Industry Watch
TFB Review: Smith & Wesson 1854 Stealth Hunter .357 Magnum
TFB Review: Smith & Wesson 1854 Stealth Hunter .357 Magnum
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✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍Springfield, Massachusetts
In the past, Ive written about how the MP5 started it all for me in 1990, seeing Charlie Sheen and the boys rescue hostages, lay waste to bad guys, and likely end up with the girl
. If you dont get the reference, then congratulations, youre not old, like me. But let us not diminish another childhood LARP near and dear to all: The Cowboy . Without posting photos of myself dressed up as a kid ready to move the herd, take my word that its a real thing . That being said, cowboy work is serious business, and the backyard is an untapped frontier full of dangers that may require more authority than the caps in my toy six-shooter would provide
. By the time I was old enough, the Winchester 1873 was the apple of my eye, and I spent formative years with my Model 94 chambered in 30-30 . It wasnt until recently, however, that I recognized how much more could be done with a lever action, and that both my tactical and cowboy worlds could be forced into a collision the likes of which my credit card might deny . But when all hope seemed lost, the problem solvers at Smith & Wesson stepped up with a factory solution that floats like a butterfly without stinging at the bank, the 1854 Stealth Hunter series of rifles . When Smith & Wesson dropped the .357 Magnum version of the 1854 Stealth Hunter earlier in 2025, I knew I had to get my hands on one . This rifle avoids the ostentatious aesthetics of modernized lever actions while offering up all of the practical benefits in a subdued design that respects classic lines while opening the platform up to modern accoutrement . The entire rifle is finished in black, including the stainless steel frame and 410 stainless steel 16.3 barrel with 1:14" RH twist rate. Speaking of the barrel, the 1854 Stealth Hunter .357 comes threaded in 5/8 x 24 with a thread protector from the factory, kicking off modernization with the ability to attach a silencer. More on this later
. The barrel also features a green HIVIZ H3 front sight to line up with an XS Sights adjustable rear ghost ring . Below the barrel, youll find a sleek, thin-profile aluminum handguard, also finished in black, featuring fifteen M-LOK slots spread evenly at three, six, and nine oclock . The handguard provides plenty of space to mount lights, lasers, or any other type of grip or accessory you may want to run. I should mention that the rail feels solid, like holding zero solid if thats your thing . I also found that additional vents in the handguard performed as intended, allowing prolonged shooting without excessive heat buildup while providing a comfortable and ergonomic grip without any sharp angles or edges . Lastly, the handguard includes a built-in sling swivel point up front, with a corresponding swivel point on the bottom of the stock . The black synthetic stock is pretty straightforward, keeping to those classic lines we love while offering the shooter a cushy rubber buttpad at the rear and nicely textured grip panels . The stock feels solid to me as well, and my overall first impression is that of a well put-together firearm . Other highlights include a serrated hammer, cross bolt safety, and a very nice flat face trigger with just a tiny bit of takeup before hitting the wall and breaking crisply at what feels to be around 5 pounds
. The Smith & Wesson 1854 Stealth Hunter also includes a Picatinny top rail that extends well beyond the receiver, capable of accepting anything from a small red dot to a larger traditional scope, for those who want to take the rifle hunting and prefer a magnified optic
. But its a lever action, tell us about the lever. I know, I know
. Its great, what can I say? The loop is larger than standard without being freakishly oversized, making the 1854 Stealth Hunter easy to manipulate with and without gloves . It didnt take me long to develop cadence while cycling the gun, and the smooth, consistent engagement made it easy to avoid short-stroking the action.
.357 Magnum is pleasant to shoot out of a rifle, and the 1854 Stealth Hunter is no exception to that rule. In fact, I found the recoil impulse even smoother than I had imagined . More so, ammunition options are plentiful, not only because .357 is a common cartridge, but because the 1854 Stealth Hunter, like most firearms chambered in .357, will also shoot .38 SPL . The bonus here is not only ammo compatibility, but the ability to select a less potent and less expensive round for plinking and perhaps training a new shooter. Why a lever action? Because America, okay? Honestly, I like them . I always have. Lever actions are a lot of fun. Consider this also if you live in a ban state . A tactical lever action could be a great home defense alternative to some perverse abomination of a semi-automatic rifle youre left with after meeting compliance standards . The Smith & Wesson 1854 Stealth Hunter leaves a lot of useful configurations on the table, from mild to wild . For this review, however, I kept things simpler, adding a Riton 1 Tactix ARD 2 red dot up top and a GSL Technology Stealth suppressor in front . Heres another reason to own a tactical lever action like the 1854 Stealth Hunter
. They suppress very well, considering there are no moving parts in the action at the time of the shot, leaving all that hot gas nowhere else to go than into the suppressor, where it will expand, cool, and quiet down . The GSL Technology Stealth handled the varying ammunition excellently, keeping noise levels down enough to allow me to take a listen without my hearing protection . The Stealth was so at home and made the day such a pleasure that I think it has found a permanent place on my Smith & Wesson 1854
. For function, velocity, and accuracy testing, I had a number of loads available for this review . Starting off with the HOP 158gr Semi-Wad Cutter Hollow Point, I wanted to note that while it is rated for 1030 fps, these tests are often taken using a revolver with a considerably shorter barrel than our 16 .3 rifle. The increase in velocity up to 1276.7 provides a little more spice while taking us over the speed of sound. For my final tests, I switched to .38 SPL . First up was Hornady Critical Defense 110gr FTX. Advertised for 1010 fps out of a 4 barrel, I saw an average velocity of 1286.2 fps . Accuracy wasnt bad at all, with a best 5-shot group of .86. Lastly, I tried some Fiocchi 125gr +P ammunition . This stuff was rated for 1050 fps, but saw an average of 1344.6 fps out of the Smith & Wesson 1854 . Accuracy was on par with the other rounds I shot, scoring a best 5-shot group at .75. Final Thoughts So whats this going to cost me? Good question
. The Smith & Wesson 1854 Stealth Hunter has an MSRP of $1399.00, which isnt cheap, but then again, nothing feels cheap about this rifle . This modernized lever action rifle has indeed captured a variety of enthusiasts, from collectors to tactical minded shooters . If youve got the lever action bug, happen to like the idea of a modernized lever action, or happen to hate the concept deep down in your purist soul, leave a comment telling us why . Also, as always, give us your thoughts on the Smith & Wesson 1854 Stealth Hunter in the comments below.