Colt is bringing back its famous big-bore revolver, the Anaconda in .44 Magnum, for 2021. Now in production and starting to ship, the Anaconda is returning in both 6-inch and 8-inch models.
The .44 is based on Colt’s updated .357 Magnum design, scaled up and reinforced for the hard-hitting cartridge. Of course, shooters can always shoot friendlier .44 Special ammunition at the range.
These guns are returning with all the same looks as the originals, with full-length underlugs, ventilated rib topstraps, and Colt’s semi-bright polished finish. They ship with target sights including adjustable rear sights and a red ramp up-front.
The double-action revolvers chamber six rounds in the cylinder and are built on forged stainless steel parts. They are shipping with Hogue over-molded rubber grips to help with the recoil, which are replaceable with standard Python grips.
In addition to the grips, the sheer mass of these guns will help with hot-loaded magnum ammo. The 6-inch model weighs in at 53 ounces, while the 8-inch weighs a hefty 59 ounces, unloaded.
The trigger pull on these is about 12 pounds in double action, and 5 pounds in single action, and is characteristically smooth in both. The .44 Anaconda is about 7.5 inches tall and 13 or 15 inches long, depending on the model.
It’s possible that Colt also has plans for other chamberings, like .45 Colt, but for now, they’ll have no trouble finding buyers for their new-production .44 Magnum Anacondas. Even at the suggested retail pricing, which, in all fairness, is the same as the .357 Magnum Pythons.
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As of now the MSRP on these snake guns is $1,499, which is a premium over the re-launched Colt Cobras, ranging from $699 all the way up to $1,299, depending on the model. Still, real-world and online pricing can be less, although it might take time for prices to come down.
For many shooters, this may be their first chance to shoot one of these classic revolvers, since original examples from the ’90s are getting harder and harder to find. And because these are new production guns, they’re going to be a lot more shootable, with originals becoming collector’s items and safe queens.
Between these being the new hotness and today’s market for firearms, if you want one and see one in stock, you had better move fast. These will not stay on shelves for long.
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