Cimmaron .45 Schofield Break Top replica, or something else for an inheritance

[Zaydok Allen]

Hello friends and neighbors.

I may be inheriting a sum of money here in the next few weeks, at least that is what I've been told. My grandfather passed away 2.5 years ago and my dad fiinally managed to get his house sold. I and my siblings helped a lot so he wants to give us a bit of an inheritance. I'm not sure how much it will be be but.....

My grandfather was a firearms enthusiast, and it was something he and I shared and enjoyed talking about in the last few years of his life. I only got into shooting about six years ago. None the less, I'm glad we got to share it for the time we did. As a result, I think I would like to invest a small sum of money into an heirloom that is bought with that money. Sort of a "One more gift from grandpa" sort of thing, and then pass it down when I die. The vast majority of the money will be saved for a down payment on a house. So I'd like to keep it around 1K, and maybe up to 2K at the absolute maximum. I've narrowed it down to two guns. I'd really like one of those new Winchester 1873's with the case hardened finish in .357 magnum. However, I may decide to wait a little bit to make sure the bugs are worked out since they were just released, and they are quite overpriced right now. The reviews I'm seeing are good though.

I'm more interested in a .45 Schofield top break replica from Cimarron or Uberti. I've read about some quality and durability issues with them though. So, I thought I'd ask any owners to chime in and share there experiences, good or bad, and pictures are of course welcome.

My gramps used to talk about a Colt pistol he had too that he traded away to settle a debt. He wished so much he had it back. Unfortunately he died at the age of 95, so when I asked him about it, he couldn't remember what model or caliber it was in. Heck, I'm not even sure if it was a revolver or semiauto. He was born in 1917, so guessing is a bit hard as there were many models made between then and now. I think it may have been a Woodsman or some kind of .22. He really regreted giving it away.

So ladies and gents, what is the running opinion on Cimmaron and Uberti tob break replicas? A fun shooter to keep forever, or a fun shooter for a little while and then they go to a smith or the factory for work?

He gave me a black Remington Nylon 66, and a Sheridan Pellet gun that was given to him by his coworkers as a retirement gift in 1979. I treasure those two guns even though they are probably the least valuable of my collection.

Thanks for any input all. Suggestions of other guns are welcomed too.

 

[DPris]

Regardless of importer, the Schofield's made by Uberti.
Quality is generally good, I've had the hinge loosen up at a relatively low mileage on a Uberti top-break, and I've had the ejection mechanism try to freeze up on another.
If you get a good one, you get a good one.
If you don't, you don't.
Denis

 

[sgt127]

Find an old S&W or Colt M1917 Model. It would seem appropriate. Its chambered in the legendary .45 ACP and, having it named for his birth year would be cool.

 

[Jim Watson]

The PRESENT Cimarron Schofield is almost certainly made by Uberti, as are Taylor's, Navy Arms, etc.
These are decent guns.

Once upon a time they sold a Schofield made for them by ASM which was dreadful and should be avoided if you came across one in the used market. Repairing and replacing them almost put Cimarron out of business and ASM is defunct.

 

[Kernel]

For $2k you should be able to pick up some type of classic original gun in decent condition. That's were the real value and future appreciation will be. That's an investment. Not so much with replicas.

The Japanese Winchesters are nice, and very well made, but I wouldn't expect the NIB price to come down in the future. Not the way the market's been for the last few years. Even if they did somehow manage to make enough to stock a few dealer's selves.

 

[DPris]

Jim,
As I said- the Schofield's made by Uberti.
The old ASM versions have long been out of production.
Denis

 

[toivo]

I'd get a Uberti Russian:



I'd get it in .45 Colt, though, just to make ammo-shopping easier.

But that's just me.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I'd get it in .45 Colt, though

That's why I was looking at the Schofield. They are now chambered for 45 Colt.

 

[Cardboard_killer]

And you can shoot 45 S&W (schofield) from a 45 Colt revolver.

 

[45 Dragoon]

Those are all nice guns but, If I were going to buy an heirloom to pass down in the fam. and, if I were spending between $1K and $2K, I'd buy the nicest new genuine Colt S.A.A. I could find. Then, you could pass down a true American piece of history (instead of a foreign Copy) !!! Don't get me wrong, ALL my current guns are Uberties or Piettas and I speak often of them here. But, as far as the Subject at hand goes, I'd buy a home grown Colt S.A.A. in a sec.!!!

Just my opinion.


45 Dragoon

 

[CraigC]

You could do a lot worse than a nice Schofield. I really like mine and it's a fine shooter as well.


Then you'll need some nice leather for it too!





Or you could go for a nice USFA like this one. I had a chance to buy another just like it last month for $1300.

 

[AethelstanAegen]

You could do a lot worse than a nice Schofield. I really like mine and it's a fine shooter as well.

CraigC, do you shoot yours with blackpowder? I'm wondering if the rumors of the action gumming up after blackpowder use are exaggerated...ie how many rounds of blackpowder does it take before the gun doesn't function correctly until after a good cleaning?

 

[CraigC]

No, I've only used smokeless. I have also heard of the issues with blackpowder fouling due to the short gas ring.

 

[DPris]

They're not constructed for BP.
Denis

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Those are all nice guns but, If I were going to buy an heirloom to pass down in the fam. and, if I were spending between $1K and $2K, I'd buy the nicest new genuine Colt S.A.A. I could find. Then, you could pass down a true American piece of history (instead of a foreign Copy) !!! Don't get me wrong, ALL my current guns are Uberties or Piettas and I speak often of them here. But, as far as the Subject at hand goes, I'd buy a home grown Colt S.A.A. in a sec.!!!

Just my opinion.


45 Dragoon

This is an excellent idea also. I don't currently own any SA only revolvers, and I did consider a Freedom Arms..... Perhaps a Colt SAA is the way to go.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Those are all nice guns but, If I were going to buy an heirloom to pass down in the fam. and, if I were spending between $1K and $2K, I'd buy the nicest new genuine Colt S.A.A. I could find.

I agree 110%.
If you want the greatest functionality while still having a Colt you could get the Colt New Frontier which is a flat top version of the SAA with adjustable sights. Less than $1,500 and that's Colt's MSRP, which means it would be even less. And they offer them in .44 Special, which I'm becoming intrigued with these days.

http://www.coltsmfg.com/Catalog/ColtRevolvers/ColtNewFrontier®.aspx

 

[45 Dragoon]

Yap !! I forgot about the USFA !! Thats purdy CraigC.(and so is that dang Schofield !!!!!)


O.K. I changed my mind, Buy what ever you want, I can't argue with any of the offerings here !!! LOL (but, I'd still buy the Colt)

CraigC,I'm ready for some holsters (finely !!!)

45 Dragoon

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

I do not recommend the Russian model. The hump on the grip makes them very awkward to shoot. I have to regrip to reach the hammer spur to cock it, bringing my palm up and touching the hump, then I have to regrip again to get my palm under the hump, or the hump slams into my palm in recoil and it hurts. At least that's the story shooting it one handed. Two hands would not be as much of a problem.




The Schofield is much more user friendly than the Russian model. Much easier to cock the hammer one handed and shoot it.



These are not reproductions, but I probably paid a little more for them than you want to spend. If I wuz going to buy something of lasting value, to hand on I would probably look for a nice original S&W Hand Ejector. Not a reproduction, the real thing. There are lots of them around for not really big money.

 

[clance]

Here is a modern manufactured Schofield by Smith and Wesson out of their Performance Center that would make a great heirloom.





http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=381319462

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I had to share this. I made a decision and DriftwoodJohnson, you got me to thinking. Your comment

If I wuz going to buy something of lasting value, to hand on I would probably look for a nice original S&W Hand Ejector. Not a reproduction, the real thing. There are lots of them around for not really big money.

Really made me think. I checked it out on gunbroker, and this is what I ended up doing.

I found this 3rd Model Hand Ejector in 32 S&W Long manufactured in 1926. According to the seller it is all original, including the finish and grips, and has been sitting in his safe for some time. I found the following info on the S&W forum:

The Regulation Police was introduced in 1917; it has a specially designed frame and grip design that was patented by the company. You can see the patent date on the bottom of the stocks. That stamp should read "PAT JUNE 5, 1917" if I remember it correctly. If you could take the stocks off, you would see a small shoulder or step in the backstrap. That allows the wood of the square butt stock to mate with the steel of the round butt frame without tapering to a fragile sliver. It also produces the distinctive RP backstrap appearance of half steel, half wood.

So it appears that I am now the proud owner of a Regulation Police, in really nice shape. I think she is a real looker. Payment is mailed, and it should be waiting for me at my LGS when I get back from my holiday travels.

The absolute best part to me is the patent date on the grip. June 5th, 1917 happens to be the day my grandfather was born . Does it get any cooler than that to commemorate the man and have a dedicated heirloom to honor his memory as a vet, as a man, and as my grandfather? I don't think so.

Thanks all for the suggestions and advice. A special thanks goes out to Mr Driftwood Johnson for the hand ejector suggestion. I do love Smiths and my grandfather would have thought this was really cool.

One last gift from grandma and grandpa....... Thanks you two!!!!!

 

[Zaydok Allen]

A few more pics

 

[CraigC]

Dang, that thing looks almost new!

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Right? I'm pretty excited that I got it. I figure it is a good start in collecting vintage guns.

I meant to say also, if any of you knowledgeable folks who know about old Smiths and have info to share, or see that I'm incorrect about something, please share. I'm new to old guns.

 

[DPris]

I think you're doing fine.
Denis

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy Again

My 22/32 Heavy Frame Target revolver shares the same I frame and grip detail as your 32 Regulation Police.

Not in quite as pristine condition as yours, mine was shipped in December of 1923. It is a small 22 rimfire revolver built on the same size frame as your 32. You cannot tell in this photo, but these guns were smaller than the later K22 guns.




Here is the rear of the backstrap and grips.





I suspect when you take the grips off you will find the recess for the frame looks like this:




The same patent date on the bottom of the grips.




Because of the configuration of the grips, S&W put the serial number on the front of the grip frame, rather than the butt where it usually appears on S&W revolvers.



Have fun with your new acquisition.