Barra Schofield BB Revolver Test Review
Overview
Testers: Doug Wall Stephen Archer
Caliber: .177 BB
Model Number: 4021
Test Date: May 10, 2022
Serial Numbers: 21E51697
Source of Supply: Supplied by Barra Airguns
Condition: New
We Like
Superb appearance and feel.
High shot count.
12 month warranty.
We Don't Like
Test gun shoots low and left.
Challenging sights.
Nothing else.
HAM RATING
- Value for Money 100%
- Comparison to Makers Claims:100%
- Consistency 90%
- Appearance and Finish 100%
- Buying and Owning 100%
- Realism, Look & Feel 100%
- Realism, Trigger Action 100%
- Accuracy & Point of Aim 80%
- Shot Count 100%
- Muzzle Velocity 90%
97%
HARD AIR MAGAZINE TEST CONCLUSIONS
The Barra Schofield BB revolver is an outstanding replica of the first cartridge-firing revolver employed in US Army service as standard issue.
This single action top-break six-shooter looks and feels extremely realistic. It has an excellent finish, high shot count and strong muzzle velocity. The trigger is very good too. In a market where 90 day warranties are common, Barra’s Schofield has 12 month warranty coverage.
The only real downside is that the test gun shot low and left.
Overall, the Barra Schofield BB revolver is a clear HAM Gold Award winner!
VALUE FOR MONEY
Barra Airguns manufactures a variety of replicas of the classic, nineteenth century Schofield No. 3 pistol. Barra Schofield BB revolver models include different barrel lengths and surface finishes.
Most of these guns fire BBs, however they can be fired with pellets, if required, by using alternative “cartridges”. (BB cartridges have the projectile loaded at the front, pellets are inserted in the rear of their cartridges).
The Barra Schofield BB revolver model tested by HAM comes complete with BB cartridges. It has the long – 7-Inch – barrel, combined with the aged black finish. A set of Barra’s faux ivory pistol grips were also supplied and used for some of the photographs illustrating this review – as you’ll see below.
Street Prices range from $100 to $140, depending on finish, configuration and number of cartridges supplied. These are typical prices for “quality” BB-firing replicas. The specific model – Barra Airguns Item 4021 – currently retails for $124.99.
BUY FROM PYRAMYD AIR
Schofield No. 3 Mock Ivory Grips
Barra Schofield No.3 Aged CO2 BB Revolver, Full Metal 0.177
REALISM – LOOK AND FEEL
The Barra Schofield BB revolver impressed the HAM Testers with its outstanding looks and feel. With a weight of 2 Lbs 7 Oz. it feels extremely robust and solid in the hand, more so than pretty-well any other BB revolver we’ve experienced.
That weight is 3 Oz more than – say – a comparable Colt Single Action Army model. Like the physical size and proportions, it’s very close to those of the centerfire original.
The only really discordant note is produced by the inclusion of a safety behind the hammer on top of the frame. This operates simply and effectively by preventing the hammer from being pulled back into the cocked position. It’s almost invisible when the hammer is in its rear position, however.
Overall, HAM Tester Doug Wall was very impressed. “Wonderful replica! Very realistic!” he gushed in his test notes.
ACCURACY AND POINT OF IMPACT
The Barra Schofield BB revolver reviewed by HAM generated excellent accuracy at 6 Yards range. Every one of the 50 shots fired at that range was well within our “Minute of Soda Can” accuracy requirement.
This was great shooting by HAM Tester Doug Wall, especially given the “very nineteenth century” nature of the sights. The good news is that they’re a very accurate replica of the original sights. That’s also the bad news when it comes to target shooting!
As with the original, the sights are non-adjustable. This proved to be something of a demerit for the test sample however, as it shot consistently low and left.
Typically, the Point of Impact was about 1.5 Inches low and 1 Inch to the left at 6 Yards. Although the groups were good, this offset caused a few BBs to miss the soda can section of the target.
In practice, an experienced owner would develop a natural aiming-off hold with the gun to correct this offset.
At 10 Yards, the BBs spread out a lot: this is common with most BB pistols. But 8 out of 10 shots would still have hit the soda can with the appropriate holdover.
COMPARISON TO MAKERS CLAIMS
The manufacturer claims that the Barra Schofield BB revolver has an “authentic look and feel”. Check! They also claim that it’s solid metal construction. Check again – with the obvious exception of the pistol grips.
However the main claim is for Muzzle Velocity. Here, Barra Airguns claims a maximum of 410 FPS.
It has to be said that the Barra Schofield BB revolver tested by HAM showed the capability to significantly exceed this claim.
The highest actual velocity recorded on test was 381 FPS with ASG Blaster BBs. However, this was achieved in a cool – 60 degrees F – basement range. All CO2-powered guns are effected by ambient temperature. In fact, they shoot faster by approximately 2 FPS per degree F change in temperature.
This means that our 381 FPS at 60 degrees F would reach the 410 FPS specification at a more comfortable 75 degrees F. In hot – 90 degrees F – weather, the same gun would shoot the same BBs at no less than 440 FPS. The change in ambient temperature is responsible!
CONSISTENCY
The Barra Schofield BB revolver tested by HAM gave an average Standard deviation of 8.50 FPS across the whole test, including five different types of standard HAM review BBs.
This is a reasonably good number for a CO2-powered BB pistol and indicates that consistency of FPS is well controlled. Of course, as with any other CO2-powered airgun, the faster the Schofield is fired, the greater will be the fall in Muzzle Velocity as the CO2 in the cartridge cools, producing lower pressure.
Trigger pull weight consistency was really outstanding! With an average pull of 3 Lbs 2 Oz, the HAM test revolver had a trigger pull weight that varied by just + 4 Oz and – 5 Oz. This is very good consistency and much better than is typically expected from a CO2-powered BB revolver.
REALISM – TRIGGER AND ACTION
The Schofield No. 3 is a single-action revolver with a top-break action. This configuration is faithfully reproduced by the Barra reproduction.
The trigger itself is single-stage and very pleasant to shoot. There’s no slack or take-up, the sear releases immediately the trigger blade is pulled. Pull weight of the sample tested by HAM averaged a comfortable 3 Lbs 2 Oz.
HAM Tester Doug Wall was impressed. He described it as “A very good trigger”.
As a single action model, the hammer of the Schofield must be pulled back by the thumb before every shot. This is comfortable and easy to do. It cocks the action and rotates the six-chambered cylinder, bringing the next cartridge into battery, ready for firing.
There’s a satisfying “click, click” when the hammer is cocked. Yes, two clicks. That’s less than the clicks you find when cocking a Colt Single Action Army (four clicks for the firearm, usually three clicks for the airgun versions).
An important part of the Schofield’s action is the barrel catch. When engaged, this holds the top strap in place. It also functions as the rear sight.
When released, it allows the action to break open. The star ejector pulls the empty cartridges out of the cylinder at the same time – as can be seen in the photograph below. Very realistic!
SHOT COUNT
The Barra Schofield BB revolver tested by HAM produced a round 100 shots from a single 12 Gram CO2 cartridge. At this point the Muzzle Velocity was still 236 FPS but was falling fast.
This is strong performance for the Schofield. While not the absolute highest shot count ever attained in HAM testing, it’s well up there and shows – yet again – that “solid”, non-blowback pistols like this single action revolver offer both high FPS and shot count.
The left side pistol grip side plate contains the hex key for tightening the CO2. This is a good feature as it prevents issues with loosing the hex key – as can happen if this is a separate part.
MUZZLE VELOCITY
The highest Muzzle Velocity recorded during HAM testing was 381 FPS, achieved with ASG Blaster BBs during the 10 Yard testing. As described above, this was achieved at an ambient temperature of 60 degrees and would be higher in warmer conditions.
BBs | Average Muzzle Velocity | Average Muzzle Energy | Accuracy |
---|---|---|---|
Crosman Copperhead 5.13 Grain | 364 FPS | 1.51 Ft/Lbs | Excellent. |
Umarex Steel 5.29 Grain | 353 FPS | 1.46 Ft/Lbs | Excellent. |
ASG Blaster 5.32 Grain | 381 FPS | 1.72 Ft/Lbs | Excellent. Best Tested |
Hornady Black Diamond 5.36 Grain | 355 FPS | 1.50 Ft/Lbs | Excellent. |
Daisy Avanti 5.44 Grain | 347 FPS | 1.45 Ft/Lbs | Excellent. |
APPEARANCE AND FINISH
In the case of the Barra Schofield BB revolver reviewed by HAM, the aged effect was extremely well done. There’s just an indication of “use” on sharp edges such as the muzzle, hammer and frame edges.
This is not “battlefield” effect but the impression is of a revolver with a long and useful life with a careful owner.
In addition, this example – and maybe others? – has something we’ve not seen before on a replica. There’s evidence of some very slight sanding on some areas of the frame and lock plate. It’s really tough to photograph this – I was unsuccessful – but it’s an effect that can be seen as the light shines on the gun.
This deliberate, slight level of imperfection is another reason why the Barra Schofield BB revolver looks so realistic. Many other reproduction BB guns have a perfect metal finish with an uniform black powder coating – they actually look TOO good!
Barra Airguns confirms that a mild abrasion stage is deliberately included in the finishing of the aged Schofields. However, each one will be slightly different.
The faux wood plastic pistol grips are well printed. Only the inclusion of a molded Barra logo in the lower rear corner will bring a frown to the most fastidious owner.
As an alternative, Barra offers faux ivory grips. These are very easily replaced and can give a very different appearance to the gun – as can be seen from the photographs in this review.
One final point concerns the obligatory printed warnings. On the Schofield, these are printed in gray on the underside of the barrel and so are reasonably unobtrusive in everyday use and handling.
BUYING AND OWNING
Here’s a surprise! Barra Airguns’ warranty on the Schofield BB Revolver is one year – yes, 12 months. This compares very favorably to the majority of other firearms replica BB guns in the market today that have 90-day – or at the best 6 month – coverage.
The gun itself is well presented in a quality card box to protect it on its journey to you. There’s also an excellent color user’s guide that covers operation and maintenance of the revolver well, with many photographs. It’s in English only, however.
The Schofield BB Revolver is readily available online from broad-range dealers such as Pyramyd Air and Airgun Depot. It’s also becoming available through Barra Airguns’ expanding range of physical dealers and big box sporting goods stores.
SAFETY FIRST. As with all BB-firing airguns, it’s necessary to wear shooting glasses when firing this airgun. Also do not shoot at hard surfaces or water. BBs tend to bounce off these surfaces and may hit you, or something other than what you intended. If in doubt, don’t pull the trigger! Due to the realistic appearance of this product, handle it as you would a firearm. Do not display it in public or in any place where it could be mistaken for a cartridge firearm.
6-YARD TEST TARGETS
10-YARD TEST TARGETS
BUY FROM PYRAMYD AIR
Schofield No. 3 Mock Ivory Grips
Barra Schofield No.3 Aged CO2 BB Revolver, Full Metal 0.177
This entire article including scoring, test targets etc is Copyright Hard Air Magazine and may NOT in part or in whole be reproduced in any electronic or printed medium without prior permission from the publisher.