Howdy
I don't have much experience with the Uberti replicas, but I do have experience shooting the real thing.
This Second Model Russian was made in 1875. I had this Slim Jim holster made for it by El Paso Saddlery.
As you can see, the gun fits into the holster with the trigger guard spur remaining outside of he holster, it does not cause a problem.
The first thing you should know is you do not have to cut down 44 Special brass to make 44 Russian brass, you can buy new 44 Russian brass from Starline, which is what I do. I have several old revolvers chambered for the round.
I just checked and even though it is not historically accurate, Uberti does chamber their Schofield models for the 44 Russian cartridge.
http://www.uberti.com/top-break-revolver
Now, about that grip. The First Model Russian did not look like this, it looked exactly like the S&W American Model, except it was chambered for the 44 Russian round. But the Russians wanted some changes made to the design, and the big, sharp point on the grip (in S&W speak it is called a knuckle), and the spur on the trigger guard were two changes they wanted.
The big knuckle on the grip was there to prevent the gun from rotating in the hand during recoil, and it does a very good job of it. However, I find the reach to the hammer spur with any #3 Top Break to be a bit further than the reach to the hammer of a Colt, and particularly with the Russian Model I have to regrip to get my thumb to reach far enough to reach the hammer spur. This leaves the knuckle in contact with the palm of my hand. Then I have to regrip again to get my hand under the knuckle again. If I don't get my hand back under the knuckle, and I fire the gun, that sharp point digs into my palm and it hurts. Even with a mildly recoiling round like 44 Russian.
The Schofield Model, on the other hand, has a curved grip and rolls in the hand in recoil. I find it easier to shoot the Schofield, cocking the hammer while the gun is 'up' and then I let it roll down into my hand again to fire another shot.
This First Model Schofield was also made in 1875, and it is of course chambered for the original 45 Schofield cartridge. I buy my 45 Schofield brass from Starline too.
My Schofield fits nicely into the same Slim Jim holster.
There is one more #3 Top Break you might want to look for. Beretta sells it and they call it the Laramie. The Beretta Laramie is a pretty faithful reproduction of the Smith and Wesson New Model Number Three.
The New Model Number Three was the high point of #3 design. It is a more refined design than either the Russian or the Schofield models. Target versions were available and records were set with the New Model Number Three that still stand today.
The small knuckle on the grip of the New Model #3 helps keep it from rotating in recoil, but it is easy for me to get my hand back under it again for repeat shots. This particular one was made in 1882, but it was refinished at the factory in 1965, that is why it looks so good. This one is chambered for 44 Russian, which was the most common chambering of this model.
My New Model #3 is a standard model with fixed sights. The Beretta Laramie comes with a windage adjustable rear sight.
The New Model Number Three also fits nicely in the El Paso Slim Jim holster.
A couple more things. A number or years ago ASM made a Schofield replica revolver. Avoid them, they were nothing but trouble. The Uberti made Russians and Schofields are quality guns. I do not know this for a fact, but since Beretta owns Uberti, I suspect Uberti also makes the Laramie.
One other thing. Because of changes to the design of the cylinder bushing, none of the modern Uberti #3 replicas shoots Black Powder very well. They tend to bind up because the bushing has been shrunk down in order to squeeze a longer 45 Colt or 44-40 cylinder into a frame the same size as the originals.
The originals shoot Black Powder very well, that is all I shoot in mine.
