Gun Of The Week: Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter

In looking into our archives, you’ll find much praise from American Rifleman staff on the Model 1854 design. Not only has our staff examined the original version here on Gun Of The Week, finding great attributes and accuracy of the platform, but Editor In Chief Brian C. Sheetz also proclaimed, “the Model 1854 will no doubt strike a chord with lever-action aficionados” in his September 2024 cover story. And that it has. Watch our video above to see this latest lever gun in use on the range.

Although Smith & Wesson’s Model 1854 went on to earn an NRA Golden Bullseye Award for 2025 Rifle Of The Year, the fanfare has not stopped Smith & Wesson from adding to its new line of lever-action rifles. There’s even a version available in .45-70 now, but what’s important to know is that the Stealth Hunter model we have here on the range comes with the upgrades that are likely to make it the brand’s most versatile lever-action model to date.

Considering Smith & Wesson opted to make this version a more compact and eligible gamegetter, the choice to include creature comforts throughout doesn’t go unnoticed. A great set of factory-installed suppressor-height sights will initially help put rounds on target and into game. Should an optic be desired, however, Smith & Wesson includes a large section of Picatinny rail to cover the myriad types and accessories available today.

It is important to note that the Stealth Hunter is a pistol-caliber carbine, and currently, it is available in three popular chamberings: .357 Mag., .45 Colt or .44 Mag. The sample you see here on the range is an example of the latter. And this little baby weighs in at 6 lbs., 6 ozs., which is nearly a half-pound lighter than its rifle-length counterparts thanks to the shorter 16.3” stainless steel barrel. The resulting combination is handier and more capable than before.

No modern lever-action can be complete without M-Lok for things like bipods, IR illuminators, lasers, lights and more, and the 1854 Stealth Hunter has you covered there. Our testers found the new fore-end style is great. Its shape is trim and easy to grasp while offering up space for accessories. On the range we found the lighter weight and more compact configuration to be a boon to those in close quarter environments, like those tight situations hunters may encounter in the field. We also believe hunters will appreciate the gun’s great trigger for making repeatable accuracy; darkened stainless-steel construction for hunting in all environments; sling appointments; and not to mention, right-side loading gate for topping off when the heat is on. We see that the Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter is poised to offer hunters pistol-caliber hunting performance in a package that compromises little.

Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter Specifications
Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson Inc.
Action Type: lever-action, repeating, centerfire rifle
Chambering: .44 Mag.
Receiver: forged stainless steel
Barrel: 16.3" stainless steel
Finish: Armornite black
Magazine: eight-round tubular
Sights: windage- and elevation-adjustable aperture rear, HIVIZ H3 tritium/fiber-optic front
Stock: black polymer buttstock; machined aluminum fore-end
Trigger: single-stage, adjustable
Overall Length: 33.4"
Weight: 6 lbs., 6 ozs.
MSRP: $1,399