Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter in .30-30 — New for 2025
November 6, 2025
Smith & Wesson just added .30-30 Winchester to its modernized lever-gun lineup, the Model 1854 Stealth Hunter. Think classic deer-woods cartridge meets today’s features: optics rail, threaded barrel, M-LOK forend, and weatherproof finishes. If you want a grab-and-go whitetail or ranch rifle with easy accessorizing, this one’s squarely in season.
What’s new and why it matters: The Stealth Hunter package takes the 1854’s polymer/metal chassis and leans into utility—short 16.5″ barrel for quick handling, extended top rail for optics (LPVO or red dot + magnifier), and a threaded muzzle for brakes or suppressors. Chambering it in .30-30 Win brings an American classic back into the fold with modern ergonomics and mounting real estate. For whitetail hunters, that’s “bolt-gun performance within lever-gun speed”—and maintenance that shrugs off bad weather. (One quip, then we’ll behave: it’s like your granddad’s thuddy-thuddy rolled up to deer camp in trail shoes.)
Key Specs — Model 1854 Stealth Hunter (.30-30)
| Platform | Rifle (lever-action) |
| Action | Lever, large-loop; cross-bolt safety |
| Caliber | .30-30 Winchester |
| Barrel length / Weight | 16.5″ stainless, threaded (5/8×24) / ~6.9 lb |
| Capacity | 5+1 |
| Overall length | ~34.3″ |
| MSRP / Street | MSRP around $1,399; early street pricing varies |
Feature Highlights
- Extended top Picatinny rail — mounts scopes, red dots, or a low-power variable optic without aftermarket bases.
- Threaded barrel — 5/8×24 for brakes or suppressors; ships with a thread protector.
- M-LOK forend — easy attachment of a bipod, light, or sling-mounted accessories.
- Weather-resistant build — stainless barrel and treated metal surfaces with a blacked-out finish for foul-weather hunts.
- High-visibility sights — ghost-ring rear paired with a bright front insert for fast shots inside 150 yards.
Field Use: Who It’s For
Whitetail hunters get a handy, short-barreled lever that carries light, clears brush easily, and pairs perfectly with modern optics. Ranch and woods carry benefits from the fast follow-up shots of a lever gun, while the threaded muzzle lets you tame recoil or go quiet where legal. Range and training folks will appreciate an out-of-box rail system that doesn’t require gunsmithing to mount glass or a light—plus the ergonomics are friendlier to new shooters than many vintage lever platforms.
How It Compares
Versus traditional wood-stock .30-30s, the Stealth Hunter’s modular forend and long rail simplify optics choice and eye relief. Against “tactical” pistol-caliber levers, .30-30 offers better terminal performance past 150 yards with common deer loads. If you’re eyeing a bolt gun in .308 for the same job, the 1854 trades some raw reach for faster cycling and a tidier overall length in the blind.
Buying Notes & Availability
Initial configurations emphasize the all-black, weatherized Stealth Hunter aesthetic with the short stainless barrel. Expect early demand through fall and regional availability to ebb and flow with deer season. If you’re cross-shopping, compare it against other lever-action rifles and browse Smith & Wesson models on our catalog to see how specs and weights stack up.
Spec Table — At a Glance
| Type | Lever-action rifle |
| Magnification (optic) | N/A — extended rail supports scopes/red dots |
| Mount | Integral Picatinny top rail; M-LOK forend |
| Weight | ~6.9 lb (unloaded) |
| Length | ~34.3″ OAL |
| Notable features | Threaded 16.5″ barrel (5/8×24), ghost-ring sights, large-loop lever, weatherized finish |
| MSRP | Approx. $1,399 |
Want to explore more .30-30 options or compare weights and barrel lengths? Start with our lever-action rifles category, then drill into the Smith & Wesson brand page for the full Model 1854 family.