"THE SCHOFIELDS ARE HERE!"

I think that it is safe to say that there was less excitement and anticipation prior to the original Schofield's adoption by the US Cavalry in 1875, than there is today with Single Action Shooters eagerly waiting for the long promised replicas to finally appear!

 The original Schofield was a redesigned Smith and Wesson 44 caliber No. 3 , chambered for a more powerful shortened version of the 45 Colt cartridge. It was designed by Maj. George W. Schofield in about 1874, and adopted by the Small Arms Board (of which Schofield's brother, General John M. Schofield, was president). Its top break design made it much easier to reload on horseback, and quicker to reload overall. Though its career with the Army only lasted about eight or ten years, it went on to be used by Wells Fargo Agents, and such notable westerners as Jesse James, Cole Younger, and Lawman Bill Tilghman.

 The current Schofields now being manufactured by Uberti in Italy are now being imported by Navy Arms, Cimarron Arms and Uberti themselves. Learning from the untimely demise of the original due to its "short 45" cartridge, these guns are being produced in .45 Colt, 44 WCF (44-40), and soon from Cimarron alone, 44 Russian/44 Special. They come in a blue finish with color case hardened accents on the latch, hammer, and trigger guard. They offer it in two barrel lengths: a 7" military configuration and a 5" Wells Fargo model.

 Well I'm here to tell you "Yes Virginia, there are Schofields out there!" I know, because I just got mine! No longer do you have to be one of a "well connected few" or a gun writer to get one. I'm certainly not "well connected", and I'm not really a gun writer. It just takes a little patience. I ordered mine less than 9 months ago, and I got it just before Christmas. I know of other dealers who have also started to get them in, and in talking to Navy Arms and Cimarron, they both say that they are starting to catch up.

 It was certainly worth the wait! I was like a little kid on Christmas eve when I found out I could pick up the Schofield the next day. (Not very dignified for a 43 year old guy!) Mine's a 7 inch barreled 44-40. It is beautiful. The fit and finish is outstanding with deep rich blue and gorgeous case hardening. The oil treated walnut stocks duplicate the originals right down to the inspector's cartouches and dates. The action is smooth and crisp, with virtually no creep. Even the box is great, roughly approximating an original Smith and Wesson box to include the instructions printed on the inside of the cover.

 The next question is "Sure it's pretty, but can it shoot?" The answer is "Boy Howdy, YES!" I've put about 250 rounds of 44-40 through my Schofield. Most of it was from "Deputy Dodge" and "Rim Country Rose" at COMBAT CARTRIDGE Inc. in Overgaard, AZ. Their SASS load has a 200 grn flat point, hard cast bullet that has proved excellent in my other 44-40s. Their ammo even shot better in my Schofield. I also used some Winchester 200 grain Soft Point factory ammo that I had on hand.

 In one session with the Schofield, shooting the Combat Cartridge load, I leaned across an old milk crate and shot at a standard 3" bullseye on a 50 foot slow fire pistol target at 15 yards. The resulting group was 1 1/4 " all in the black. Even with the one "called flyer" the group was only 1 7/8"! Trust me, I'm not that good of a bullseye shooter.

The rear sight is part of the latch assembly, and consists of a wide "V" with a smaller "U" at the bottom. I held the front sight even with the top of the wide "V", in a six o'clock position on the three inch bullseye. All hits were in the black with the cast ammo. The Winchester factory ammo also basically hit at point of aim. Using the wide "V" made for very quick target acquisition. No sight adjustment or "Kentucky Windage" was necessary.

One of the things that I liked best about the Schofield is the way it pointed and shot. I shoot the original "Duelist Style", and the Schofield is a natural! Shot after shot it was right on the money. No can, ammo box, or dirt clod at the range was safe. I literally didn't miss a shot! I had so much fun shooting the Schofield, that it should have been a sin or at least illegal. Another thing I like about the Schofield is the ease and speed of reloading. With its top break action, reloading it is a dream compared to reloading the old Colt "smokewagon".

 Granted, I've always had a fondness for top break revolvers, having owed various Webleys, Enfields, H&Rs, and Iver Johnsons. But as far as I'm concerned, the Schofield is the King. While I'm not going to retire my Cimarron "New Thunderer" in 44-40, The Schofield is definitely going to figure prominently in future matches. For those of us that can't afford or find an original S&W Russian, No. 3, or Schofield, this is the answer to a prayer.