Colt Anaconda 44mag vs 45LC

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dumbhunter

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Hi guys,
Since I was a kid, I have always wanted a Colt Anaconda. Business has been really good lately, and I decided that I'm going to treat myself and pick up an old production Anaconda. So, the question is, do I get one in 44 Mag or 45 Colt. It will be a 6 inch barrel. I don't have any guns in either caliber currently. What are the pros and cons of each? And, in the original Anaconda, was one beter than the other? Was one more accurate, etc? Any info would be much appreciated.

Thanks!
 
I do reload, and will be buying a set of dies for which ever caliber I get. I know that most 45 LC loads are on the weak side... probably so they don't blow up old guns. Thanks!
 
The .45's are among the rarest of Anacondas. I wouldn't buy one, especially now. You could pay $3500 for one right now and they reintroduce the .45 version in a year at $1500. I would get the .44 and I would get a new production model over the original. Colt still can't get their .45 dimensions right and there's nothing the .45 can do that the .44 can't.
 
Started shooting 45 Colt 50 years ago,
Over time wanted more (or perhaps is was the magnum age),
Moved to 44 Mag, 454, shot a lot of 41 Mag.
A few months ago, picked up a S&W M25 in 45 Colt.
Perhaps some kind of Renaissance?
Liking the old 45 Colt more and more.
 
I’d have to agree with CraigC. Get a 44 now. Disclaimer: I have a 45 Anaconda and it’s a nice DA revolver, but I would still go 44 today, because there is nothing the 45 can do that the 44 can’t in the lower 48.
 
Forty four magnum. The allure of this pistol is the magnum chambering, otherwise it is simply an oversized 45 LC.

Want a big, bad 45?; purchase a 454 Casull. A shooting bud of mine, who has "every" big pistol caliber, claims the 454 Casull has the most punishing recoil impluse of all his hand cannons. It will be a total joy, for the first three shots.
 
I believe Brian Pearce found the .45 Colt cylinders had oversized chamber exit holes. He purchased a .44 cylinder and had it rechambered.
 
CBH44 said:
I believe Brian Pearce found the .45 Colt cylinders had oversized chamber exit holes. He purchased a .44 cylinder and had it rechambered.
Click to expand...
I'm not surprised, it's a common malady with .45Colt's. Especially those built by Colt. Which is kinda ironic.
 
CBH44 said:
I believe Brian Pearce found the .45 Colt cylinders had oversized chamber exit holes. He purchased a .44 cylinder and had it rechambered.
Click to expand...

Don't doubt it. I think he is the same author that states he has, or all of, third Generation Colt SAA have 0.458 chamber mouths. If Colt is so clueless to build SAA 45 LC's with 0.458" chamber mouths, there is no reason why they would not build 45LC Anaconda's with over sized chamber mouths, and barrels.

My first S&W M25 in 45LC had 0.455 chamber mouths and never shot well with 0.452 commercial cast bullets available at the time. This was before Cowboy action shooting created enough demand for 0.454 lead bullets. So, when I went to the local gun store, I had a 0.452 FMJ in my pocket, and I would stick that in the chamber mouth, and if it wobbled, I walked away.

Until this pistol. This was the first year S&W changed their chamber mouth diameters from 0.455 to 0.452. And it shoots great 0.452 or 0.454 lead bullets.

a8vQ20f.jpg

Personally, if I were shopping for a shooter Colt Anaconda, I would carry a set of plug gauges and find out what the chamber mouth diameters are. I don't trust Colt, and I don't trust the in print guys to reveal a manufacturing defect. I think I would have a 0.428, 0.429. 0.430, and 0.431 plug gauge for the 44 Magnum, and a 0.454 and 0.455 plug gauge for the 45 LC. Any chamber mouths at 0.428 or above 0.431 would be totally unacceptable in a 44 Magnum, and anything above 0.455 is uncorrectable in the 45 LC.
 
The .45 Colt is a bit of a romantic caliber, especially in the large DA models. It isn’t punishing unless you hot rod it (within reason) and it is my favorite PCC in a trapper-length lever gun as well.
That being said, I would also opt for the .44 version for the same reasons the guys posted above.
Stay safe.
 
To check chamber mouths, I use a cast bullet that I plan to load. Drop the bullet in the chamber, and if it hangs up in the throat and you can push it through with finger pressure, that's fine.

You can get a .455 mold (SAECO #452) and double powder coat it to produce a bullet that will fit he large Colt throats -- but when you seat it, you have to have an oversized case mouth, and it may not chamber in your revolver.
 
Vern Humphrey said:
To check chamber mouths, I use a cast bullet that I plan to load. Drop the bullet in the chamber, and if it hangs up in the throat and you can push it through with finger pressure, that's fine.

You can get a .455 mold (SAECO #452) and double powder coat it to produce a bullet that will fit he large Colt throats -- but when you seat it, you have to have an oversized case mouth, and it may not chamber in your revolver.
Click to expand...

Ding ding ding!
Just select the bullet you intend to shoot and figure out the size this way. Shade tree gunsmithing!
 
I don't have an Anaconda but have my old S&W 29-5 and a Ruger Redhawk in .45 Colt. I roll my own for both guns and while I don't load hot they claim the .45 Colt can be pushed pretty hard in the right gun(s). I enjoy shooting and loading both cartridges. The .45 Colt using factory ammunition is maybe a little more expensive to shoot. I haven't priced either cartridge in years. Both guns I have are 6" barrels and I like both. Maybe the .45 Colt a little better but while we can all suggest one or the other it's really your call. The Model 29 has the S&W rubber grips which make it more pleasurable to shoot, the wood stung a bit.

Ron
 
Thanks everyone! I really appreciate the feed back. I think I'll put my search on hold and do a little more research. I really liked the idea of basically what looked like a big Python in 45LC... but maybe I need to let the logical side of my brain take over for now.
 
dumbhunter said:
Thanks everyone! I really appreciate the feed back. I think I'll put my search on hold and do a little more research. I really liked the idea of basically what looked like a big Python in 45LC... but maybe I need to let the logical side of my brain take over for now.
Click to expand...

Anaconda. RedHawk. M25. ??
In my opinion, hard to choose?
Perhaps, one of each-
Over time decide on your favorite.
Also, my opinion - all in 45 Colt.
 
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