A few days ago Smith & Wesson hinted at a new product with a picture of a man wading through water in camo clothing. From the picture it seemed like they were either releasing a shotgun or a fishing rod they surprised everyone with a lever action rifle. The 1854 is certainly not new (as the model number would suggest), but it's a cool gun none-the-less and a welcome option in th lever action realm. As it stands, if you want a good quality lever action rifle they seem to be in short supply so we generally end up being out of stock for extended periods of time as we wait for the next delivery. Although we don't know exactly how much output Smith & Wesson can provide it will certainly help get a good lever action rifle into the hands of someone who really wants one.
They are starting out with two models, both chambered in .44 Magnum. The fancy model is a limited edition version with a lofty MSRP of $3499. That would come to a shock considering their standard model is almost one-third the cost, but from what we can see it is a thing of beauty. The 1854 Limited Edition has a polished black PVD finish which is very durable and much more resistant to scratching than a blueing. The stock and forend are both high-grade walnut with a satin finish.
The standard model has an unfinished stainless steel receiver and barrel and black synthetic furniture which allows S&W to drop a couple thousand dollars off of the limited edition model to get the MSRP into a more reasonable $1279. Beyond these two main points the guns appear to be virtually identical with the following specifications:
Caliber: .44 Magnum
Barrel: 19.25"
Threaded: Yes
Capacity: 9 Rounds
Front Sight: Gold Bead
Length: 36 in.
Width: 1.6"