Blackhawk30
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Watching Hickok45 shoot this gun kinda makes me want one.Anyone have one?How are they quality and shootqability wise?
Taylor's New Model 3 S&W revolver
- Thread starter Blackhawk30
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Flashcube
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Ordered one a few months ago but stopped holding my breath the moment "backorder" came out of my dealer's mouth. Figure the only way I can get one is to either be patient or become famous on youtube. I think I'll be patient lol. 
AethelstanAegen
Member
In which video does he shoot Taylor's No 3? I saw duelist1954's video on it and I've wanted one every since as well. I've heard they don't do great with blackpowder though.
Driftwood Johnson
Member
Howdy
Here is Hikock45's video about the Taylor New Model Number Three.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC4jCtEVAt8
I do not have one, but I have an original New Model Number Three made in 1882. Most of what Hikock45 says about the history of the various S&W revolvers is correct. The New Model Number Three was first produced in 1878. It was cataloged until 1908. Taylors calls their replica the New Model Number Three Frontier. Technically this is incorrect because the 'Frontier' model was chambered for 44-40 only. Taylor's version is chambered for 45 Colt. Hickock45 is correct when he mentions there are a few minor design changes with the modern Taylors New Model Number Three. Other than the redesign of the gas collar, they changes are not critical.
He is absolutely correct when he says the gun shoots high. The originals did too, because of the relatively low front sight. The one thing he does not mention is the upward curve of the hammer spur. For some reason, the hammer spur on all the S&W Top Break #3 revolvers curved up. This means one has to stretch the thumb a bit more than with a SAA to reach the hammer in order to cock it. Not a problem, easy enough to get used to.
The grip shape of the New Model Number Three is much easier to deal with than the extreme knuckle on the Russian models. I have to regrip to cock the hammer on my Russian, then I have to regrip again to get my palm under the knuckle or the sharp, pointy thing above the grip hurts my hand when the gun recoils, even with the relatively mild 44 Russian cartridge.
The Taylors version is basically the same as the Beretta Laramie model. Beretta owns Uberti these days. One thing about this model is the rear sight is like the rear sight on the target model New Model Number Threes from the 19th Century. There is a small notched blade set in the barrel latch and it can be drifted back and forth for windage. This was not a feature on the regular New Model Number Threes, only the target models.
Unfortunately, none of the modern reproductions of the classic S&W Top Breaks deal well with Black Powder. The cylinders were lengthened to accommodate the longer 45 Colt round, but the frame was not lengthened an equal amount. This meant that the gas collar on the front of the cylinder was greatly shortened. The shorter gas collar does not protect the arbor from Black Powder fouling blasted out of the barrel/cylinder gap the way the original design did. The modern reproductions of the Russian, Schofield, and New Model Number Three all share this unfortunate redesign. When S&W made the Frontier model for 44-40 and the rare 38-40 models, they lengthened the cylinder to accommodate the longer rounds, but they lengthened the frames too, so the gas collar still functioned as designed.
You can shoot Black Powder rounds through the modern replicas, but because of the redesign of the gas collar they tend to bind up quickly. The originals shoot Black Powder just fine.
The New Model Number Three was the most highly refined of all the S&W large frame Top Breaks. They are great fun to shoot, and as demonstrated they can be reloaded much faster than a SAA.
Here is Hikock45's video about the Taylor New Model Number Three.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC4jCtEVAt8
I do not have one, but I have an original New Model Number Three made in 1882. Most of what Hikock45 says about the history of the various S&W revolvers is correct. The New Model Number Three was first produced in 1878. It was cataloged until 1908. Taylors calls their replica the New Model Number Three Frontier. Technically this is incorrect because the 'Frontier' model was chambered for 44-40 only. Taylor's version is chambered for 45 Colt. Hickock45 is correct when he mentions there are a few minor design changes with the modern Taylors New Model Number Three. Other than the redesign of the gas collar, they changes are not critical.
He is absolutely correct when he says the gun shoots high. The originals did too, because of the relatively low front sight. The one thing he does not mention is the upward curve of the hammer spur. For some reason, the hammer spur on all the S&W Top Break #3 revolvers curved up. This means one has to stretch the thumb a bit more than with a SAA to reach the hammer in order to cock it. Not a problem, easy enough to get used to.
The grip shape of the New Model Number Three is much easier to deal with than the extreme knuckle on the Russian models. I have to regrip to cock the hammer on my Russian, then I have to regrip again to get my palm under the knuckle or the sharp, pointy thing above the grip hurts my hand when the gun recoils, even with the relatively mild 44 Russian cartridge.
The Taylors version is basically the same as the Beretta Laramie model. Beretta owns Uberti these days. One thing about this model is the rear sight is like the rear sight on the target model New Model Number Threes from the 19th Century. There is a small notched blade set in the barrel latch and it can be drifted back and forth for windage. This was not a feature on the regular New Model Number Threes, only the target models.
Unfortunately, none of the modern reproductions of the classic S&W Top Breaks deal well with Black Powder. The cylinders were lengthened to accommodate the longer 45 Colt round, but the frame was not lengthened an equal amount. This meant that the gas collar on the front of the cylinder was greatly shortened. The shorter gas collar does not protect the arbor from Black Powder fouling blasted out of the barrel/cylinder gap the way the original design did. The modern reproductions of the Russian, Schofield, and New Model Number Three all share this unfortunate redesign. When S&W made the Frontier model for 44-40 and the rare 38-40 models, they lengthened the cylinder to accommodate the longer rounds, but they lengthened the frames too, so the gas collar still functioned as designed.
You can shoot Black Powder rounds through the modern replicas, but because of the redesign of the gas collar they tend to bind up quickly. The originals shoot Black Powder just fine.
The New Model Number Three was the most highly refined of all the S&W large frame Top Breaks. They are great fun to shoot, and as demonstrated they can be reloaded much faster than a SAA.
AethelstanAegen
Member
Excellent post, Driftwood. I'd love to own an original one day, but they tend to be out of my price range (though frankly even Taylor's is far from cheap). Thank you for the video link as well!
bannockburn
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Thanks a lot Driftwood, not only for the information and photos but also for making me lust after another single action revolver!
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