Do you ever pick up a gun and feel transported to a completely different time, space and reality? That’s the effect of the Settler Compact from Heritage. From my kitchen island in northern Michigan, I suddenly ended up in a little house on the prairie with a horse, a classic apron, a killer sourdough starter on my battered countertop and a beautiful little lever gun leaning in the corner. Whether for squirrels or trespassers, we’ll never know …
I went from a divorced homeschooling mama of two in my kitchen to some hybrid of Annie Oakley, Laura Ingalls Wilder and Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. Come with me on this beautiful time travel tour through a must-have little rifle.
While the aesthetics of the Settler Compact are striking, the build characteristics are solid. Let’s take a look!
I’ve recently gone down the rabbit hole of lever guns. Having spent a lot of time and ammunition in the high-tech, long-range world, I felt a yearning to somehow embrace a more spirited and primal ballistic experience, aka lever guns.
I nosed around to find that “just right” first foray into this Westernesque world. From stainless and synthetic to wood and blue, nothing really tickled my fancy. And then, there she was. From the dainty wooden stock to the shimmering copper patina of the simulated case-colored receiver, she begged for attention.
Let’s explore the Heritage Settler Compact from end-to-end.
To load, remove the capped rod in the tube located under the barrel and withdraw enough to expose the loading portal. From there, place shells in the tube one by one with the projectile end facing up (as if they were to be expelled from the barrel). The rifle will hold 13 rounds.
Starting at the back of the rifle, there is a contoured metal butt plate. At the bottom of the stock and forward end of the forend are metal sling swivel studs. In between, there is an 11.5-inch length of pull, bringing home the essence of its name – Compact.
Under the beautiful copper-hued action is a satin, black-lever loop. Like everything on the Settler Compact, it is petite and geared toward a smaller shooter. Possessing small hands, I found it was a joy to operate. I had a few people with larger hands shoulder the rifle and it felt decidedly small to them. The narrow forend and short barrel complete the package. Let’s head to the range!
One thing I really liked about taking the Settler Compact to the range was that I could carry everything in one hand – rifle and ammo. This was a benefit as I was still in a brace battling a tendon injury in my dominant (right) hand.
The loading process came simple and straight forward and the controls ran clean. The safety felt crisp and was easily accessed and the lever action ran smooth and unfettered. The first five rounds hit high of point of aim, so I adjusted my sight picture. The front brass bead was highly visible in the late afternoon sun, but not blindingly so. The rear sight was easily adjusted, but I elected to modify my sight picture to achieve my desired point of impact. I engaged 50 targets at 25- and 50-yards with consistent impacts.
Two different types of .22 LR ammunition were put through the Heritage Settler Compact during the review.
· Federal brand 40 grain solid
· Remington brand Golden Bullet 40 grain solid
Both varieties functioned as intended with no misfires or firearm malfunctions of any kind. Impacts were consistent with expectations and muzzle velocity was slower than advertised. This outcome was expected based on the shorter barrel of the Settler Compact.
Let’s talk applications. This is a fabulous piece for the mantle as well as for the squirrels that torment your backyard birdfeeders. It’s a great small rifle for a young or smaller-statured shooter looking to get some trigger time.
Overall, the Settler Compact from Heritage is a beautiful, effective and purpose driven .22 rifle. With the essence of the Wild West and the classic utilitarian value for which .22s are known, it is an outstanding and fun addition to your firearms collection.
Discover more about the Settler Compact at Heritage’s website.
Andrea Bogard’s love for the range began at 12 with competitive handgun and expanded to encompass sporting clays a few years later. She became an NSCA instructor at 18 years old and spent the next 18 years getting married and raising two sons, ages 17 and 9 currently. Andrea started hunting six years ago and learned to shoot a rifle and a bow. She is now 41, a full-time writer, homeschool mom and business owner and has hunted three countries, three continents and 19 states. Her sons and lab (Mr. Moose) are the focus of her world. View all posts by Andrea Bogard
