The American mythos of the Westerner is as precious today as it was generations prior and the need for target interdiction is still very much alive. The Heritage Range Side is a practical and quality solution to varmint, small game and silhouette control.
The Heritage Range Side in .410 is a talking piece between comrades but if you’re looking for this nickel and Turkish Walnut piece to do the talking for you, feed it shells and it’ll bend your ear. Tango with the Range Side’s leather shrouded lever and it’ll let you move it around the dance floor of your choosing.
Situations Dictate Tactics
For some shooters, the goal is a firearm that is as close to an all-around solution as possible. For me, I like to let the situation dictate the tool if I have the available resources. Likely shooting distances, targets, dress and transportation are all considerations in firearm size, caliber and performance.
The Heritage Range Side is a classic rendition of varmint and pest control for property workers and caretakers. The .410 shell alleviates concerns around over-penetration and in a pinch, it can serve as a hasty offensive solution.
Sling lugs are standard and make the Range Side perfectly practical when traversing challenging terrain with your “getaway sticks.” At just under 103 ounces, American plinkers can balance themselves out with bags of oranges that looked cheeky at the local grocers. In other words, don’t worry about tiring out with this stovepipe in your mitts. If walking in isn’t your travel mode of choice, it can be easily scabbarded or lashed down for rolling into armadillo (or other nuisance mammal) territory.
Performance-wise, the smooth action and minimal recoil of the .410 chambering made subsequent shots tight and savory. As a fan of iron sights in general, I view modern dots and optics superfluous, particularly on a gun such as the Range Side. Grit and skill are the hallmarks of a marksman and Heritage does well to bring these qualities out through their firearms.
Aesthetics to Be Proud Of
From a functional standpoint, the front bead sight working in conjunction with the Range Side’s 20-inch barrel is a win right out of the side gate, showcasing fast target acquisition with enough tube length to constrict the shot diameter.
I’m appreciative of the ejection port positioned atop the receiver, particularly as a left-handed shooter. I’ve always been leery of casings flying inboard. While loading .410 shells happens through the side gate, the fact that running the lever follows the same plane as shell ejection gives me a feeling of comfort, particularly when maintaining a continuous hold on a target is not absolutely critical.
Concerning the finish, I’m long-enough in the tooth that matte finishes aren’t my end all be all. There’s a time and a place for battle-style productions, but who can say no to a nickel finish hugged by Turkish walnut when your prodigy gazes on with youthful admiration. To look on this Range Side is to look into the past and remember what ought to be brought into the future. Things change and often too fast nowadays. Nostalgia will play a critical role in the coming years to remember not what was cheap and discardable, but what is resilient and true.
MSRP: $1031.99 on the Heritage website.
About the AuthorIan Richardson is a devoted father, husband and English teacher in Missouri. He was an infantryman in the U.S. Army and remains a staunch advocate for gun rights and outdoor pursuits.
As an English teacher, Ian has a love for tying in literature to real-world situations and passions, often incorporating his own experiences as a father and husband to enrich old stories.
Ian enjoys the company of his wife and 3 young children and enjoys the prospect of passing on a deep understanding of nature, marksmanship and the craft of hunting.
