New Smith & Wesson 1854 Chambered in .45-70
BY Herschel Smith
1 year, 6 months 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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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……
They just don’t look right with the shorter tube
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
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.
Agreed! It’s probably going to get me off the Marlin.
I don’t understand why a 45/70 Govt. chambered firearm has to cost nearly twice what a rifle chambered in a smaller round does. There must be a sound reason(s) for this. Looking back in not-so-distant past, I regret passing on that Marlin Co-Pilot listed for $500 at a local gun show about 15 years ago. I don’t recall if that particular rifle took down (for the price I doubt it) but it sure was a handsome carbine. Blued of course.