Colts big snake

[ColtPythonElite]

The Anaconda doesn't get much talk time here, so I decided to start a thread on 'em. Yesterday, I got out one and decided to put together some loads, because my round count of stockpiled .44 mag, was exactly "1". I sat down and worked up some loads from low to high, or at least higher charge weights and went out to fire a few. Nearly all my groups looked like the pic. That picture just happens to be the last group fired with the highest powder charge I had worked up to. I didn't put this thread in the handload section, because I don't have a clue what brand bullet I was using. All I know is it was a 240 LSWC..........At any rate post up you Anaconda stories, good or bad.

 

[Standing Wolf]

If I ever buy another .44, it'll be an Anaconda. The only reason I haven't bought one is I'm afraid I'd start collecting them.

 

[Guillermo]

Damn you CPE!!!

Sometimes I forget about the big snake.

You probably just cost me a grand....thanks a lot buddy.

I have diamondbacks and a python and a Cobra (gave away my DS recently) so I obviously have the disease. AND YOU ARE NOT HELPING!!!

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Sorry Guillermo,

I usually favor .357's and tend to forget about the big snake, too...Yep these days it takes about a grand to get one. Add a few more bills if it's a .45LC and/or a 4" or 8". I regret letting a nice 4" .44 priced at $1k pass me by a while back. Now, I want one and can't find it.

 

[Eaglestroker]

I want one and can't find it.

That tends to be that way my luck goes as well. She's a real beauty! I've got the Colt itch on a S&W budget.... One day I'll do some trading.

 

[daveinvegas]

When I bought my Anacondas I had to get at least two, one in each caliber.

 

[sidheshooter]

Good idea for a thread!

 

[45crittergitter]

I'll let you guess which one I got.

I seem to recall it was about $410 new.

 

[hq]

I usually favor .357's and tend to forget about the big snake, too...Yep these days it takes about a grand to get one.

Hmm? Usually I'm a bit frustrated living in Europe when it comes to guns, but as far as Anaconda is concerned, things don't seem to be that bad. I just paid just over $700 for a LNIB 6" gun and at that price I could choose from about five or six.

What I'd really like to do is to replace the rubber grip with a Python-style target grips. Not Anaconda factory style; the whole idea is to make it look like a super-sized Python. Too bad the grips aren't interchangeable between I-frame and D/AA-frame, I'll probably have to have custom grips made.

 

[918v]

I shot a group like that at 50 yards with an 8" Anaconda. They are pretty accurate. But I can't get over the lockwork.

 

[4v50 Gary]

My only complaint about the Anaconda is the MK III Trooper Action. I guess I'm old fashioned. Still, it works well.

 

[kenjoe45]

My Anaconda

Just bought this at auction, have not received at this time. It has eight inch ported barrel which is drilled and tapped. Already have Python, Cobra and King Cobra need Diamondback, Viper and Boa.

 

[hq]

I received my Anaconda finally today. A very nice gun even though it's not quite on the same overall quality level as Python, trigger is far better than I expected.

However... a previous owner had scratched the gun. Nothing major, but the scratch has been buffed out with scotchbrite or something similar. Swirl marks on an otherwise mint gun.

I've thought about polishing the gun to a mirror finish. Not probably a perfect choice for what essentially is a hunting revolver, but I think I may have some magpie genes; I'm fond of shiny objects. This is definitely not my first polishing project but probably the most collectible gun I've ever thought about polishing. If it had a spotless original finish, I'd keep it all original, but now I'm not sure anymore.

 

[Lucky Derby]

Very nice.
Still kicking myself for passing on a Colt Custom Shop snubby (3") Anaconda in .45 Colt about 8 years ago. Of course it was $1500, hence the reason I passed.

 

[Standing Wolf]

What I'd really like to do is to replace the rubber grip with a Python-style target grips. Not Anaconda factory style; the whole idea is to make it look like a super-sized Python. Too bad the grips aren't interchangeable between I-frame and D/AA-frame, I'll probably have to have custom grips made.

Try Herrett's in the U.S.A. or Nill's in Germany. Cheap? No. Fast? No. Good? Yes.

 

[beeenbag]

My anaconda is away at the moment?

It is receiving a new hand in hartford, CT right now. It should be back by mid July though, getting kinda antsy.

I've thought about polishing the gun to a mirror finish. Not probably a perfect choice for what essentially is a hunting revolver, but I think I may have some magpie genes; I'm fond of shiny objects. This is definitely not my first polishing project but probably the most collectible gun I've ever thought about polishing. If it had a spotless original finish, I'd keep it all original, but now I'm not sure anymore.

I have thought of the polish job on mine too, if you do it HQ let me know how it turns out, either pm or email or something. Add me as a contact and keep me in mind if you don't care.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

HG,

I also like the bling of mirror polish and have a couple of factory finished guns. I also thought about polishing mine out and may this winter. I have the tools and experience to do the job. I've polished out a couple of my stainless guns with good results....However, before you go to trying to polish it out to full bright, I'd suggest you try it by hand with some Mother's wheel polish. It will really brighten up the stock finish and take the old age "yellow" off. The more you rub, the shinier it will get.

Here's a Ruger I went wild on and ended up making it look like a mirror.

 

[hq]

I have thought of the polish job on mine too, if you do it HQ let me know how it turns out, either pm or email or something. Add me as a contact and keep me in mind if you don't care.

Will do. Mother's (mag) polish is a good way to do a quick polish, like ColtPythonElite mentioned. I usually start with fine valve grinding compound which will make the gun completely matte - after that, it's quite easy to see deeper scratches and other imperfections.

Then it's just a matter of two or three grits of polishing compound, one after another, and elbow grease. I don't use power tools, except for dremel for cylinder flutes and some minor hard-to-reach detail work. It's way too easy to ruin your gun with a buffing wheel, I've seen too many polished guns that look like melted soap bars when all the edges have been rounded up.

Damn. I have to get some .44 snap caps. I've been playing with my "new" Anaconda a good part of the evening and not being able to dry fire it to my heart's content is annoying...

 

[Owen Sparks]

Why did Colt quit making these?

 

[Mr.454]

I had a offer to buy a .45 lc anaconda for $500 two years ago. Still kicking myself for not buying that gun.

 

[hq]

I test fired my Anaconda today and I think I'm in love.

Recoil seems to be a bit more viscious than that of my 4" S&W 29 (!?) but it probably has a lot to do with the shape of rubber grip. I think I developed a slight flinch, the last few shots hit considerably lower than the first ones. All in all it feels much like an oversized Python, my all time favourite.