Smith & Wesson 1854 Levergun - Yes, But . . .
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 เม.ย. 2024
- The Smith & Wesson Model 1854 levergun in 44 magnum is a great offering. But there are a couple of things we need to talk about. Full details in the video.
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I am a lever action lover and 74 years old. Marlin, Winchester, Henry, and Rossi all live in my gun vault, go to the range, and go deer hunting in Ohio. The Smith and Wesson looks to be very well engineered and excellent fit and finish. But............I do not like the trend to make a lever action look like an AR. Lever actions should have a wood stock and iron sights. Shooters that hunt with them know it takes a lot more range time to get proficient with irons than it does modern scoped rifles. It is a labor of love to get good enough to hunt with lever guns and that my friends harkens back to a better time in America.
Great comment! We share a lot of the same thoughts and, I'm turning 74 in a few days😉
@@TargetSuite Celebrate your next birthday with a video of lever rifles any brand or all of them. Nothing will better than that George.
If the lever actions from S&W are the same crap like their pc revolvers,then i prefer the Ruger „Marlin“!
I've got a case hardened Henry 44 magnum. It was my first gun purchase, used my covid stimulus check to buy it since I was still working 60+ hour weeks. I'm 28 now, and I feel like that Henry will be the last gun i'd ever let go. I've shot plenty of ARs when my friends and I go to the range, but they all feel soulless compared to handling that wooden lever action.
I can see why S&W would go with the plastic furniture on these, but it doesn't appeal to traditionalists. I do think it's more tastefully done on this compared to Marlin's dark series for sure though. Longevity/ease of maintenance of plastic vs wood aside, gun culture has moved from provide to protect. Lever actions have become a decent option in anti 2A states where people can't get ARs. I'd rather have a shotgun for home defense either way, but hey, if you only have one gun to do everything, those M-LOK fore ends would be a godsend for something like a light compared to my Henry.
Proof everyone has an opinion and that most of them suck
Like you I prefer small loops on my lever guns, not only does it look better, not having all the slop...it functions better for me.
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I prefer the small loop for functionality. The savage 99 lever is my idea of perfection.
Seems like a nice rifle but I think for the price, I would prefer the Marlin. I'm a bit prejudiced for Marlin since that's what I grew up shooting my grandfather's Marlin model 36 in 30-30. Back in the 60s, my brothers and I asked him why didn't he own a Winchester and he always said, "Winchester for show, Marlin for go". Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this S&W lever gun.
He has quite the flinch doesn't he.
Not even a hard recoil lol
As to the flinch, guilty as charged!
Thanks for another great video. And I prefer the smaller loop myself because I live in Mississippi. You’re right we don’t need gloves down here and I could work that smaller lever faster than the bigger one.😊 especially if I got more than one hog coming after me or trying to get away
Thanks for your comment. And mind those Hogs!
What part of Mississippi. I'm from Wilkinson County
In Wisconsin, when cold, we don’t usually wear “gloves” when very cold. It’s mittens, usually with liner (wool, either wool glove or more likely a wool mitten). The outer mitten, sometimes called “chopper” will sometimes have lanyard ( usually going up coat sleeve around to the other mitten) so we can pull off mitten and drop it , when we need more dexterity. Because it’s on a lanyard it’s not lost, it just hangs there (and majorly gets in the way, a pain) . The lanyard is old school. Basically we wear what we got. But if
I'm appreciative of the small loop.
Yep. Small loop is a touch faster and doesn't beat up the back of your hand as bad. Bigger loops are great for hunting in the cold but not as much fun to shoot.
Me too.
I agree, the trend towards large loops is frustrating. I cut, bent and re-welded the lever loop on a Rossi ranch hand to make it into a small loop, it's a lot of work but in the end it's more compact, it handles better and it looks better!
I'm a traditionalist. Suppressors, picatinny rail and m-lok just don't belong on a lever gun. However, I am glad to see a renewed interest in lever guns, so if there is a market for that, great! Now, that cross-bolt safety is a PITA.
There's no telling how many deer get spooked by that cross bolt safety😄
@@TargetSuite True, or scamper off after hearing the hammer hit the cross-bolt safety because the shooter forgot it was on. The S&W is a new design, so it doesn't offend me as much as the Marlins and Winchesters that have been retrofitted with it.
I feel like the traditional lever guns (blued/wood) look better traditional, while the modern iterations exist precisely for "sporterizing" them, especially because some areas prevent people from using modern arms. Then again, people have been putting scopes on wood-stocked lever guns for a very long time, while others claim it's not traditional. I like Henry's transfer bar style safety, where there's neither a cross-bolt manual safety, nor even a half-cock safety, yet it's perfectly safe still. Arguably that's safer than half-cock, because if you walk around the woods with the half-cocked hammer, it could, theoretically, get caught on some brush and get cocked or dropped. But personally I'd just pay attention.
Love the small loops on my levers, they work fine for me even with medium weight gloves. Another great video!!!
Thanks for your comment! Seems like the small Loop fans are ruling the roost so far.
Well George, it's a standard loop for me. Great to watch you have fun with a gun! Lever guns to boot!!
I would second your opinion.
I like when people leave in the attempted firing and forgetting the safety on. I leave that in my videos too! Nice rifle, I would get one ... we have several lever guns here and this would be a dandy!
Being honest (transparent) seems to work best for me😉
That Marlin really speaks to me. The Smith is cool and I'd be happy to have it, but much prefer the traditional design of the Marlin.
I'm with you. The Smith & Wesson 1854 is going to speak to a lot of people, many of them will be younger shooters. But for me the traditional lines and look of the 1854 pushes all of my buttons.
@@TargetSuite what you say
The loop on my father's 336w is perfect for him. It's a bit cramped for me, I can only get the two fingers in comfortably. The biggest loop is a bit much. There's a middle ground sized one that's perfect for me.
I saw that one and held it. It felt okay. I’m not big into the synthetic stock and their wood stock one is insanely priced. I ended up with the Marlin 1894 SBL.
I bet that's a beauty. I'm thinking about ordering one from Ruger for review.
@@TargetSuite do it. It’s a beautiful rifle and I may get a can for mine! Fit and finish is exactly what I’ve cone to expect from Ruger
Good video.
With a lever action, you may have to find a load that will feed. A lot of them are very fussy. The 44 Magnums will generally feed the JHP and JSP loads OK. In 44 Special, most of mine would feed the 44 Special with any bullet type. The cast RNFP Cowboy bullets are made to feed in a lever rifle. YMMV.
To each his own. if you are a Ruger/ Marlin snob like myself, buy the Marlin. If you are a Smith and Wesson snob buy the Smith and Wesson. Probably can't go wrong with either Thanks for the reviews!.
Well said!
Standard loop. Even though, some you can't get a glove in they just look so much better. On a stainless, pic rail, plastic gun it doesn't matter. To me any one of those has deleted style. I guess I'd call it the classic look. Wood and deep blue.
Amen, Mark!
It's only a matter of time before someone puts knuckle spikes on the loop of one of these modern lever guns, to make it look "post-apocalyptic."
Haha! Boy that would "trigger" some folks!
Good shooting, nice rifle. S&W is sometimes late to the table, but when they show up they have a very good product for us. They let the other guy invent the wheel, and then they take their time refining and improving that wheel. Nice rifle. I think the large loop is sexy looking, but the hand banging around in it is sort of sloppy. The smaller loop seems to fit the hand better and work more efficiently.
I also prefer a standard loop. The larger ones seem awkward to me as my had travels in that larger space while cycling the action & the back of my fingers slam uncomfortably on the bottom stroke . I also like the traditional look of a standard loop better. I think the Marlin 1894 is one of the finest rifles ever made excluding the micro groove variants. I've had a number of Micro groove Marlins & standard Ballard type rifling ones as well. The latter has always proved substantially more accurate for me. "Keep em coming George!
Thanks! I really appreciate your comment!
I have a Winchester 94 ae that came with the John Wayne style large loop lever and as much as I enjoy the Dukes movies I was not a fan of the large loop so I changed it out for a normal size loop and it is 100% better in my opinion.
I'm glad you rescued that gun!
Great video George Looks like a ton of fun. Maybe Marlin and Henry will have some competition Haha
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I have a Winchester M94 with the standard size lever and I love it. John Wayne and Chuck Connor used the over size lever, but they were stars. I’m a commoner and have no use for the over size lever.
I really enjoy your videos, you always show me something new that I need. 😂I do appreciate a nice lever gun. I also prefer the large lever loop. Not only for the looks but because every place I've lived requires heavy gloves. Northern Wisconsin and now Alaska.
Just got around to watching your review. Excellent review of the S&W 1854! Patterned after the 336 for sure. Nice strong action for handling the heavier 44 loads. Don't care for the mid size large loop levers except on heavier recoiling calibers like 45/70 and 450 Marlin. Wish that S&W would make more 1854's in Walnut and blued steel in the future. At first I didn't think that I'd like the removable mag tube, but it appears to be a solid look on this Marlin "replica". Easy and quick to unload and clean the mag tube. It's way easier to find one on the open market also, unlike the new Ruger Marlins. Thanks for a great look at an apparently great lever action carbine. A belated Happy Memorial Day to you my friend. Carry on!
I haven't put in enough time to really get used to the medium(?) loop on my Henry .357 carbine, but that smidgen of extra room does let my hand hit a little harder when working the lever. I do like how it looks, probably because I watched The Rifleman too often, LOL. I need to look up some prices, I'll brace myself first.
Great video George. The checkering and the removable tube follower remind me of my Henry.
And I am a small lever fan.
Gotta says 'thanks' George. I'm glad I'm not the only one that has the odd flinch on a dry fire 🙂
Yes, we are all more human than we would like to admit. But, somehow, I am able to still get most of my shots on target. Go figure😉
@@TargetSuite Meant to ask you George, did that heavier looking bbl feel heavy to you?
I get that bringing out a .44mag makes sense due to its popularity in other lever guns.
But what we want is for S&W to make us a 460 and 500mag lever guns!
I'm with you 100%! And, I talked to the engineer at the Smith & Wesson booth during Shot Show and asking that very question. I don't remember his exact words, but it was something like they're thinking about it.
Nice. It has everthing I'm looking for in a truck rifle. Cant beat SS for durability in the elements. Thanks for your review.
The price wasn't as much as I expected, i guess S&W is wanting to compete with Ruger Marlin on pricing. They're definitely aiming to reach the tactical accessories fans.
I am old, I prefer the wood and blued steel look of the Marlin with iron sights.
Amen!
Well, you're in luck. SW has this same exact rifle in high grade walnut stock, and PVD (painted) barrel and receiver, for a measly $3850
Yes and I'm hoping they come out with a traditional version as well. If they are really all in on this whole lever gun craze I'm sure they will.
I prefer the standard loop. Can live with the medium loop, but I'm not a fan of the large loop. All of those are represented in my lever rifle collection.
It’s a really nice rifle super accurate and smooth operation , at first I was trying to get a Marlin but seeing no availability I settled on the 1854 and I do not regret it one bit after shooting it
Well done!
Historically, Smith & Wesson had almost no part in the development of the lever action rifle. Smith & Wesson left the fledgling lever gun business (Volcanic Firearms) when the business was going bust. Only Oliver Winchester kept his investment in Volcanic which was later renamed and began to be profitable with B. Tyler Henry's lever gun developments.
I'm with you. I thought the historical designation was a little tenuous. But, I also don't have any problem with Smith & Wesson making the historical connection.
I think they just couldn't allow Ruger to get most of the market to themselves :)
Great video i recent got a rossi r95 30-30 pretty good gun
Sweet!
I love the medium loop lever. I ordered one from RPP to replace the lever on a Marlin 1894 and it jammed the action up. Had to send it back. Bummer.
I took that very 1894 over to RPP for them to take a look at. The difference is ever so slight but just enough that their lever lever doesn't fit. I put one on my Ruger-made Marlin Guide Gun and it is perfect!
Thanks for another great video, George.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by!
Classy gentleman, great and clear explanations.... Subscribed.
Thanks! I appreciate the sub and the comment!
Medium to larger loop all day long when i used leverguns in western montana and central Idaho.
Because of the sub-zero winters, I'm guessing.
For real-life usage I prefer the small loop. It is slightly faster, slightly more compact, and looks slightly better, without actually precluding the use of gloves. A big loop lets you spin the rifle about your fingers with the lever down and action open though. So there's that.
I looked at one of these in my local gunshop and The one I saw was terrible. The loading gate was so scratched up had I not know the rifle was supposed to be new I would have figured it was a used model. The receiver was also scratched for 1000 dollars it was an easy pass for me I'll wait and get a marlin 1894, or a henry.
I am with you I like the standard loop size better. I come from a very cold climate and I used heavy gloves with my lever gun. While it was a snug fit. I never had an issue, and I wear large gloves. The larger loops just means more discomfort when cycling the action in my opinion, especially when your hands are very cold. Interesting point you mentioned regarding the potential interference between the magazine tube and the m-slot fasteners used to attach accessories. I did not realize that. Thanks for the tip.
I really appreciate your comment. You have validated, from a point of real experience, what I have suspected all along and that is that there really isn't a need for the large loop for the gloved hand. But it certainly has become something that just gets repeated over and over again until everyone believes it must be true.
I like the standard loop. I don't like the large loop.
Very nice gun! Looks well built!
Yes, it is very well built. It should sell well especially among younger shooters who like a more modern approach to the lever gun.
I.
I Live in Alberta and I still prefer the original lever.Puts your trigger finger in a better position.
Thanks for your comment! I've been waiting to hear from one of my brethren up north about this very subject. I know that Hunters have been carrying lever guns up there since the 1800s. And that was before modern insulation. I think all this talk about needing big Loops for big gloves is just a reflection on the nature of the modern Hunter😉
I too have never been one to bury my check into a stock comb. Muscle memory tells me when the comb is being held against my cheek in the optimum spot. I always follow the old standard of shouldering the rifle with the eyes closed, then open and see if everything appears as it should.
Let me also add I’m a little surprised S&W didn’t leave an open slot in the removable magazine tube so it can be loaded via either the side gate or from the tube slot. If I’m not mistaken, the newer Henry rifles that offer a side gate and designed in this manner.
The problem with implementing a Henry type solution is that it requires both an inner and an outer magazine tube. That requires a lot of space that is not available with the S&W forend/mlock design.
Prefer the smaller loop on my my vintage lever guns but i like the large loop on my henry Big Boy brass .357 carbine. The Rossi .357 stainless Laminate model from last year has the large loop and I like that also.
Hi from France, I am watching your videos for months (years ?), I've a Rossi 1892 with Rossi rail + Vortex Crossfire 2 with 2 MOA dot, ans I made great shots with my reloaded rounds
Great! It's good to hear from a fellow lever gun enthusiast in France!
I really surprised they didn't also offer it in the 500 mag because of the popularity of their pistol. That would be an awesome pistol and carbine combo
I asked him about the 460 at shot show. As I recall he said they had been thinking about it but that is a pretty high pressure cartridge for this little action. Maybe they'll come up with a larger receiver that can handle those big Whoppers
@@TargetSuite 460 in a rifle barrel is going to be nasty!!! You can already get rifle energies out of a pistol!!! It'll probably be kicking 45-70's butt!!! Insane is the already wild absolute zero out of a pistol, what that would look like out of a rifle is anyone's guess!!!
@@TargetSuite what are your thoughts ballistically speaking on a s&w 460 out of a rifle?
A Marlin action, of any kind, won't contain 60,000psi for more than maybe 20 shots before being beaten so loose it won't close. Same reason you don't see a 454 Casull model.
Browning's 1886 and 1892 designs are significantly stronger, but the 92 is too short to feed anything longer than 454 and the 86 is chambered in much bigger cartridges so 460 would seem pedestrian by comparison.
@@ActionEHamshraershV I was talking about Smith and Wesson designing one that could take it, which they hinted at doing.
I have a henry big boy and I like the small lever on it
Awesome! Thanks!
A takeaway for me is that S&W still considers Ruger their direct competitor and if Ruger's gonna do Marlin leverguns, then Smith can't help but also do it. All the better for all the customers.
Competition helps the consumer!
I love their loop and Henry's large loop on the X models like I have. I'd say the medium size. I don't like the model 94 style big loop or the ones on the normal Rossi R92
Thanks!
A heavier barrel profile and torx screws instead of slotted makes me a very happy owner! 😃
Style Points!!
It's all about the Style Points.
I prefer the Marlin, but the S&W is a great looking gun. Plus the barrell is a bit larger.
Yes. That Barrel is really a standout. And I think it helps control muzzle flip quite a bit.
Low key. Common sense presentation. A good blend of practicality and science for us everyday people.
Awesome video!!! Saw that flinch when you forgot the safety on lol
Oh yes! That flinch is just part of who I am. I don't know how I get shots on Steel😉
@@TargetSuite lol at least you're still hitting lol. The funniest part of this whole video is that I've been raised my whole life in the Smith and Wesson vs Ruger argument about Ruger being beefier and Smith being more refined, but here we have a Ruger made marlin and it's the more refined and lighter built gun and the Smith and Wesson is the beefier more robust gun!!! Total role reversal!!! Lol 😆
That is funny!
@@TargetSuite I wish I didn't live so far away from you, because if you did you would be the coolest guy to hang out with!!! I'm only in my 30's but I can't abide most people my age, and I love learning about firearms and nature, and people my age are only starting to get half as good as the OG's like yourself, but I have learned even after 31 years of owning and shooting guns and almost as long hunting that I don't know half as much as I think I do!!! Also you're experience with life gives you a unique viewpoint that is tempered by experience, and that is a valuable thing!!! If I had one friend like you I wouldn't need more!!! Anyways I don't get out as much anymore due to being disabled(tore my spinal cord) but I do get out a bit and pretend to hunt!!! 😜 I really appreciate your perspectives, and willingness to share your love of the outdoors!!! And for all that long windedness..... Thank you!!!
As much as I try to be transparent and honest with my viewers, the "unedited" version of me, and all TH-camrs for that matter, is never as cool, nice, or fun to hang around with, as they appear in video form.
Looks like a lot fun. But like you I really like the look and feel of the traditional wood make lever actions. I guess if you are using your rifle in harsh, wet conditions the plastics and stainless make sence.
Hi Don. Guilty as charged it because it is a ton of fun. But actually, for hunting gun I think some of the dark series rifles being offered by Marlin and Henry might be a better option just because they are not so bright and shiny. I'm going to talk about that in a video coming up comparing the Marlin Trapper 45-70 with the Marlin Dark 45-70.
Great review. Waiting on a solid lever gun in 454. Would prefer if smith would make 1. Since it's smith would expect they would do 460 which would be ok if reliable with 454s
Guess I like the traditional loop size, since my newest lever gun is a 1964 Marlin 336.... BTW what is the weight on the S&W without a scope?
The 1854 is 6.8# vs 6.4# for the Marlin 1894.
I have a soft spot for the Marlin 1894 44 mag since thatʻs what I dad got me when I was 16 years old. That was back in 1976, and I still have it. I also along the way picked up and old 1946 vintage Marlin model 36 in 30-30 with a square bolt, a Winchester 94AE Trapper in 357 magnum, a Taurus model 62LAR in 22LR, and a Montgomery Ward M79 (Mossberg 472) in 30-30. I have peep sights on all except the Monkey Ward due to no peeps available, but it gave me an excuse to scope it. I also have a Daisy model 10 BB gun for popping mice too, do they count? They all have wood stocks. I put a earlier half-cock hammer on my 94AE. Hard to get used to anything else. Old dog, new tricks.
I get it. I'm an old dog as well!
Looks like it works real well. Being a Marlin guy the coolest is a 336 in 44 mag and yes they made a limited run.
You are right about the 44 Magnum 336. Unfortunately, it was difficult for Marlin to make that short cartridge work in that long action. So, it didn't last long. But if you've got one that works well.. oh my!
A question about your paper targets. I was wondering where you get them? Do you sell them? I need 8.5” x 11” for tracking load development for each gun I can keep in a notebook. I really like what you use but haven’t found them. Thanks, George. Always enjoy your videos.
That was a great video on the S&W lever 44 mag. I don't know if I'd buy one. I still like the wood furniture on a rifle, I guess I'm just too old school. Take Care and Be Safe.
Amen on being old school. But I think this gun is clearly aimed at a younger market and as such it's really a nice blend of traditional lines with more modern features. I think it will be a big seller for Smith & Wesson.
Thx for the great video. Looks like we need a comparison video with more lever guns. Perhaps a Henry, and a JM stamped Marlin if one can be found. It would be interesting to hear your thoughts on all of those leverguns. And more if they can be found and acquired.
It's a great idea. I'll work on that concept.
What lever gun do you like better? I know the calibers are different but do you like the Marlin Trapper or the Smith & Wesson? Also are you getting the cheek issue with the Trapper? Awesome video, I am going to purchase my 1st lever gun soon. Thank you
The 1895 Trapper is a heavier gun even with a 4-in shorter barrel. So, from that perspective I would prefer my pistol caliber lever gun to be more like the Smith & Wesson 1894. But of course Marlon also offers the Trapper model in a pistol caliber as well. So lots to consider there. As to the cheek issue, I've never had that on any other Centerfire rifle, just on a shotgun.
I have 5 lever guns and it's nice to see that there is no waning of interest in these guns. Just all around fun guns. BTW I am also a small loop guy
A lot of fun, for sure!
I like the large lever. I"m not sure about the straight trigger. I like the hex screws in the receiver. No scopes on lever gun for me (four JM Marlins). It will probably prove to be a winner.
Thank you for another fair talk and clip.
Thanks for watching!
I prefer the curved lever like a 336. The oblong lever on the 54, in my opinion, beats both Henry levers big and small, on those uncomfortable (for me) straight stocks. Iam really hoping I can get an 1854 in 45 colt. Thanks for a great review!
Thanks for your comment. As you can see from that one segment I'll hold the lever with my pinky outside the loop. That provides for a more curved approach from my wrist. Of course this is a curved grip but by doing that on a straight stock it allows a more comfortable grip for me. As for your wish of a 45 Colt version, I believe that is on the horizon along with a version in 357 Magnum.
I like big loop for my short fat fingers and big hands, I prefer iron sights but 65 year old eyes don’t and I am not about to compromise a shot to appear traditional!
I am glad to see the inspired lever wars, price to be determined, we have already seen out to lunch prices with the Ruger Marlin.
I bought last Week a Winchester 1892 Carbine .357 but this S&W is a nice Rifle too
I love my Winchester 1892s. I need to give them some more love on the channel.
Great video George. Sold me on the Marlin😂
Haha! I hope Smith and Wesson doesn't read your comment.
I've had really bad results with 44 Mag FMJ ammos, in terms of accuracy. They were alright in a revolver in close distances, but when I used in a carbine for longer distances, they were all over the place. So, I decided to avoid FMJ ammos. Has anyone else had a similar experience?
What are your thoughts on the free play/forward 'dangle' movement in the trigger? I have seen only 2 other reviews that comment on it but did not address, so I emailed S&W and although they said it is by/part of the design, they did not specify why... Just curious on your observations. Thanks for the video.
I actually filmed the whole segment on that floppy trigger, but I decided to leave it out. The reason I left it out is because it required me to talk too much about the Marlin firearm history when this is a video about Smith & wesson. But that floppy trigger was introduced in the early 50s when Marlin split the sear and trigger shoe into two separate pieces. That is what causes the flop. And anyone who has history with Marlin is very accustomed to it, and it's no big deal.
@@TargetSuite thank you for the insight and education! Much appreciation!
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Like the green grass. Would like the classic lines wooden stock normally sized & angled lever, curved metal but plate, blued steel of an old Marlin 30 - 30.
There’s no topping that instead these things like the ugly other one from who’d Marlin sell to ?
If I understand the last part of your comment, all of the old Marlin patents have run out. That's why brands like Henry and Smith and Wesson have lever guns that share a lot of features with the historic Marlins. Unfortunately, they're also free to change things to suit their customers and corporate liking.
That's a really helpful review, George. You make some excellent observations. I'm hoping that S&W will offer this in other calibers relatively soon.
From now on, you can use a scale indicating the comfort level of the stock as it relates to your cheek. The scale can go from zero to ten. Each indicator will be demarked by a wine bottle, or in your case, a "whine" bottle. The fewer bottles, the more comfortable. Exceptionally uncomfortable cheek welds can go as high as eleven. There's a pun in there somewhere about "putting a cork in it," but I'll leave that to someone far more qualified. :))
Tom, I believe you're "divine" cartridge is on the horizon. And, I love your whine-o-meter suggestion😄
@@TargetSuite Even more fun if the bottles start out full as long as handled responsibly. :)
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Nice work on the range.
Thanks Ken. I felt like it was a project worth investing in.
Love that Marlin 1894. 😍
A fun video with a modern upgrade to the venerable lever gun.
I agree with the modern take on the lever gun. And I appreciate that Smith & Wesson didn't go all out to make it tacti-cool. There's already plenty of those out there
Great video-should be illegal. You’re having too much fun with the .44 Specials!
Those of us old enough to remember Chuck Conners blazing away on “The Rifleman”, will always have a special desire for a large loop lever gun.
However, as the owner of several Marlins, the standard loop lever is fine.
Yes, the amount of fun I have making these videos is borderline illegal😀 As to being a Chuck Connors fan, guilty as charged. I wonder if there are statistics out there for how many large loop lever guns wind up back in customer service having been "reconfigured" while trying to learn the technique😉
I find that I prefer the standard levers, generally, though I rarely shoot with heavy gloves on, so I don't know how I'd feel about it in that case. That's kind of a ranch/hunting thing in the first place, since it's not easy to LOAD a lever gun at the range with big gloves on. Whether one is OK with the standard lever wearing gloves depends, I guess, but to address using the large levers WITHOUT gloves, I doubt I would like that particular shape. The Henry large loops are well-designed for use without gloves, IMHO, because the best way to operate them with or without gloves is first to move the hand forward until the first knuckle area is at the front of the lever, nearest the trigger and then lever. If you do that, the large and standard Henry levers feel very much alike.
Great comment! Thanks for sharing that info about the Henry loops.
good looking lever gun, I'm not a fan of the look nor feel of big loops, but that one looks nice and like it might be comfortable to run. definitely not opposed to the loop like I would be for a traditional big loop.
For some reason, this oversized Loop was more pleasant to use than any others that I have tried. So you may be onto something there.
Thanks George!
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Good video! I am not a fan of the over sized lever or loop. I like how Henry gives you an option on that. But I would love to have a Winchester 92 like John Wayne's some day! I am not sure if I would buy one yet , I wonder if it is available in a blued version.
There is a blue version but it's a limited edition high polish Turkish Walnut gun, very expensive. I think the next two offerings are going to be the same gun chambered in 357 Magnum and 45 Colt.
Looks like a well designed rifle . Does it feel front heavy or well balanced , noting the heavy barrel . Most of my rifles have heavy barrels
but most of the time I shoot from a rest . Great video and looks like a great rifle . You have a blessed one .
Hi Spencer. It does balance about an inch farther forward than the Marlin 1894, right after your hand gets up on the forend.
I used to be a fan of Henry till I recently bought a stainless Ruger made Marlin in .45-70, and can't believe the fit and finish.
Amen! If you have an eye for that sort of thing, there really is a difference
Honestly I would prefer wood stocks. I do appreciate their execution of the design. Thanks for another great video!
Thanks for watching and thank you for your comment! And like you, I do appreciate woodstocks and blued steel.
great review
Thanks!
Great video thanks
Thanks for watching!
Great info from a lever action lover.
Guilty as charged😉
Hey! Nice Marlin.
Hello George :
I think the Smith & Wesson 44 mag rifle is nice, but I wished that they would offer it in a wood addition rather than just synthetic !
PS. Also in the Blue not only stainless !
Thanks for the video. It was very well done 👍
Hello Hans! Great to hear from you. They did make a finely finished limited edition blued steel with Turkish Walnut variation. But it's limited numbers and very expensive. I suspect they'll get around to something traditional at some point. At least, I hope they do
Thank you
You're welcome!
Another video showed a floppy trigger on the S & W. Does your's?
Yes. Much of the DNA of this rifle is borrowed from the Marlin model 336. And in the early 1950s Marlin separated the sear and the trigger shoe on that gun making it a two-piece design and introducing the Marlin trigger flop. So, to an old Marlin fan that is normal. But I can see from some of the comments that it's getting a lot of attention from people not familiar with the 70+-year-old design.
So sorry I was not able to have lunch with you the other day when you were passing through. Hope it was satisfactory. Wild Bill has some good small town food for sure. First impressions on this reviewed rifle.....it seems bulky. IDK....just guess I'm a Marlin guy. I see you still got that flinch lol.
Max, we'll get together one of these trips. And, you are right about that flinch. I was trying to calculate the other day how many more steel plates I would hit without that flinch. I came up with one per video. So until that number increases dramatically I'm not going to worry about it😀😀
@@TargetSuite 😁 me neither !!
George, do you know if they will offer it in 357?
I believe they will offered in 357 Magnum and 45 Colt as well.
Much prefer the function and style of the standard loop
I prefer the wood and blue and the small loop. It would be cool to see SW come out with this in 500 SW.
Thanks for your comment! I asked Smith & Wesson about this at Shot Show and clearly they had thought about their two big Magnum cartridges. My preference would be the 460 because it is a faster round. But, most likely both the 460 and the 500 have too much pressure to be contained in such a small receiver. Now, what if they came out with a magnum version of this little carbine and chambered it in their high performance rounds? Oh my!
Very nice rifle 🇺🇸 🇳🇿
Great info thank you for the review. You are the first one I have seen mention the mlok oddity. Maybe your the first to read the manual also lol. Also I would like to donate some box whine and shredded cheese to the channel lol. Always informative thank you keep it up.
Haha! Great to hear from you, Elijah! We're still dreaming of a new precision bench 22LR😉
@@TargetSuite 🤣🤣🤣Always a pleasure my friend.
Small loop and straight stock for me