The Model 1917 Classic and Model 22 Classic have been a reminder that blued steel, walnut grips, and six rounds still get people excited.
I’ll admit it: I underestimated this release.
When Smith & Wesson introduced the Model 1917 Classic and Model 22 Classic, I didn’t expect the response we’ve seen at Gunprime. I figured revolver enthusiasts would appreciate them, but I didn’t anticipate just how popular they would be.
Judging by the response, I wasn’t the only one who underestimated the appeal.
In a business where so much attention goes toward optics-ready pistols, higher capacity, and the next new thing, these two revolvers offer something familiar: classic styling and a connection to Smith & Wesson’s history.
Customers have responded.
Model 1917 Classic: History Is the Attraction
The Model 1917 Classic leans into its military heritage with a 5.5-inch barrel, half-moon front sight, smooth walnut grips, and a lanyard loop. Built on Smith & Wesson’s large N-frame, it holds six rounds of .45 ACP and accepts both half-moon and full-moon clips. Five full-moon clips come with it.
It also comes without an internal lock, a detail longtime Smith & Wesson fans will appreciate.
Visually, the combination works. The blued finish, walnut grips, and long barrel give it a distinctive profile. You don’t have to study the specifications to understand why someone would want one.
For a buyer who appreciates military-inspired firearms, this is an opportunity to own that classic style in a newly manufactured revolver.
Model 22 Classic: A Shorter Barrel and Two Calibers
The Model 22 Classic takes a similar look in a slightly different direction.
Its 4-inch barrel makes it shorter than the 1917, and a serrated ramp front sight replaces the half-moon blade. It retains the walnut grips, blued finish, lanyard loop, and six-round capacity. Like the 1917, it has no internal lock.
The biggest distinction is its chambering: the Model 22 Classic accepts both .45 ACP with moon clips and .45 Colt loaded directly into the cylinder.
That gives it an appealing combination of traditional styling and ammunition flexibility. And despite the Model 22 name, this is very much a big-bore revolver—not a .22-caliber handgun.
Both models carry a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $1,299.
What I Missed About This Release
My takeaway from behind the counter is that it’s easy to underestimate how much people still appreciate a traditional revolver.
We spend so much time watching new features that we can overlook the appeal of a familiar design done well. Some buyers enjoy the history. Others like the appearance, the mechanical character, or the chance to add something different to their collection.
I can’t speak for every buyer’s reasons. But I can speak to the response we’ve seen: these two have been really popular.
Smith & Wesson clearly understood the audience for this release better than I did.
I expected a couple of nice additions to the Classic lineup. Our customers reminded me to pay closer attention.
