The Newest version is a Blue Steel .44 Magnum
In 1990 Colt introduced the Anaconda double action (DA) revolver; the first large-frame, swing-out cylinder Colt since the New Service (1898-1941). It was chambered in .44 Magnum, then three years later, it was offered in .45 Colt. The Anaconda was styled after the Colt Python, was built on an enhanced MM frame, and had a barrel with a with a vent-rib, full underlug, and was made from stainless-steel. It was discontinued in 2003. Eighteen years later, the stainless-steel Anaconda was resurrected, again in .44 Magnum and later in .45 Colt. Like the 2020 Python, which was re-introduced in stainless steel; by popular demand it was later offered in a blue steel version. Now it’s the Anacondas turn.
Blue steel Anacondas are now being offered with 4.25”, 6” and 8” barrel lengths. For my test, I requested a 6” barrel version. It came with a handsome polished blue finish; the barrel rib has three vent slots, and an integral ramp that slopes up from the barrel/frame juncture, forward to the muzzle, and a full underlug. The front sight is easily removed with an Allen wrench and is black in color, with a finely serrated orange insert. 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 a scope or other optical sight.
A muzzle to butt examination of my Anaconda earned Colt an A+ for the fit and finish. The front edges of the cylinder are radiused to make holstering easier. The hammer has an oversized spur, with forward-slanting serrations, which allow for good purchase when thumb-cocking. Also, enlarged, the trigger-face measures 0.365” in width, with 3 grooves that help keep your finger from slipping on the trigger, but they’re not abrasive. The trigger pull in single and double action was impressive. My trigger pull gauge indicated the average single action (SA) pull weight was 4.88 lbs., however, the triggers width gave it a lighter feel. The average DA pull weight was 9.72 lbs. and felt smooth, not “stagey.” Unlike the original Anacondas with their coiled mainspring, the new era Anacondas have a V-shaped leaf mainspring, and are basically oversized versions of the 2020 Python action. A transfer bar interposes itself between the hammer nose and the frame-mounted firing pin for safety, and the bar is lowered out of the way when the trigger is deliberately pulled.
Colt has given the Anaconda the same size grip frame as that on the Python; therefore, any grips that fit the Python will also fit the Anaconda. The standard factory grips on the blue models are Colt-branded from Altamont. They look like laminated walnut, with finger grooves, checkering on the sides, with gold Colt medallions, and an exposed backstrap. They are hand-filling and it will remain to be seen how well they tame the .44 Magnum recoil. Wood to metal fit is outstanding.
My 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 the enormous cylinder is almost 2 inches in length, which offers handloaders some flexibility in bullet seating. The frame is “bulked up” at the rear of the top-strap and around the barrel forcing cone, and will handle .44 Magnum pressures easily.
For the Anaconda T&E I decided to use both .44 Magnum and .44 Special 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 I have some aged 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. supplied me with their 240 gr. FMJ load that has a flat nose. From Hornady is their Custom ammunition with a 240 gr. XTP-HP. Last is HSM Cowboy Action Cartridges, that have a 200 gr. round nose flat point lead bullet.
This large, hefty Colt sixgun in my opinion, needs to be carried in a heavy-duty belt holster, and I have a good one from my friends at DeSantis. It is their Dual Angle Hunter Model 016 and it features separate belt slots for conventional hip draw or cross draw. It’s constructed of premium saddle leather and molded to the specific gun it is intended to carry. Its double-stitched where is needs to be, and is suede lined. Available in tan leather, it accommodates belts up to 1.75″ wide.
On range day, I readied 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 chronograph and check my sight setting simultaneously. I observed the Anaconda was shooting to the right, and made the proper sight adjustment. A little more on the sight later. This gave me a point of aim (POA) 6 o’clock of the center ring of the target. I found that with differing bullet weights and velocities, point of impact (POI) was slightly higher or lower. The velocity data can be seen in the performance table.
For an accuracy potential evaluation of the Anaconda, I set up my Ransom Steady Rest on the bench, in my shooting lane. I sent a sheet with 5 bullseye targets to the 15-yard line, and fired three 5-shot groups, SA, with each of the test cartridges. I basically shot the test cartridges in alphabetical order, starting with the Black Hills load. It actually produced the best group, which measured 1.58” and also had the best overall group average at 1.88.” I was a bit surprised given its light bullet weight and high velocity for a .44 Special. For 75 rounds of .44 Magnum and .44 Special fired; overall the group average was 2.14.” All the accuracy data plus muzzle energy calculations can be found in the performance table.
In my estimation a 53 oz., 6” barrel revolver is most useful in the field for hunting or protection against 4-legged predators. With this in mind, I selected a target that resembles the upper thoracic region of a typical ruminant. In the shoulder area is a white 6” bullseye that is labeled a “Double Lung Shot.” It also depicts the heart, liver, lungs, and arteries. I sent this target down to the 30-yard line, which was the furthest distance at the range I was using. As the most powerful load I had was the Hornady Custom in .44 Magnum, I decided to use it. I loaded up the Anacondas cylinder, then in a standing position, with a two-handed hold, I rested my right arm on the wall of the shooting booth, much as I would do using a tree trunk in the woods and fired six shots single action.
The next .44 Magnum I test; I think I’m going to do the practical shooting exercise first. By this time, I’d shot over 100 rounds, my hand was sore, and to say I was a bit shaky would be an apt description. At any rate, I ended up with one double lung shot, two regular lung shots, a between lung and artery hit, a spine shot, and one that flew over the animals back by about 0.25.” With all but one shot, I might have harvested some venison. That Hornady load is a real “rip-roarer,” and had the hardest recoil of any load used that day. Interestingly, I found that when shooting this round, the trigger would hesitate just a moment before the trigger return spring moved it forward to fire the next shot.
Overall, I was impressed with the new Colt Anaconda in .44 Magnum. What seemed a somewhat heavy SA trigger pull, turned out to have little or no effect on accuracy. The sixguns weight, combined with the Altamont grips, kept recoil and muzzle-flip manageable, and fairly comfortable, as long as you aren’t doing a protracted shooting session 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, and the grips did not impede loading. BTW, I found my HKS Model 29 speedloader worked just fine in the Anaconda.
I will have to mention that the rear sight has a small set-screw in the top that locks the sight blade in place once windage adjustments are made. Guess who forgot to do this and had the sight move under recoil to the left? I believe Colt should provide a sight tool, as you need two sizes of flat-blade, and a tiny Torx-head screwdriver to adjust the sights and tighten-down the set screw. Other than this, I had a successful T&E with the new blue-steel Anaconda. I do think that for hunting I would be inclined to mount an optic on the big sixgun. I’m becoming an ardent admirer of reflex type “dot” sights as my visional acuity declines with age. 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 |
| HSM Cowboy Ctg. .44 Mag. 200 gr. Lead RN-FP | 960 FPS | 1.66” | 2.12” | 409 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.
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