Smith & Wesson black 1854 lever gun
- Thread starter greentips
- Start date
I think there is a lot to like for this S&W 1854 as a factory offering with pretty much everything many would otherwise modify to make as a 'black lever.'
Notable features incl:
-Flat trigger (that's an individual thing and IMHO depends on the application and grip)
-MLOK handguard (I think it had a pretty balanced design for function without being obnoxious)
-XS Sights + top rail
-Simple polymer stock (I'm sure it is light weight and no frills unlike some of the more wild adjustable designs)
Notable features incl:
-Flat trigger (that's an individual thing and IMHO depends on the application and grip)
-MLOK handguard (I think it had a pretty balanced design for function without being obnoxious)
-XS Sights + top rail
-Simple polymer stock (I'm sure it is light weight and no frills unlike some of the more wild adjustable designs)
The biggest thing about lever guns is the position of the safety button.
Rossi is the best, it has an ambi-lever on top. S&W like the one above with a button can be safety on and off with trigger finger and thumb.
Lots of "sporting and hunting" guns are easy to put off safe, but it needs another hand to put it back on safe.
Rossi is the best, it has an ambi-lever on top. S&W like the one above with a button can be safety on and off with trigger finger and thumb.
Lots of "sporting and hunting" guns are easy to put off safe, but it needs another hand to put it back on safe.
Is the sliding pin safety really that much of an issue in your opinion? Some argue that a lever gun doesn't need a safety and one can half-#### so they even install safety deletes. On the other hand, one can just leave the safety there and never use it as it doesn't really get in the way either so it's just fine to have it to have the option. Perhaps it isn't as aesthetically pleasing however.
Whilst complete ambidextrous would have clear advantages for all users, the safety position on the 1854 is all very convenient to operate on/off with the thumb in my opinion. On some other firearms, eg a Rem 870, it isn't nearly as ergonomic.
I am not a lever gun guy, I am an AR guy. So I look at stuff like how I would run this as a substitute to an AR. My thought is firing a round, re-cocking and reloading right the way and safety on before moving on ( like a 1911). Like, ok, this is a "practical" lever gun wrapped in black plastic and rail. If I am to run it practically I am not going to do half coc king that sort of things. I don't know how the cowboy shooting comp runs, maybe they do things differently?
And for this reason I prefer Mossberg over Rem 870.
In theory it would be possible to install an rotating lever ambi-safety on these firearms. I'm not aware of any company that makes such a thing as the market is probably pretty limited.
However, companies like Turnbull Restoration make a 1/4 turn rotating safety that is operating with a flat-head screw driver. So using the same internal design the safety pin could have an external lever incorporated as part of one side during machining and a keyed screw-on external lever attaches to the pin portion on the other. (Basically like many similar ambi-safety levers).
They should make a striker Lever if they want to make a "practical lever" to beat the ban states , basically a glock in a lever gun.
These tactical levers are targeting the ban states where semi auto are not available.
These tactical levers are targeting the ban states where semi auto are not available.
In the Cowboy (SASS) rulebook, you can move with an empty chamber or spent round under a down hammer or with the action open, but never with the hammer up over a live round. A real lever gun never had a safety beyond those handling considerations, so modern lawyer safeties are either left on "fire" or permanently defeated.
So got a chance to hold one today before mine arrives hopefully on Monday. All I can say is just wow. Light and feels well balanced in the hand and a slick action. Anyone looking for one in BC Okanagan Vernon there is one at the local gun shop.
I believe the Henry Supreme is a striker system.
Got mine yesterday. Great balance, points nice. The action cycles very smoothly. The flat trigger is good on the finger, trigger pull just a bit heavier than my old Marlin 1895G, but it breaks nice. I won't be adding many space cowboy doo-dads...prolly just a light, hand stop and bullet quiver.
