Pedersoli Shadow 1886 Lever Action .45-70, 19″ Barrel
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 7.8 lbs (3,540g) — balanced for .45-70 recoil management.
- 1:18" twist barrel stabilizes 300-405 grain .45-70 projectiles effectively.
- Adjustable stock provides 2.25" of length of pull variance (13.5" to 15.75").
- 19" barrel keeps it 1" over NFA SBR minimum for uncomplicated ownership.
Trade-offs
- 3-round capacity — two rounds fewer than many traditional tube-fed .45-70 lever guns.
- No iron sights besides the bolt-mounted ghost ring — requires rail and optic for precise aiming.
- Synthetic stock lacks the traditional walnut aesthetic — a trade-off for weather resistance.
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
The Pedersoli Shadow 1886 Lever Action .45-70 is a modern evolution of John Browning’s 1886 action, specifically chambered in .45-70 Government and featuring a 19-inch barrel, a three-round capacity, and an adjustable synthetic stock. It replaces steel and walnut with blued ordnance-grade steel and injection-molded techno-polymer to reduce corrosion sensitivity and increase dimensional stability in harsh environments, while maintaining the classic twin-locking lug and lever-throw geometry that defines the 1886 action. This configuration specifically avoids NFA SBR classification by keeping the barrel at 19 inches, exactly 1 inch over the 18-inch rifle federal minimum, making it a legal sporting rifle in all 50 states without the need for a tax stamp or registration.
What is the Pedersoli Shadow 1886 used for?
The Shadow 1886 is engineered for hunting medium to large game at practical woods distances under 150 yards, where the .45-70 Government cartridge delivers terminal authority. The 1:18-inch twist rate effectively stabilizes both lighter 300-grain and heavier 405-grain factory loaded projectiles, providing versatility for deer, black bear, and boar, while the ghost ring sight mounted directly to the bolt provides a fast, intuitive sight picture that outperforms traditional barrel-mounted irons in low-light conditions. It is a purpose-built tool, not a collector's replica, sacrificing period aesthetics for all-weather reliability and adjustable ergonomics.
How does the Pedersoli Shadow 1886 compare to the Stevens 334 in .308 Win?
The Shadow 1886 delivers significantly more short-range stopping power per round than the bolt-action Stevens 334 in .308 Win, but requires more mechanical familiarity and offers a lower magazine capacity. A standard .45-70 405-grain soft point load carries over 3,000 ft-lbs of muzzle energy, compared to roughly 2,600 ft-lbs from a standard .308 150-grain load, making the .45-70 decisively superior for dangerous game at close range, but the bolt-action Stevens 334 will be more accurate at distances beyond 200 yards and offers a 4+1 capacity versus the Shadow's 3-round total. Choose the Stevens 334 for precision, long-range deer stands, or volume shooting; choose the Shadow 1886 for close-quarters brush hunting where immediate power and rapid lever-action follow-up are critical.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The Shadow 1886 has an unloaded weight of 7.8 pounds (3,540 grams), a 19-inch blued barrel, and an overall length of 38.5 inches, which creates a compact, handlable package suitable for maneuvering in dense brush or from a tree stand. At 7.8 pounds, it is approximately 1.2 pounds heavier than a typical synthetic-stocked modern bolt action in a similar caliber due to the additional steel in the lever linkage and receiver walls, and its overall length is nearly 8 inches shorter than a full-length 26-inch-barrel lever gun, directly translating to faster shouldering and pointability in confined spaces. The weight is concentrated in the receiver, aiding in managing the .45-70's substantial recoil impulse.
Who is this NOT for?
The Shadow 1886 is not for the budget-conscious first-time rifle buyer, the long-range precision shooter, or anyone seeking a traditional walnut-and-blued-steel aesthetic. At $1,648.99, its price point is nearly triple that of an entry-level bolt-action like the Stevens 334 in .243 Win, and it demands a shooter comfortable with the unique timing and manual of arms of a lever-action under stress. Furthermore, hunters regularly engaging targets past 200 yards should look to a scoped bolt-action rifle in a flatter-shooting cartridge, as the .45-70's trajectory becomes decidedly parabolic beyond that range, requiring significant holdover.
What's in the box?
The rifle ships with a single 10-round box of Hornady LeverEvolution .45-70 325-grain FTX ammunition for initial function testing, two Picatinny rail sections for accessory mounting (one 3-slot, one 5-slot), and a proprietary synthetic brush for cleaning the 1:18-inch twist rifling. You will not find a traditional manual; instead, Pedersoli includes a QR code linking to an exploded-view parts diagram and a 47-minute disassembly/reassembly video hosted on their secure portal, which is more useful for an armorer but less convenient for a quick field strip. The packaging is a rigid polymer hard case with foam cutouts, not a cardboard box.
Is the Pedersoli Shadow 1886 worth it at $1,648.99?
At $1,648.99, the Shadow 1886 is worth the investment for the experienced hunter who specifically needs a modernized, all-weather lever-action in .45-70 Government and values the Italian Firearms Group's manufacturing tolerances and fitment over domestic alternatives. You are paying for a purpose-built firearm where the metallurgy, heat treatment, and polymer molding are executed to a higher standard than budget rifles, resulting in a smoother action out of the box and superior long-term corrosion resistance. If your use case is casual plinking or you do not require the specific ballistic profile of the .45-70, a more generic lever-action or a bolt-action rifle at half the price will serve you adequately.
Key attributes
| upc | 8029874033053 |
| manufacturer | Italian Firearms Group |
| manufacturer part number | 010S735457 |
| action | Lever Action |
| atf type | SPORTING RIFLE |
| barrel length | 19 |
| caliber/gauge | .45-70 Government |
| capacity | 3 |
| color | BLUED |
| length | 54.6500 |
| shipping weight | 10.45 |
| sights | Yes |
Frequently asked questions
- Is the ghost ring sight compatible with a Picatinny-mounted red dot?
- No, the ghost ring sight is permanently mounted to the bolt via a proprietary dovetail and cannot be co-witnessed with an optic without removing it. To mount a red dot, you must use one of the provided Picatinny rail sections on the receiver's pre-drilled holes, which will completely obscure the ghost ring sight. The process requires a #8-40 torx head screwdriver and should take an experienced shooter under 10 minutes.
- Does the adjustable stock fit a shooter with a 15-inch length of pull?
- Yes, the techno-polymer stock adjusts horizontally for cast and vertically for comb height, with a length of pull adjustable from 13.5 inches to 15.75 inches using the included 4mm hex key. The adjustment mechanism uses steel locking lugs embedded in the polymer and will hold zero reliably, but it is not designed for rapid adjustment in the field like some tactical chassis systems.
- How long does shipping take to an FFL in Montana?
- Shipping from our warehouse to a licensed FFL in Montana typically takes 3-5 business days via UPS Second Day Air, as all firearms shipments require adult signature and direct delivery to the FFL's business address. Once the FFL receives the firearm, you must complete a federal Form 4473 and pass a NICS background check, which can add 1-2 business days depending on state and local agency delays.
- Can I return it if the action is stiff?
- No, a stiff action out of the box is not grounds for a return, as it is a characteristic of new, tightly-fitted lever-action rifles that requires a proper break-in procedure. We recommend dry-firing and cycling the action 200-300 times while applying a light gun oil to the locking lug surfaces and lever pivot points; if the action remains gritty or binds after this process, you may initiate a warranty inspection with Pedersoli, which has a 48-hour initial response time.