Colt Anaconda vs S&W 629: Two Ways to Build a Stainless .44 Magnum

Why this matchup

For decades the answer to "which stainless .44 Magnum revolver?" was mostly a shrug and a 629. Ruger had the Redhawk and Super Redhawk, which we compare in our 629 vs Super Redhawk page, but Colt was largely absent after the original Anaconda went away. Then Colt brought it back.

So the cross-brand question is new again. These are both six-shot, stainless, adjustable-sighted .44 Magnum double actions. The differences are in lineage, lockwork, weight distribution and the ecosystem around each gun.

Two histories

Smith & Wesson 629

Smith & Wesson started making a large N-frame .44 Magnum revolver in the mid-1950s, the gun that became the Model 29. The .44 Magnum cartridge itself was announced in January 1956. The Model 629 is the stainless version of the Model 29, introduced in the late 1970s, and it has been in the catalog in one form or another ever since.

That long run produced a lot of variants: the full-underlug Classic, Performance Center competition and carry guns, the short Trail Boss and more. Our 629 lineup guide decodes the current Standard, Classic and Deluxe.

Colt Anaconda

Colt introduced the Anaconda in 1990 on a new, heavier frame. It had a full-length underlug, a vent-rib barrel, adjustable sights and a stainless-only finish. Production ended in the early 2000s.

In 2021 Colt reintroduced the Anaconda as a new design with a stronger frame and an oversized version of the action from the second-generation Python. Colt's current product page lists 4.25-, 6- and 8-inch barrels, a transfer bar safety, a rebounding hammer and a cylinder latch safety. Our blued Anaconda piece covers the newer finish option.

Side by side

Handling and recoil

Here's the honest truth about any .44 Magnum: weight is your friend. The heavier the gun, the more of that recoil turns into a push instead of a slap.

The Anaconda carries its weight forward, in a thick underlug and a vent-rib barrel. Reference specs for the original Anaconda put a six-inch gun in the low fifties of ounces, and the original had a reputation for absorbing heavy loads well. The 629 in its standard four-inch form is lighter and handier, which is lovely on the belt and a little livelier with full-power ammo. The 629 Classic, with its full-length underlug, closes some of that gap.

If you plan to shoot a lot of full-house magnums, more mass helps. If you plan to carry it on a hike and shoot mostly .44 Special, the lighter 629 is the easier companion. Our big-bore recoil guide covers grips and stance either way.

Triggers and actions

Smith & Wesson's N-frame double-action trigger is a known quantity. It's the action a huge share of revolver gunsmiths know best, parts are plentiful, and most owners find it smooth and predictable.

The new Anaconda uses a Python-derived action. Colt's second-generation Python simplified the older lockwork and redesigned the mainspring to avoid the "stacking" that bothered some shooters of the original. The Anaconda scales that approach up.

Both guns are double action/single action, so you can thumb-cock the hammer for a deliberate single-action shot at distance, or run the long double-action stroke for everything else. If you're new to big-bore double actions, our inspection guide and plenty of dry practice with an unloaded gun will tell you more about which trigger suits you than any spec sheet.

One practical difference: Colt cylinder latches pull back, while Smith & Wesson latches push forward. If you already own one brand, your thumb will notice. Our used-revolver inspection guide covers how to check timing and lockup on either.

Ownership and support

Buying a revolver is also buying into everything around it. This is where the two guns differ most in daily life.

• Grips. The N-frame round butt has been around long enough that wood, rubber and target stocks are easy to find. Anaconda grips are a smaller market. Colt's own page notes optics-ready grips on current models, and the listing we checked shipped with Hogue rubber.
• Holsters. N-frame holsters are a staple of leather makers. Anaconda holsters exist but the choice is narrower, particularly for the 4.25-inch gun. Our holster guide covers what to look for.
• Gunsmiths. Nearly every revolver smith has worked on N-frames. The new Colt action is newer to the trade. If you live far from a good smith, that counts.
• Used market. Decades of 629 production mean plenty of used guns in every configuration. Used new-model Anacondas are fewer. Either way, check timing, end shake and lockup before you buy; our inspection guide walks through it.

None of this makes the Anaconda a worse revolver. It just means the 629 owner has more choices on day one, and the Anaconda owner may wait a little longer for the perfect holster.

Which one should you buy?

Pick the S&W 629 if

• You want the widest choice of barrel lengths and configurations.
• You care about holsters, grips and speedloaders being easy to find.
• You want a lighter four-inch woods gun.

Pick the Colt Anaconda if

• You want maximum forward weight for full-power shooting.
• You prefer a gun without an internal key lock.
• You like the Colt action and want something less common at the range.

Feeding a .44

Both guns fire .44 Special, and you should take advantage of that. A box of .44 Special makes a practice session pleasant and lets new shooters learn the gun without a flinch. Save .44 Magnum for when you need it, and check point of impact with your carry or hunting load, because heavy bullets often print differently.

For reloads in the field, an HKS 29-M speedloader is listed for six-shot .44 Special and .44 Magnum revolvers. Confirm fit with your exact model before relying on any speedloader.

Editorial note: This is an independent editorial overview built from manufacturer specifications, retailer listings and published sources. We have not performed hands-on testing of the products discussed, and nothing here is a performance guarantee. Verify specifications, compatibility and the law where you live.

Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links to Ammunition Depot. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Our editorial choices are not influenced by commissions. Check current price, stock and specifications directly with the retailer.