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Smith and Wesson 1854 Stealth Hunter 44 Magnum

By: Dave Bahde

Welcome to the dark side, we have M-LOK

One of the trends that has surprised me the most over the last few years has been the high-speed/low-drag lever-action platform. Not because they are of no use — nothing could be farther from the truth — they just do not fit the overwhelming narrative pushing high-capacity semi-automatic rifles/carbines for defensive purposes. Having used lever-action rifles for decades, they have always been one of my favorite firearms to shoot … kind of like the revolver of the carbine world. They remain viable, useful, and in many cases, imminently more practical than most might think. They’ve always been a fast and effective hunting tool, and have been protecting ranches, farms, and homes for nearly 200 years now. Lever actions in proven handgun calibers have gained popularity in recent years, and one of the latest additions is Smith & Wesson’s new modernized 1854 Stealth Hunter, chambered in .44 Magnum, one of the most versatile handgun calibers ever created.

The Stealth Hunter model is all about the ability to customize, and the aluminum M-LOK compatible handguard sits at the heart of that plan. The rifle’s 16.3-inch stainless-steel barrel is threaded to 11/16×24 for mounting a suppressor (Dead Air Primal shown here; www.deadairsilencers.com) or muzzle brake. A removable magazine tube allows rounds to be dumped out the front without cycling them through the action. A bright-green fiber-optic HIVIZ H3 handles front sight duty.

S&W 1854 Stealth Hunter in 44 Magnum

Smith and Wesson introduced the 1854 in January of 2024. Initially chambered in .44 Magnum, it is now also available in .357 Magnum, .45 Colt, and .45-70 Govt. Along with the original configuration, there are traditional models and the newly introduced Stealth Hunter model. Made from 410 stainless steel, the Stealth Hunter is coated in a durable black finish, featuring a black synthetic stock and a new aluminum handguard with ample M-LOK real estate. Its barrel measures 16.3 inches long with a threaded muzzle (11/16 x 24) that’s capped with a thread protector. Sights consist of an XS Sights adjustable ghost ring rear sight and a bright-green fiber-optic HIVIZ H3 front sight. The magazine tube holds eight rounds of 44 Magnum, loaded through the receiver’s side gate, and can be quickly removed to dump rounds out the front. The action features a flat-faced trigger, an oversized lever loop, and a cross-bolt safety. An extended Picatinny optic rail permits the use of a red-dot sight, standard magnifying riflescope, or extended eye relief scout-style scope. My test rifle was equipped with a Trijicon (www.trijicon.com) Huron 1-4 power scope featuring the BDC Hunter Holds reticle, mounted in a set of LaRue Tactical (www.larue.com) 30mm two-piece QD rings with windows that allow co-witnessing with the iron sights. This reticle provides Bullet Drop Compensation (BDC) designed around known hunting distances, allowing for fast and accurate holdovers in the field. At 15.9 ounces, it is both light and strong, and with a 30mm main tube, it allows plenty of light to pass through. Elevation and windage adjustments are .25 MOA with 100 MOA of total travel. With a wide field of view and generous eye relief, it’s an incredibly versatile optic. The Huron 1-4 is designed to be a reasonably priced ($685) hunting scope, and it fits that role very nicely.

Built on a forged 416 stainless-steel receiver, the 1854 uses the same round-style bolt you would find on larger big-bore platforms, such as 45/70. Highlights of the receiver include a flat-faced trigger, a mid-sized lever loop for gloved hands, an easy-to-operate cross-bolt safety, and a side-loading gate. Capacity is 8+1 rounds. We utilized the M-LOK to mount a Midwest Industries Universal Shell Holder, which holds two .44 Magnum shells at the ready.

Range Time

One of the reasons many are moving to the lever action, especially in handgun calibers, is their size and the corresponding comfort of carry. For most deer hunters, a .44 Magnum is more than a capable cartridge, and the reduced package size of the rifle fits nicely in a pack or carries easily with or without a sling. So, loaded up with Hornady’s excellent 225-grain LEVERevolution ammo, it was time for me to take the 1854 Stealth Hunter on a hike to see how it handled as a backcountry companion. Headed up to one of my favorite starting spots, I set off on a three-mile hike into the hills of Utah’s West Desert. Starting with no sling — a very common method for deer or hog hunters — the rifle remained very well balanced in the hand. Adding a sling freed up both hands, although it presented itself as kind of a pain when working in and around the bush. The handguard’s slim profile made it easy to work the rifle into a sturdy rest, such as a dead tree or similar object. All my lever actions use more traditional handguards (i.e., wood or synthetic with no provisions for attaching anything), so I wasn’t sure how I would like the utility factor of the Stealth Hunter’s M-LOK-equipped aluminum handguard for field use. But, at the end of the day, this one is light, streamlined, and seems more about facilitating valuable hunting and backcountry protection tools (white lights/lasers, spare ammo carriers, or anything else you can affix to an M-LOK slot) as opposed to trying its best to look like an AR.

A black synthetic buttstock adds to the all-weather, hard-use capabilities (and the stealth factor) of the 1854 Stealth Hunter — you won’t think twice about tossing this rifle in the truck and taking it out in inclement weather. Texturing, which we found to be perfect in its abrasive levels when both wet and dry, can be found on the pistol grip. A soft rubber buttpad helps take the sting out of hotrod 44 Mag loads.

Accuracy was about as good as it gets from a lever action, and in talking with colleagues who have also tested the 1854, they all indicated the same. My best 50-yard group was around 1.25 Inches using Hornady 165-grain FTX Critical Defense 44 Special. Recoil with this load was minimal at most, and it’s my preferred load for my 44 Magnum revolvers. Moving up to the 225-grain FTX, downrange precision was still impressive, printing a 1.40-inch best group. Even running 240-grain hotter loads, it was plenty accurate and comfortable to shoot — one of the reasons why this caliber is one of the most versatile out there, especially in a lever gun. As a flat-trigger fan in general, this rifle’s trigger suited my preference. I’m not sure the profile was a game changer for me, but it was light, crisp, and conducive to good downrange precision.

On Target’s 1854 Stealth Hunter was tested using Trijicon’s Huron 1-4x24mm riflescope, which we felt was a perfect match to the rifle’s practical range and hard-use intentions. We mounted the Huron in a set of Larue Tactical 30mm rings with windows, allowing us to co-witness the rear XS Sight Systems adjustable ghost ring and fiber-optic front iron sights. The included (but not shown) removable hammer spur makes thumbing the hammer much more convenient with an optic in place.

The 1854 action is smooth and precise, making it fun to run through its cycle. Loading to max capacity with 44 Magnum, the last round reminded me of topping off a Glock magazine (that is to say, it required some force). It proved a tad easier with the 44 Special, but the spring is still pretty stiff. Ejection was consistent and positive with no stoppages experienced during testing. Single loading through the ejection port was fast and consistent, provided the rifle remained vertical (as with all lever-action rifles). Oversized lever loops like the one on the 1854 are a point of argument amongst most lever-action shooters, but with large hands and a tendency to glove up in the winter, they’re a definite positive for me. Traditionalists seem to decry them, but unless it’s an obnoxiously large loop, I don’t see the downfall, and the Stealth Hunter’s loop seems to reside in the “just right” size category. A larger loop is also convenient if you plan to wrap your lever in either leather or paracord.

The 1854 Stealth Hunter, as has been our experience in the past, did not disappoint from the bench. The best downrange precision during testing was achieved with Hornady’s 165-grain FTX 44 Special load, which produced a 1.30-inch five-shot group at 50 yards. All of the 44 Magnum loads, in 225- and 240-grain weights, were close on its heels with 1.40 to 1.50-inch best groups.

Final Thoughts

Some prefer them, but as a more traditional lever-action user, I’m not a huge fan of the cross-bolt safety; however, there are several delete kits if you want to go that way. Checking the aftermarket, there are tons of accessories available for the 1854, including skeleton stocks, more aggressive hand guards, and just about anything to turn your lever action into a “tactical” rifle. Although a hunter by name, Smith and Wesson’s Stealth Hunter certainly meets the defensive role with ease. Balanced, accurate, and reliable, this is one of the most versatile rifles on the market today. No matter your end use(s), either way, it certainly deserves a hard look if you are interested in a modern lever-action rifle. See the 1854 Stealth Hunter ($1,399) at your nearest dealer, or for more information, contact Smith & Wesson; Tel: (800) 331-0852; Web: www.smith-wesson.com.

S&W has successfully created one of the most versatile rifles on the market today with the 1854 Stealth Hunter. Whether it’s hunting deer or hog, backcountry protection, or home defense, this rifle is capable of delivering powerful 44 Magnum medicine in rapid, precise, and reliable succession. Dead Air’s Primal suppressor — designed for big-bore, high-pressure cartridges — worked exceptionally well in reducing the sound signature and recoil impulse of the .44 Magnum.

Specifications

Action: Lever

Caliber .44 Magnum

Barrel Length. 16.3 inches

OAL: 33.4 inches

Weight: 6.4 pounds

Capacity: 8+1

Sights: Adjustable/optic rail

MSRP $1399.00