First Impressions: Smith & Wesson Model 1854 in .45-70 Gov't

It's an old-school rifle in an old-school chambering, but with the modern features and accuracy the new school demands.

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posted on April 12, 2025
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Smith Wesson Model 1854 45 70 Govt

Great news for lever-gun fans: Smith & Wesson's wildly popular Model 1854 (full review here) is now available in the time-honored .45-70 Government rifle cartridge. The company first introduced the series in a paired synthetic black polymer and stainless-steel finish, as well as an Armornite and walnut furniture combination, across several pistol calibers including .44 Rem Mag, .45 Colt, and .357 Magnum. Starting today, you can own one of these smooth lever guns chambered in a rifle caliber for extra reach and terminal performance.

Whether you’re hunting big game in deep woods or looking for a more modern lever-action platform, the Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Series provides the perfect blend of heritage and innovation. These new rifles have a 6+1 capacity, a forged 416 stainless steel receiver and 20" 410 stainless steel barrel, with an 11/16-24 thread pattern for suppressor use. Their large loop lever is constructed for smooth operation, allowing for quicker follow-up shots, while their flat trigger design allows for consistent finger placement to support accuracy.

The Model 1854 .45-70 rifles come equipped with several out-of-the-box features such as a 5¾" Picatinny base for optics mounting, an adjustable XS Sights ghost ring rear sight, a gold bead front sight, and a fixed magazine tube. The forend on the stainless-steel model offers three M-LOK compatible slots for the user’s preferred accessories and both variants incorporate mounts for the addition of a sling. Smith-Wesson.com

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