The latch returned to the original Smith & Wesson barrel latch system, a change stemming mainly from the company's desire to stop paying royalties to George W Schofield. The New Model 3 was very accurate and was the second favorite sixgun next to the single action army colt revolver. Many pistol shooters preffered the New model 3 to Colt flatop revolvers as it was more accurate. Theodore Roosevelt himself had an engraved New Model 3 and was probably going to take it to Cuba but instead he took a Colt 38 double action revolver which he was recovered from the sunken USS MAINE.