I'm currently saving up and looking for a Uberti/Taylor's New Model 3 repro, and while researching info on the newer break-top remakes I was surprised to find out that they've been making them for quite some time now(10 years or more I think). I'm curious as to just how well they have held up over that time. Do the latches loosen up like how I see on a lot of the older top-breaks, or are the more modern materials helping them hold up a little better? How about the Russian/Laramie models? What are your experiences with them?

I was lucky enough to handle an actual new model 3(I think that's what its called) at a local gun show and ended up really liking the overall feel of it. It was well worn looking, but still locked up tight and seemed to have plenty of life left in it. I've been trying to track down a Beretta Laramie or one of Taylor and Co. versions of it ever since.

p.s....I'm not sure where to post this, so sorry if its in the wrong section.

Cimarron offers several No. 3 and Russian versions.

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I'm with the banned ...

I have a pair of Umberti #3 Russians, and love them. They have around 1000 rounds each and haven't loosened up, but a couple of thumb screws came out (They fell off inside the holster). So I check the screws after every cylinder full shot. They are extremely accurate at 25 yards with smokeless 200 grain ammo at 810 fps.

A guy I used to shoot with, sold off his pair Schofield revolvers. I bought all his ammo, about 750 rounds. As you would expect, it worked fine in the Ruger Vaquero revolvers. It also worked great in the Rossi 92 lever action, and made it a 12 shot magazine. (Thought you might like to know what companion rifle to get). Some brands of Schofield ammo are only 45 Colt shortened to length, and the smaller rim can slip off/under the extractor; so be careful. Ivan

Thank you for the replys.

I was thinking more along the lines of this---> New Model No. 3 Frontier - Schofield Revolvers - Cartridge Revolvers

Taylor's seem to be the only ones who offer that particular version outside of the Beretta Laramie. And only Beretta offered it in 38 special. I've held the Russian model before, but I just didn't like the hump on the back and the longer barrel length.

@Ivan: Thanks! Good to know that your #3 Russians have held up well so far. The regular Schofield latch seems pretty sturdy of a design, but I haven't heard anything about the durability of the other latch designs. I just find it interesting that, despite top breaks supposedly being weaker, I've not heard anything about wear and tear on them yet.

Well that was disappointing to see. On the Taylor's website they are calling all of the top breaks "Schofields", such as Schofield Russian. That is wrong, and seems to be a common mistake among those who don't know any better. Many people refer to any large frame break top S&W as a Schofield. You would think that a gun-selling company would know better.

ONLY the revolver with the frame-mounted latch is a "Schofield". Schofield - Schofield Revolvers - Cartridge Revolvers The others are variations of the Model 3, which had the latch mounted on the barrel.

I had one for a while. Shot a few boxes with no problems. Not memorable, one way or the other.