S&W 1854 - Experiences?

[CavalierLeif]

Now that it's been a few months since S&W released their 1854 lever rifle, has anyone had any experience with one? How does it compare to the competition from Marlin/Henry, etc.? Lost sight of it after the initial hype on release and haven't seen them at ranges or LGS. The lever gun market is niche and relatively saturated already for its size, though growing in popularity - even saw that Aero has a tactical lever rifle they're working on.

I've been a fan of S&W wheel guns for some time, and they have a solid presence in the sub-$1k AR market with the M&P series. Think the S&W 1854 is going to be a solid contender and needs some more time to gain traction, or just another unique addition to the S&W catalogue that's going to fade away?


Edit: This is about the S&W 1854, not 1894 as originally posted (thank you for the correction, Zahn)

 

[Zahn]

I'm intrigued by this rifle. It's a modern refresh of the Volcanic rifle Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson designed. They left that company and formed the new company we know as Smith and Wesson.

By the way it's the 1854. That's the year it was originally manufactured.

 

[potmetal]

I haven't seen one in any gun shops here either.

 

[chicharrones]

I'm intrigued by this rifle. It's a modern refresh of the Volcanic rifle Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson designed. They left that company and formed the new company we know as Smith and Wesson.

By the way it's the 1854. That's the year it was originally manufactured.

No it's not. It's a copy of the Marlin lever gun design. All the initial ad copy is marketing spin.

 

[CavalierLeif]

I'm intrigued by this rifle. It's a modern refresh of the Volcanic rifle Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson designed. They left that company and formed the new company we know as Smith and Wesson.

By the way it's the 1854. That's the year it was originally manufactured.

Thanks - you are correct that it is 1854. Typo on my part while thinking about how much it looks like a Marlin.

 

[JmacD]

I talked to one guy that said he shot one. He said it was better than his remlin… but that ain’t sayin much.
I join the club of being intrigued. I’m still looking to see someone make a lever and revolver set in the same chambering. Perhaps numbers or engraving to match… but who am I but just me.

 

[DM~]

I talked to one guy that said he shot one. He said it was better than his remlin… but that ain’t sayin much.
I join the club of being intrigued. I’m still looking to see someone make a lever and revolver set in the same chambering. Perhaps numbers or engraving to match… but who am I but just me.

Your wait is over, Henry already does make a lever and a revolver, chambered in the same cartridge.

DM

 

[bbqncigars]

I have been enjoying my own combo in my favorite centerfire plinking round. A Marlin 1894 and Ruger Blackhawk both in 25-20. Cheap fun if you reload.

 

[Mars5l]

I'd have gotten one if it was in .357. I've seen them in all the local shops and they sit around.

 

[Robert]

Just looking at it on paper, I'll stick with my Marlin.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I think the name is as ridiculous as the gun.

 

[3Crows]

I'm intrigued by this rifle. It's a modern refresh of the Volcanic rifle Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson designed. They left that company and formed the new company we know as Smith and Wesson.

By the way it's the 1854. That's the year it was originally manufactured.

No. It is not a Volcanic. Not at all. It is a rifle based on the Marlin 1894/1895/336 action that they now and Henry did and does copy.

If the Henry Repeating Arms Co of 1996 and now S&W (and Rossi) would just admit they are all apparently copying Marlin actions it would at least be honest and not give me nearly so much heartburn as these fake histories. Rossi at least admits it by using the model names of the copied rifles. And they have a 60 years of lever guns history that neither S&W and the HRA has. It is not like S&W does not have a legacy, why can they not design something of their own. Or not, I guess when you are copying the real thing.

 

[PistoleroWadcutterGANG]

One of our small community / LGS has two. Reports are that people are passing them by and pick instead Henry's in 357 and 44. OR Rossi 45 colt and hoping to find a 454 Casull variant. Darn hard to find on shelf's. The common comment is its too techie tact in appearance. Have to be honest I'd choose a 45 Colt Rossi over it any day.

 

[Pat Riot]

I don’t get spun up over the copying of a design I played no part in.

My Henry X model is very similar to a Marlin 336. So what? I like my Marlin and I like my Henry.

As for the S&W 1854. I haven’t seen one yet in person. I have no plans to buy one when I do.

I am tempted to get a Henry Big Boy in .357. I like the action of my Henry X model. It’s smooooooth.

 

[3Crows]

The "1854" in person is a well made example of a tactical Marlin. Machine work is clean. Weird tube loading still. Looks to be a plenty rugged hunting rifle for rough play.

 

[jobu07]

Just my opinion, I think they would sell more if the standard edition was blue and walnut and their limited edition was stainless/synthetic/M-Lok/threaded. I believe I read they were only producing 1,000 of the limited edition blued and walnut. I know stainless and laminate has become the rage with many lever guns lately, but they aren't for me.

 

[CraigC]

I don't know how "niche" the levergun is. The local shops have racks of them.

Also agree the S&W is not a Volcanic but a Marlin clone. Which is fine but let's not get starry-eyed over marketing.

I looked at one. It's a nice rifle. As usual, there are things I like and things I don't. I like the sights and the integrated rail/peep. I like the M-lok on the forend. Don't care for the tube loading or the requisite fat magazine tube and it makes no sense on a rifle threaded for a suppressor but that's easily ignored. I don't like the straight trigger.

All that said, the day I looked at it, I bought two Rossi's.

 

[IALoder]

The "1854" in person is a well made example of a tactical Marlin. Machine work is clean. Weird tube loading still. Looks to be a plenty rugged hunting rifle for rough play.

After handling one at the LGS these are my exact thoughts. I will add that the one in store had a pretty darn good trigger, and was very smooth. I did like that the comb height seemed to be higher than my Marlin, so no need for a cheek riser if using a low mounted red dot or scope. As @3Crows said, it feels like a tactical Marlin, especially when compared side by side with a 1895. That said, I will be getting one when the funds allow it, and I'll be putting a low mounted red dot on as well. I think it'll be a perfect deer gun for the terrain I hunt in!

 

[Speedo66]

Looks like they’re getting ready in case of future state semi auto bans by throwing lots of tactical features on it.

 

[Zahn]

Well, this is disappointing news. While I have no problem with S&W copying a known design that's in the public domain, I have real issues with the marketing department making up a fake story about it. I have several lever action rifles already, including a Marlin 336; I was genuinely looking forward to the return of the Volcanic. Ah, well.

 

[3Crows]

The Volcanic Rifle with the Rocket Ball cartridge made a little over 50 ft/lbs! The little girls softball league pitchers probably exceed that number.

 

[CraigC]

Well, this is disappointing news. While I have no problem with S&W copying a known design that's in the public domain, I have real issues with the marketing department making up a fake story about it. I have several lever action rifles already, including a Marlin 336; I was genuinely looking forward to the return of the Volcanic. Ah, well.

If you want a modernization of the Volcanic.....

 

[Rock185]

I've had a Marlin .44 for years, so wasn't in the market, but did get to handle one of the 1854s in a LGS. Smooth action, good trigger, overall seemed like a decent rifle. But I wonder if there might have been more interest and sales if it had been introduced in .357, instead of .44 Magnum. Overall, just didn't grab me. I bought a Henry..

 

[CavalierLeif]

One of our small community / LGS has two. Reports are that people are passing them by and pick instead Henry's in 357 and 44. OR Rossi 45 colt and hoping to find a 454 Casull variant. Darn hard to find on shelf's. The common comment is its too techie tact in appearance. Have to be honest I'd choose a 45 Colt Rossi over it any day.

My experience with a R92 16" .357 has been nothing but pleasant after some light modification - clipping a few inches off of the tube spring and Loc-Titeing screws that reportedly have a tendency to come loose. Flawless with both .357 and .38 so far. Maybe I've been lucky with the run. As I've read, YMMV with QC for Rossi.

 

[3Crows]

Reply, in fairness, I think S&W means for this to be a rough and tumble working rifle for hunting from Jeep, ATV, behind the PU truck seat and in mud and rain and any weather. It is not supposed to be pretty, it is supposed to be rugged, weather proof and able to mount optics, red dots, flash lights without having to spend hours looking for some way to accomplish such. And .357/.38 Special is a nice plinking round but it ain't no .44 Magnum when it comes to big pigs and mulies. I see what S&W did but Marlin has the real deal 1894SBL now in stainless and laminate with a rail, that would be my choice. Well, I guess my choice was to venture into left field and get the Rossi stainless R92 with a 16 inches barrel. I hope the lever market continues to expand and fake history and all, I wish S&W well with their "1854" clone of the Marlin 336 with a short action. It does have a short action and a full receiver, not the notched receiver of the 1894. There was a Marlin .44 Magnum variant of the 336.