10th May : Colt Anaconda

Name     :     Colt Anaconda


AKA       :     The Big Snake

Calibers     :     .44 Magnum and .45 Long Colt


Capacity    :     6 Rounds


Weight      :     53oz or 1503g (6 inch barrel model)


Length      :      11.5in or 295mm


Action       :      Double Action, revolving cylinder, repeater


Origin       :      U.S.A.


It wasn't until 1990 that colt produced its first .44 Magnum, The Anaconda.  Upon its release there was a large surge of interest from the firearm community as to how well it would stack up against its considerable competition from both Ruger and Smith and Wesson, not to mention Colt's own famous Python.  Early Anacondas had accuracy issues relating to a tight throat that wore down projectiles, once past the throat rounds were not properly engaging in the riffling.  These issues once raised with Colt were rectified with new barrels.  There was a 4, 6 and 8 inch barrel length versions available and all anacondas had the stainless steel finish, unlike other brands Colt did not offer a blued model.  1993 saw an addition to the line up with the introduction of the .45 Long Colt version, a caliber that was no stranger to many avid Colt fans.  


The Anaconda has a large ventilated rib above the barrel, reminiscent of the Python .357 magnum revolver offered by Colt.  The revolver came tapped ready for and in some cases with a scope for those who wanted to utilize this revolver for handgun hunting.  The Anacondas construction is tough, made from all stainless steel it is a hand-full to hold but this allowed recoil to be managed easily.  The Cylinder stop cuts were made between the chambers to allow the cylinder more strength, thus making the use of powerful rounds not an issue.  Shipped as standard with a large rubber grip with finger groves the large Colt is comfortable to hold even considering its weight.  The Anaconda comes furnished with adjustable B notch sights as standard, these sights produce a clean and crisp sight picture with white outlines on the rear and a red insert on the front sight.  Some Anacondas were also available with ported barrels to reduce muzzle climb when firing powerful loads.


Colt claimed that the Anaconda was the most accurate .44 magnum, though this will always be up for debate, to Colt's credit the Anaconda is an accurate revolver, but that title may have been a little ambitious.  Sadly during the large restructure at Colt in 2000, the Anaconda was dropped from Colts production line, though some were still available to order through the Custom shop until 2003.  Still popular with sports shooters and revolver enthusiasts through second hand channels, many wonder if Colt will re-release this big revolver at some point in the future, and speculation and rumor still rise every now and again, but as of 2012, seeing a brand new Anaconda filling gun shop shelves again seems bleak.


INTERESTING FACT : In the secondhand market .45 Long Colt versions of the Anaconda tend to fetch more than the .44 magnum variety.


PRO's   :   Accurate, beautifully designed, strong construction, nice grips, 


CON's   :   Early models had accuracy issues, no longer available 


COOL FACTOR : 9/10

20th April : Colt Commander

Name     :     Colt Combat Commander


AKA       :     The Lightweight Commander, Combat Commander

Caliber     :   .45 ACP, 9x19mm Para, 7.65x21mm Para, .38 Super


Capacity   :   7 & 8 Rounds (.45 ACP) and 9 rounds (9mm,.38 Super)


Weight     :   32.5 oz or 961g (steel frame) 27oz or 765g (lightweight)


Length     :   7.75in or 197mm (1991A1 Commander)


Action      :   Browning Swing Link Type, Single Action, Semi Automatic


Origin      :   U.S.A.


The story of the M1911 is a long and interesting one spanning more than 100 years, and through its evolution it has borne a mass of variants by almost every major pistol manufacturer in just about as many calibers and as of 2012 it shows NO intention of slowing down even with the popularity of polymer wonderguns, of which through the INFINITY series of pistols it has even become a part of.  Today however is not the day that I spent more than six hours trying to explain just a tiny portion of the 1911's history, no today we look at a great size variant, the wonderful Colt Commander series.


As early as 1949 the U.S. Army was looking to replace the M1911A1, a pistol that had given great service, but concerns were raised about the size and weight of this full sized service pistol, thus a requirement was sent out for a pistol chambered in .45 ACP with a weight of 25 ounces or less, and an overall length of 7 inches. Colt entered this race with the what was then called the Commander made from a lightweight aluminium called ColtAlloy, though it nor any of the other contestants won a contract.  Colt decided to put the Commander in the civilian market in several calibers including the 7.65x21mm para (.30 Luger) for export to countries that forbid civilians to possess pistols in a military caliber.  In 1970 the Commander was re-named to become the lightweight Commander and a new full steel version was released with the name Combat Commander.


The name Commander has now become a size designation, with each certain Colt models coming out in sizes Government (full size 5 inch barrel), Commander (Shorter than Government 4+/- inch barrel) and Officers ACP (Compact with a 3.5 inch barrel).  As of 2012 Colt models 1991A1 and XSE have Commander sized pistols that are very popular as "Carry" pistols and are also seen on the sports shooting scene.


The modern XSE Commander is a well made and accurate firearm with a 4.25 inch barrel, series 80 locking, 3 hole aluminium trigger, Drop safety and weighs about 33.5oz.  The sights are NOVAK Carry Sights, these sights have white dots for easy target acquisition and are well liked for their snag free design.  The pistol is chambered in .45 ACP and has many other desirable features.

COLT XSE Commander in .45ACP

The .45 ACP round is a subsonic round with well documented stopping power, but it is also used as a sporting caliber.  The .45 ACP in traditional form is a 230gr full metal jacket round known as "ball" ammunition, this type of round was the standard U.S. Military pistol caliber for over 70 years.  For personal protection however jacketed hollow point rounds should be used, with great expansion and reasonable penetration the .45 will continue to be on the carry circuit for some time with all the major ammunition manufacturers making a variety of types for all applications.  


INTERESTING FACT : Frank White a Drug Enforcement Agency Officer carried a Colt Combat Commander, Frank was part of the inspiration for T.V. show Miami Vice, he was given a set of Ivory grips by the Vice President for his Colt Combat Commander for his exceptional service.


PRO's   :   Good Size 1911, Top Quality, Very Customisable, .45 ACP


CON's   :   Requires lots of practice to master


COOL FACTOR : 9/10