New Product Highlight: Smith & Wesson Adds .45-70 Government To The Model 1854

In 1873, the U.S. Army got a new rifle cartridge. It was such a hit that civilians snatched it up for hunting North America’s biggest game animals. You know it, you love it, it’s the .45-70 Government.

Now, in 2025, the Smith & Wesson Model 1854 line of lever-action rifles is adding .45-70 Govt to its list of available options.

Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Specs & Features

Specs

• Caliber: .357 Mag, .44 Mag, .45 Colt, .45-70 Govt
• Action: Lever action
• Capacity: 6+1 to 10+1
• Stock: Black synthetic, walnut
• Sights: XS Sights ghost ring rear, gold bead front
• Barrel Length: 20”
• Overall Length: 37.8”
• Weight: 7.1 lbs
• MSRP: $1,279 to $1,499

Features

• .45-70 Govt joins .357 Mag, .44 Mag, and .45 Colt
• Available with a walnut or synthetic stock
• Iron sights and a receiver-mounted Picatinny rail

Smith & Wesson Model 1854

$1,179

at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$1,179 at GrabAGun

• GrabAGun (See Price)
• Battlehawk Armory (See Price)
• Palmetto State Armory (See Price)

Prices accurate at time of writing

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We like Smith & Wesson’s lineup of .357 Mag, .44 Mag, and .45 Colt, but there are times when you just feel like dropping the big hammer.

For more than 150 years, .45-70 Govt has proven its worth as a hunting, military, and defensive round. You can find ammunition ranging from (relatively) speedy 250-grain bullets to punishing 525-grain +P ammo. Take your pick!

As with the Model 1854’s original launch, there are two versions.

First up is an all-weather configuration with a black synthetic stock and a stainless steel receiver, barrel, magazine tube, and forend cap. This one also gets an M-LOK slot on either side of the forend.

For those who prefer a more traditional lever gun, there’s the classic combination of stainless steel finished in black Armorite and a walnut stock.

Both feature an oversized loop, flat-faced trigger, cross-bolt safety, and a six-round tube magazine.

The Model 1854 has an XS Sights ghost ring rear sight and gold bead front sight, as well as a receiver-mounted Picatinny rail so you can add a scope if you prefer.

There is no Stealth Hunter version in .45-70 Govt at this time. Based on the popularity of modern lever guns, it’s probably not a stretch to think we’ll see one eventually, though.

The big-bore 1854 comes with a bump in price, too. Expect to pay $100 or more for whichever version you choose.

Smith & Wesson lists an MSRP of $1,399 for the Model 1854 in .45-70 Govt ($1,499 with the walnut stock).

Now, is .30-30 Win on the way? It has to be, right?

What do you think of the new Smith & Wesson Model 1854? Let us know below. For more timeless hunting rifles, check out our guide to the Best Lever Action Rifles!