Schofield Shooter

[Mastiff37]

I'm kind of interested in getting a shootable Schofield. Historical/collector value is not so important. I understand S&W made a run of performance center Schofields back around 2000. Are these shooters at this point, or is the value such that most people just look at them? How do the Uberti knock-offs stack up quality wise? Any other good knock offs?

I'm also curious about options regarding more available modern calibers. I don't have my reloading stuff set up now, so being able to buy loaded ammo would be preferable. This isn't a deal breaker one way or the other though.

In general, having not shot a break open revolver, why are no modern revolvers made this way? In many ways it seems like it would be quicker to reload than a modern double action.

Thanks in advance.

 

[glowe]

I can help you with some of your questions, but am not sure what the current value for the limited run of new Schofields. I do know that some owners are using their second generation Schofields and am sure they are holding up well. Uberti Schofields are going for $700 to $800 used in very good condition and up. I have one in 45 Colt and find it a very well built gun, capable of shooting any Black Powder, or mild smokeless loads. The reason top-breaks are no longer manufactured is one of strength. The Colt and today's modern "O" frame guns are much stronger and capable of handling much heavier loads than the top-breaks. Single action Colts also are built with less parts, meaning less things to break and less cost to repair. Smokeless powder pretty much put an end to large caliber top-breaks in favor of hand ejectors. Since Colt SA was always built with a solid frame, they only had to improve the metals of manufacture to hold up to heavier smokeless ammunition.

Schofields are much faster to reload than Colts and will last a very long time if used with factory cowboy loads or mild reloads. The other issue favoring other revolvers over the Schofield is "handleability" Colts are very well balanced guns that feel good in the hand, while Schofields are not as ergonomic. They are not as fast to cock and have a little more awkward feel. I do, however, love to shoot my Schofield.

 

[opoefc]

First=The design of break open revolvers did not safely handle the pressures of modern smokeless cartridges, therefore from about the turn of the century and the development of the solid frame revolvers and the perfection the side swing cylinder for the higher pressure rounds, the break open designs were relegated to the smaller frame guns of .38S&W caliber, or smaller.
Second= The S&W Schofields Model 2000 and the clones from Navy Arms, Cimarron Arms, etc. are very shootable and can be found at a lot less expense than original Schofields. All of these are well made and fun to shoot. Cowboy ammo. is easy to find, or you can load your own. Most are in caliber .45 Colt or various .44 calibers. ed.

 

[Mastiff37]

Thanks, good info. For my part, I have no problem with .38 cal. If S&W made a top-break 38, I'd check it out for sure.

 

[DWalt]

If you want a top-break S&W in .38 S&W, there are lots of them around as they were very popular around the turn of the 20th Century. Figure $200-$300 for a fairly nice one in shootable condition. Those are generally double action, in several different variations.

 

[long colt frazier]

I have a Schofield 2000 that is a safe queen. I purchased a Taylor 5 1/2 inch in 38sp for a shooter, well built and cheap to shoot.

 

[Mastiff37]

I'll keep my eyes open for alternative top breaks too. I just walked a big gun show this weekend and saw no Schofields, and the top breaks I saw all seemed to be small frame relics.

 

[Thuer]

I do own a Uberti Schofield in .45 Colt for about 16 years now.

It is still my favorite revolver. I have shot a couple of thousand rounds with it and replaced a few parts like the cilinderbold, trigger and ejectorhook pusher in the bottomstrap.

The only real flaw is a fabric fault. The forcingcone by a .45 colt is paperthin and is almost by every .45 schofield ripped.

I have seen a Uberti Schofield with a 5 1/2 inch barrel with a piece broken out of the forcing cone. That revolver was a gonner.

My Schofield is still very much in function and I gonna shoot it tonight.

But when caliber isn't a problem the Uberti schofield is as said in .38 special and .44-40.

I reload .45 colt with a mild load.

 

[C Broad Arrow]

What calibre is the most popular for CAS?

 

[DWalt]

I don't know that there is a "Most Popular" CAS caliber, as so many are used. I'd say .45 Colt for revolvers, but you will find everything from .32-20 to .45 Colt, and for rifles, maybe .44-40 (rifles must be of a handgun caliber). But again, there are lots of others used. I used .44 Magnum for both revolver and rifle, but of course with light handloads. Many use .38 Special for both. 12 gauge shotguns are universal.

Most CAS shooters will use revolvers and rifles of the same caliber for logistics simplicity. Also, most CAS shooters handload. There are velocity limits, so only light loads are allowed, with lead bullets only.

 

[gkitch]

What calibre is the most popular for CAS?

Most of the "winners" shoot 38 Special in rifle and revolver. 45 Colt is the other super-popular cartrige in CAS, as it is not as competitive but way more "cowboy".
If one handloads, there are many good calibers for the sport. I am fond of the 44 Special and the 44WCF loaded with FFg.