S&W 1854 Lever Action ** YT Video Added

[Rube Burrows]

Hello. We all know that S&W recently came out with the 1854 lever action rifles. Well, the 44 magnum is a caliber that I have a few of but just not one of my favorite calibers. Yesterday at a gun show I saw one in 45 Colt (which I did not know they made) and the 45 Colt is one of my favorite calibers. I load these rounds pretty hot for my Marlin 1894s and my Ruger Blackhawks.

My question is since these appear to be based on Marlin frames can they handle the Ruger Only types of pressures?

Never really wanted "modern" style lever action but holding one of the S&W 1854s at the gun show yesterday has me really thinking about getting one of these in 45 Colt.

[vancelw]

I was going to buy one and find out!
But I tried at 2 different Bass Pro shops and both failed.
They either couldn't find the gun or couldn't find the box/paperwork!

So I went to my LGS and was going to have her order one for me. Walked out with a Ruger LC carbine in 10mm instead

Maybe I'll wait and see if Ruger makes the 1894 Marlin in .45 Colt.
The one thing I do like about the S&W is the M-lok slots on the forearm that the other don't have.

[marlinman93]

Since the S&W is based on the larger 336 Marlin action it should be even stronger than the Marlin 1894 action. I can't imagine it not holding up well to .45 Colt loads.

[Rube Burrows]

I ended up going back up there and buying it. As for modern lever actions, I generally don't go for them but this one really looked and felt good in the hand so I felt I would give it a try. It's not TO tacticool. No AR stock or anything like that. Just enough modern features to be a good woods gun but not look goofy.

[vancelw]

I wish they would put those M-lok slots on the wooden version, but it's $120 more already

If in doubt, you can take it apart and see how it's built before using +P or +P+ rounds.

[Rube Burrows]

I wish they would put those M-lok slots on the wooden version, but it's $120 more already

If in doubt, you can take it apart and see how it's built before using +P or +P+ rounds.

That would be nice to have the slots on the wooden one. I normally preferred blued guns over stainless guns but saw this one and liked it. If they had a blued one I may have went that route.

[Pisgah]

It'll handle the same pressure-level loads as a Marlin 336, because essentially that's what it is.

[Rube Burrows]

It'll handle the same pressure-level loads as a Marlin 336, because essentially that's what it is.

Thanks. I assumed so but thought I would ask.

[AJMD429]

I wish they would put those M-lok slots on the wooden version, but it's $120 more already

If in doubt, you can take it apart and see how it's built before using +P or +P+ rounds.

That would be nice to have the slots on the wooden one. I normally preferred blued guns over stainless guns but saw this one and liked it. If they had a blued one I may have went that route.

A lot of manufacturers are starting to do a nitride finish, which avoids the shiny stainless steel look. That's what bighorn armory does and it's pretty much as tough a finish as a Glock; in fact, the gun is stainless steel underneath it but it just looks like a very well done black 'blueing' finish.

[AJMD429]

.
I think some of the supposedly 'tactical' lever actions, like the one Mossberg came out with, looked pretty goofy, but there are definitely some 'modern' features that are indeed practical. I wish guns all had those flush inletted sling mounts like a lot of the new ARs do, and there certainly would be nothing wrong with a forend cap on a lever gun that had a short section of picatinny rail or M-lok slots...!

[Streetstar]

Now that they are chambering this in .45 Colt, -- i'm interested.

[Rube Burrows]

Here is a YouTube video I made on this one.

https://youtu.be/xyjIN3yooU4?si=e33v8bG58D8OpaJF

[.45colt]

Good Video Rube ! I love the gun and the way it's laid out with the synthetic stock and the torx head screws. They sure ain't pretty but are really practical. Around here in Ohio We often get nasty cold weather especially in Deer season the big loop lever works with gloves on. Thanks for the Video.

[JBowen]

Thanks Rube. Nice rifle and video. I like it more for its potential "All weather durability". I don't like to get my wood and blue Winchesters and Brownings wet.

JBowen

[Rimfire McNutjob]

Nice video. Good to see a modern made lever gun feed reliably. Those loads with H110 seemed to set you back a bit.

[Rube Burrows]

Good Video Rube ! I love the gun and the way it's laid out with the synthetic stock and the torx head screws. They sure ain't pretty but are really practical. Around here in Ohio We often get nasty cold weather especially in Deer season the big loop lever works with gloves on. Thanks for the Video.

Thanks. I do agree. I typically go for a more traditional rifle but the features on this one are all practical and not a bunch of junk on there just to be "tacticool"!

[Rube Burrows]

Thanks Rube. Nice rifle and video. I like it more for its potential "All weather durability". I don't like to get my wood and blue Winchesters and Brownings wet.

JBowen

Thanks. That was kind of my thoughts on it also. We do a lot of hunting in the swamps of Louisiana so this has the potential to work well for me in some of those situations.

[Rube Burrows]

Nice video. Good to see a modern made lever gun feed reliably. Those loads with H110 seemed to set you back a bit.

Yes. All worked well. Fed well, shot well and yeah, those H110 loads with the 300g HTP really laid the smack down. The rifle has a padded buttstock so no issues there. The target did not fare as well.

[JRD]

Nice video Rube.

On the video comments on Youtube, there is someone who theorizes that Rossi & Taurus make these guns for S&W.

The 1854 rifles are made in Springfield, Mass, just like the revolvers and have nothing to do with Rossi or Taurus. Take a look at the markings on the rifle. It says where it is manufactured.

For historical reference, from mid-1960's through the mid-1980's S&W was owned by Bangor-Punta corporation, which was a massive holding company with businesses all over. Bangor Punta directed S&W to help Taurus set up revolver manufacturing back in the 1970's but that is the extent of the relationship between the two companies.

Jason

[Rube Burrows]

Nice video Rube.

On the video comments on Youtube, there is someone who theorizes that Rossi & Taurus make these guns for S&W.

The 1854 rifles are made in Springfield, Mass, just like the revolvers and have nothing to do with Rossi or Taurus. Take a look at the markings on the rifle. It says where it is manufactured.

For historical reference, from mid-1960's through the mid-1980's S&W was owned by Bangor-Punta corporation, which was a massive holding company with businesses all over. Bangor Punta directed S&W to help Taurus set up revolver manufacturing back in the 1970's but that is the extent of the relationship between the two companies.

Jason

Thank you. I have saw those comments but was unsure myself. I think someone even commented on my video that it was the case. I know some of the gun companies do farm out some of their products but glad to see S&W tool up and make these themselves if thats the case.

[wvfarrier]

I have been running the 300 grain XTP's and 300.grain HCGC-FN with a heavy charge of Lil Gun and mag primers. It nets me just over 1500fps from Smarlin

[Rube Burrows]

I have been running the 300 grain XTP's and 300.grain HCGC-FN with a heavy charge of Lil Gun and mag primers. It nets me just over 1500fps from Smarlin

Sounds good.

[Rube Burrows]

So, in the manual it says that 45 +P ammo is not recommended.

Is this just something they put in there to cover their butts?

In my Ruger Blackhawk I shoot a 300g XTP bullet with 23g of H110.

I would think that the 336/clone could handle that but definitely dont want this S&W to come apart.

[vancelw]

So, in the manual it says that 45 +P ammo is not recommended.

Is this just something they put in there to cover their butts?

Probably. Remember, they also tell you not to use reloaded ammunition.
But...I will definitely be running +P+ ammo through any .45 Colt rifle I own. Currently it's a Miroku made Winchester 1892.

I've tried twice to buy an 1854 at BassPro/Cabelas and they couldn't find their stuff. I think I'm going to wait and hope Ruger starts making the Marlin 1894 in .45 Colt

[oldebear1950]

I bought/traded for a ROSSI R 92 stainless, 20 inch barrel, and since is a 454 casull, I have no doubt will handle RUGER/THOMPSON CENTER 45 colt loads. Only trouble I have is keep the loads seperate from my COLT SAA level guns

[AJMD429]

.
I think if I just had one firearm for all around use it would be a lever action in a pistol caliber. Personally I would probably choose 45 Colt if I didn't have a bunch of 44 Magnums already, because I find the two almost interchangeable. However if I was picking a levergun for a family that included petite people or people who didn't shoot much, I would probably get a lever gun in 357 Magnum instead, not only because of less recoil with the more common loads from the factory, but also because the 357 lever actions are so light and short compared to most of the ones available in 44 Magnum or 45 colt.

But I can definitely see how you would gravitate towards that Smith & Wesson lever gun as pretty much an ideal compromise between a handy and somewhat traditional looking gun, but one that has just enough modern features to make it more practical.

'Practical' often is better than 'tactical'...

[Pisgah]

My question is since these appear to be based on Marlin frames can they handle the Ruger Only types of pressures?

.30-30 pressures run around 46,000 psi. Unless you are making up .454 Casull-equivalent .45 Colt loads, this rifle will be fine.

[Grizz]

I like the video a LOT. I like the gun a lot too. I prefer stainless, and I appreciate the receiver sight. My thought is that the gun would be more useful in 444 given the frame size. OTOH, I doubt there is a 44 mag load that could stretch that frame... still don't know the twist rate of the smith, do you?

[vancelw]

1:20

[JRD]

S&W has been posting on their social media a 357 version now and “Stealth Hunter” variations in 44 Mag and 45 Colt.

While the 1854 action has a round bolt like a Marlin 336, it is a shorter action and can’t fit rifle length cartridges. Thus you’ll only see 357, 44, 45 unless S&W makes a longer action version.

While we here are generally traditionalists, the newer generation of shooters who are just discovering lever guns are more inclined to buy suppressor ready accessory railed guns. Admittedly the 357 Stealth Hunter with a Lunar 9 suppressor they showed on their social media would be a hoot with 38’s on the range, I’ll personally stick to original Winchester and Marlins.

Jason

[Grizz]

Thanks for all the info, I like the 16" barrel models. It's all theoretical for me, my guide gun can shoot bullets from 150 Gr collar buttons to 600 +Gr locomotives, it covers all the conceivable bases in the declining balance of my earthly future
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lyman-457130-150-gr-20.jpg

[Rube Burrows]

Thanks for the info guys. I assumed that the S&W 1854 could handle the Ruger Only Loads. I have been shooting them in it for a couple weeks now and have not seen any problems.

When it comes to the traditional lever guns, that is what I love most. For some reason this one just spoke to me when I actually held it in hand. Never really wanted one till I saw this one at a gun show and in 45 Colt. That kind of sealed the deal for me. Feels so good in the hand and liked that it had a peep sight already on it.

[Rube Burrows]

I like the video a LOT. I like the gun a lot too. I prefer stainless, and I appreciate the receiver sight. My thought is that the gun would be more useful in 444 given the frame size. OTOH, I doubt there is a 44 mag load that could stretch that frame... still don't know the twist rate of the smith, do you?

Thanks. It has a 1:20 twist.

[Grizz]

I like the video a LOT. I like the gun a lot too. I prefer stainless, and I appreciate the receiver sight. My thought is that the gun would be more useful in 444 given the frame size. OTOH, I doubt there is a 44 mag load that could stretch that frame... still don't know the twist rate of the smith, do you?

Thanks. It has a 1:20 twist.

thanks for the info. i hope it is well-received, it will be interesting if s&w expand the line. may they proliferate like rabbits . . .