It depends on what you mean by "started."

Smith & Wesson were believed to have first partnered together in 1852.

The first legal business entity with the "Smith & Wesson" name was founded in 1854. In went through a number of machinations and ended up becoming the Winchester Repeating Arms Company.

The second legal business entity with the "Smith & Wesson" name was founded in 1856. That's the company that we know and love today.

This was called the "1854" because it most closely matched what the original 1854 business was selling.

Mike

Same.

I saw a new Ruger Marlin 1894 in .357 yesterday.

Pretty impressive, $979, don't need one, but I'd take it over the Smith any day.

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BTDT, Got The T-Shirt

Interesting and it makes sense.

I got the 1852 date from S&W's website.

"Since 1852 Smith & Wesson has empowered Americans with the freedom, equality, and security"

I recall reading once that there was a tacit agreement between Winchester and S&W that Winchester wouldn't do pistols and S&W wouldn't do rifles. I guess that agreement has fallen by the wayside.

Someone else above said that lever rifles are trending. Outside of cowboy action shooters, and maybe some Marlin or Henry fans, I'd like to know where this trend is happening.

And I love them but that's not the point!

Winchester Big Bore in .375 Winchester



Pre USRAC Winchester Model 94 .30 30 with Williams peep sight




I used to have a small collection of 94 Winchesters but those are my last two and I still have a Marlin Guide Gun in .45-70 and a Navy Arms - Rossi Model 92 in .45 Colt. No
pictures.........yet..............why? Dunno. I've had them for decades!

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Come and take it!!

Seems to me it’s the answer to a question nobody asked…

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Where Law Ends, Tyranny Begins

I love it but will wait until its offered in 30 super carry , 357sig or 45 gap .thank you!

I guess I'm one of the few that's thrilled that Smith & Wesson has branched out (or re-branched out?) into lever actions.

Lever actions seem to be enjoying a resurgence right now, and it makes sense that Smith & Wesson would want to break into this market. It also puts Smith & Wesson more squarely in the hunting market; one that it was only peripherally in with some of its handguns.

(edit: yes, I know that the M&P rifles can make fine hunting rifles. But the lever opens up new markets that it hadn't previously played in.)

The price point of the lever action is a bit higher than I was expecting, but I took a look at what a lot of the competition's products are selling for and I don't think that S&W is far off the mark here.

The limited edition wood stocked gun is at a much higher price point, but the quality of the wood on it far exceeds anything I'm seeing from the mainstream (certainly that from Ruger and Henry). Whether it's worth the asking price is up to the market to determine, but I suspect that these guns won't linger on shelves for very long.

A lot of people seem to be really down on Smith for this, and I think that's a shame.

Mike

We'll see if they sell, or they end up on clearance on CDNN.

I just don't see the point of it. Ruger has done a good job with the Marlin line. Rossi has its niche, and at a good price point. Henry is there as well.

I have some Miroku Winchesters that are very nice.

I just don't find the S&W to be all that great looking, and the price isn't helping.


It seems to be an answer in search of a question.

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BTDT, Got The T-Shirt

Here's a photo lifted from a post on one of the Ruger forums. This is fresh out-of-the box from his local dealer. He paid $60 under MSRP -- right around $1200. Wow!

Attached Images

Ruger-Marlin.jpg (137.0 KB, 51 views)

He didn't have one on his Glock either.

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Forum consigliere

Time will tell.

I will not mince words, I don't like the new 1854. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my lever actions, owning a Savage 1895, a Winchester 1894, and a Rossi R92. The 1854 comes across as too 21st century tactical.

I think that I can see S&W's logic for the intro 1854, though. The AR platform's political future is questionable ... how successful will the gungrabbers be at rounding up semi-autos? "Let's try a faster operated manually operated rifle that isn't in the gungrabbers' sights ... 1854.

Need a chambering that ammo is relatively readily available ... 44 Magnum. 460 and 500 may not have as much availability at the moment. Hence, 44 Magnum, closely followed by 38/357?

The tactical look of the AR is attractive, let's show the "tactical" owners that the 1854 lends itself to tactical modifications.

Sounds more like the marketing department is driving this rifle.

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Judge control not gun control!

Wow. Tough crowd!


I like Smith & Wesson revolvers. I like lever guns too, so...I'm excited!

Admittedly, I'm not a fan of the crossbolt safety, but...I can disappear it. I've done so plenty of times on Marlins. I think the entire magazine tube detaching to dump rounds is goofy as well, but I can live with it.

I like that it's actual stainless steel. And it comes threaded. A pistol caliber lever gun with a can is some of the most fun I've had with my clothes on!

I look forward to seeing a .357 and or .45 Colt version. I too would love to see a .460 S&W that's affordable, but given differences in strengths of actions, etc. that could be a big ask.

Word has it that they're compatible with Marlin furniture, so if the plastic has you hissing and cowering like Dracula being offered a fresh plate of garlic bread, there is a solution for ya'. As for me, I like all lever guns, new and old. I sure do like having easy optics mounting, a threaded barrel, and a place to mount a light. (I'm not sure what the heck else yer supposed to do with all that M lock real estate?) I also feel much better taking something like this out in the rain or snow, laying it in the bottom of a canoe, etc. Than I would say...the pre '64 94 in my safe or the 38-55 commemorative rifle I've got. Of course, I also enjoy taking my classics to the range, especially with newer or younger shooters!

It was interesting to see Aero and Stag releasing lever actions too, though I am more of a revolver caliber fan with those.

I guess maybe it's a good thing to see so much negativity? It helps to ensure my likelihood of finding and affording one!

If S&W comes out with the 1854 Series in .45-70 Government, count me in!

I'm sure S&W didn't get back in the lever action game to only come out with one lever action rifle.

I fully expect this will be the first of many lever action S&Ws in a variety of models and calibers.

Just hang in there.

The video I saw mentioned that the .44mag was chosen as a starting point due to the receiver being a sweet spot for several other calibers, so I'd imagine we'd see more if these sell well.

On the topic of shot-debuted leverguns, that cheap Winchester turkish-import .22lr looked promising to me, and if they actually follow through on a factory threaded model as they said, I'd be a day-one buyer.

Well, at least they finally made a long gun that doesn't look like a dang machine gun.

it seems like S&W isn't even trying with revolvers any more

That's right. More profit in self defense rifles, shotguns and pistols. The market has moved away from revolvers.

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That's just somebody talkin.

I wish it was 357

Its obviously hard since almost no one can or will do it. S&W is correct with this type of market entry.

I get it but buying cheap foreign-made guns that look American-styles is not me. I'd buy American-made any day over a foreign made gun, especially a lever-action. S&W did not make an unwise decision with entry into the lever market. It is wise to remain financially solvent instead of venturing into all of the personal wishes that I see expressed here. I was hoping this forum was pro-S&W and other home team companies. I have been surprised. I want S&W to survive and thrive not just re-outfit a factory and push money into make my personal favorite firearms. (which would be Class 3 or 100-year old revolvers, but there is a slim market for those).

Thank you ... I couldn't have said this better myself.

It seems like many people won't be happy unless Smith & Wesson either resurrects an obsolete model from XX decades ago or produces an unusual and highly specialized model of revolver that would appeal to a half-dozen people.

I don't love everything that S&W produces, but I support them having broad offerings that appeal to diverse markets.

Mike

The Gamers love this kind of gun. I think Futuristic Steampunk Tactical is the category. Lever gun for the Cowboy & Alien crowd.

Ruger is an American company and they did great so far with Marlin.

Miroku makes the Winchester rifles under license from Olin.

And I do not like the looks of the new S&W rifle.

I don't want S&W to fail either, but I don't think the rifle is all that great. And the price of the wood stocked one is just plain nuts.

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BTDT, Got The T-Shirt

Got one into the shop this week. Not really in the market for one, but it does seem a very nice rifle. It's a Marlin 336 with a mag that can be loaded two ways. Best-looking stainless/synthetic stock levergun I've seen yet.

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Pisgah

If such an agreement ever existed, S&W broke that in 1879 when they release the revolving rifle. It was based on the company's very successful top break revolvers, but they quickly discovered that putting one's hand forward of the cylinder-to-barrel gap wasn't a great idea. Less than 1000 of them were made, and they're extraordinarily rare and collectible now.

Mike