Colt’s Blue Steel Anaconda
A New Model in the Powerful .44 Magnum
By
William Bell
Thirty-six years ago, Colt introduced the Anaconda, their first large frame double action (DA) revolver since the New Service, that was in the Colt lineup from 1898-1941. Initially, it was produced in .44 Magnum, but 3 years later, it was also offered in .45 Colt. The big wheelgun was all stainless-steel, built on an enhanced MM frame, and styled after the Python. It had a barrel with a with a vent-rib, full underlug, and target-type sights. Unfortunately, it was discontinued in 2003. Then in 2021, the stainless-steel Anaconda was reintroduced, again in .44 Magnum and later in .45 Colt.
Now the Anacondas is being offered with a polished blue finish, and can be had in 4.25”, 6” and 8” barrel lengths. For this T&E, I requested a 6” barrel version, which has a vent rib with three slots and a full underlug. A ramp integral with the rib slopes up from the barrel/frame juncture to the muzzle; where the front sight is affixed. It’s black with a finely serrated orange insert, and is replaceable. Both upper surfaces of the rib and frame top-strap, have a matte finish. The rear sight is fully adjustable for windage and elevation, and just forward of it, the top-strap is drilled and tapped for mounting an optical sight.
A close examination of my Anaconda earned it an A+ for fit and finish. The front edges of the cylinder are radiused to make holstering easier. The hammer has forward-slanting serrations, and is wide enough to allow for good purchase when thumb-cocking. The trigger-face measures 0.365” in width, with 3 grooves that help keep your finger from slipping on the trigger. My trigger pull gauge indicated the average single action (SA) pull weight was 4.88 lbs., but it felt lighter due to the width. The average DA pull weight was 9.72 lbs. and was smooth, not “stagey.” These new-era Anacondas have a V-shaped leaf mainspring, and are essentially oversized versions of the 2020 Python action. For safety, the action features a transfer bar that interposes itself between the hammer nose and the frame-mounted firing pin.
For versatility, the Anaconda has the same size grip frame as that on the Python, so any stocks that fit the Python will work on the Anaconda. The test gun came with Altamont stocks made from laminated walnut, with finger grooves, checkering and gold Colt medallions. The backstrap on the grip frame is exposed, and the stocks are hand-filling; it will remain to be seen if they tame the .44 Magnum recoil. Wood to metal fit is outstanding.
The Anaconda came in a Colt blue plastic carrying case, with a safety padlock, and owner’s manual. It has an empty weight of 53 oz. and a huge cylinder almost 2 inches in length. This offers handloaders some flexibility as the case length of the .44 Special is 1.16” and 1.285” for the .44 Magnum. Overall cartridge length is 1.615” and 1.610” respectively. So, you have some “wiggle room” as far as bullet seating goes. The frame is “bulked-up” at the rear of the top-strap and around the barrel forcing cone. It will easily handle .44 Magnum pressures.
For my shooting T&E I wanted to use both .44 Magnum and .44 Special factory ammunition. My .44 Special loads included Black Hills Factory New cartridges loaded with a 125 gr. Honey Badger solid copper bullet, which has an X-shaped nose, and flutes that project down the sides of the bullet. Then some vintage Triton Hi-Vel cartridges with a 165 gr. JHP; the jacket “petals” fold over the nose of the bullet, giving the hollow cavity a hexagonal shape. In .44 Magnum, High Desert Cartridge Co. provided their 240 gr. FMJ load that has a flat nose. From Hornady is their Custom ammunition with a 240 gr. XTP-HP.
I also wanted to use a handload. One of the most versatile loads, and one that I have been using for years is the “Skeeter Load.” If you are a handgunner and don’t know who Skeeter is – Google it! Based on the .44 Special case, it is a 240 gr. lead semi-wadcutter bullet seated atop 7.5 grains of Unique gun powder, with a standard large pistol primer. Make sure you use a good roll-crimp in the bullets crimping groove. It gives good performance without being punishing to the gun and shooter.
On range day, I set up my Garmin Xero C1 Pro chronograph to get bullet velocity measurements. I also sent a bullseye target down to the ten-yard line so I could also check my sight setting. The Anaconda was shooting to the right, so I made the proper sight adjustment; more on this later. This gave me a point of aim (POA) 6 o’clock of the center ring of the targets I was using. Of course, different bullet weights and velocities effected the point of impact (POI). The velocity data can be seen in the performance table.
To evaluate the Anacondas accuracy potential, I set up my Ransom Steady Rest on the bench, in my shooting lane. Sheets of five targets were sent to the 15-yard line, and three 5-shot groups, were fired SA, with each test cartridge. I shot the test cartridges in alphabetical order, starting with the Black Hills .44 Special load. It produced the best group among the factory cartridges, which measured 1.58.” It also had the best overall group average at 1.88;” a bit surprising considering its light bullet weight and high velocity. My Skeeter handload came in 2nd place with a best group of 1.61.” The overall the group average was for all 75 rounds fired was 2.14.” All of this data, data plus muzzle energy calculations, can be found in the performance table.
I see the 53 oz., 6” barrel Anaconda as a sixgun best suited for field use and protection against 4-legged predators. For a simulated hunting exercise, I selected a deer/big game target that resembles the upper thoracic region of a typical woodland ruminant. A white 6” bullseye labeled a “Double Lung Shot,” is in the shoulder area. It also shows the heart, liver, lungs, and arteries. I was using an indoor range, and the furthest distance I could place the target was about 30-yards. I loaded up the Anacondas cylinder with six rounds of the powerful Hornady .44 Magnum loads. Using a standing position, with a two-handed hold, I rested my right arm on the wall of the shooting booth, mimicking an impromptu tree trunk rest I’d use in the woods. All six shots were fired single action.
By this time, I’d shot over 100 rounds, and my dominant hand was sore and shaky. That being said, I ended up with one double-lung shot, two regular lung shots, a between lung and artery hit, a hole in the spine area, and one miss. With all but one shot, I might have put some meat in the freezer. The Hornady load in a real “eye-opener,” and had the hardest recoil of any ammo used that day. When shooting this round, the trigger would sometimes hesitate just a moment before the trigger return spring moved it fully forward. As the shooting test progressed, I noted the rear sight had moved slowly to the left. It dawned on me that I forgot about the small set-screw in the top of the sight that locks the sight blade in place once windage adjustments are made. Once I tightened it down – problem solved. I believe Colt should provide a sight tool, as two sizes of flat-blade, plus a tiny Torx-head screwdriver are required to adjust the sights and tighten-down the set screw.
My overall impression of the new blued Colt Anaconda in .44 Magnum was favorable. The seemingly heavy SA trigger pull had little effect on practical accuracy. The sixguns weight, combined with the Altamont grips, kept recoil manageable, but with some loads there was considerable muzzle rise. It’s not a gun for protracted shooting sessions like I did. The sights were easy to see during the bullseye and practical shooting exercises. The ejector rod was long enough to push the empty cases out with a vigorous slap. The Altamont stocks didn’t impede loading and I found my HKS Model 29 speedloader worked just fine in the Anaconda. I believe for hunting I would be inclined to mount an optic on the big sixgun. As my visual acuity has declined with age, I’ve become more acceptant of reflex type “dot” sights. They also extend your hunting time during the evening hours. For more information, go to www.colt.com.
Colt Anaconda Specifications
MECHANISM:Traditional DA/SA revolver
CALIBER: .44 Magnum/.44 Special
CAPACITY:6 cartridges
BARREL:6.0”
O/A LENGTH:13.0”
EMPTY WEIGHT: 53 oz.
SIGHTS: Serrated red ramp front, fully adjustable rear
FINISH: Polished blue-steel
STOCKS: Laminated checkered walnut from Altamont
MSRP: $1,699.00
Colt Anaconda Performance
|
Cartridge |
Ave. Velocity |
Best Grp. |
Ave. Grp. |
Ft-Pounds Muzzle Energy |
|
Black Hills Factory New .44 Spl. 125 gr. Copper Honey Badger |
1360 FPS |
1.58” |
1.88” |
513 FPE |
|
High Desert Ctg. .44 Mag. 240 gr. FMJ-FP |
1154 FPS |
2.05” |
2.19” |
710 FPE |
|
Hornady Custom .44 Mag. 240 gr. XTP-JHP |
1447 FPS |
2.28” |
2.42” |
1116 FPE |
|
Skeeter Handload .44 Spl. 240 gr. LSWC |
1042 FPS |
1.61” |
2.37” |
515 FPE |
|
Triton Hi-Vel .44 Spl. 165 gr. Bonded JHP |
1186 FPS |
1.84” |
2.09” |
578 FPE |
NOTE: Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in feet per second, 15” from the muzzle by a Garmin Xero C1 Pro chronograph, and accuracy in inches for three 5-shot groups at 15 yards.
