The Anaconda is a heavy gun, about the same weight as either the Ruger or S&W double-action. The Anaconda locks up tight-“like a bank vault” is the common way it is described. However, the whole gun is very robust and I’ve never heard of someone having problems with the cylinder getting slightly out-of-time (where the chamber alignment was no longer perfect), as is a weakness of the Python. As a result, while the trigger is very good, it is not on a par with the Python. Unlike the Python, the internal mechanisms of the Anaconda did not get a lot of custom fitting before shipping. 44 Magnum/Special version is the most common, but there are plenty of Anacondas chambered for the. Initially offered only with a six-inch barrel, later models with a four-, five- (very rare), and eight-inch barrel were also available. It had target-style sights, with a high-visibility red insert in the front and fully adjustable notch rear that had a slight white outline.Īnd typically the Anaconda came with rubber target grips bearing a silver Colt medallion, though ones with walnut grips featuring a gold Colt medallion are not uncommon (such as mine). The Anaconda was only offered in stainless steel (usually a brushed finish, though they did offer some in a high polish finish). The internal components were different from the Python, however, and were based on the King Cobra/Trooper models. The barrel look was the same as the classic Python, with a vent rib on top and a full lug underneath.

The new AA frame was much larger, scaled up to handle the much more powerful cartridge. The design of the Anaconda was based on the look of the Python. I like the gun and have owned one with a six-inch barrel, which I bought used, for a number of years now.

It wasn’t quite up to the standards of the Colt Python, but in my opinion, it’s equal to any other. The Anaconda was only manufactured as a production gun from 1990 through 1999 and then as a limited Colt Custom Shop offering for a few years afterward, which is a shame because the Anaconda was actually a hell of a revolver. Only after both Smith & Wesson and Ruger had become well established in that market did Colt even enter the game with its single offering-the Colt Anaconda revolver. 44 Magnum game and then really only stuck around for a little while. Colt was very late to the modern, double-action.

Colt anaconda serial numbers by year