blazinbill
.240 Incinerator
Long time shooter, but relatively new to singe actions.
Posts: 35 
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Post by blazinbill on Mar 28, 2024 4:17:14 GMT -5
How's the quality on the new Anaconda's? And how's the action smoothness and DA pull weight? Considering a 4.25" model as a shooter (not a collector) to complement my Smith & Wesson 29/629's, but can't seem to get hands on any Anaconda's locally. The Anaconda is a few hundred more than the Smith, so I was hoping that translated to a better action. Also hoping CZ has had enough time at Colt to make things better. Maybe I'm too hopeful.
I know the rear sight needs to be changed to the Wilson Combat one, I have no issue with doing that; that red ramp front sight would be swapped out with a Harrison serrated gold bead. Frank Glenn can do an action job, but I was hoping it's nice enough out of the box to avoid that, being the Python action and all. Happy to see Kramer makes leather for it.
Appreciate any help.
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Post by enfield on Mar 28, 2024 9:29:36 GMT -5
I'm also interested. Anacondas were considered suitable for the heavier loads, like Redhawks, right?
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Post by bushog on Mar 28, 2024 11:22:41 GMT -5
I'm also interested. Anacondas were considered suitable for the heavier loads, like Redhawks, right? I have one in .45 Colt that somebody blew the top strap off of. I bought it for the barrel…. |
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Post by bradshaw on Mar 28, 2024 11:28:22 GMT -5
I'm also interested. Anacondas were considered suitable for the heavier loads, like Redhawks, right? I have one in .45 Colt that somebody blew the top strap off of. I bought it for the barrel…. ***** Ah.... a cautionary tale. David Bradshaw |
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gnappi
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,609
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Post by gnappi on Mar 28, 2024 15:01:27 GMT -5
How's the quality on the new Anaconda's? And how's the action smoothness and DA pull weight? Considering a 4.25" model as a shooter (not a collector) to complement my Smith & Wesson 29/629's, but can't seem to get hands on any Anaconda's locally. The Anaconda is a few hundred more than the Smith, so I was hoping that translated to a better action. Also hoping CZ has had enough time at Colt to make things better. Maybe I'm too hopeful. I know the rear sight needs to be changed to the Wilson Combat one, I have no issue with doing that; that red ramp front sight would be swapped out with a Harrison serrated gold bead. Frank Glenn can do an action job, but I was hoping it's nice enough out of the box to avoid that, being the Python action and all. Happy to see Kramer makes leather for it. Appreciate any help. Mine is a 2023 engraved model. The trigger is the best DA I've owned and that's more than just a few. It's so light I fully expect it to start having failures to light the primers, but if it does I'll happily trade light trigger pull for heavier with reliability. Fit and finish is excellent, accuracy is as good as I can shoot at an indoor 75' range. I've read stories about the rear sight "needing" a change but I'm not changing mine. Anyway, In DA's I have and have had Redhawks (1), Super Redhawks (1 in .480), S&W 29's (a few in the 80's) and 629's (currently two) and not one had ever banged the bone and connecting tissue at the base of my right thumb like the snake did the first outing with it. I put Pachmayr closed back grips on it and I won't shoot it without a glove. On the second outing the problem was solved... neither glove nor Pachmayr's were ever required on my other .44's. That said I'm only the second buyer I know of to have this issue so I think I'm in the minority unless others who have had it were afraid some would call them wussies and stayed silent. PS. It fit one of my 629 holsters, and my S&W 629 H&K and 5-Star speedloaders work with it.  |
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gnappi
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,609
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Post by gnappi on Mar 28, 2024 15:20:18 GMT -5
PS, the cylinders measure:
S&W 629 cylinder wall .102" at throat end and the cylinder notch is dead center of the cartridge, cylinder length is 1.702"
Colt cylinder wall .127" at throat end and the cylinder notch is off center of the cartridge by ~.160" the cylinder length is 1.900" and it's about 4 ounces heavier than a comparable length barrel 629
It's pretty well thought out and I think it's plenty strong enough.
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blazinbill
.240 Incinerator
Long time shooter, but relatively new to singe actions.
Posts: 35
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Post by blazinbill on Mar 28, 2024 17:21:55 GMT -5
Thanks gnappi, I appreciate you sharing your personal experiences. From what I'm reading online the new Anaconda uses the Python style action, but it seems the Anacondas typically have better actions than the Pythons. I'm a S&W guy through and through, but all the new ones instantly need an action job, sure would be nice to not have to instantly bring the Colt in for work. Plus I'd like to shoot some 300's and maybe 320's, and the Colt seems more capable in that respect, especially given the measurements you shared.
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gnappi
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,609
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Post by gnappi on Mar 28, 2024 20:17:21 GMT -5
Bill, looking over my other notes which I forgot to check, with the cylinder locked in the firing position (hammer down, trigger fully back) the cylinder has zero end shake or play, and a .003" feeler gauge is snug between the cylinder and barrel's forcing cone. I have read that others have not had Anacondas as tight but maybe Davidson's engraved models had an extra bit of pixie dust spread on it at Colt?
I know you're not local but if you get to south Florida you're welcome to give mine a test drive alongside my S&W's.
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blazinbill
.240 Incinerator
Long time shooter, but relatively new to singe actions.
Posts: 35
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Post by blazinbill on Mar 29, 2024 3:17:24 GMT -5
Bill, looking over my other notes which I forgot to check, with the cylinder locked in the firing position (hammer down, trigger fully back) the cylinder has zero end shake or play, and a .003" feeler gauge is snug between the cylinder and barrel's forcing cone. I have read that others have not had Anacondas as tight but maybe Davidson's engraved models had an extra bit of pixie dust spread on it at Colt? I know you're not local but if you get to south Florida you're welcome to give mine a test drive alongside my S&W's. Thanks for all the info Gary. I just bought an engraved Model 29 from a LGS only because it was built right, so yeah, I wonder if the higher end Colt & Smith models get a bit more attention. Appreciate the offer. |
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Post by tentcamper on Mar 29, 2024 7:20:35 GMT -5
I bought mine about six months ago, and even though I’ve only had it to the range twice, I can say it is a very smooth and amazing piece of sixgun machinery. The action is incredibly smooth so much so that I only shoot this double action… no single action need apply at the range for me with this gun.
My 6 inch Anaconda will digest 240 grain loads all day without a hiccup and it is surprisingly pleasant to shoot with 300 grain (Grizzly Cartridge) + P loads. Pleasant of Cours is relative to larger calibers you may have experience with.
So far I have not had any issues with the grip or knuckle busting, or the rear sight. As I have some developing hand issues that are work related, I shoot with gloved hands, so I have not noticed any issue with the stock grips on these.
When I bought the 6 inch the 4 inch was not available in my area which is what I originally thought I wanted, but I’m more than happy with the 6 inch Anaconda. I have other 4 inch guns, and this is my only 6 inch and I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.
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Post by bigbore5 on Mar 29, 2024 13:01:10 GMT -5
I'm also interested. Anacondas were considered suitable for the heavier loads, like Redhawks, right? I have one in .45 Colt that somebody blew the top strap off of. I bought it for the barrel…. The Anaconda can take Blackhawk loads. It will not stand Redhawk only loads. |
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Post by burton93 on Mar 30, 2024 18:25:34 GMT -5
I'll second Gnappi on it shocking the hand. I shoot my Smith's and Dan's with no issue. My first Colt is this 8 inch Anaconda. The action is super smooth, double action pull is amazing too but darn if it doesn't smack the hand!
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Post by rangersedge on Apr 7, 2024 8:30:51 GMT -5
Is that 45 colt an older model?
Big differences between the two models. Taffin compares in Guns article and in his book. I've linked his guns article here before. I have the new model he used in the reviews. Nice revolver.
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blazinbill
.240 Incinerator
Long time shooter, but relatively new to singe actions.
Posts: 35
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Post by blazinbill on Apr 8, 2024 7:59:00 GMT -5
Is that 45 colt an older model? Big differences between the two models. Taffin compares in Guns article and in his book. I've linked his guns article here before. I have the new model he used in the reviews. Nice revolver. Thanks, I had missed John's article, linked for others to see. |
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Post by rangersedge on Apr 9, 2024 8:14:08 GMT -5
Blazinbill: You might want to double check if the heights work out with a Wilson Combat rear and Harrison front. I was going to go that route with mine and then decided to just scope it so I never verified.
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