By: Friedrich Seiltgen
Copyright © 2024
ABOUT SMITH & WESSON
In 1854 – Smith & Wesson® introduced the .41 Magazine Pistol, “The Volcanic,” and never looked back. It was the first repeating American firearm capable of successfully using a fully self-contained cartridge.
In 1887 – The .38 Safety Hammerless became the world’s first double-action, concealed-hammer revolver.
In 1899, the .38 Military & Police was introduced alongside the .38 S&W Special cartridge, now known as the Model 10; over six million units have been produced since its introduction.
Smith & Wesson produced its first automatic pistol, the .35 Automatic, in 1913.
1935 – Smith & Wesson introduces the .357 Magnum. The .357 Magnum quickly caught the interest of law enforcement agencies looking for a way to deal with more treacherous and better-armed criminals.
1942 – The Victory M&P model was released for the United States Women’s Naval Reserve, better known as the WAVES (for Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) stationed at Norfolk, VA Naval Base, that carried important, confidential messages between various section units.
The Model 36, Chief’s Special®, debuted at the IACP conference in 1950.
In 1955, S&W unveiled the Model 29 chambered in .44 Magnum – the handgun made famous by Clint Eastwood in the movie “Dirty Harry.” In 2005, Field & Stream rated the Model 29 as the 5th best gun ever made, the only handgun to make their top ten.
In response to the U.S. Army Marksmanship Training Unit, Smith & Wesson built a pistol that could fire the newly developed .38 AMU cartridge. In 1961, the Model 52 was introduced and became known as the most accurate target pistol of its day.
In 2003, An entirely new frame size was developed to fire the new.500 S&W Magnum cartridge. The Model S&W500™ is the world’s biggest, heaviest, most powerful factory-production double-action revolver.
2005 Smith & Wesson® debuts the M&P® Pistol Series. Law enforcement officials championed the new line of polymer pistols. In the first year after their debut, over 100 departments purchased M&P pistols.
The M&P15 was introduced at the 2006 SHOT Show to overwhelming enthusiasm.
2017 – The M&P M2.0™ family is the culmination of a decade of research and design featuring upgrades to nearly every aspect, including trigger, grip, frame, and finish.
THE SMITH & WESSON MODEL 1854
Inspired by the S&W Volcanic lever action rifle produced in 1854, S&W returns to the lever action game 170 years later with the Model 1854.
THE RECEIVER & FURNITURE
1854 features a forged 416 SS Receiver, a Large loop operating lever, and a new flat trigger design, and the magazine tube is removable. Furniture features include a black synthetic stock with textured grip panels and an M-LOK® synthetic forend with textured grip panels.
The limited edition model features a walnut stock with polished PVD metal.
THE BARREL
The 19.25-inch 410 Stainless Steel barrel features a 1:20″ right-hand twist with 8-groove rifling and is threaded 11/16-24. Sights consist of a Gold bead front sight, XS Sights ghost ring rear sight, and a Picatinny rail for mounting optics.
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Lever Action Rifle
Caliber: 44 Magnum
Magazine Capacity: 9 Rounds
Sights: Ghost Ring Rear/Gold Bead Front/ Picatinny rail for Optics
Barrel Length: 19.25 Inches
Overall Length: 36 Inches
Width: 1.6 Inches
Weight: 108.8 Ounces
MSRP: $1,279
URL: www.smith-wesson.com
THE VERDICT
With two versions of the 1854 available, Smith & Wesson makes the choice hard. Check these out at your dealer and see what works for you.
That’s all for now, folks! Please keep sending in your questions, tips, and article ideas. And as always – “Let’s Be Careful Out There.”
Friedrich Seiltgen is a retired Master Police Officer with 20 years of service with the Orlando Police Department. He conducts training in Lone Wolf Terrorism Counterstrategies, Firearms, and Active Shooter Response. His writing has appeared in RECOIL, Soldier of Fortune, The Counter Terrorist Magazine, Off Grid, American Thinker, Homeland Security Today, and The Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International.
Contact him at [email protected].