Back to the Future: Smith & Wesson's Model 1854

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Fifteen years ago, lever-action rifles were dying. The classic designs were associated with Elmer Fudd and his ilk while the shooting public was clamoring for the latest and greatest AR-pattern rifles. Remington’s acquisition of Marlin became a mess, adding supply problems to the mix.

Today, the situation couldn’t be more different. Lever guns are seemingly everywhere. Not only are brands traditionally associated with lever-action rifles increasing their offerings, but entirely new players have come to the table. Among them is Smith & Wesson, which recently introduced the all-new Model 1854 rifle. This lever action was launched in January and is chambered in .44 Rem. Mag.

Some consumers might view a lever-action rifle as being a stretch for a company that built its proud name on revolvers, but a closer look at the firm’s history provides some context. The first collaboration between Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson was a lever-action repeating pistol that came to be known as the Volcanic. Smith had been involved in the initial development of a toggle-joint (lever-action) rifle known as the Smith-Jennings, and that repeating feature was carried over into the Volcanic handgun.

History

The Smith & Wesson partnership that ensued was formed in 1854, hence the model name for the company’s latest lever-action repeater. And it’s interesting to note that Volcanic Repeating Arms Company eventually evolved into the New Haven Arms Company, better known to history as Winchester. The point is that Smith & Wesson’s name and legacy should be firmly planted on the lever-action design.

Smith & Wesson’s return to the lever-action market—170 years after it helped create it—was the talk of this year’s SHOT Show. Each year there seems to be a product that creates a great deal of buzz among the attendees, and this year it was the 1854.

There were two versions on display: the modern-looking stainless steel and synthetic Model 1854 and the Model 1854 limited edition. The limited edition is a more classically styled carbine with an attractive walnut stock and a black PVD finish that is all but indistinguishable from traditional bluing. Both are chambered in the .44 Rem. Mag., an appropriate cartridge given Smith & Wesson’s crucial role in that round’s development and introduction.

I tested the standard Model 1854. While it is the standard version, it is a modern, tricked-out lever action with lots of bells and whistles. It melds the traditional function and basic lines of a classic lever gun with functional enhancements that drag it into the 21st century.

The Heart of It

At the heart of the 1854 is a receiver built from 416 stainless steel forgings. Smith & Wesson has been a leader in producing high-quality forged firearm components for decades. The company not only produces metal forgings for its own products in its Springfield, Massachusetts facility, it serves the aerospace, medical device and automotive industries as well.

The receiver can best be described as a Marlin-style unit, with a non-reciprocating flat-top surface. The bolt is cylindrical and extends through the rear of the action when cycled, cocking the hammer in the process. The extractor resembles that of an AR-15, pivoting under coil spring pressure on a retaining pin driven through the bolt body. The ejector pivots from inside the receiver, directing cases laterally from the ejection port. A loading gate below the port allows access to the tubular nine-round magazine. One of the advantages of a lever-action rifle is the ability to top off the magazine without taking the carbine out of action. One of the traditional disadvantages of a lever-action rifle’s tubular magazine is the need to cycle each round through the action in order to render the firearm unloaded. The Model 1854 solves this problem with a removable magazine tube. By twisting the tube and sliding it forward, the entire unit can be removed, allowing the carbine to go from completely loaded to unloaded in seconds.

The controls on the Model 1854 are fairly traditional as lever actions go, with a couple of modern tweaks. The most outwardly obvious feature is the large-loop operating lever. Not only does this conjure up images of John Wayne’s lever gun in the movie “Stagecoach,” it adds room to shoot the carbine comfortably with gloved hands. The Model 1854 uses a flat trigger, which is definitely a unique element on a lever-action rifle. The flat trigger offers flexibility in terms of finger placement, and while this style is a “love them or hate them” kind of thing, I love the trigger on this carbine. The two-stage trigger on my test sample had a short take-up and then a distinct wall. After an almost undetectable spot of creep, the trigger broke at a consistent 4.5 pounds.

The Model 1854 uses an external hammer and a crossbolt safety. The safety can be engaged or disengaged when the hammer is either in the cocked or half-cock position. If the trigger is pulled with the safety engaged, the hammer will fall but will stop short of engaging the ignition mechanism. Pressing and releasing the trigger while securely holding the hammer with the thumb allows it to be moved to half-cock. Smith & Wesson recommends the safety be engaged before the hammer is manually lowered to the half-cock position. There is also a safety mechanism that blocks the trigger from moving unless the operating lever is fully closed.

Finishes

The controls—including the trigger, hammer, safety and other parts such as the operating lever—are treated with black Armornite, which contrasts with the matte stainless finish of the major components on the carbine. The 19.25-inch barrel is 410 stainless steel, which actually offers more longevity than the more commonly used 416 stainless. The 410 series steel is more difficult to machine, so clearly Smith & Wesson didn’t take the cheap and easy route when it came to choosing materials.

Due to the popularity of suppressors, the Model 1854’s barrel is threaded 11/16x24 and covered with a thread protector. A pair of opposing flats allows the user to remove the protector with a wrench if necessary. I do not have a suppressor of the correct size, so I did not mount one during testing. The barrel is rifled 1:20 and uses eight grooves with a right-hand twist. This twist rate is far more aggressive than the traditional 1:38 twist rates encountered on other .44 Mag. rifles, and the fast twist should allow the Model 1854 to stabilize long, heavy bullets such as 325-grain cast loads.

I am a big fan of heavy-for-caliber bullets, especially when we are dealing with moderate velocity to begin with, so this is a good thing. In my opinion, there is no sense trying to turn a .44 Mag. into a flat-shooting cartridge by feeding it light bullets. It’s worth noting that because the .44 Mag. headspaces off the cartridge rim, the Model 1854 is capable of feeding and firing .44 Spl. ammunition as well.

Optical Advances

One of the most utilitarian advances in the lever-action rifle world has been the improvement in both sights and scope-mounting solutions. To that end, the Model 1854 is equipped with both high-quality sights as well as flexibility when it comes to mounting an optic. The carbine features a ghost-ring rear and gold-bead front sight from XS Sights, a quality aftermarket manufacturer. The rear ghost ring, which has an aperture diameter of 0.191 inches, is adjustable for both windage and elevation. Windage adjustments are made using opposing hex screws while elevation is controlled by rotating the aperture, which moves upward and downward on its threaded stem. The gold bead is visible in most lighting conditions and is fast to acquire. Its size strikes a good balance of speed and precision.

The Model 1854 is also equipped with a Picatinny rail section that covers the entire top of the receiver and extends slightly over the barrel to maximize its mounting surface. Since the carbine is drilled and tapped using the same pattern as the Marlin 1894, many common optic mounts are also compatible. While I could have used a magnified optic for the evaluation, I felt like the speed and flexibility of a high-quality red dot was a better fit for this carbine. I mounted an Aimpoint Micro H-2 with a four m.o.a. dot.

The stock on the Model 1854 is made from synthetic polymer; there are molded-in textured panels on both the pistol grip and fore-end. A soft rubber recoil pad is mounted on the butt, which creates a length of pull of 135⁄16 inches. There is a sling swivel stud on the buttstock and a front swivel mount hole in the fore-end retaining cap. Three M-Lok attachment points are molded into the fore-end at the three, six and nine o’clock positions. These points open up an entire world of potential accessories including lights, lasers, alternate sling attachments and even a bipod or other shooting support. For me, the most useful accessory would be a small flashlight, which would be ideal for tracking a wounded animal or investigating something that went bump in the night.

Loads of Fun

I tested the Model 1854 with four factory loads, three .44 Mag. offerings and one in .44 Spl. Given the fact that I was using a four m.o.a. dot to shoot 100-yard groups, accuracy was excellent. I also function-tested the Model 1854 with some .44 Spl. handloads with cast lead bullets to ensure that they were compatible with the rifling. They were. Recoil was extremely manageable with the .44 Mag. loads and downright mild with the .44 Spl. ammo.

If I had to think of one word to describe the Model 1854, it would be “utilitarian.” This compact, lightweight and powerful carbine has an impressive magazine capacity and is a great all-around long gun for the truck, the saddle or the home. This is a gun that could be used to put food on the table, protect the family, plink and much more.

The lever-action carbine served as America’s do-it-all firearm for more than 100 years, and the design is no less capable today than it was when our ancestors were living off the land. The Model 1854 is likely legal to own in all 50 states, making it a great choice for defensive use in more restrictive jurisdictions.

The first firearm that I ever purchased was a Smith & Wesson, and I’ve been collecting examples of the company’s handguns ever since. I’m glad to see S&W return to the lever-action market after a brief 17-decade hiatus. I’m happy to say the firm did it right with the new Model 1854, creating a carbine that builds upon the proud legacy of company’s the past but with features that will keep it relevant for years to come.

Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Specs

• Type: Lever-Action Centerfire
• Caliber: .44 Mag
• Capacity: 9+1
• Barrel: 19.25 in., 1:20 twist, threaded 11/16x24
• OAL: 36 in.
• Weight: 6 lb., 13 oz.
• Finish: Armornite-finished stainless steel
• Stock: Synthetic
• Trigger: Flat Face two stage, 4.5 lb. pull (measured)
• Sights: XS Sights gold bead front, ghost ring rear; Picatinny rail installed
• Safety: two-position crossbolt, hammer drop
• MSRP: $1,279
• Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson, smith-wesson.com

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