Rifleman Review: Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter

In 2024, Smith & Wesson surprised the industry by launching an all-new lever-action rifle. Dubbed the Model 1854, the design was initially available in .44 Magnum only, but a couple of years on, several new models have been introduced. Watch our "American Rifleman Television" Rifleman Review segment above for a closer look at one of the latest designs, the Model 1854 Stealth Hunter.

"It was 170 years after the company was founded in 1854 that Smith & Wesson came out with its Model 1854 lever-action rifle, and it made a big splash," American Rifleman's Brian Sheetz said. "The 1854 now has morphed into additional models. This one is called the Stealth Hunter, and this particular example is in .44 Magnum. And in this chambering, we're talking about the gun holding eight rounds of .44 Magnum in its tubular magazine."

The Model 1854 Stealth Hunter stands out from other versions of the 1854 rifle, thanks mostly to its 10.5-inch long Picatinny optics rail, which incorporates an XS rear sight along with a high-visibility, fiber-optic front sight, as well as its M-Lok fore-end that provides plenty of room for accessory attachments. The 16.3-inch barrel is threaded for suppressor use, and the entire gun is treated with a matte-black finish, with all metal parts featuring Smith & Wesson's Armornite treatment.

"All in all, the new Model 1854 Stealth Hunter, like the models that preceded it, are really indicative of how Smith has embraced the modern lever gun trend," Sheetz said. "The Model 1854 Stealth Hunter, particularly, could be suitable could be pressed into service as a home defense gun. Certainly works for hunting. Just all in all, a good-looking gun that has all of the features that your granddad's lever action probably didn't have."

To watch complete segments of past episodes of American Rifleman TV, go to americanrifleman.org/videos/artv. For all-new episodes of ARTV, tune in Wednesday nights to Outdoor Channel 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. EST.