The new S&W 1854 lever action

[Savago]

Smith & Wesson just released their first lever action rifle (probably since the 19th century).

It is looking pretty sweet, here is a review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPXOyq4AlbM

[Savago]

I guess is just a matter of time until they release a version chambered in S&W 500?
 

[Savago]

The official website:
https://www.smith-wesson.com/1854

[Savago]

I would say that $1,279 is not cheap, but is kinda the current prices for lever action rifles in these days:
https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/sw-model-1854-lever-action-rifle-44-magnum

I would love to see a version in .357 magnum.

[Savago]

Mandatory photo:

[Jess from VA]

I love Smith and Wesson, but I am always wary of new models (and not made forever).

If I had to have one, I think I'd wait a while to see how they perform.

My Marlin 1894 Classic (in .44) works.  (Now owned by Ruger)

Unless you're absolutely going to add a scope (or other optic), I'm not crazy about the Picatinny rail on the receiver of a classic firearm.

[Serk]

Drooling over the threaded barrel...

I've got a pre-64 Winchester in 30-30 I would have the barrel threaded on if it weren't such sacrilege...

Been more tempted to thread the barrel on my 44 lever gun for some quiet thumping but other things have taken priority...

(Or more likely leave my current lever guns in tact and acquire a new one with a factory threaded barrel... Oh look, a new shiny!)

Edit to add:

NRA seems to think it'll be getting a lot more chamberings:

"The receiver and round-body bolt’s dimensions are designed to handle such anticipated future chamberings as .45 Colt, .357 Mag. and .30-30 Win. and, in a larger version, .45-70 Gov’t. and perhaps even .460 S&W Mag. and .500 S&W Mag"

https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/new-for-2024-smith-wesson-model-1854-lever-action/

[Chrisj CMA]

It’s a nice looking rifle but suspiciously similar to a Marlin.  I would have to buy one if I was already into .44 magnum.  I only have one lever gun and it’s a pre safety Marlin 1894 in .357. It’s absolutely flawless and a joy to shoot or even look at. I keep it on the fireplace most of the time. The Smith and Wesson looks like a great rifle. I’d love to take one apart and see how similar the action is to my Marlin

[Jess from VA]

Nice display Jeff.  

You burn many fires in the fireplace?  

Other than a few WWI and earlier Mausers (with correct bayonets) in a wall rack, I've always been reluctant to put things on display (out of the safe).  But my neighborhood and area is so safe (for 30+ years) I recently put a couple things out to look at.

Like my minty Smith & Wesson Model 1917.  (.45ACP, because we didn't have enough Colt 1911s to go around in that war)

[Chrisj CMA]

Jess, no, not a lot of fires. And I would take the Marlin down if we do. I also take it down every night and put it safely in the safe and repost it every morning standing watch. It’s my little daily routine. The safe only gets locked if Judy and I both leave the house together and then all the guns we aren’t carrying are locked up safe and sound.

[Savago]

@Serk: I guess if you have a suppressor, there is no other choice but to order a new lever action (after all, it would be simply wrong to thread the older rifles and ruin their original value).

@Chris: beautiful rifle, extremely classy mount. I wished I could do something like that in my own house, but my wife and daughter would put me to sleep in the dog house.
 

@Jess: can it shoot modern pressure .45ACP ammo? Or is it putting too much stress on the century old revolver?
 

[Jess from VA]

@Jess: can it shoot modern pressure .45ACP ammo? Or is it putting too much stress on the century old revolver?

Yes it sure can.  Though 45acp is a low pressure cartridge (it operates at a relatively low maximum chamber pressure rating of 21,000 psi, compared to 35,000 psi for both 9mm and .40 S&W).  Although I've not fired any premium (expensive) hot stuff through it.  And even though it's a large frame revolver (pre-N frame), the thin barrel and small grip makes it whip the hand smartly even with std pressure 230gr ammo.  It doesn't get shot much. 

I like old stuff too, but won't buy anything that can't be shot.

My 1888 Mauser Commission rifle (8mm shoulder-buster) did get fired from sandbags with a string on the trigger (from a safe distance) the first 5 times (with hot mil surp 8mm cartridges) with careful inspection after, before I'd shoulder shoot it.  It doesn't get shot much either. 

 

Apologies for drifting the thread.

[Savago]

I just found a longer review video where they show the procedure to perform basic disassembly and cleaning of the rifle:
https://youtu.be/H34oQTjc6iI?si=IlYS90RNMiJm_D8E&t=848

That looks a *lot* like a Marlin 1894.

What do you guys think?