At the recent Athlon Outdoor Rendezvous, we finally got some trigger time on a gun we’ve been dying to get our hands on. The Colt Anaconda made its triumphant return back in 2021. But after Covid and so much going on in the world, most of us never got trigger time on the classic revolver. But at the last Athlon Outdoor Rendezvous, we finally got our chance, and it was certainly worth the wait!
On March 22, 2021, Ballistic reported:
After a decades-long absence, Colt returned to the “snake” revolver game in 2017. The company re-released a number of old “Snake Gun” favorites, starting with the Colt Cobra in January 2017. Next came the Colt King Cobra in January 2019. Then the Colt Python in .357 Magnum followed in January 2020. The next in line is the Colt Anaconda, which we expected for a while. Well, in March 2021, Colt officially announced that the Anaconda in .44 Magnum is back.
The Colt Anaconda Returns
We think of two things when we hear the word “Anaconda”: 1) The almost unwatchable 1997 movie with Ice Cube and J-Lo; and, 2) Colt’s original double-action revolver. Colt first released the revolver in 1990. It produced the gun until 2003. After 18 years, it returns.
For those unfamiliar, the Anaconda is a six-round, large frame revolver. Colt chambered the original version in .44 Magnum and .45 Colt. The new 2021 Anaconda is available in. 44 Magnum. The original version featured barrel lengths of 4 inches, 6 inches, and 8 inches. Meanwhile, the 2021 Anaconda features barrel length of just 6 inches and 8 inches. The profile comes from the full-lug, ventilated rib barrel.
The Anaconda features a U.S.-forged stainless steel double-action. Colt fully redesigned the revolver to utilize an oversized Python action with a bulked-up frame for added strength.
Colt Anaconda Features
What else can we expect with the new Anaconda? The revolver features a leaf-spring action, which improves trigger pull. Like the other re-releases, recoil-absorbing Hogue overmolded grips are interchangeable with the grips. Meanwhile the sights are elevation and windage adjustable. Users can switch them out with n Allen key.
A recessed target crown offers protection. Also, like the other Colt revolvers, the cylinder rotates clockwise. Colt drilled the frame and tapped it for optic mounts. Lastly is MSRP, which comes in at $1,499.
Looking Ahead With Colt
So that’s the scoop on the new gun from Colt. We know our fans like the Colt snake guns. Readers voted the Colt King Cobra as the “Best Revolver” in 2019 and then voted the Colt Python as “Best Revolver” in 2020.
As for the company itself, Czech-based manufacturer CZ officially acquired Colt in February 2021. Many viewed the acquisition as a serious boost to Colt’s production capabilities, as CZ has grown in popularity over the last decade. It’s still uncertain how the acquisition could affect Colt’s output. The Anaconda was almost certainly in the pipeline before CZ came into the picture. Regardles, it looks like things are off to a good start. For even more info, please visit Colt.com.
