Smith & Wesson Resurrects Two Offerings to Fill Revolver Void

[Annihilator]

Great news from Smith & Wesson, bringing back a couple of old time revolvers, model 1917 and model 22

Smith & Wesson Resurrects Two Offerings to Fill Revolver Void

Smith & Wesson revives classic Model 22 revolvers, blending heritage with modern performance.

bearingarms.com

https://www.guns.com/news/2026/10/28/new-smith-wesson-model-22-n-frame-1917-and-classic-45s

 

[Captain O]

Daddy had a 1917 with a 7" barrel (rare). I touched off a 230-grain RNL in his bedroom and destroyed an Avon bottle called the Viking Horn (It contained Avon's "Wild Country" after shave.)

Startled the snot out of me!

I think the 1917 would make a great defensive revolver. (It would be ballistically close to shooting a 5.75" barreled 1911.)

 

[meistermash]

Well I own two of the originals 1917s
One of them however was dropped real hard and shoots a foot to the left if I remember right.
These hit me right in the thumb knuckle which is arthritic.

If these are not $1500 I may think about it.
Being able to fire the colt which I like alot would certainty help.

 

[Retired Bum]

I already have all the big bore Smiths in my stable, but I might be able to make more room for another pair, especially if they have 3-4 inch barrels.

 

[ex13F]

 

[ECS686]

My 625 is one of my favorite tevokvers. I was hoping S&W would reintroduce the blued 25 with 4” barrel but that Model 22 with 4” barrel would also be a great new wheelgun.

 

[Retired Bum]

I have a 25, 4 Inch, 45 Colt that is an absolute gem!

 

[Captain O]

I have a 25, 4 Inch, 45 Colt that is an absolute gem!

That is nice, but I have a couple of reservations about the .45 Colt in S&W's "N" frame.

1. Handloaders like to "firewall" the cartridge, causing the lighter-frame S&W pistols to shoot loose far sooner than the Ruger Redhawk and Super Blackhawk revolvers.
2. It is more costly to shoot factory .45 Colt ammunition than the .45 ACP cartridge.

This is why I think the .45 ACP/.45 Auto Rim is a far more useful cartridge than the older .45 Colt.

This is just my personal opinion. (Of course, your experience and/or mileage may vary.)

 

[Beartooth]

Very cool. I would love to have the 1917.
My grandfather died in France in WW1.
No, I never knew him, I’m old, but not that old. LOL
It would be a great way to memorialize him, while shooting some pumpkins that look like “The Hun”.

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Yes, very cool. I've been considering another large frame revolver, but didn't want to stock another caliber (like .44 Magnum/Special). I've got plenty of .45ACP. Any idea on pricing?


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[Annihilator]

My 625 is one of my favorite tevokvers. I was hoping S&W would reintroduce the blued 25 with 4” barrel but that Model 22 with 4” barrel would also be a great new wheelgun.

tevokvers…….

 

[Captain O]

I saw a note on Sportsman's Warehouse listed for $1059.00 (or thereabouts.)

I'd like to revise an earlier statement.

• The 5 1/2" barrel will launch a 230-grain bullet as will a 6 1/4" 1911. Think about that when you load the revolver with +p ammunition.

 

[Shibadog]

Y’all are a bunch of dang enablers! That. Model 22 Classic has started to burn a hole in my wallet. Got a kick out of the pup’s comment about a revolver being “better than harsh language” for self defense. Obviously never heard of .45, .44, .41, or .357 (not to mention .454, .460 or .500). I’d feel pretty confident with any wheelgun in any of those 7-though the recoil on the latter group might be a tad much, I’m pretty sure a hit would resolve any “self defense” encounter

 

[Retired Bum]

I wanna know if they are going to put short barrels on them,

 

[FNFAN]

I have a 25, 4 Inch, 45 Colt that is an absolute gem!

What kind of accuracy do you get with it? I've heard that the first couple models of the S&W M-25 had oversize forcing cones that made them less accurate than modern versions. Love the S&W N-Frame and have always wanted a .45 Colt M-25.

 

[Retired Bum]

I can do 5 to 6 inch groups from a rest, and I'm real happy with that, because I had a stroke just over 5 years ago. And wouldn't you know, I lost my right side! So now it all weak hand shooting for me

 

[Captain O]

I wanna know if they are going to put short barrels on them,

If you are having difficulty shooting left-handed, why would you want to sacrifice both velocity and accuracy potential with a shortened barrel?

 

[Retired Bum]

BTW, that's at 25 yds ^^^^^

 

[Captain O]

BTW, that's at 25 yds ^^^^^

Well... that's different.

 

[Annihilator]

Well... that's different.