Estimated studying time: 9 minutes
Smith & Wesson continues to develop their trendy lever-action choices with the introduction of the Mannequin 1854 Stealth Hunter. This newest variant maintains the traditional S&W 1854 profile whereas incorporating a number of upgrades that push it into the tactical lever gun class. A flat-faced set off, blacked-out artificial furnishings, prolonged M-LOK handguard, and high Picatinny rail give this rifle severe potential for each brush searching and vary work. Chambered in .44 Magnum and geared up with a threaded barrel, the Stealth Hunter is quiet, clean, and a pleasure to shoot suppressed.
S&W Mannequin 1854 Stealth Hunter Specs:
Motion: Lever Caliber: .44 Magnum Capability: 8 Optic Prepared: Sure Threaded Barrel: Sure (11/16×24) Width: 1.6 in Size: 33.4 in Weight: 102.9 oz Barrel Size: 16.3 in Barrel Materials: 410 SS Body: Stainless Metal Inventory: Black Artificial
Mannequin 1854 Out of the Field
The Stealth Hunter ships with a pre-installed Picatinny rail, a gun lock, and an proprietor’s guide. Nothing flashy, however every part you want to get began. I instantly topped this rifle off with a Vortex Defender-ST purple dot and was able to go. This rifle is obtainable in 357 Magnum, 45 Colt, and 44 Magnum, which I had for this overview.
Barrel
This model sports activities a 16.3″ 410 chrome steel barrel with a 1:20” RH twist and 8-groove rifling. The barrel additionally options 11/16×24 threads and features a thread protector. To do that rifle justice, I ran a suppressor for about half of my testing. Like most suppressed lever actions, the Stealth Hunter is extremely quiet because of the operated by hand motion. No biking till you resolve it’s time, not like semi-autos.
I ran this rifle each suppressed and unsuppressed, and it carried out flawlessly all through. The suppressor added some ahead weight, however that’s anticipated and didn’t have an effect on dealing with considerably. One factor I’ll notice: the detachable journal tube is a superb addition for unloading, however if you happen to run sure large suppressor mounts or brakes, they could block tube elimination. Not a giant deal, simply one thing to concentrate on.
Sights on the Mannequin 1854 Stealth Hunter
Sights are one other space the place the Stealth Hunter units itself aside. It comes geared up with an XS ghost ring rear and a HIVIZ H3 entrance sight. The inexperienced fiber optic on the entrance is simple to choose up in each daylight and low gentle. That mentioned, I opted to mount a Vortex Defender-ST purple dot utilizing the highest Picatinny rail. The prolonged rail provides loads of room for mounting no matter optic fits your capturing type.
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Inventory
The black artificial inventory seems the half and feels rugged. It’s glossy, fastened, and contains textured panels within the grip areas. The recoil pad is agency but cushioned sufficient to take the sting off heavy .44 Magnum masses. The general profile is slim, and the inventory gives a snug cheek weld with out extra weight.
There’s no built-in QD level on the inventory, which I might have appreciated to see. Nevertheless, there’s a single sling swivel stud mounted in the direction of the rear.
Handguard
The handguard is one among my favourite options of the Stealth Hunter. It’s aluminum, not polymer like the usual mannequin, and options M-LOK slots at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. The form is effectively thought out. Slender on the entrance and beefier close to the receiver. This not solely improves ergonomics but additionally provides the rifle a particular trendy aesthetic.
The prolonged size (10.5″) units it aside visually and functionally from most lever weapons, supplying you with actual property for lights, bipods, or ahead grips. I simply want S&W had included integral QD factors. One thing I hope to see in future iterations.
Set off
Smith & Wesson geared up this rifle with a flat-faced set off, which contributes to its trendy look and makes for constant set off finger placement. It has a light-weight take-up, adopted by a transparent wall. My take a look at rifle broke slightly below 4 lbs with a contact of mush on the wall, but it surely was nonetheless crisp sufficient to ship stable teams.
The outsized loop lever and enlarged set off guard made capturing with gloves simple. Manipulations have been clean, and the motion cycled effectively with each gentle and heavy masses. One factor I discovered attention-grabbing is that the set off flops round with or with out the hammer cocked. S&W let me know that is regular, but it surely is simply not one thing I am used to.
Mannequin 1854 Stealth Hunter Precision
Most ammo for this overview was supplied by Ammunitiontogo.com, who carry a broad lineup of Hornady and Armscor masses. Transport was fast, and every part arrived in fine condition. Straightforward-to-use on-line web site, fast transport, and aggressive costs. Go verify them out!
To judge accuracy, I shot 3-round teams from 50 yards utilizing a mixture of Hornady masses and one Armscor possibility. Under are my outcomes, together with common velocities measured utilizing a Garmin Xero C1 chronograph:
Finest outcomes got here from the MonoFlex and 300gr XTP, each printing underneath 2 MOA. I additionally shot some 240gr Armscor ammo with group sizes round 6 MOA, however that’s pretty typical for affordable bulk ammo. It’s higher suited to plinking or short-range capturing. For a lever gun, I discover these teams to be acceptable however not excellent.
S&W 1854 Stealth Hunter Efficiency
The Mannequin 1854 Stealth Hunter ran clear from begin to end. Biking was clean, the motion stayed dependable, and I had zero malfunctions. Even suppressed, there have been no feeding or extraction points. Sound suppression was spectacular, particularly for a manually cycled platform. That is the place lever weapons shine. They’re inherently quieter since there’s no bolt slap or fuel system noise.
This rifle makes use of practically all the fashionable options I may ask for. The MLOK handguard allowed me to mount all my Twenty first-century equipment, and the threaded barrel allowed me to be a very stealthy hunter. The handguard held up effectively, and the rifle feels fairly stable, whereas some tactical lever weapons don’t have nice lockups. For individuals who need to see this rifle in motion, I threw collectively a brief video capturing this rifle and posted it to my Instagram web page beneath:
One hiccup: the loading gate chewed up my fingernail. It’s not unattainable to load, however the edges felt a bit sharp, and the rim of every cartridge wished to catch. I’d like to see this port refined a bit in future variations. Nevertheless, it is a fairly minor problem to even deliver up when every part else ran nice all through all my testing.
READ MORE HERE: Lever Actions: An American Rifle For Hunters
Abstract
The Smith & Wesson Mannequin 1854 Stealth Hunter is a powerful entry within the tactical lever gun area. It blends nostalgic allure with sensible enhancements like a threaded barrel, prolonged Picatinny rail, aluminum M-LOK handguard, and a flat set off. All wrapped in a contemporary blacked-out aesthetic. Taking pictures it suppressed was a spotlight, and its efficiency was constant and clean throughout a number of masses starting from 200-300 grains.
Is it excellent? Not fairly. The loading port may use some refining, and I want QD factors have been built-in into the handguard and inventory. However for these wanting a lever gun that feels at house with trendy equipment and might sling heavy .44 Magnum rounds with type, this one delivers. With an MSRP of $1399 and a barely decrease road worth, this rifle is a compelling possibility for anybody desirous to run a modernized lever gun.
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Mitchell Graf is a devoted hunter, aggressive shooter, and firearms fanatic. As a former teacher and president of Oklahoma State’s Sensible Taking pictures Group, he has a powerful basis in marksmanship and competitors capturing. Nowadays, he spends as a lot time as potential chasing pigs and coyotes with night time imaginative and prescient and thermal optics.
When he’s not within the discipline or on the vary, Mitchell works as a full-time Mechanical Engineer within the Aerospace and Protection trade and manages a part-time farming operation. Whether or not he’s behind a rifle, designing components, or working the land, his drive for precision and efficiency stays the identical.
Expertise:– Mechanical Engineer – Full-time skilled within the Aerospace/Protection trade.– Aggressive Shooter & Teacher – Former President and Teacher of Oklahoma State’s Sensible Taking pictures Group.– Evening Imaginative and prescient & Thermal Hunter – Enthusiastic about night time time predator and hog searching.– Half-Time Farmer – Working to supply for my household, and lift meals for this nice nation.
