The original Model 22 was introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1951 as the Model 1950 .45 Army. It wasn’t until 1957, when S&W started assigning number codes to the various models, that it became the Model 22.
Smith & Wesson got on top of the situation and, working with Springfield Armory, developed the.45 Ejector Model of 1917 and later the Model 22 made to chamber the .45 ACP. To make matters simple, a half-moon clip was designed to hold the rimless .45 ACP cartridges within the confines of the cylinder.
The Smith and Wesson Model 22-4 chambered in 45ACP is not just the next Smith and Wesson revolver. It is a revolver in which Smith and Wesson partnered with Clint Smith of Thunder Ranch to come up with what many have said to be the ultimate home and self defense revolver. Today I ventured out to the range to see what all the hype was about.