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At SHOT Show 2024, Smith & Wesson surprised many of us with the – the brand new Smith & Wesson 1854 lever action. We interviewed Connor who provided an exclusive sneak peek at the lever gun.
Addressing the unexpected move, Connor shed light on the company’s history, stating, “Not many people know, but we actually made the first lever action in the world in 1854. Horace Smith and Daniel Weston crafted the Volcanic, predating iconic names like Winchester and Henry. So, in honor of their latest creation known as the 1854, Smith & Wesson payed homage to their original patent from that year.”
Dispelling any notions of antiquated technology, Connor clarified, “We’re not using 1854 tech here; it’s a bit more modern.”
Also with a barrel twist of 1 in 20, a gold bead front sight, and an impressive 19.25-inch barrel, the lever action comes aimed at the outdoorsman. The barrel also features 11/16 x 24 thread for attaching muzzle brakes or suppressors.
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Underneath is a removable magazine tube. This allows customers to quickly unload the firearm without having to work the lever. Additionally, tube holds 9 rounds of .44 Magnum giving the 1854 a carrying capacity of 9+1.
The firearm sports a polymer front end with M-LOK slots for accessory placement consistency. The slots are cut flat to allow effective mounting of whatever you may want, and the rest of the grip panels have textured surfaces to help you maintain a solid grip.
The lever action includes a forged receiver, side load, side eject, and a flat-face trigger with an 8-groove, 1 in 20 twist. The model is also available in .44 Magnum and features a stainless steel finish for durability.
The lever action is not a one-size-fits-all, as there were showcased two variants – one with a polymer stock and the other with a limited edition high-grade walnut stock. The latter, with only 1,854 units available, is set to be a collector’s item.
Both models are ready for suppressors or muzzle brakes, catering to different uses. With an MSRP of $1,279 for the polymer version and $3,499 for the limited edition walnut model, Smith & Wesson offers a classic and modern solution to the lever gun market.
For those eager to get their hands on the 1854, the should be hitting stores soon. Smith & Wesson has already started shipping them out.
Check out GunsAmerica to find one for yourself. Stay tuned as we will eventually get our hands on one to do a full review. Meanwhile, you can find more detailed specifications at smith-wesson.com.