Smith & Wesson 1854 Rifle ($1,279)

We have to admit, this one completely came out of left field for us. Given the resurgence of lever guns over the past few years, it really shouldn’t have come as a surprise that Big Blue threw its hat in the ring. However, they did it in a very big way with the new 1854 rifle chambered in .44 Magnum.

Smith & Wesson introduced the 1854 with some very tasteful and pragmatic upgrades over a traditional lever gun. Conceptually, it’s nice to see that the company took the “svelte bush gun” route instead of the “over-accessorized, boat anchor” angle that’s prevalent today. Simply put, this lever-action rifle seamlessly melds precision engineering and timeless design with modern features. The muzzle of the 1854’s 19.25-inch stainless-steel barrel is threaded 11/16-24 for installing a suppressor or muzzle brake. The slightly longer barrel length allows for an extended magazine tube and an impressive 9+1 round capacity. The 416R forged stainless-steel receiver gets an enlarged-loop lever and accepts optic mounts compatible with Marlin 1894 hole patterns but ships with a pre-installed Picatinny optic rail. The durable black polymer furniture features textured grip panels and M-LOK accessory slots in the forend. A gold bead front sight paired with an XS Sights rear ghost ring provides a fast and accurate sight picture. Look for an in-depth review of this outstanding new lever-gun option very shortly. See the 1854 at your nearest dealer, or for more information, contact Smith & Wesson; Tel.: (800) 331-0852; Web: www.smith-wesson.com