Smith Wesson 1854 America 250 Limited Edition Lever Action – Superb 45-70 Govt, 20 in. Threaded, 6+1

Description

The Smith Wesson 1854 America 250 is a limited-edition run of Smith & Wesson’s 1854 lever gun built to mark the country’s 250th year, and the commemorative work is real metal engraving rather than a printed finish. Underneath it is a working 45-70: a 20-inch Armornite-treated threaded barrel, a stainless receiver with a Picatinny rail on top and six rounds in the tube.

What Makes the Smith Wesson 1854 America 250 a Limited Edition

The engraving on the Smith Wesson 1854 America 250 is cut into the Armornite-finished stainless receiver, which is why it reads as depth rather than as a decal under light. Smith & Wesson produced this configuration as a marked run tied to the 250th anniversary, so the number built is fixed and it will not be reissued.

Collectors should keep the box, the papers and any numbered documentation together. Complete commemorative rifles hold value far better than ones that lost their paperwork, and that gap widens over time.

The 45-70 Cartridge and What It Does

Forty-five seventy is an old cartridge that never went away because nothing replaced what it does: a heavy, wide, slow bullet that hits hard inside two hundred yards. It is a serious brush and big-game round, and in a lever gun it is fast to cycle. It is also not subtle — recoil out of a twenty-inch barrel is stout, and most shooters find twenty rounds in a session is plenty.

Ammunition splits into two worlds: mild cowboy loads that are pleasant to shoot, and heavy hunting loads that are not. Buy accordingly.

In the Smith Wesson 1854 America 250 the cartridge is paired with a threaded muzzle, which is a modern answer to an old complaint about recoil.

Barrel, Optics and Handling

The 20-inch barrel is threaded at the muzzle, which is unusual on a lever gun and opens the door to a brake or a suppressor. The receiver-mounted Picatinny rail means a scout scope or a low-power variable mounts without drilling, and the Smith Wesson 1854 America 250 still runs iron sights underneath if you prefer them.

Walnut forend and fixed stock give it the weight and balance people expect from a lever action, and the M-LOK-free traditional furniture keeps the classic lines intact.

Owners of the Smith Wesson 1854 America 250 who mount glass usually settle on a low-power variable and keep the irons as a backup.

Smith Wesson 1854 America 250 Specifications

Who the Smith Wesson 1854 America 250 Is For

This suits the buyer who wants a commemorative rifle that is still worth taking to the woods. It is a legitimate hunting gun for deer, bear and hogs at lever-gun distances, and it is equally at home over a mantel. If you only want the collectible and never intend to fire it, that is a reasonable purchase too — just know you are paying for a threaded barrel and a rail you will not use.

Anyone buying a first 45-70 should handle one first. The recoil is real.

The Smith Wesson 1854 America 250 also makes sense as a gift or milestone purchase, since a dated commemorative marks the year in a way a standard rifle does not.

Shooting and Ammunition Notes

Plan on 300 to 405 grain loads for hunting and lighter cowboy-action loads for practice. Lever guns are sensitive to overall cartridge length, so stick to factory ammunition or established handloads rather than anything long-seated. The Smith Wesson 1854 America 250 feeds from a tube magazine, which means flat-point or polymer-tipped bullets only — never pointed spitzers.

A recoil pad and a shooting glove make a range session considerably more pleasant.

Optics, Slings and Accessories

The Picatinny rail takes a scout-style scope or a 1-6x variable comfortably. Heavy magnification is wasted on a 45-70 at the ranges it is useful. Sling studs accept any standard sling, and a padded one is worth it on a rifle this heavy.

Because the muzzle is threaded, a brake will cut felt recoil noticeably at the cost of a sharp increase in noise for everyone beside you.

We can fit and zero an optic on the Smith Wesson 1854 America 250 before it ships if you buy the glass with the rifle — just ask.

Ordering and FFL Transfer

We ship to your local FFL after we receive a copy of their license. If you have a preferred dealer, tell us at checkout and we will coordinate directly with them. Pennsylvania buyers can complete the transfer with us in Collegeville.

If you want the Smith Wesson 1854 America 250 held for a scheduled pickup in Collegeville rather than shipped, say so in the order notes.

Browse more rifles in stock at MAG5 Firearms, or see the manufacturer page for the Smith & Wesson line.

Every firearm we ship leaves our Collegeville, Pennsylvania shop through a licensed FFL dealer and must be transferred to you by an FFL in your state. Questions about optics, sling swivels or ammunition? Call or email us before you order and we will make sure the rifle matches what you actually need.