Smith & Wesson has brought back two N-frame .45-caliber revolvers under its Classic banner, announcing the Model 22 of 1917 Classic and the Model 22 Classic on October 27, 2026. Both are shipping to dealers now at an MSRP of $1,299.

Smith & Wesson N-Frame .45 Classics
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The Model 22 of 1917 Classic (SKU 14057) is the closer historical reproduction. It carries a 5.5-inch blued barrel with a half-moon blade front sight and a topstrap-cut rear notch, chambers .45 ACP only, and ships with five moon clips. A lanyard ring sits at the heel of the grip frame, keeping faith with the original US and Allied military service revolvers of the World War I era. The Model 22 Classic (SKU 14058) takes a four-inch barrel with a serrated ramp front sight and adds cylinder compatibility for both .45 ACP — via moon clips — and rimmed .45 Colt, making it the more versatile of the pair.

Both revolvers share the same N-frame architecture: blued carbon steel, six-round cylinder, and double/single-action lockwork. Guns.com's coverage of the announcement noted that neither new model carries an internal lock, a feature Smith & Wesson collectors have sought for years and a detail that should further drive demand for both Classics among action-revolver shooters and N-frame enthusiasts alike.

The N-frame has a long history as S&W's large-bore platform and is the same family of action used on the Model 29 in .44 Magnum. The Model 22 lineage traces to the M1917, which saw wide service when the Army needed to supplement its 1911 supply in 1917. Smith & Wesson's commercial version became one of the most popular large-caliber revolvers of the 20th century, and the current Classic editions follow an earlier limited reintroduction in 2007.

With walnut stocks and blued carbon steel, both revolvers sit squarely in the Classic product tier Smith & Wesson has been expanding over the past several years. Availability through authorized dealers began immediately after the announcement. Buyers looking for a dual-caliber option will find the Model 22 Classic the more practical choice; those wanting the most historically accurate reproduction should head toward the 1917 Classic. Both list directly on the Smith & Wesson website.