Smith & Wesson Revives Two .45 Wheelguns With Old-School Looks
Smith & Wesson has launched two large-frame, double-action/single-action revolvers chambered in .45 caliber: the Model 22 of 1917 Classic and the Model 22 Classic. Both ride blued N-frames and hold six rounds. The 1917 Classic accepts only .45 ACP and comes with a 5.5-inch barrel. The standard Model 22 Classic adds .45 Colt to its chambering list and shortens the barrel to 4 inches. Gun Digest published its first look at both guns on November 5, 2026. The piece is a product preview, not a range test, so the real verdict on trigger feel and moon-clip handling still has to come from shooters who put rounds downrange.
Key Details
The specifications separate the two models in ways that matter at the counter and on the range.
- Model 22 of 1917 Classic: .45 ACP only, cylinder cut to run both half-moon and full-moon clips, 5.5-inch barrel, half-moon front sight.
- Model 22 Classic: .45 ACP through moon clips and .45 Colt loaded straight into the cylinder, 4-inch barrel, serrated ramp front sight.
- Shared features: .45 caliber, six-shot cylinder, DA/SA action, blued N-frame, smooth walnut grips, and a lanyard loop.
- Manufacturing: Smith & Wesson builds both guns with modern production methods and current quality control, while keeping the look of its original designs.
The Model 22 Classic gives the buyer two chambering options in one gun. The 1917 Classic commits to .45 ACP and the moon-clip system. Gun Digest also notes that it may earn commissions on purchases made through links on its site, and it states that its reviewers test products independently. No pricing or availability dates appear in the preview.
Background
Smith & Wesson's N-frame revolvers were built to handle heavy loads, and the .45 ACP cartridge always created a problem for revolver designers. The cartridge is rimless, so it does not headspace in a cylinder the way rimmed revolver rounds do. Moon clips solved that. A thin steel clip holds several rounds by the rim and lets the cylinder's ejector work correctly. The company's Model 1917 was a double-action revolver chambered in .45 ACP and built in large numbers during World War I, when the U.S. Army needed a .45 wheelgun that shared ammunition with the service pistol. That wartime design is the root of the 1917 Classic's half-moon clip cut. Later N-frame models, including the Model 22 line that followed, used .45 Colt, a rimmed cartridge that needs no clip. The Model 22 Classic combines both traditions in one revolver, which is why it reads as a modern take on the older guns rather than a straight reproduction.
Why It Matters for Gun Owners
Shooters who already own a .45 ACP or .45 Colt revolver will recognize what these guns offer. The 1917 Classic suits buyers who want a historic-style .45 ACP wheelgun and already keep moon clips in their range bag. The Model 22 Classic suits buyers who want flexibility, since .45 Colt ammunition is widely available from many manufacturers and works in the same cylinder without clips. Owners who pick up either gun should buy the correct clips before they buy the gun, because loose .45 ACP rounds will not sit correctly in the cylinder without them. Check the load data for .45 Colt before shooting, too. Modern .45 Colt loads run a wide pressure range, and the revolver should only handle loads the manufacturer approves. Buyers should also confirm the model's status on their state's handgun roster before ordering. Several states restrict new revolver models through roster systems, and a gun that passes federal rules can still fail state paperwork.
DownRange Analysis
Under Bruen, the test asks whether modern regulation fits the nation's historical tradition of firearm regulation. A revolver sits squarely within the protected category of arms. A historically grounded design like the 1917 Classic makes the Second Amendment argument look even simpler, because a gun of this type has served in the military for over a century. Smith & Wesson is not selling a new concept here. It is selling heritage with modern steel and tighter tolerances. For our money, the Model 22 Classic is the more useful gun. Two chamberings in one cylinder give owners a practical choice at the range, and .45 Colt ammunition keeps running costs reasonable compared with a dedicated clip-fed platform. Before you buy, wait for real pricing and a trigger test from an independent reviewer. Then get a set of moon clips, dry-fire the action, and confirm the sights suit your eyes. A revolver that stays in the safe is a waste of good walnut.
