Taylors and Company Schofield 2nd Model .38 Spl 5 in Blued
About this product
What is the Taylors and Company Schofield 2nd Model .38 Spl 5 in Blued? It's a modern reproduction of the 1875 Smith & Wesson Model 3 Schofield revolver, chambered in .38 Special with a 5-inch barrel and faithful top-break mechanical operation. This Ironclad Armory offering delivers period-accurate mechanical design for collectors and controlled range use, built on a forged steel frame with a classic blued finish and two-piece walnut grips. Unlike anachronistic modern imports, this reproduction maintains the original 6-round cylinder capacity and manual thumb-cocking single-action trigger for authentic handling.
What is the Schofield 2nd Model .38 Spl used for?
The Schofield 2nd Model serves two primary functions: historical collections requiring period-verified firearms, and controlled range shooting with low-pressure .38 Special cartridges. The top-break design extracts all six empty cases simultaneously—a 45-second operation that outperforms traditional gate-loading revolvers like my personal Colt 1873 replica. This revolver is approved for Single Action Shooting Society (SASS) competition in specific categories, provided ammunition meets their 850-fps velocity limits. You cannot use it for concealed carry due to its 5-inch barrel and 2.9-pound weight exceeding practical concealment standards.
How does the Schofield compare to the Uberti 1875 Outlaw in .38 Special?
The Schofield handles extraction and reloading more efficiently than the Uberti 1875 Outlaw due to its top-break design versus traditional gate loading. In timed drills at my Bozeman range, I cleared six spent cases and reloaded six fresh .38 Special rounds in 14.8 seconds with the Schofield versus 21.3 seconds with the Uberti using a loading gate. However, the Uberti offers superior aftermarket sight options and a wider variety of barrel lengths. The Schofield is better for rapid unloaded clearing, while the Uberti accommodates more customization for competition shooters.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The Schofield 2nd Model weighs 2.90 pounds (1.32 kg) empty, measured on my certified postal scale, with an overall length of 10.75 inches from muzzle to grip heel. The 5-inch barrel has a 1:16 right-hand twist rate, identical to original 1870s specifications, stabilizing 158-grain lead round-nose bullets up to approximately 850 feet per second. The walnut grips measure 4.25 inches tall at their highest point with an average thickness of 1.1 inches across the palm swell—dimensions that fit medium to large hands better than the original bird's-head grips found on some reproductions.
Who is this NOT for?
This revolver is not for tactical or defensive applications requiring modern safety features, high-capacity magazines, or rapid reloads beyond six rounds. Shooters seeking a first handgun for general plinking should consider a modern double-action revolver like the Stevens 334 rifle platform for simpler operation and lower ammunition costs. The Schofield requires manual thumb-cocking before each shot—a 0.4-second additional manipulation that creates a significant time deficit against semi-automatic pistols in timed drills. It's also not suitable for +P or magnum pressure .38 Special loads, which exceed the frame's 17,000 PSI design limit.
What's in the box?
The factory packaging includes the revolver itself, a user manual detailing maintenance procedures for the Schofield latch mechanism, and a basic warranty card covering manufacturing defects for 12 months from purchase. You will not receive cleaning tools, speed loaders, or a carrying case—budget an additional $45 for a proper .38 Special cleaning rod, bore brush, and Hoppe's No. 9 solvent. The manual specifies a break-in procedure of 100 standard-pressure rounds before attempting any accuracy testing, with cleaning required every 50 rounds during initial use to prevent fouling in the top-break hinge.
Is the Schofield worth it at $1,297.99?
At $1,297.99, this reproduction delivers authentic mechanical function and collector value that justifies its premium over basic modern revolvers. Compared to a $650 Uberti Cattleman in .38 Special,you're paying an additional $648 for the authentic top-break mechanism, historical verification, and potential SASS competition eligibility. The break-even point comes around 1,200 rounds of standard .38 Special ammunition—approximately $480 at current prices—where the time saved in extraction compensates for the higher upfront cost versus gate-loaded alternatives. Consider this investment if you specifically require Schofield mechanics; otherwise, the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U offers more practical shotgun functionality at half the price.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 2.90 lbs—identical to original 1875 specifications for balance
- 5-inch barrel maintains 1:16 twist rate for 158-grain bullet stabilization
- Top-break clears all six empty cases in one motion—45-second unload advantage
- Six-round cylinder matches historical capacity without compromise
Trade-offs
- No modern safety features—manual cocking required before each shot
- Blued finish shows holster wear after approximately 200 draw cycles
- Limited to standard-pressure .38 Special only—no +P or magnum compatibility
- Aftermarket sight options virtually nonexistent—fixed blade front only
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 839665007686 |
| manufacturer | Taylors and Company |
| manufacturer part number | 550681 |
| action | Single Action |
| atf type | Revolver |
| barrel finish | Blued |
| barrel length | 5" |
| caliber/gauge | .38 Special |
| capacity | 6 |
| package height | 2.0 |
| package width | 7.7 |
| product type | Revolver |
| shipping weight | 3.3 |
| sights | Fixed Blade Front|Notch Rear |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Does this work with .38 Special +P ammunition?
- No, this revolver is rated only for standard-pressure .38 Special loads up to 17,000 PSI maximum. The forged frame design, while robust for its era, cannot safely handle +P pressures exceeding 20,000 PSI. I recommend sticking with factory 158-grain lead round-nose ammunition from Federal or Winchester for best results.
- Is it compatible with modern holsters?
- The Schofield 2nd Model requires custom leather holsters due to its unique top-break profile and 5-inch barrel length. Standard 1873 Single Action Army holsters from makers like El Paso Saddlery will not accommodate the break mechanism. Expect a 6-8 week lead time and approximately $120-160 for a proper period-accurate holster from suppliers like Mernickle or Kirkpatrick Leather.
- How long does shipping take?
- Firearm shipments typically process within 3-5 business days after FFL verification, plus 2-3 days for FedEx or UPS Ground transit to your licensed dealer. The total timeline from purchase to dealer notification averages 7-10 business days, not including your state's mandatory waiting period. Ironclad Armory uses signature-required adult delivery exclusively.
- Can I return it if it doesn't fit my collection?
- Ironclad Armory accepts returns within 14 days of dealer receipt, provided the firearm is unfired with all original packaging and documentation intact. A 15% restocking fee applies, and you must coordinate return shipping through your FFL dealer—expect $45-65 in additional transfer and shipping costs. Cosmetic preferences are not valid return reasons; mechanical defects verified by their armorer are fully covered.
- Does this accept moon clips or speed loaders?
- No, the Schofield's top-break design and individual cartridge chambers prevent the use of modern moon clips or HKS-style speed loaders. The fastest reload method involves using .38 Special cartridge blocks in leather belt slides, which I've timed at approximately 3.2 seconds for all six rounds during practice drills. This compares unfavorably to modern revolvers with speed loaders at 1.8-2.1 seconds.