@GageRobinson]

Love to see that process of you cutting the barrel down. Also, on Heritage's website, you can buy the lower grip (frame) only, so you can convert between whatever flavor you're in the mood for. I dig this compact setup!

[@booliganshootingsports]

Yep, they added the ability to buy the grip frame after I built this lol

[@GageRobinson]

lol you inspired them. You should get commission for all your Heritage inventions, helping their gun sales.

[@Brandon_obs_ls]

@@booliganshootingsportscan a 6 shot be turned into a 9 shot if u change all the internals?

[@theguyinmaine]

Very nice. Working om a project about the same, but never thought about the 9 shot. Thats a huge plus where it takes a while to load either, at least you have 9 not 6.

[@txbob5978]

Nice job!

[@goshinbudo]

Very nice work on your new mini! Would you consider posting a video of both your snub nose and your full size heritage revolvers side by side comparison so we can see your before and after differences? How does the size of the birdhead compare to a regular grip?

[@booliganshootingsports]

I've since modified my full size revolver quite a bit, but I have a few pictures back in the history of my instagram page that show the comparison.

[@rynoturtle]

I just purchased a 357 with a grip that is very similar and i love it.

[@kevinfox500]

Nice build. Looks great. On a side note, you did know you can got to Heritage's website, go to their shop site, for parts, and order the bird's head grip, right? Same with the frame, cylinders, and other parts. Sweet little Maggie brityer.

[@booliganshootingsports]

kevin fox yep, it just wasn’t in stock when I built this. So it was more cost effective to buy two and then have a whole second gun.

[@kevinfox500]

@@booliganshootingsports That's what I figured. My wife and I pick them up used, forntye same reason, parts, builds, or finishing experiments. Currently baking a pair of frames in Antique Brass Cerakote, for a matched set of 3.5 inch, bird's head, with a set if bonded ivory grips, for my daughter and son in lawn's anniversary gift. Wife if making a presentation box out of a crate battle cigar box, I picked up last year, eith a red velvet lining. Both of them, euth both cylinders, were less than $200, and looked rough, when we got them, but are fine mechanically. Set will also include a pair of twist Damascus 6 inch Bowie's, with brass pins, hand made sheaths, and antler handles, from last year's 8 point, my wife got, opening day. Keep the projects coming brother, and I'll keep watching.

[@booliganshootingsports]

kevin fox they’re definitely fun projects at a great price!

[@tonyrome655]

Sounds like a great looking set of pistols and knives. I would like to see the finished set.

[@JJoker69]

Fantastic job, looks great

[@tonyrome655]

Nice job. This is what the barkeep should be.

[@booliganshootingsports]

I agree. I think they’ll eventually add the Birdshead grip and 9 shot to the product line.

[@tonyrome655]

If and when they do, I’m definitely going to grab one.

[@wallacewright3788]

Would like to purchase your pistol if you would consider selling it. Brilliant work.

[@booliganshootingsports]

@@wallacewright3788 I don’t sell my projects, but I appreciate the interest!

[@HiroshimaSpirit]

Badass. Nicely done!

[@justinbuentello3475]

That is SWEET!!!!!! If it ever comes up for sale I'm definitely interested.

[@armedhippy7685]

nice work! I dig it.

[@taeythsmith840]

You're drill and tap on the handle is excellent quick thought is maybe you could take the old barrel ejector and cut it down and shorten the spring drill and tap the barrel and make a small discharging rod for the shells

[@booliganshootingsports]

I actually tried to do that’ but in order to get enough ejection rod in there, it would need to be telescoping or something. I did try though!

[@davegreene2031]

Heritage makes a good gun I've had these guns for years never had a problem with any of them

[@johnwilliams9058]

Pretty ingenious! Great effort.

[@tomsrandomness]

herritage barkeep with 9 shots super cool

[@booliganshootingsports]

I wish they would build a proper barkeep to my specs shown here.

[@paulnelson4425]

sweet pistol, sir

[@RevGunn-jq3cq]

That is an awesome creation.........I want one!

[@etebol]

thats a sweet little shooter man; I was thinking how good it would go with an old school 1940s outfit. peace

[@Oldtimeypistolero]

You are an artist my friend

[@bradmckell6482]

tuff looking little plinker , I think it's great mate

[@fubar55676]

You can buy the grip frame assemblies off their website for like $30 and then that's I think around $25 for a set of grip panels for anybody that's wanting to build one of these you can also buy every part except for the frame and Barrel off of their website they also offer a gold-plated cylinder, trigger, and Hammer if you want to make a pimp gun they also have a bunch of cylinders with different roll stamp type engraving

[@booliganshootingsports]

Yeah, they offer that now. They didn’t years ago when I built this.

[@thebluesrockers]

Really cool, Love the birds head grip for a pocket gun, awesome job with the added site too. I hope they see your video and start offering the 9 shot barkeepers pistol. could you please explain to me in a little more detail as to why you added the loop ring on the handle? thanks, Peace..

[@booliganshootingsports]

The ring is to attach a lanyard while doing outdoors activities.

[@thebluesrockers]

@@booliganshootingsports interesting. great looking gun, thanks for sharing it with us. peace

[@widebody75]

Did heritage copy you with the barkeep? Awesome build!!!

[@FrankLadd]

Coming back to this video a 3rd time and wondering how you ever found a 9 round model. Triple like!

[@booliganshootingsports]

When I built this a few years ago, they were pretty common!

[@saint438]

I really like what you did...great job!

[@BACKFIREFUR]

SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!!!! I would love one like this. I just picked up a 16” barrel model.

[@danielkleinheksel8853]

Very nice.

[@christopherdriskell9655]

Looks great, good job

[@triune_blades]

Cool looking little beast.

[@xbigbobsagetx]

I just bought a barkeep and swapped out for a birds head grip. Looks about as nice as yours! I noticed my j frame desantis soft tuk holster works great on this thing. It also holds a better pattern then my tarsus 942 22lr snub nose. Just got to find some magnum ammo now.

[@tiffanythelioness5067]

Bro I'm gonna do the same thing that is bad ass. Good video. 🔥

[@bc2178]

Awesome. Wish they built these, that would be super handy.

[@jasonbewley2962]

Beautiful build!!!

[@Sallet1900]

Heritage just came out with the bar keep

[@Zato-CUBxCommander]

WAIT SWEAR I INSPIRED THEIR 9 SHOT!! They know I'm sexy. I love your snubby that's purty sexy 2 lol

[@brigond1]

Awesome! modifications ! Also post your videos on Rumble. They are way moreb friendly to this type of content .

[@eliamos5473]

Great Design looks super cool !!

[@wadekirby8575]

It doesn't look like the rims are recessed in the 9 shot cylinder. If that is the case then you should only shoot the 22mag with safety glasses. People have lost eyes when a non recessed cylinder 22mag blew out a rim and causing a chain fire that resulted in high speed shrapnel hitting them in the face.

[@Y0Leeroy2]

love it bro! good vid

[@MrHankHill]

just bought one because of this video. You deserve a check from Heritage. What is the size of the bipod stud?

[@knight16]

Very cool! Looks like a 2021 model

[@jovianlitany]

Wow, great job. I always wondered if I could just remove the cylinder and reload it.

[@mkshffr4936]

I have always thought that they should offer the 9 shot convertible with the bird's head. It just doesn't make any sense to have the concealable model in 6 shot. I would completely go for one in a three or even four inch barrel. And if you have 9 rounds of LR in the gun and a cylinder full of WMR as a "speed loader" you are quite nicely set up IMO.

[@booliganshootingsports]

I agree, many of my “custom” builds really serve as the model for a gun that the company should have made in the first place.

[@slumgullianpass]

Beautiful

[@clintoncampbell236]

It’s a mini Mountie pistol 😎 sorta like lee Marvin carried in Death Hunt .

[@gregnuttall3637]

Interesting, enjoyed it

[@rperez3883]

Pretty cool. I'd like to see the video of the work being done.

[@danielvelarde9405]

I just ordered their you know the run-of-the-mill common six shooter I just got it cuz it was cheap. Because they make such an expensive products yet quality I want to make a custom like yours I would want to change mine into a snub nose and sand down a bird's head and die it black

[@anaidy551]

wow very good work god bless

[@Donut.79]

Mannnn I think heritage heard you brother the barkeep just came out and it looks awesome but I'd go for custom build awesome job.

[@JoshNormandy]

Love it!!

[@kabic7893]

Looking very nice, they need to make a 9 shot barkeep

[@StreetDreams204]

I like the handle.

[@tommyallen3603]

Heritage has birdshead grip frames on their website for sale. Cheaper than a whole new gun.

[@booliganshootingsports]

Yep, they do that now. Not 3 years ago when I built this.

[@TightwadTodd]

Pretty Neat build..I like it!!!