S&W Adds the Stealth Hunter Tactical Lever Gun to 1854 Lineup

The Original S&W Model 1854 .44 Mag: Design & Build

The S&W Model 1854 is chambered in .44 Magnum but can also fire .44 Special ammunition, much like a .357 Magnum firearm can use .38 Special ammo, usually used for training.

The S&W 1854 sports a 20-inch barrel (19.25″ to be precise) with a 1:20 twist rate—these specs work well with .44 Mag rounds. Plus, the barrel length gives a 9+1 mag tube capacity.

The rifle’s barrel is made of premium 410 stainless steel. For context, 410 stainless steel is considered one of the highest-quality materials in barrel manufacturing and, compared to the more commonly used 416R, boasts better rifling sharpness retention and overall greater accuracy. On the other hand, it’s more prone to cracking when fired in freezing temperatures.

The barrel of the Model 1854 is threaded for attachments, featuring an 11/16 x 24 thread pitch. This threading is common in lever-action rifles chambered for larger calibers like .45-70. It’s slightly non-standard for .44 Magnum, and compatible suppressors will be larger than expected.

The synthetic forend has 3 M-LOK slots at the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions for mounting lights, lasers, or bipods. The slots feel natural in placement, allowing you to add attachments while keeping a streamlined design for those who appreciate a more traditional look. The handguard also features aggressive texturing for a firm grip.

As for the sights, the rifle comes with the factory-installed XS adjustable ghost ring rear peep sight and a gold bead front sight. The sights are usable out to 70-80 yards, but if you prefer optics or simply want to stretch out your firing range, the rifle features an 11-slot Pic rail for mounting a red dot or LPVO. The rear sight can be removed if it obstructs your view.

The side-loading gate operates smoothly and becomes even better with use, breaking in nicely after 1-2 boxes of ammo. The detachable magazine tube allows for convenient unloading without cycling rounds.

Overall, the action cycles cleanly and smoothly right off the box. The trigger has a crisp 5-pound pull, and while slightly heavier than some other lever actions, it doesn’t affect accuracy. The trigger is a flat-face, which isn’t something that you see on lever-action rifles. Some shooters may prefer the more traditional curved trigger, and that’s perfectly fine—it ultimately comes down to personal preference. However, the flat-face design is a nod to modern firearm trends, and Smith & Wesson clearly chose to incorporate it into their forward-thinking design. It’s a case where you can’t please everyone, but they’ve made a deliberate choice to lean into innovation.

Finally, the synthetic stock provides a comfortable cheek weld for iron sights and a low-mounted red dot (though you might need a cheek pad if you run your red dot high or use a scope).

The Model 1854 has generally been well-received by customers, who praise its attractive design, smooth action, accuracy, and versatile functionality. Of course, like any firearm, it’s not without its critiques.

One common point of discussion is the cross-bolt safety. While it adds an extra layer of security, critics argue that it may complicate operation, especially considering the fact that lever-action rifles originally relied on a half-cock position as a safety mechanism. Some Marlin users (Marlin rifles also have cross bolt safety) have noted issues with the cross-bolt safety accidentally engaging or disengaging. Anyway, for long-time lever-action enthusiasts, this feature feels a bit redundant.

Another topic is the rifle’s weight. At 6.8 pounds, some believe it could be lighter without the detachable magazine tube. However, when compared to a close competitor—the Henry Big Boy X chambered in .44 Magnum—the Model 1854 is actually about half a pound lighter. On the flip side, some shooters feel the rifle could benefit from being a pound heavier to better absorb recoil when firing magnum rounds. This really is about personal preference. Many will find the 1854 has a nice balance and is fun to shoot.