New S & W rifle

Yaworski said:
Why 1854? According to their own website, the company started in 1852.
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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
 
first-model said:
It depends on what you mean by "started."
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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.
 
moosedog said:
Here's my prediction. It's going to flop.
They are entering a market that is small and already over occupied.
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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

iscs-yoda-albums-long-arms-picture21491-winchester-model-94-big-bore-375-winchester.jpg


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


iscs-yoda-albums-long-arms-picture16785-pre-usrac-winchester-model-94-30-30-williams-peep-sight.jpg


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! :D
 
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
 
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first-model said:
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
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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.
 
first-model said:
. . . but the quality of the wood on it far exceeds anything I'm seeing from the mainstream (certainly that from Ruger and Henry) . . .

Mike
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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!
 

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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.
 
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!
 
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.
 
kev74 said:
I got to fondle these at Shot Show in Tuesday. My initial thought was that it looked like a Marlin. The metal pieces seemed nicely fit with no slop at all. On the blued on, the forearm had a little giggle to it. It caught me off guard and didn't feel right when I worked the lever. The blue was nice, but it doesn't look like the old S&W blue.

As an aside, it seems like S&W isn't even trying with revolvers any more. They had one of the largest booths at the show, and a ton of pistols. I think I counted 6 revolvers. A 29 behind glass, a governor, 2 stainless and 2 blued for people to handle. The two blue ones - a 29 and a 36 - had turn lines on the barrels that were close to 1/8 inch wide. I'm guessing they've been using the same revolvers on their booth for the last several years, with all the wear you would expect. I would swear they are the same guns I played with at the Harrisburg Outdoor Show for the past few years.
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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.
 
Its obviously hard since almost no one can or will do it. S&W is correct with this type of market entry.
 
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