dokdoc #61722 Posted July 30 Share Posted July 30 Are 38 Schofields competitive? Doc Clint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene, SASS # 27489 Posted July 30 Share Posted July 30 Shooting two handed? I'm gonna say no. Duelist? Possibly. Newt Ritter has been winning age-based duelist categories for years with his 5 1/2" 45 Colt Schofields. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dokdoc #61722 Posted July 30 Author Share Posted July 30 I shoot gunfighter, thanks for the info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 Posted July 30 Share Posted July 30 If they were competitve more shooters might be using them. The Schofields have one design quirk that a lot of shooters cannot deal with. On a Colt and it's clones the cylinder locking bolt is operated by the hammer. On the Schofield the cylinder locking bolt is operated by the trigger. On a Colt if you are touching or even fully depressing the trigger you can cock the hammer. On a Schofield if you are touching the trigger you cannot cock the hammer. This slows a lot of people down, some quite a lot. If you shoot gunfighter I would not waste the money a pair of Schofields cost until you have had a chance to try them out or are 150% sure that when you cock your guns your fingers are clear of the triggers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warden Callaway Posted July 30 Share Posted July 30 I don't have a Schofield but have a #3 first model by Cimarron. I find the hammer size and location difficult to get to without shifting my grip. I shot it in at least one match but I've never been accused of being fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dokdoc #61722 Posted July 30 Author Share Posted July 30 Thanks for the info. I know there must be a good reason that they are not popular. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sasparilla Groz Posted July 30 Share Posted July 30 Larsen is correct. I got a pair because.... well they are just cool. I shoot gunfighter and indeed if you have any finger pressure on the trigger they will not cock. I haven't shot them in a match yet but plan to do so. I may not be as fast but will still enjoy shooting them. I suspect with time and practice I can get back up to speed. There is always the opportunity to shoot Duelist as a Classic Cowboy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted July 30 Share Posted July 30 I have a friend (yes, I do have one) who was quite adroit at winning Classique Cowbody with a pair of short barrel Schofields. He finally gave them up 'cause they gave him fits and failed him once too often. At one time I was good friends with a Smith who could fix the "Don't touch the Trigger" problem. I don't know of anyone else or even current who can fix that problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sasparilla Groz Posted July 30 Share Posted July 30 I did hear a rumor that problem could be fixed by a competent smith but do not know of such a person at this time. Anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imis Twohofon,SASS # 46646 Posted July 30 Share Posted July 30 Nantahala Ned shoots a pair, duelist and a lefty, to boot. He has had few problems and does not push for speed. Imis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted July 31 Share Posted July 31 Well, the one and only place where a Schofield, or any of the S&W top breaks, really shines, is on a reload. But that comes up so rarely.... I did see a post not too long ago where there was a stage with a full reload, and the stage instructions specifically said, "No Schofields." Now me, if I saw that instruction, I'd bring either my American or New Model 3. Neither one is a Schofield, and I'd be adamant that that's what the instructions say, no Schofields, not no top breaks. But I am a very silly person, and am not allowed to be on television. Maybe I'd bring the Merwin & Hulbert. But more seriously, I would like to see a "No SAA's or Rugers" shoot. I'd just be curious to see what people show up with. Throw in a reload on at least one stage, just to be interesting. And please, don't take me too seriously here. I'm just having fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake-eye, SASS#45097 Posted July 31 Share Posted July 31 I’ve used them shooting gunfighter. Once you get the hang of them with practice not bad at all. I’ve seen duelist with them out shoot many competitors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Three Foot Johnson Posted July 31 Share Posted July 31 "Competitive" is relative. I think Matt Black shot 12 stages at EOT in under 170 seconds. With Rugers, of course. First overall with Schofields? I doubt it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warden Callaway Posted July 31 Share Posted July 31 One thing keeps the various S&W top breaks less popular is they are twice the price of basic single action clones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sasparilla Groz Posted July 31 Share Posted July 31 Competitive is relative. I will NEVER outshoot Matt Black. I just want to outshoot my buddy Three Shot Shamrock! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dokdoc #61722 Posted July 31 Author Share Posted July 31 Thanks guys , talked me out of my Schofield quest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michigan Slim Posted July 31 Share Posted July 31 6 minutes ago, dokdoc #61722 said: Thanks guys , talked me out of my Schofield quest. I want one just cause their cool as heck. Maybe get one down the road just for giggles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Three Foot Johnson Posted July 31 Share Posted July 31 I had a pair of .44-40 Schofields for 15+ years, but only taking them out a couple times a year, I never got the hang of them, so they were very clumsy to shoot and I finally sold them three years ago... then immediately came across a couple Russians in .44 Russian... and a third one soon after, because, gotta have a backup, doncha know. Lemme tell ya, the Russians make the Schofields seem downright ergonomic in comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reverend P. Babcock Chase Posted July 31 Share Posted July 31 Howdy Dokdoc, I alternate between a pair or 4 3/4" USFA 73's and a pair of 5ish" Schofields. I shoot duelist and have no real difference in my times. I shoot classic cowboy and am not a fast (top half) shooter. In addition, I have short fingers, so I "choke" up on the grip. Colts and S&W's feel pretty much the same in my hand. If I shot with both hands on my gun fast cocking with my off hand thumb, I bet the Schofields would be a real pain. I like mine and think they are cool looking. Plus using a speed loader at the loading table is fun. To answer you original question, get Rugers. You can beat them like a rented mule and they are substantially less expensive Schofields. Rev. Chase Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Barleycorn, SASS #76982 Posted July 31 Share Posted July 31 Dutch Coroner shot Schofield’s then switched to Vaqueros and hasn’t looked back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Cuff Posted July 31 Share Posted July 31 Doc I still have those 38's for sale! Hint Hint! Rusty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dokdoc #61722 Posted July 31 Author Share Posted July 31 Hi Rusty, Answer with pics and price, maybe….? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Cuff Posted August 1 Share Posted August 1 Doc I’ll send you a PM Rusty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Cuff Posted August 1 Share Posted August 1 Doc I’ll send you a PM Rusty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evil dogooder Posted August 2 Share Posted August 2 Colts/Rugers are easy to shoot under 2 second for ten shots. Top breaks are very very very hard. Not bad guns at all, and can be ran pretty fast. However, pulling your finger off the trigger costs precious time. If your willing to practice, you can beat your buddy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
July Smith Posted August 2 Share Posted August 2 On 7/30/2023 at 7:00 PM, H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 said: I did see a post not too long ago where there was a stage with a full reload, and the stage instructions specifically said, "No Schofields." What a cheap shot. To the op. I have tried a few schofields, and other S&W top break designs and my hand/s find the hammer reach to be long and the surface area of the hammer itself rather small when compared to a Ruger or Colt. The modern repos don't work very well with black powder (deal breaker for me) though I have been told they will work okay with APP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irish ike, SASS #43615 Posted August 2 Share Posted August 2 I have a pair in 44-40 that were re-worked to eliminate the trigger issue. I shoot dualist and it made them very similar to shoot as a colt or ruger. The smith retired and I think he ws the only one who did the conversion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Widder, SASS #59054 Posted August 2 Share Posted August 2 1 hour ago, evil dogooder said: Colts/Rugers are easy to shoot under 2 second for ten shots. Top breaks are very very very hard. Not bad guns at all, and can be ran pretty fast. However, pulling your finger off the trigger costs precious time. If your willing to practice, you can beat your buddy Evil Dogooder is one of them 'real fast' pistol shooters and I agree with him. But here is a defining question for the OP: Just HOW FAST do you want to shoot? If you take one of those real fast shooters and allow them to practice with just about any pistol, their speed will probably still catch our attention with audible.....'WOW'. As an example, the Cowboy speed records for both gunfighters and for Traditional style shooters was set using 'stock' hammers on Ruger with very little modifications, if any. They were not short stroked nor with lower hammers. The Cowboys involved just practiced a lot..... and I mean 'A LOT'. So if you are someone who has some speed capabilities and will dedicate yeowndangself to some serious practice, your speed with Schofields could be very competitive to those who are using Ruger or Colt pistols that may not practice as much as you nor have your speed capabilities. I would venture to say that if Evil Dogooder, Smokestack or Deuce were to give a little practice effort with a pair of good Schofields, their speed would still amaze us. ..........Widder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken George* Posted August 2 Share Posted August 2 6 hours ago, Widder, SASS #59054 said: The Cowboys involved just practiced a lot..... and I mean 'A LOT'. Widder definitely knows what it takes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpt Dan Blodgett, SASS #75655 Posted August 3 Share Posted August 3 They are harder for me to reach the hammer and cock than my old and new Vaqueros or uberti cattlemen. As Pettifoger says any pressure on the Trigger and they lock up. Lots of style points Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted August 3 Share Posted August 3 If you like them shoot them. 90% of the average shooters stage time is occupied with transitions, misses, and procedurals; not pulling the trigger. Remember that every miss costs you 5 seconds. This is more time that it takes most shooters to fire five rounds out of their pistol or 10 rounds from their rifle. Shotgun makeups cost almost as much time as a pistol or rifle miss. While the top shooters can shoot their firearms fast. Their ability to efficiently transition between firearms is what really gives them those super fast stage times. This year at TN state a person on my Posse shot a pair of schofields. You could tell that he had practiced with them and that the guns had been set up by a good smith. He didn't win his category but the fact that he was shooting a pair of schofields was not the reason. His competition was a lot better at transitions than he was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
"Big Boston" Posted August 6 Share Posted August 6 On 7/30/2023 at 6:10 PM, dokdoc #61722 said: Thanks for the info. I know there must be a good reason that they are not popular. IMHO the price and availability keep them from being overly common. They do get noticed, thanks in part to the movies 310 to Yuma (2007) and Unforgiven. I'm a recent owner, and although I like the gun, I only give it a 6/10 rating on how it fits my hand. I thought it would be better two handed because the hammer is a bit far forward, but I tend to want to shoot it duelist. I switch styles as the mood strikes. I have it in a cross draw on the left with a open top or New Vaquero on the right. On the downside, it doesn't fit most SA holsters, so I needed a new rig for it. I love it at the unloading table. Mine is in 45 Colt, and I usually shoot Long Colt ammo, but may switch to 45 S&W (Schofield), just to make it feel a bit more authentic. BB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dokdoc #61722 Posted August 6 Author Share Posted August 6 Thank for the advise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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