I purchased a new 6" Colt Anaconda in .45 Colt. I am very satisfied with this revolver. The fit and finish on this firearm are exceptional. No damaged screws, no side plate gaps, no misalignment anywhere. The action is very smooth in double action, not the typical stacking feeling of Colts. Single action is a bit heavy, but I rarely use that function. It is a large, solid, well made revolver.
I compared it to my S&W Model 25-9 6" .45 Colt and was very impressed with the results. Using some handload 255 grain standard pressure loads, both revolvers are exceptionally accurate and produced similar small group sizes. The surprise was the Anaconda was giving me an average of 975 fps where the 25-9 produced 925 fps average velocities. I have not measured the BC gap, so that may account for it. Felt recoil was VERY different, but that is to be expected since the Anaconda is appreciably heavier, about 12 oz. more than the Smith. That made it very easy to shoot. I prefer the face of the Colt trigger compared to the Smith's Target trigger. The Colts is not nearly as abrasive to the finger.
One of the features I appreciated is the larger and longer cylinder. The Colt is 1.91" long where the Smith is 1.65" long, making the use of 320 grain bullets easier. It is also ~1.76" in diameter compared to the Smith's ~1.70" diameter. The stop notches are significantly offset from the charge holes on the Anaconda whereas the Smith is smack in the center, making that the thinnest piece of metal on the cylinder. Both revolvers will easily handle the typical 23,000 psi +P loads, and I am sure that the Anaconda will handle the 32,000 psi Ruger/Thompson Contender loads. I am unlikely to use the 32,000 psi loads as I have a good load for a 270 grain hard cast LSWC at 1,000 fps that falls within 23,000 psi. For some excellent .45 Colt mid-range loads, pick up Handloader No. 337, April 2022, and look up Brian Pearce's article .45 Colt +P Medium Frame Sixguns.
This photo shows the offset stop notch.
I compared it to my S&W Model 25-9 6" .45 Colt and was very impressed with the results. Using some handload 255 grain standard pressure loads, both revolvers are exceptionally accurate and produced similar small group sizes. The surprise was the Anaconda was giving me an average of 975 fps where the 25-9 produced 925 fps average velocities. I have not measured the BC gap, so that may account for it. Felt recoil was VERY different, but that is to be expected since the Anaconda is appreciably heavier, about 12 oz. more than the Smith. That made it very easy to shoot. I prefer the face of the Colt trigger compared to the Smith's Target trigger. The Colts is not nearly as abrasive to the finger.
One of the features I appreciated is the larger and longer cylinder. The Colt is 1.91" long where the Smith is 1.65" long, making the use of 320 grain bullets easier. It is also ~1.76" in diameter compared to the Smith's ~1.70" diameter. The stop notches are significantly offset from the charge holes on the Anaconda whereas the Smith is smack in the center, making that the thinnest piece of metal on the cylinder. Both revolvers will easily handle the typical 23,000 psi +P loads, and I am sure that the Anaconda will handle the 32,000 psi Ruger/Thompson Contender loads. I am unlikely to use the 32,000 psi loads as I have a good load for a 270 grain hard cast LSWC at 1,000 fps that falls within 23,000 psi. For some excellent .45 Colt mid-range loads, pick up Handloader No. 337, April 2022, and look up Brian Pearce's article .45 Colt +P Medium Frame Sixguns.
This photo shows the offset stop notch.
