Smith & Wesson Model 1854 in 360 Buckhammer — The Lever Gun That Wants to Get Dirty

Lever guns are having a moment, and Smith & Wesson knows it. The Model 1854 line keeps growing, and the latest addition — a 20-inch barrel chambered in 360 Buckhammer — might be the most interesting one yet. Chris Cerino took it out for this episode of Guns & Gear. Here's what he found.

Whether you grew up with a lever gun leaning against the back door or you picked one up recently because, let's be honest, they're just cool, the appeal isn't going anywhere. That's exactly why Smith & Wesson's Model 1854 line keeps growing. The newest configuration — a 20-inch barrel chambered in 360 Buckhammer — is built to get dirty, and it earns that reputation fast.

What Is It?

The S&W 1854 isn't trying to be a safe queen. This is a rifle built to get thrown in a truck, dragged through the woods, and actually used. The finish reflects that philosophy — rugged, purposeful, and not the kind of thing you're going to stress over when it picks up a scratch in the field.

The 360 Buckhammer is a relatively new straight-wall cartridge, which makes this configuration especially appealing for hunters in states with straight-wall cartridge restrictions. It holds six rounds in the tubular magazine — plenty of firepower for most hunting situations — and the cartridge itself does a lot of things well across a variety of applications.

Smith & Wesson offers the 1854 in three configurations, and each one brings something a little different to the table. The standard model features a walnut stock, gold bead front sight, and a rail that gives you room for optics without overwhelming the classic look of the gun. The Stealth Hunter steps things up with a 10.5-inch rail, a green tritium fiber optic front sight, and more real estate up front if you want to run a red dot, night vision, or even a thermal clip-on for night hunting situations. All three versions share a threaded barrel, which opens the door for running a suppressor — and suppressed lever guns are becoming increasingly popular for good reason.

The Modern Touches

What makes the 1854 feel current rather than nostalgic are the details Smith & Wesson added to modernize the platform without killing its character. The flat-face trigger is one of those things you don't fully appreciate until you run the gun. It's a clean break that fits naturally into fast follow-up shots, which is exactly what you want when you're running a lever action. The cross-bolt safety is another thoughtful addition — when it's engaged, you can drop the hammer without firing, which means you can sit in your stand with the hammer cocked and not worry about the click when a deer walks into range at close distance.

The ghost ring rear sight paired with the gold bead up front is a combination that's been around forever for a reason. It's fast to acquire, visible in a wide range of lighting conditions, and has a throwback feel that fits perfectly with the lever-action aesthetic.

On the Range

Chris Cerino took the 1854 out to test it, and the results were exactly what you'd hope for. The action is smooth — both cycling and loading — which matters on a lever gun because a rough action is one of the first things you notice. He put a .36 caliber suppressor on the end and ran it quietly, which only added to the experience. The recoil impulse is pleasant, which is pretty much the best thing you can say about a hunting cartridge.

The gun handled everything thrown at it without complaint. For anyone hunting in a straight-wall cartridge state looking for a platform that can pull double duty — hunting during the day, potentially doing some night work with a clip-on thermal — the 1854 Stealth Hunter configuration makes a compelling case for itself.

Final Thoughts

The Smith & Wesson 1854 in 360 Buckhammer is the kind of rifle that earns its keep. It's not trying to be everything to everyone, but what it does, it does well. The straight-wall chambering makes it relevant in a growing number of hunting situations, the threaded barrel keeps it suppressor-ready, and the overall build quality means you can actually use it without treating it like a museum piece.

If you've been on the fence about a lever gun, or if you're looking for a hunting rifle that does things a little differently, the 1854 is worth a serious look. Watch the full episode above, or catch it anytime on Shooting Sports Life at shootingsportslife.com.