Anaconda vs Redhawk
- Thread starter slow
- Start date
Preacherman
New member
Slow, you haven't told us what you want it for. If it has a specific application - e.g. hunting - this will help to decide which weapon is more appropriate for that particular job. For hunting, I'd go with the Redhawk: it's hell for tough, and is the only .44 Magnum (along with its Super Redhawk sibling) certified by Randy Garrett as being strong enough for his super-.44 Magnum Hammerhead loads. That says a lot... It's also lower-cost than the Anaconda (at least in the gunshops I frequent), and so if the weapon might be exposed to wind and weather, or situations where it might be damaged, the Redhawk will be less of a loss. On the other hand, the Anaconda is a well-made revolver, and will do just fine for standard-pressure loads.
From a sheer collector's standpoint, the Anaconda is the one to buy if it's priced even remotely the same as the other two.
From a "using" standpoint, a majority of the Anacondas I've handled have been prone to timing problems, and seem to develop endshake and excessive cylinder runout in a shockingly small number of rounds...
From a "using" standpoint, a majority of the Anacondas I've handled have been prone to timing problems, and seem to develop endshake and excessive cylinder runout in a shockingly small number of rounds...
Edward429451
Moderator
I vote for the .44 Mag Redhawk. No timing troubles, no durability troubles, shoots like a rifle.
Ben Shepherd
New member
One other thing:
The redhawk can be field stripped with anything resembling a flat blade screwdriver. I.e., woops I fell in the creek.
Try that with an annaconda.
The redhawk can be field stripped with anything resembling a flat blade screwdriver. I.e., woops I fell in the creek.
Try that with an annaconda.
george miller
New member
are you kidding?
ive got a 44 mag redhawk,mine has the 7.5 inch barrel.stainless steel.heavy duty fer sure.im never getting rid of this one.any of you guys that have one ever make smiley faces on paper plates?they are that fun and that accurate.its an easy choice if it were me.
ive got a 44 mag redhawk,mine has the 7.5 inch barrel.stainless steel.heavy duty fer sure.im never getting rid of this one.any of you guys that have one ever make smiley faces on paper plates?they are that fun and that accurate.its an easy choice if it were me.
Ben Shepherd
New member
Gave an ossama target a smiley face at the range last week. (at 15yards with my 357 sp101). I won lunch from a buddy for it.
Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
I'd get the Anaconda, but only after making it very clear to myself it wouldn't prove to be a big Python.
Colt/Ruger big-bores...
If you want something purty that'll handle a moderate amount of moderate hunting loads, get the Anaconda- especially if you're only gonna shoot it just a few times a year. Some of us waited for decades for Colt to make this gun.
But- if you are a regular shooter of heavy loads, or VERY heavy loads, get the Redhawk; it's just as accurate, probably stronger and definitely more durable. It's also easier to make right in the rare event that something goes wrong with it.
I passed on a 4" .45 Colt Anaconda several years ago for $300, and yes I wish now that I had bought it. But the fact remains that my old .44 Redhawk will do everything the Colt would except conceal, and the Colt wasn't particularly adaptable to that application either. The Redhawk will also still be going strong after the Colt has been discontinued and re-issued a couple of more times, at probably three times the price of the poor homely old Ruger.
If you want something purty that'll handle a moderate amount of moderate hunting loads, get the Anaconda- especially if you're only gonna shoot it just a few times a year. Some of us waited for decades for Colt to make this gun.
But- if you are a regular shooter of heavy loads, or VERY heavy loads, get the Redhawk; it's just as accurate, probably stronger and definitely more durable. It's also easier to make right in the rare event that something goes wrong with it.
I passed on a 4" .45 Colt Anaconda several years ago for $300, and yes I wish now that I had bought it. But the fact remains that my old .44 Redhawk will do everything the Colt would except conceal, and the Colt wasn't particularly adaptable to that application either. The Redhawk will also still be going strong after the Colt has been discontinued and re-issued a couple of more times, at probably three times the price of the poor homely old Ruger.
Herb Leventhal
New member
44
IMHO:
For target shooting full house handloads S&W 629 6.5 inch barrel beats either the Redhawk or Anaconda. I have owned all 3 and sold the Redhawk
IMHO:
For target shooting full house handloads S&W 629 6.5 inch barrel beats either the Redhawk or Anaconda. I have owned all 3 and sold the Redhawk
I love Colts, but I love .45 Colt revolvers even more. As your choice only includes one .45 Colt I would pick the Redhawk in .45 Colt. I have one and it is a great DA revolver. I load it for hunting using 250 grain Hornady XTP bullets and Hodgdon H110 powder. It will do everything a .44 Mag will do performance wise in the large frame Ruger. I just have to reload to obtain decent Redhawk level loads in 45 Colt. The .44 Mag advantage is that great loads are factory available. NG Bruce
the blind lefty
New member
i've owned S&W and Rugers,and sold the S&W's first. i have since gravitated to the Ruger Bisley;an incredibly sensible gun IMHO.
the Anaconda is a pretty gun,but i would go with the Redhawk.44 or 45.
if it kicks so hard you can't double tap,well... that's one reason i went with the Bisley.
the Anaconda is a pretty gun,but i would go with the Redhawk.44 or 45.
if it kicks so hard you can't double tap,well... that's one reason i went with the Bisley.