Welcome to our annual Golden Bullseyes, an award program that honors pinnacles of design, innovation, performance and value produced for American hunters.
Golden Bullseye winners are selected by a panel of experts representing more than a century of collective experience in shooting, hunting and outdoor trade. To qualify for consideration, a product must have been:
• Recently introduced and available to consumers prior to nomination;
• Used/tested by AH staff or our contributors;
• Reliable in the field and thus meeting the consumer’s expectations;
• Innovative in design and function;
• Readily perceived as a value to the consumer;
• Styled in a manner befitting the trade and its enthusiasts.
2022 Handgun of the Year: Colt Anaconda
When Colt introduced its new and improved Python revolver a couple of years ago, hunters admired it but waited for their gun: the Anaconda. Last year they got it, a .44 Magnum hunting handgun with a glossy finish, big grips and the world-famous Colt ventilated rib.
Some handgun hunters may dismiss the highly polished stainless-steel finish, but this new iteration of the famous Colt big-bore is not offered blued. Just know that when it’s not in the field the gun is suitable for display.
The full-length lug adds weight to absorb recoil and it does so mostly up front near the muzzle, where weight is needed. The top strap is drilled and tapped to accommodate an optic.
The open-back, dimpled, black rubber Hogue grip panels sport grooves along the front strap and provide purchase throughout the firing process.
The Anaconda sports a wide hammer spur and a fully adjustable rear sight. The front blade is high-vis orange and replaceable.
Perhaps best of all, double-action pull weights on the new Anaconda are every bit as smooth as the Python thanks to the same V-style mainspring used here as on the .357 Magnum revolver. This is the big snake, the Colt Anaconda. MSRP: $1,499; colt.com.
To see the full list of American Hunter's 2022 Golden Bullseye Award winners, click here.
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