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  4. Smith & Wesson Debuts New Model 1854 Lever Gun in .45 Colt

Tennessee-based S&W has added a second caliber to its growing line of lever-action cowboy guns, tapping the classic .45 Colt cartridge into the game. 

Smith introduced the Model 1854 to an excited crowd at SHOT Show earlier this year in .44 Mag/Special and now six months later has expanded the line to accept the venerable .45 Colt.

As with the .44 variant, it will be offered in both a stainless-steel version with synthetic furniture and a blued version clad in walnut. In all models and calibers, the S&W Model 1854 carries a 19.25-inch barrel and runs a handy 36 inches in overall length. Magazine capacity, via an underbarrel tube, is 9+1 rounds. 

 

Smith & Wesson Model 1854 in 45 Colt
The S&W 1854 is now offered in .45 Colt, a traditional rimmed, straight-walled "cowboy" cartridge that dates to 1872 and was the primary revolver round for the U.S. Army through the late 19th century. It is often referred to as .45 "Long Colt" to differentiate it from .45 ACP. (Photos: S&W)
Smith & Wesson Model 1854 in 45 Colt
The Model 1854 comes with additional features out of the box like a 4.75-inch Picatinny base for mounting optics, an adjustable XS Sights ghost ring rear sight, a gold bead front sight, a flat-face trigger design, and removable magazine tube that allows you to safely unload the rifle.

 

Review: Smith & Wesson Model 1854, the Unexpected Tactical Cowboy

 

Smith & Wesson Model 1854 in 45 Colt
While the two variants are the same length, the materials used on the walnut version yield a rifle that hits the scales at about 5 ounces heavier than
the 6.75-inch synthetic/stainless version. 

 

When it comes to the asking price, the MSRP on the new S&W Model 1854 in .45 Colt is $1,399 for the walnut variant or $1,279 for the stainless – the same price point as the corresponding .44 Mag versions.

The bad news for Smith is that just about every legacy lever gun maker/distributor, including Cimarron, Henry, Rossi, Uberti, and Winchester, has long ago carved out real estate in the .45 Colt space, so there is a lot of competition. Still, S&W fans with Model 25 revolvers have an excuse to be very excited. 

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