Not your cowboy’s sixgun, the new Colt Anaconda in .45 Colt.

It is true, if you pray hard enough, you can make things happen. Getting Colt to veer off course just a little is a monumental event beyond the reach of all except the All-Mighty. I mean that as a compliment. When the Anaconda was announced in .44 Magnum. Six-inch barrel review here and four and a quarter barrel review here. I was secretly hoping for the same options in .45 Colt. It took some time, and well, here we go.

Now you may be asking yourself why I was asking for a .45 Colt in the new Anaconda, and that is a great question. The .45 Colt (NOT .45 Long Colt, as there is no such cartridge. Don’t believe me? Check SAAMI). The .45 Colt was introduced in 1873 with the legendary Colt Single Action Army. It was initially a black-powder cartridge,  using a 255-grain bullet over forty grains of black powder, which produced muzzle velocities of around 1,000 fps. While no slouch once smokeless powder came to fruition, that fat case could be utilized far more, but that will require modern heavy-duty revolvers. Since the Anaconda is a .44 Magnum revolver, chambering it in .45 Colt allows for +P .45 Colt loads, such as the DoubleTap 335gr hardcast at 1250 fps. Bear in mind, these velocities can vary depending on barrel length.

Now, with modern +P loads and the right rig, the .45 Colt can rival .44 Magnum energies, doing so with less energy due to its case capacity. Also, a .44 Magnum bullet is .429″ while the .45 Colt will be .451″ or .452″, so you have a larger bullet. Couple that with the history of the .45 Colt and cool points, and it makes sense to have one handy.

Let’s get to it.

Visually, the same as the .44 Magnum Anaconda. Houge overmolded rubber stocks with the Colt logo are factory, but any stocks that fit the Python will fit the Anaconda.

Exceptional target sights adorn the top of the revolver, with a rear adjustable for windage and elevation and an interchangeable orange/red insert for the front ramp. The top strap is drilled and tapped for mounting optics or a scope.

The cylinder release is serrated for a straight pull to release the cylinder, a feature traditionally found on Colt double-action revolvers.

All stainless steel six-gun with the Colt semi-bright finish. As for the trigger, the double-action trigger pull was under twelve pounds, and the single-action was just under five pounds. The new Anaconda uses the same leaf spring technology found in the Python hammer/trigger, giving it a more consistent trigger pull from shot to shot.  The widened trigger added comfort to the smooth trigger pull.

 

I elected the eight-inch barrel for the test sample because, well, that is what I wanted, but it is also available in four and a quarter and six-inch barrels.

3 shots from a rest

Conclusions 

The new Colt Anaconda in .45 Colt proved to be reliable and plenty accurate, even through plenty of +P ammo. I can see any iteration of the revolver serving quite well as a hunting handgun or a solid backup, especially if you are running a rifle in .45 Colt. With the standard pressure .45 Colt, it is a dream to shoot and easily handled, but when you need to call in the reckoning, the heavy +P .45 Colt is up to the task, but still manageable to shoot and not nearly as punishing as some of the other big-bore revolvers. I feel like this strikes a good balance between shootability and energy downrange, in a very handsome revolver. Way to be, Colt.

Specifications. 

Caliber: .45 Colt
Capacity: 6 rounds
Action: Double/single-action (DA/SA)
Barrel length: 8 inches
Overall length: Approximately 15 inches
Weight: Approximately 59 ounces
Frame material: Forged stainless steel
Finish: Semi-bright stainless steel
Grips: Hogue rubber grips with finger grooves
Sights: Red ramp front sight and an adjustable rear sight
Optics-ready: Drilled and tapped for mounting an optic rail
MSRP: $1699
Acknowledgments

Colt Manufacturing 

Doubletap Ammunition 

Defender Ammunition