What’s better than a .500 S&W Levergun? One that’s Threaded!

New for this year from Big Horn Armory is the Model 89 Tactical.  This .500 S&W chambered lever gun will feature a muzzle brake, scout scope mount, rear peep and front iron sights, and an aluminum Mlok fore-end section for mounting accessories.  The main fore-end and buttstock will be made out of a dark grey laminate, as opposed to the polymer stock that was on the display model available at the range.  The Muzzle brake may also change slightly in design once this new rifle comes to market.

Big Horn Armory Model 89 Tactical Prototype

Big Horn Armory aims to get the Model 89 Tactical out to the public by mid-June of 2022, and has a rough target MSRP of $3500, about $1000 more than their base model 89.  The muzzle is threaded 3/4×28, so this big boomer can be quieted down a bit by the addition of a big bore can like the Bowers Vers 50 via Bowers’ 3/4×28 Versadapt insert.

Big Horn Armory Model 89 Tactical Prototype

First Impressions

I got the chance to shoot the Model 89 Tactical with and without the brake.  Big Horn does a great job of providing a nice buttpad with their stocks, so recoil wasn’t very rough without the brake. Shooting with the brake, however, I could notice a big difference in how well I was able to stay on target and how fast I could shoot a follow-up shot. For anyone looking for a big-bore lever gun that has multiple mounting solutions for optics, lights and lasers, and also the capability to be a bit more quiet, the Big Horn Model 89 Tactical should be worth a look.

Big Horn Armory Model 89 Tactical Prototype with thread protector instead of brake

Big Horn Armory Model 89 Tactical Prototypes

For more new products and releases, keep it tuned to TFB’s SHOT 2022 coverage.

For more information on the Model 89, please visit Big Horn Armory.