Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Traditional .45 Colt: Reviewed

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Smith & Wesson was quick to follow up its .44 Mag.-chambered Model 1854 lever action with a .45 Colt version. It’s a rifle that will appeal to hunters, plinkers and Cowboy Action competitors because it’s a handy, fast-handling and light-recoiling carbine.

When Keith Wood reviewed the initial rifle in this line in our July/August 2024 issue, he had the synthetic model. When the .45 version came out, I requested the 1854 Traditional because I know a lot of RifleShooter readers appreciate wood stocks.

The Traditional’s is a good-looking checkered walnut, with textured grip panels on the wrist and fore-end. The butt is capped with a relatively hard black rubber recoil pad and includes a sling swivel stud. The fore-end’s texturing coverage is nice and full, and there’s a hole for a sling swivel in the black metal fore-end cap.

While it lacks features like the M-Lok slots found on the fore-end of the synthetic version, the Traditional isn’t lacking for modern touches. The 19.25-inch barrel is stainless steel with a black Armornite finish, and it’s threaded 11/16x24. A Picatinny rail sits atop the receiver for easy scope mounting, although if you prefer other options, the holes are drilled and tapped on the Marlin 1894 pattern. Sights include an adjustable XS Sights rear sight and a gold bead front.

The Nuts and Bolts of This Lever

The operating lever is a large loop, and in another nod to modernism, the 1854 has a straight trigger. The sample on mine broke at three pounds, seven ounces on average. It’s got a loosey-goosey quarter-inch of take-up, but the break is crisp and creep-free.

The rifle incorporates a crossbolt safety as well as a half-cock notch. It also has a trigger block that prevents the rifle from firing unless the lever is fully closed.

The hammer spur is serrated, and the rifle ships with an extension for use with a scope. The extension can be set up for right- or left-hand use.

The tube magazine holds nine rounds of .45 Colt, and it has a bright orange follower that’s handy for assessing whether there’s another round about to chamber. The tube is designed so it can be slid all the way forward to unload the gun through the front of the fore-end instead of having to lever out all the rounds. The magazine tube cap is knurled for easy turning, and it has an O-ring to seal out moisture and prevent rattles.

Accuracy Results

For accuracy testing, I installed a Trijicon Huron 1-4x24mm scope in Warne’s new Hyperlite scope rings. Fifty-yard results are shown in the accompanying table.

I got a real education on how it pays to experiment with loads—especially if you plan to shoot with a can. The Hornady LeverEvolution shot poorly without a suppressor but turned in a stellar performance with a Silencer Central Banish 46 on board. Conversely, Fiocchi’s Range Dynamics shot dismally with the suppressor but perfectly fine without it.

Both the Hornady and Federal loads are intended for hunters, and they’d have the accuracy to get the job done at any practical hunting distance. Note that Smith & Wesson discourages the use of .45 Colt +P and expressly says +P+ should not be fired in the Model 1854.

While the Model 1854 has a relatively short barrel, it’s fairly beefy at 0.85-inch diameter. Rifle weight is 7.1 pounds bare and just over eight pounds with the Trijicon scope. Couple that with .45 Colt ammo and you’ve got one soft-shooting rifle.

Handling and Ergonomics

It’s got a really sweet balance for shooting offhand, too, and the action cycles smoothly and reliably. My only gripe was that the inside edges of the loop could be a little smoother.

The XS Sights are terrific. The rear is a true ghost ring, presenting an aperture of 0.185 inch and plenty of daylight for fast shooting or accurate fire in low light. It’s adjustable for windage courtesy of opposing screws, and loosening them also allows the aperture to be rotated up or down for elevation.

I shot the gun offhand at 50 yards with the irons, and placing shots inside the breadth of a palm was no problem. That gold-bead front shows up great. An added benefit is that the sights were usable even with the Banish 46, which has a 1.75-inch diameter, threaded onto the muzzle. The can did intrude into the sight picture, but I could still hit the target easily.

With lever guns experiencing something of a renaissance—thanks in part to straight-wall cartridges now being legal for deer in many states that were formerly shotgun only—Smith & Wesson’s entry is a welcome new option. And in the new .45 Colt chambering, the 1854 offers something for just about any shooter or hunter.

Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Traditional Specs

• Type: large-loop lever-action centerfire
• Caliber: .44 Rem. Mag., .45 Colt (tested)
• Capacity: 9+1
• Barrel: 19.25 in. stainless steel, 1:20 twist; threaded 11/16x24
• Overall Length: 36 in.
• Weight: 7.1 lb.
• Finish: black Armornite
• Stock: walnut w/textured panels
• Sights: adjustable XS ghost-ring rear, gold bead front; optics rail
• Trigger: straight; 3 lb. 7 oz. pull (measured)
• Safeties: crossbolt, half-cock notch, trigger block
• MSRP: $1,399
• Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson, smith-wesson.com