Smith & Wesson continues to expand their modern lever-action offerings with the introduction of the Model 1854 Stealth Hunter. This latest variant maintains the classic S&W 1854 profile while incorporating several upgrades that push it into the tactical lever gun category. A flat-faced trigger, blacked-out synthetic furniture, extended M-LOK handguard, and top Picatinny rail give this rifle serious potential for both brush hunting and range work. Chambered in .44 Magnum and equipped with a threaded barrel, the Stealth Hunter is quiet, smooth, and a joy to shoot suppressed.
S&W Model 1854 Stealth Hunter Specifications:
- Action: Lever
- Caliber: .44 Magnum
- Capacity: 8
- Optic Ready: Yes
- Threaded Barrel: Yes (11/16×24)
- Width: 1.6 in
- Length: 33.4 in
- Weight: 102.9 oz
- Barrel Length: 16.3 in
- Barrel Material: 410 SS
- Frame: Stainless Steel
- Stock: Black Synthetic
Model 1854 Out of the Box
The Stealth Hunter ships with a pre-installed Picatinny rail, a gun lock, and an owner’s manual. Nothing flashy, but everything you need to get started. I immediately topped this rifle off with a Vortex Defender-ST red dot and was ready to go. This rifle is offered in 357 Magnum, 45 Colt, and 44 Magnum, which I had for this review.
Barrel
This version sports a 16.3″ 410 stainless steel barrel with a 1:20” RH twist and 8-groove rifling. The barrel also features 11/16×24 threads and includes a thread protector. To do this rifle justice, I ran a suppressor for about half of my testing. Like most suppressed lever actions, the Stealth Hunter is incredibly quiet due to the manually operated action. No cycling until you decide it’s time, unlike semi-autos.
I ran this rifle both suppressed and unsuppressed, and it performed flawlessly throughout. The suppressor added some forward weight, but that’s expected and didn’t affect handling significantly. One thing I’ll note: the removable magazine tube is a great addition for unloading, but if you run certain wide suppressor mounts or brakes, they may block tube removal. Not a big deal, just something to be aware of.
Sights on the Model 1854 Stealth Hunter
Sights are another area where the Stealth Hunter sets itself apart. It comes equipped with an XS ghost ring rear and a HIVIZ H3 front sight. The green fiber optic on the front is easy to pick up in both daylight and low light. That said, I opted to mount a Vortex Defender-ST red dot using the top Picatinny rail. The extended rail gives plenty of room for mounting whatever optic suits your shooting style.
Stock
The black synthetic stock looks the part and feels rugged. It’s sleek, fixed, and includes textured panels in the grip areas. The recoil pad is firm yet cushioned enough to take the edge off heavy .44 Magnum loads. The overall profile is slim, and the stock provides a comfortable cheek weld without excess weight.
There’s no built-in QD point on the stock, which I would have liked to see. However, there is a single sling swivel stud mounted towards the rear.
Handguard
The handguard is one of my favorite features of the Stealth Hunter. It’s aluminum, not polymer like the standard model, and features M-LOK slots at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. The shape is well thought out. Narrow at the front and beefier near the receiver. This not only improves ergonomics but also gives the rifle a distinctive modern aesthetic.
The extended length (10.5″) sets it apart visually and functionally from most lever guns, giving you real estate for lights, bipods, or forward grips. I just wish S&W had included integral QD points. Something I hope to see in future iterations.
Trigger
Smith & Wesson equipped this rifle with a flat-faced trigger, which contributes to its modern appearance and makes for consistent trigger finger placement. It has a light take-up, followed by a clear wall. My test rifle broke just under 4 lbs with a touch of mush at the wall, but it was still crisp enough to deliver solid groups.
The oversized loop lever and enlarged trigger guard made shooting with gloves easy. Manipulations were smooth, and the action cycled well with both light and heavy loads. One thing I found interesting is that the trigger flops around with or without the hammer cocked. S&W let me know this is normal, but it is just not something I am used to.
Model 1854 Stealth Hunter Precision
Most ammo for this review was provided by Ammunitiontogo.com, who carry a broad lineup of Hornady and Armscor loads. Shipping was quick, and everything arrived in good shape. Easy-to-use online website, quick shipping, and competitive prices. Go check them out!
To evaluate accuracy, I shot 3-round groups from 50 yards using a mix of Hornady loads and one Armscor option. Below are my results, along with average velocities measured using a Garmin Xero C1 chronograph:
Best results came from the MonoFlex and 300gr XTP, both printing under 2 MOA. I also shot some 240gr Armscor ammo with group sizes around 6 MOA, but that’s fairly typical for cheap bulk ammo. It’s better suited for plinking or short-range shooting. For a lever gun, I find these groups to be acceptable but not outstanding.
S&W 1854 Stealth Hunter Performance
The Model 1854 Stealth Hunter ran clean from start to finish. Cycling was smooth, the action stayed reliable, and I had zero malfunctions. Even suppressed, there were no feeding or extraction issues. Sound suppression was impressive, especially for a manually cycled platform. This is where lever guns shine. They’re inherently quieter since there’s no bolt slap or gas system noise.
This rifle utilizes nearly all the modern features I could ask for. The MLOK handguard allowed me to mount all my 21st-century accessories, and the threaded barrel allowed me to be a truly stealthy hunter. The handguard held up well, and the rifle feels quite solid, whereas some tactical lever guns don’t have great lockups. For those who want to see this rifle in action, I threw together a short video shooting this rifle and posted it to my Instagram page below:
One hiccup: the loading gate chewed up my fingernail. It’s not impossible to load, but the edges felt a bit sharp, and the rim of each cartridge wanted to catch. I’d love to see this port refined a bit in future versions. However, this is a pretty minor issue to even bring up when everything else ran great throughout all my testing.
READ MORE HERE: Lever Actions: An American Rifle For Hunters
Summary
The Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter is a strong entry in the tactical lever gun space. It blends nostalgic charm with practical enhancements like a threaded barrel, extended Picatinny rail, aluminum M-LOK handguard, and a flat trigger. All wrapped in a modern blacked-out aesthetic. Shooting it suppressed was a highlight, and its performance was consistent and smooth across multiple loads ranging from 200-300 grains.
Is it perfect? Not quite. The loading port could use some refining, and I wish QD points were integrated into the handguard and stock. But for those wanting a lever gun that feels at home with modern accessories and can sling heavy .44 Magnum rounds with style, this one delivers. With an MSRP of $1399 and a slightly lower street price, this rifle is a compelling option for anyone wanting to run a modernized lever gun.
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