Handled a .44 Mag Colt Anaconda Today

[g_gunter]

I was at the store today and saw that the dealer had just filled out an entire case of Colt revolvers and semi-autos. Very impressive. He had a couple of King Cobra .357s and a 4" Stainless Anaconda in .44 Mag. It was a beauty. Everything about that gun said "pick me up." The finish was beautiful, every part of it was just so perfect, the trigger (both double and single) was superior out of the box but then when I locked it up it rattles like an old GI .45 ACP. The rattle came from the cylinder. It had way too much play in it (front to back and side to side). Needless to say, I was disappointed. I'm used to my Magnum Research BFR and S&W 629PP. Their lockup is *tight*. No movement. I don't know? Maybe it was designed to be that way? I did not shoot it so it could have been a great shooter. Its just that I don't like revolvers to make noise when shake them during lockup.

Anyone else have similar experience with the Anaconda? It sure was beautiful (so were those King Cobras).

g_gunter

 

[Watchman]

Hmmm....

Mine is tight. No play at all. What you described dosent sound normal to me...

Mine is a 6 inch and is very accurate.

 

[Majic]

I have one of the early .45 colt models and after 12 years it's still tight as a drum.

 

[stans]

The Anaconda used an enlarged version of the Mark V / King Cobra lock work, so they are usually not as tight as the Python nor do they have quite as nice of a trigger pull. Endshake should still be minimally detectable and rotational play should also be minimal. If there is an excess of either, the revolver has either been the victim of poor workmanship or abuse.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Cylinder end shake can be fixed with shims. It's not major surgery.

I've looked at a couple Anacondas over the years, but haven't bought one: I keep wanting the Anaconda to be a large Python, which it's not and can't ever be.

 

[Majic]

Cylinder end shake can be fixed with shims. It's not major surgery.

You can shim a S&W, but I don't think you can shim a DA Colt. You can stretch the collar and recut the star ratchet.

 

[g_gunter]

You can shim a S&W, but I don't think you can shim a DA Colt. You can stretch the collar and recut the star ratchet.

I seem to remember someone on the Colt Forum said that this type of work would have to be done either at Colt's facilities or possibly a really good gunsmith with similar type of machinery required to do the job. I forgot what was needed but was left with the impression that it required more than typical smithing tools?

g_gunter