Why do I even bother keeping my S&W 1854?

G

George W

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I have a half dozen Henry rifles. Most are X models that I immediately swap the handguard to RPP, put muzzle devices on for suppression, and add Picatinny rails to. I figured getting the S&W would actually save me from spending anything extra after initial purchase as they already have a rail and an M-Lock rail. I bought my 1854 in .44 Rem Mag right after they were released.

The action is clunky compared to my Henrys which are butter smooth. Not a show stopper as "I'm sure it'll smooth out eventually." Well, I'm in about 400 live rounds, and at least 1000 dry cycles. It still feels like I am rowing through a box mixed with bolts and nuts... maybe 10% better.

It feeds like crap. Unless I slam the action open and closed, it misfeeds probably 25% of the time, jamming under the feed gate. I've left the range the last three outings with the gun jammed up so bad, I have to disassemble it to get it unjammed.

Lever actions are usually great to shoot suppressed. S&W made these to run quiet out of the box. Mine blows the freaking open every round. It doesn't matter what ammo I run, even .44 Specials do it. Initially, I thought the problem may be the Octane .45 suppressor, even though SilencerCo says it's fine. I recently bought an Omega 46M that is rated to run with much less backpressure. Same problem.

Did I just end up with a lemon, or is this normal?
 
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So this thing will stay locked closed while discharging a 40,000 psi cartridge, but back pressure from a suppressor unlocks the action?

As far as your feeding problems, I assume you’ve tried different overall length cartridges, correct?

The 1854 that I handled at the gun shop, was quite smooth. Maybe you did get a lemon. But if you can disassemble it why not take a few minutes to smoothing out the rough high spots if the action bothers you?
 
Yendor357 said:
So this thing will stay locked closed while discharging a 40,000 psi cartridge, but back pressure from a suppressor unlocks the action?

As far as your feeding problems, I assume you’ve tried different overall length cartridges, correct?

The 1854 that I handled at the gun shop, was quite smooth. Maybe you did get a lemon. But if you can disassemble it why not take a few minutes to smoothing out the rough high spots if the action bothers you?
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Correct. Even .44 Specials unlock the thing.

I've tried at least 4 different factory loads. One of the great things about lever guns is how little they should care what you feed them.
 
I’ve been shooting lever guns for 48 years. Never once had one pop open after a shot was taken. Does dry firing it make it pop open? This sounds stupid, but is it supposed to pop open….like a pump shotgun?

I have an 1892 Win/Miroku in 44 mag. It’ll handle specials just fine. If you’ve tried 4 different factory loadings along with a special, and it still doesn’t work, yeah it needs to go back.

Maybe the 2 problems, along with the rough action are all indications of a single “mistake”.

Something is not right with that one.
 
Yendor357 said:
I’ve been shooting lever guns for 48 years. Never once had one pop open after a shot was taken. Does dry firing it make it pop open? This sounds stupid, but is it supposed to pop open….like a pump shotgun?

I have an 1892 Win/Miroku in 44 mag. It’ll handle specials just fine. If you’ve tried 4 different factory loadings along with a special, and it still doesn’t work, yeah it needs to go back.

Maybe the 2 problems, along with the rough action are all indications of a single “mistake”.

Something is not right with that one.
Click to expand...
When dry firing and all unsuppressed shooting isn't an issue with it popping open. It's only when I thread one on do I have issues with it coming unlocked.

The action being clunky and feed issues may be related as it's hard to be smooth at times. Since starting this thread, I've cleaned it, lubed it, and dry cycled it (without dummy rounds) at least 500 times. Anecdotally, it feels smoother... until I compared it to one of my Henry X'. Before I shitcan it, or send it back, I'll give it another range trip. In the meantime, I'll make sure to cycle it at least another 2000 times.
 
Yendor357 said:
So this thing will stay locked closed while discharging a 40,000 psi cartridge, but back pressure from a suppressor unlocks the action?

As far as your feeding problems, I assume you’ve tried different overall length cartridges, correct?

The 1854 that I handled at the gun shop, was quite smooth. Maybe you did get a lemon. But if you can disassemble it why not take a few minutes to smoothing out the rough high spots if the action bothers you?
Click to expand...
Pm me with what lever gun you have for shooting 100 yards.
 
George W said:
I have a half dozen Henry rifles. Most are X models that I immediately swap the handguard to RPP, put muzzle devices on for suppression, and add Picatinny rails to. I figured getting the S&W would actually save me from spending anything extra after initial purchase as they already have a rail and an M-Lock rail. I bought my 1854 in .44 Rem Mag right after they were released.

The action is clunky compared to my Henrys which are butter smooth. Not a show stopper as "I'm sure it'll smooth out eventually." Well, I'm in about 400 live rounds, and at least 1000 dry cycles. It still feels like I am rowing through a box mixed with bolts and nuts... maybe 10% better.

It feeds like crap. Unless I slam the action open and closed, it misfeeds probably 25% of the time, jamming under the feed gate. I've left the range the last three outings with the gun jammed up so bad, I have to disassemble it to get it unjammed.

Lever actions are usually great to shoot suppressed. S&W made these to run quiet out of the box. Mine blows the freaking open every round. It doesn't matter what ammo I run, even .44 Specials do it. Initially, I thought the problem may be the Octane .45 suppressor, even though SilencerCo says it's fine. I recently bought an Omega 46M that is rated to run with much less backpressure. Same problem.

Did I just end up with a lemon, or is this normal?
Click to expand...
Thank you George! There's no reason for any firearm leaving S&W to have problems that we are seeing today! These are not Bargain Basement Firearms, but American Legendary Firearms. Wake up Smith & Wesson, you are flushing your legendary American History down the American Corporate Toilet!
 
Back send it! The action should NOT pop open. I don’t care what can you have on it. I’ve used a suppressor on 2 new Marlins - 1894 Trapper in .44 Magnum and 1895 in .45-70. If a full house .45-70 doesn’t make the action “pop open” then nothing should. (They do make the can wicked hot really fast.)

If that 1854 is rough like you say, it’s a derivative of a Marlin 336 as far as I can tell. There are a few key contact points inside that can benefit from judicious stoning. Assuming you even want to keep it.
 
Tom S. said:
What suppressor are you using? Does it by chance have a spring/piston assist in it for use on a semi auto pistol?
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That is called a Nielsen Device, used to help semi-auto pistols cycle properly. It should definitely NOT be used in this scenario.

You can sell the rifle to me cheap and I will fix it 😁
 
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