Schofield Revolver
The Schofield revolver is a top-break, single-action design originally manufactured by Smith & Wesson in 1875 for the U.S. Army — Major George Schofield’s modification of the S&W Model 3 that allowed faster reloading than the Colt Single Action Army’s loading-gate system. Today, the Schofield is produced as a faithful reproduction by Taylor’s & Company and Cimarron Arms, chambered in .45 Colt, .44-40 Winchester, and .38 Special for cowboy action shooting, collecting, and recreational use.
Read our full Schofield Revolver Buying Guide ↓
How the Schofield Top-Break Action Works
Unlike the Colt SAA’s loading gate (load and eject one round at a time), the Schofield’s top-break action lets you unlatch the barrel assembly, hinge it forward, and simultaneously eject all six spent cases with a single motion — then reload all six chambers at once. This was the Schofield’s original military advantage over the Colt: dramatically faster reloads on horseback. For cowboy action shooting competitors, the top-break action remains a meaningful speed advantage in timed stages.
Taylor’s & Company Schofield Reproductions
Taylor’s & Company (imported by Taylor’s Firearms) offers the widest selection of Schofield reproductions, manufactured by Uberti in Italy. Available in 5-inch and 7-inch barrel lengths across .45 Colt, .44-40 Winchester, and .38 Special chamberings, with finish options including charcoal blue, nickel-plated, blued with case-hardened frame, and engraved models. The 7-inch barrel in .45 Colt is the closest to the original U.S. Army configuration.
Cimarron Model No. 3 Schofield
Cimarron Arms offers their own Schofield reproduction as the Model No. 3, also manufactured by Uberti. Available in .45 Colt and .38 Special with blued finish and walnut grips in both 7-inch and 8-inch barrel configurations.
Caliber Guide: .45 Colt vs. .44-40 vs. .38 Special
.45 Colt is the most historically accurate chambering and the most popular for cowboy action shooting. The .44-40 Winchester is the original “frontier” caliber that could be shared between a lever-action rifle and a revolver. The .38 Special offers the mildest recoil and cheapest ammunition — a practical choice for high-volume shooting and cowboy action competitors who prioritize fast splits over historical accuracy.
Schofield vs. Colt SAA for Cowboy Action Shooting
The Schofield’s top-break reload is faster than the Colt SAA’s loading gate, but the SAA has a larger aftermarket for springs, grips, and action work. Many serious cowboy action competitors run both — the Schofield for stages where reload speed matters, the SAA as the more versatile main revolver. See our 1873 SAA Revolvers and Cowboy Action Shooting pages for the full lineup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes Schofield revolvers today?
Taylor’s & Company and Cimarron Arms, both importing Uberti-manufactured reproductions from Italy.
Is the Schofield good for cowboy action shooting?
Yes — the top-break reload is one of the fastest revolver reload systems for timed competition stages.
What caliber should I get?
.45 Colt for historical accuracy and the most common cowboy action caliber; .38 Special for lower recoil and cheaper ammunition.
Is the Schofield a single-action or double-action revolver?
Single-action only — you must cock the hammer manually before each shot.
Can I shoot .45 Schofield ammo in a .45 Colt Schofield revolver?
Yes — .45 Schofield is a shorter cartridge that chambers and fires safely in .45 Colt revolvers. The reverse is not true — .45 Colt will not chamber in a .45 Schofield-only gun.
See Also: 1873 SAA Revolvers • Cowboy Action Shooting • Old West Guns • Revolvers • Collector Guns