New Smith & Wesson 1854 Chambered in .45-70
BY Herschel Smith
1 day, 10 hours ago
We were all expecting a new release from S&W after they committed to the lever gun market. The .45-70 is a good choice, but I still want my 500 S&W Magnum.
Also, I would like to see this in walnut furniture. Release that model and I may consider buying it.
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On April 14, 2025 at 5:29 am, Nosmo said:
I’d – probably – get one too. Maybe…..
The new 20″ bbl S&W .45-70 Model 1854 is listed as “6+1″, same as the 19″ bbl Marlin 1895 SBR.
OAL for .45-70 = 2.550″, the 500 S&W Magnum is 2.30”. 6 X 2.550 = 15.0″, 15.0″/2.30″ = 6.5, so, probably that means “7+1″ for a 20” bbl rifle in 500 S&W Magnum. Not knowing where the 1854 magazine becomes spring bound, another inch of barrel might make it 8+1, which increases the usefulness quite a bit.
How S&W deals with the 62K PSI 500 Magnum over the 32K PSI .45-70 will, if it occurs, be interesting to see. And, a rifle that deals well with 62K PSI might make an interesting platform for higher pressure .45-70, as in “458 Winchester Magnum (60K PSI, but 3.340” OAL, making it a 5+1, but assuming the action could handle the longer length, 6 rounds of that kind of HP on tap with lever rifle speed could be pretty interesting. Think 350 grains at fractional light speed……
On April 14, 2025 at 6:37 am, Glenn said:
They just don’t look right with the shorter tube
On April 14, 2025 at 5:49 pm, Stones said:
It’s available woth a walnuts stock.
https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/s-w-model-1854-traditional-walnut-lever-action-rifle-45-70-govt
On April 14, 2025 at 11:18 pm, Herschel Smith said:
That’s a gorgeous rifle. I might get one. But I still want the 500 S&W magnum, even if it has sticky extraction issues because of high pressure.