Smith & Wesson has just announced the Model 1854 series, the company’s first line of lever-action rifles.
If you haven’t been paying attention to the gun industry these past few years, lever-guns are back in a big way. This recent trend has resulted in multiple manufacturers that are not typically associated with lever-actions taking a stab at the concept, and now Smith & Wesson is among them with their announcement of the Model 1854 series. Smith & Wesson says that the Model 1854 series is a tribute to the company’s history, as in 1854 founders Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson patented their first lever gun. While the new Model 1854 is very different than the Volcanic, the company says that the rifles will share the same incredibly smooth actions and impressive craftsmanship that its revolvers are known for.
The Smith & Wesson Model 1854 series is initially launching with two variants, but the differences are mostly cosmetic. The standard variant, like many lever-actions being introduced today, sports many modern features and prioritizes function over form. The Limited Edition Model 1854 rifle naturally forgoes some practicality for prettier, wood furniture instead. Regardless, both models are chambered for .44 Remington Magnum, feature 19.25-inch barrels and have a 9+1 capacity. Further, both models have Picatinny rails on their receivers for optics, XS Sights ghost ring/gold bead sights, threaded muzzles, large loop levers and flat triggers. All 1854 models also feature side loading gates and side ejection.
As mentioned, the Limited Edition Model 1854 is the more attractive of the two, as it ships wearing high-grade walnut furniture and a black PVD finish. Conversely, the standard model has black synthetic furniture and a stainless finish, but the forend has M-LOK slots for mounting accessories as well.
Mark Smith, President and CEO of Smith & Wesson, said this about the new lever-actions:
Today, as we proudly unveil the Model 1854 Series, we embark on a journey that pays homage to this timeless design. Meticulously crafted, these rifles fuse the classic craftsmanship of the iconic lever-action with modern engineering to deliver a platform built on reliability and performance. Our new Model 1854 rifles are a nod to tradition and a testament to Smith & Wesson’s legacy as an American firearms manufacturer,
MSRP for the standard Model 1854 is $1,279 and MSRP for the Limited Edition Model is $3,499.
For more information, please visit smith-wesson.com.
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