Anaconda vs. S&W 629/29
- Thread starter cornbush
- Start date
dreamweaver
New member
I can't speak on the smith, but i have an 8" ported anaconda that i'll never give up. i put a 2x scope on it and have taken a variety of game. it's a great hog gun.
S&W Kinda Guy
New member
I currently own a Colt Anaconda with a 6 inch barrel. The first revolver I ever shot was a 629 my friend owned. The 629 was a little more accurate than the Anaconda (but I think it was the weight of the Anaconda, as I was shooting it one-handed).
Ive shot hot loads out of both of them, and I gotta say that the Anaconda was much more comfortable to shoot than the Smith.
When I got my Anaconda, I was looking for a .44 Magnum also. My choice had come down to the 629 and the Anaconda. My 2 cents is, if you have the extra money, then go for the Anaconda. Overall it just seems like a better, finer, and more reliable revolver.
The only bad thing about the Anaconda though, is the availability of holsters. Ive been looking for a nice leather holster for mine, but cant seem to find one. I have contacted a couple of custom holster makers, and they said they couldnt make me one because they dont have a model of an Anaconda to mold and fit the holster.
Ive shot hot loads out of both of them, and I gotta say that the Anaconda was much more comfortable to shoot than the Smith.
When I got my Anaconda, I was looking for a .44 Magnum also. My choice had come down to the 629 and the Anaconda. My 2 cents is, if you have the extra money, then go for the Anaconda. Overall it just seems like a better, finer, and more reliable revolver.
The only bad thing about the Anaconda though, is the availability of holsters. Ive been looking for a nice leather holster for mine, but cant seem to find one. I have contacted a couple of custom holster makers, and they said they couldnt make me one because they dont have a model of an Anaconda to mold and fit the holster.
For my money, you can't beat a S&W if you are going to shoot 'normal' loads.
I never cared for the trigger on an Anaconda, When I bought my first .44M years ago, the Colt was still in production and I bought a 5" 629 Classic over the Anaconda after comparing them side by side.
I never cared for the trigger on an Anaconda, When I bought my first .44M years ago, the Colt was still in production and I bought a 5" 629 Classic over the Anaconda after comparing them side by side.
Winchester_73
New member
I own a 29-2 and my friend just got an anaconda. They are both good overall but here are the differences that I observe:
1) The colt has the typical colt DA pull. But if I remember correctly, it was better than most colts, in this regard, that I have handled/shot. The 29-2 has a pleasant, even throughout (no stacking ie increased pull before trigger break), DA pull.
2) The anaconda has a full lug where my 29-2 does not. This makes the anaconda slightly heavier which is good for a 44 magnum. Some 629s and a few 29s (magna classics) have a full lug as well. IIRC every anaconda has this feature however.
3) Almost any colt revolver, due to the frame angles/design, sits lower in your hand than a comparable S&W. While this doesn't factor in much for 2 hand shooting, for 1 hand, I think its more comfortable and easier to shoot.
4) I don't recall the anaconda having any kind of a special trigger or hammer but my 29-2 has the TT and TH. I prefer the wideness of the TT and TH but thats largely personal.
The colt rotates clockwise, S&W rotates counter clockwise and both have excellent SA pulls. Aside from durability issues with anacondas, I'd say its a tie overall. I shot my friends anaconda that day just as well as my 29-2.
1) The colt has the typical colt DA pull. But if I remember correctly, it was better than most colts, in this regard, that I have handled/shot. The 29-2 has a pleasant, even throughout (no stacking ie increased pull before trigger break), DA pull.
2) The anaconda has a full lug where my 29-2 does not. This makes the anaconda slightly heavier which is good for a 44 magnum. Some 629s and a few 29s (magna classics) have a full lug as well. IIRC every anaconda has this feature however.
3) Almost any colt revolver, due to the frame angles/design, sits lower in your hand than a comparable S&W. While this doesn't factor in much for 2 hand shooting, for 1 hand, I think its more comfortable and easier to shoot.
4) I don't recall the anaconda having any kind of a special trigger or hammer but my 29-2 has the TT and TH. I prefer the wideness of the TT and TH but thats largely personal.
The colt rotates clockwise, S&W rotates counter clockwise and both have excellent SA pulls. Aside from durability issues with anacondas, I'd say its a tie overall. I shot my friends anaconda that day just as well as my 29-2.
These two guns are going to be pretty similar overall technically speaking with no glaring differences in terms of function. Given that, if you prefer one over the other on a more superficial level or for a less obvious reason that should be good enough reason to form a decision upon.
aarondhgraham
New member
My 2 cents worth,,,
S&W 629,,, Pretty handgun
Anaconda,,, Not so Pretty.
On a purely aesthetic basis,,,
I have trouble warming up to full lug barrels.
On a practical basis,,,
I shoot just as badly with one as the other.
S&W 629,,, Pretty handgun
Anaconda,,, Not so Pretty.
On a purely aesthetic basis,,,
I have trouble warming up to full lug barrels.
On a practical basis,,,
I shoot just as badly with one as the other.
I have not seen an Anaconda locally for quite a while. I would like to pick one up and "fondle" it for a while, I know the Smith, just not the Colt. I really like the looks of the Anaconda, and barring any major drawbacks would like to have one. Guess I'll keep my eyes open and look for a good shooter, Smith or Colt, it will get used...no safe queens here.
S&W Kinda Guy
New member
^^
Just keep looking if you want an Anaconda. I was about to buy the 629, when an Anaconda popped up on some local classifieds.
Just keep looking if you want an Anaconda. I was about to buy the 629, when an Anaconda popped up on some local classifieds.
They are all strong guns .....Colf fans like the colt / S&W fans like the S&W...
Personally, I like the model 29 better ...the stocks or grips seem to fit my hands better than any of the Colts. I especially like the older model 29's in a Nickel finish ... But I also have a couple of the 629's / a 3" Trail Boss and an 8 3/8" 629 DX model ...and 3 or 4 of the model 29's in 6" and 8 3/8" ...
Personally, I like the model 29 better ...the stocks or grips seem to fit my hands better than any of the Colts. I especially like the older model 29's in a Nickel finish ... But I also have a couple of the 629's / a 3" Trail Boss and an 8 3/8" 629 DX model ...and 3 or 4 of the model 29's in 6" and 8 3/8" ...
I own 4 model 29-2 's, [2 four inch, Nickel and blue, 6 1/2 inch blue, 6 inch nickel ] a 5 inch S&W Classic, and a 6 inch Andaconda, both stainless steel. I like the old S&W triggers the best but I heard they are not as robust as a Classic or Andaconda.
I think the classics are still fairly easy to find. Andacondas and dash 1 and 2's are scarce and expensive for a .44 mag. So if you want a good shooter and not a Ruger, go for the S&W Classic with no "IL".
Good luck!
I think the classics are still fairly easy to find. Andacondas and dash 1 and 2's are scarce and expensive for a .44 mag. So if you want a good shooter and not a Ruger, go for the S&W Classic with no "IL".
Good luck!
I own a 8 3/8" 29-2. I've also fired my friend's Anaconda. I prefer the trigger pull on the S&W over the Colt but the Anaconda is still a fine revolver. I prefer stainless steel of the Colt but the pinned and recessed 629's are hard to find. The price of the Colt appreciates more rapidly than the S&W also. Bottom line - you can't go wrong with either.
Since you're including guns that aren't currently being made amymore, there's another one:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=169144889
I sure like mine..
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=169144889
I sure like mine..
Firepower!
New member
From collector's point of view
From a collector's point of view there is no match between the two. One a production revolver that is nice, but the other is a collector's item. I have 629 and I will toss it the day I get my hands on Annaconda. It will complete my Colt snake series. In my neck of woods I am willing to pay 3000 USD for a new Annaconda.
From a collector's point of view there is no match between the two. One a production revolver that is nice, but the other is a collector's item. I have 629 and I will toss it the day I get my hands on Annaconda. It will complete my Colt snake series. In my neck of woods I am willing to pay 3000 USD for a new Annaconda.
Pathfinder45
New member
From a SA point of view.....
.......they're both equally lousy; but together they're better than any ten. Get both and be happy.
.......they're both equally lousy; but together they're better than any ten. Get both and be happy.
.I just bought a 4" Anaconda and look forward to shooting it.
Best DA trigger I've ever seen on any Colt.
The brutesnake balances well with 4" with its underlug, I'd bet it is a pig on a shovel with an 8" barrel. So if you want a long barrel the Smith might be the way to go. However, I've had 2 smiths and both had issues. A blue one had a burr and would fail to cycle sometimes. A stainless one blew the cylinder latch clean off in one cylinder. Couldn't find it and couldn't unload the gun. So personally I'm going to heed the gods and avoid the smiths in this caliber.
Best DA trigger I've ever seen on any Colt.
The brutesnake balances well with 4" with its underlug, I'd bet it is a pig on a shovel with an 8" barrel. So if you want a long barrel the Smith might be the way to go. However, I've had 2 smiths and both had issues. A blue one had a burr and would fail to cycle sometimes. A stainless one blew the cylinder latch clean off in one cylinder. Couldn't find it and couldn't unload the gun. So personally I'm going to heed the gods and avoid the smiths in this caliber.