The Sharps has the safety feature of being able to have the hammer put on half cock before closing the breech. The rolling block actions have the advantage of having the operating spurs and levers on the top or side of the action rather than beneath it. This is much more efficient and comfortable for the shooter in the prone position at a match. Reproductions , when dealing with single shot rifles, is not a nasty word. Many of the modern manufactured rifles are better than the originals.
Sharps reproductions come from a number of sources, both foreign and domestic.
Domestically, Shiloh Rifle is the leading manufacturer of reproduction '74 Sharps. At the opposite end of the price spectrum are the '77 Sharps, being built by Tom Axtell. Tom's focus is on making accurate reproductions. There is currently one source of known reliable Winchester Single Shot reproductions, Meacham Tool. They are excellent quality guns, with nice lines to the stock.