Squat Squad, revolver people are eating good today. Smith & Wesson just announced two new big-bore wheel guns with military roots: the Model 22 of 1917 Classic and the Model 22 Classic. Both are blued, six-shot N-frames in .45 with smooth walnut stocks and an old-school lanyard loop. One is a faithful nod to the WWI service revolver. The other is the more practical take, with a shorter barrel and a cylinder that runs both .45 ACP and .45 Colt.
Quick note: this article is based on Smith & Wesson’s press release and its product pages. We haven’t shot either one yet. Heads-up on naming: the release calls the 5.5-inch gun the “Model 22 of 1917 Classic,” while S&W’s website lists it as the “Model 1917 Classic.” Same revolver, SKU 14057.
TL;DR
- Model 22 of 1917 Classic: .45 ACP only, 5.5″ barrel, half-moon front sight, built to look like the original WWI service revolver.
- Model 22 Classic: runs .45 ACP (with moon clips) or .45 Colt, 4″ barrel, serrated ramp front sight for easier sight pickup.
- Both: blued carbon steel N-frame, 6 rounds, DA/SA, smooth walnut stocks, lanyard loop, gutter-style rear sight, no internal lock.
- In the box: five full moon clips, per S&W’s product pages.
- Availability: S&W says the Model 22 Classic is available starting today.
Model 22 of 1917 Classic: the history piece
This is the one for collectors and military history nerds. The original M1917 was the revolver the U.S. Army pressed into service in World War I, when there weren’t enough 1911s to go around. Since .45 ACP is a rimless cartridge, it was loaded with half-moon clips, and that’s the whole charm of this gun.
Smith & Wesson’s spec list for the new one:
- Caliber: .45 ACP (45 AUTO), 6 rounds
- Frame: N-frame, blued carbon steel
- Barrel: 5.5″, blued carbon steel, 1:16″ twist
- Action: double action / single action
- Sights: authentic half-moon front, gutter-style rear
- Cylinder: cut for moon clips, works with both original-style half-moon clips and modern full-moon clips
- Grips: smooth walnut stocks
- Extras: original-style lanyard loop, no internal lock
- Weight: 36.6 oz (per S&W’s site)
Model 22 Classic: the one you’ll actually shoot more
The Model 22 Classic keeps the same military look but makes it friendlier for the range. It gets a 4″ barrel and a serrated ramp front sight instead of the half-moon blade. The big deal is the cylinder. S&W says you can shoot .45 ACP in moon clips or drop .45 Colt straight into the cylinder. One revolver, two of the most classic .45 cartridges out there.
- Caliber: .45 ACP (with moon clips) and .45 Colt, 6 rounds
- Frame: N-frame, blued carbon steel
- Barrel: 4″, blued carbon steel, 1:16″ twist
- Action: double action / single action
- Sights: serrated ramp front, gutter-style rear
- Grips: smooth walnut stocks
- Extras: original-style lanyard loop, no internal lock
- Weight: 35.6 oz (per S&W’s site)
Why moon clips matter
If you’ve never run a moon-clip revolver, here’s the short version. The clip holds all six rimless .45 ACP rounds together, so you load and unload the whole cylinder in one go. It’s fast, and it’s a big reason .45 ACP wheel guns are still popular for competition and just plain fun range days. The downside is that you need clips and a way to load and unload them. S&W ships five full moon clips with each gun, so you’re set out of the box. On the Model 22 Classic, .45 Colt is your no-clip option.
Who it’s for
- Collectors and military history fans who want the M1917 look without hunting down (and shooting) a 100-year-old original. That’s the 1917 Classic.
- Revolver purists who care about blued steel, walnut and no internal lock.
- Range shooters and handloaders who want one big N-frame for both .45 ACP and .45 Colt. That’s the Model 22 Classic.
Neither one is a carry gun or an optics-ready competition build. These are heritage revolvers for people who appreciate heritage revolvers.
Our take
I’m a sucker for this kind of release. Bringing back the half-moon front sight and the lanyard loop shows S&W actually cares about the details, and dropping the internal lock is exactly what revolver guys have been asking for. If I had to pick one, it’s the Model 22 Classic. The 4″ barrel handles better, the ramp sight is easier to see, and being able to shoot .45 Colt when you’re out of moon clips is a real practical win. The 1917 Classic is the one for the safe and the history shelf. The flip side: these are heavy all-steel guns with fixed sights and no rail, and moon clips are their own little hobby. This is also coming right after S&W bought Savage Arms, so it’s nice to see the company still putting love into its classic revolver line. I’d love to get both on the range and see how that DA pull feels.
Where to find it
KYGUNCO already has listings up for the Model 22 Classic (SKU 14058) and the Model 22 of 1917 Classic (SKU 14057). Stock will vary as they ship.
Related reading on SlavGuns
- Smith & Wesson Buys Savage Arms: What It Means for Bolt Guns, AccuCan, and the Stance XR
- Ruger Custom Shop First Look: 9mm Super GP100, Officer-Style 1911 and Billet 10/22s
Sources
- Press release via The Outdoor Wire: Smith & Wesson Introduces the New Model 22 of 1917 Classic and Model 22 Classic Revolvers
- Smith & Wesson: Model 22 Classic and Model 1917 Classic product pages
Which one would you take home, the 1917 Classic for the history or the Model 22 Classic for the range? Let me know in the comments. Keep on squatting!
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