Range Report: S&W Model 1854 Series Lever Gun

After interviewing the good folks at Smith and Wesson regarding the new 1854 lever gun in .44 Magnum, I immediately requested a test sample. Not long after my sample arrived, I eagerly began the review.

The flat trigger breaks at about 5.5 pounds. A flat trigger on a lever gun is different from what I am used to, and it took a few rounds for me to get the hang of it. The synthetic stock and forearm are well textured to keep a solid purchase on this all-weather rifle. The trigger had the right amount of take-up, broke clean, and featured a bit of overtravel. For a hunting or duty rifle, this trigger is perfectly suitable. The furniture pattern is Marlin 1894.

The front sight is a shade higher than some sights and incorporates a gold bead, which I love. It naturally draws your eye to it and makes it easy to center in the rear sight for a fast sight picture. The muzzle is threaded 11/16×24 to accept accessories such as a muzzle brake or suppressor. Since the front sight has a little height, I could use larger diameter silencer without issue.

Note that the locking end on the magazine tube is just below the muzzle. This allows the entire magazine tube to be easily removed as an additional way to unload this rifle safely, but it is a bit more awkward than thumbing the rounds out from the loading gate.

The adjustable rear sight is an XS ghost ring aperture, which paired perfectly with the front sight. Out of the box, the rifle was dead on at 50 yards. There is also a section of picatinny rail over the receiver if you elect to add an optic. In my opinion, the included sights are perfect for about 100 yards or so.

The stock incorporates a soft recoil pad. While you may not think this is necessary. However, when shooting some of the heavy .44 Magnum rounds, such as DoubleTap 320-grain hardcast rounds, you will indeed be thankful. A rear sling swivel stud is present on the stock, as are provisions for a sling swivel on the forearm, just ahead of the M-Lok at 3-, 6-, and 9 o’clock.

The stainless-steel receiver incorporates a typical cross-bolt safety. That makes the manual of arms of the 1854 the same as any other lever gun you would likely be used to.

Model 1854 Specifications

Width: 1.6 inches
Length: 36 inches
Weight: 108.8 ounces
Caliber: .44 Magnum
Capacity: 9+1 rounds
Grip: Polymer
Front Sight: Gold bead, raised
Rear sight: XS ghost ring aperture
Optic ready yes
Safety: Cross-bolt
Color/finish: Black/silver
Barrel Material: 410 SS
Barrel length: 19.25 inches
Barrel Threading: 11/16 x 24
Frame: Stainless steel
MSRP: $1,279

Accuracy Testing

My buddy and I shot well into the sunset, banging steel from my friend’s front porch while the grill was tended. Bringing friends together for some recreational shooting and some hamburgers on the grill is truly a Saturday well spent.

Conclusions

Well, not to put too fine of a point on it, I like this rifle. I am a fan of lever guns and the .44 Magnum cartridge. I’m thankful Smith and Wesson combined these two in a rifle with a traditional silhouette and some modern features tucked in. Accuracy was more than acceptable with irons. We experienced zero issues in some 400 rounds of shooting. I estimate 50–75 were .44 Special. The rest were ‘mild to wild’ .44 Magnum from various manufacturers and bullet weights.

The 1854 handled the heavy .44 Magnum well and was a dream to shoot with .44 Specials — especially suppressed. It makes sense that S&W introduced its lever gun in .44 Magnum. Well, truthfully, S&W reintroduced it. I would like to see this rifle in .45-70 and .30-30. I believe (hope), those calibers will be forthcoming. With that said, I get why S&W started with the .44 Magnum.

The big .44 is tremendously popular and will serve a wide range of uses. Adding a rifle that will reliably chamber the .44 Special, adds to the platform’s versatility. Many who hunt, camp, and hike, carry a handgun in .44 Magnum. Adding a rifle in the same caliber as your trusted sidearm increases your capability without increasing your load out.

With this rifle, you gain magazine capacity, sight radius, and velocity over your .44 sidearm. The increased sight radius allows for more precise aiming. The additional barrel length increases velocity, giving you a terminal ballistics advantage with most rounds. Therefore, it makes sense for your sidearm and long gun to be chambered in the same round.

I am very satisfied with the new S&W 1854 despite it taking me a few boxes of ammunition to get used to that flat trigger.

A modern Model 1854? What’s your take on S&W’s new lever gun? Which calibers do you favor for lever actions and why? Share your answers in the Comment section.