My boy brought this to me yesterday for Christmas. He’s such a good kid. It shoots really nice. Beautiful gun.

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Bobby SWCA #4067
SWHF #1144

That’s very nice of him. And it it a beautiful gun, I’m waiting and hoping for a blued version.

Did you drop it on the trigger guard.

That's been the trigger guard profile from Colt on many of their Snakes for a few years.

Think it’s kind of amusing that S&W has gone to full underlug on many models in a fashion similar to the Colt Python.
Colt has gone to a truncated underlug traditionally typical of a S&W.

I'm very interested in the 3" version. But so far I haven't laid eyes on one.

Bud's Discount Guns has the 3" Viper in stock.

I’m always leery of fixed sight revolvers.

Does it shoot to point of aim?

I’m a big, big fan of the new Colts (and CZs).

Bobby, you raised Super Son. Congrats.

Fixed sight revolvers usually do shoot to point of aim…or close it. They’re not meant to be match guns.

If the revolver is off…all it takes is two lead babbitts to adjust the point of impact.

Yup, I'm leery of them too, Especially at 50 Yards.

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Retired LE Instructor/Armorer

A Viper with a 4.25" barrel has been in my stable since early October. I ordered it in August and it arrived at the gun shop in early September.

I love the smooth trigger pull, and my initial over-all impression of the gun is good. Health issues (both miy wife's and mine) delayed my picking it up and have also prevented me from shooting it but hopefully that will soon be taken care of.

I tried it with Hogue grips, but put the factory stocks back on and I have ordered a set of old-style d-frame grips for it.

I look forward to going with my stepson and my grandkids to shoot it. How does it handle?

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Let's be careful out there

Been eying the three inch since they came out. Tempting but the price is a bit hard to swallow. Plus I already have a three inch King Cobra and Python.

Congratulations on a nice Revolver. I’m not
a Colt guy but I like all the New Česká
zbrojovka (CZ) Colts, well manufactured,
nicely finished.

I like the 357S&W Magnum cartridge, it’s
nice shooting, accurate, and easy to reload.

I’m anxiously awaiting for the CZ/Colt Anaconda
in 45Long Colt. This would be another nice
addition with 45 Colt on their barrels. Also
another nice shooting, accurate, and easy to
reload cartridge.

May then I’ll have a Colt, unless I find a
reasonable priced SAA or New Frontier.

The Best to you and your Endeavors.

A lot of people are waiting for the Anaconda in .45 Colt...some are saying this coming year it will happen...but I don't know that for a fact but am hopeful.

The Anaconda was designed around the .454...still hoping for that to be a reality.

Wow M15! That’s some fine shooting!

That front sight looks to be replaceable. So to raise the POI would be simple. The important thing is the windage is perfect.

Why would Colt make a 45 Colt Anaconda when it wouldn’t cost any more to bore the cylinder a bit deeper and make it a 454 AND .45 Colt? The cylinder of an Anaconda is huge, 1.915 inches from back to front.

As someone who has 3 inch King Cobra and Python, I wouldn't dry fire the Viper or King Cobra much. They have MIM hammers and a few have broken rendering the weapon inop. Dry firing seems to be a common theme with those who have had their hammers break. One guy on the Colt forum had it happen twice.

A .454 cylinder can also take a .45 Colt...kinda like .357 Magnum and .38 Special.

There would also be a difference in heat treating specs for the .454...that would add costs. It's not as simple as boring out the charge hole a bit further to accommodate the longer round...the cylinder and frame has to be able to withstand the pressure of the more powerful round. Whether Colt is going to do that on a production basis is unknown to me...just because the steel might be strong enough isn't the only question...it's how much it can withstand long term. I imagine it would have to be tested to destruction to determine whether a .454 Anaconda is a viable product for the long run.

That is a beauty!!

Funny you should mention that. I wanted to show that the factory stock sights were plenty accurate. 6" low at 50 yards is still usable with fixed sights for a defensive revolver.

I replaced the front sight with the highly visible Harrison Consulting 0.140" orange tritium front post.


Here's the subsequent 25 yard shooting. Yup, fixed sights are no good.

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Retired LE Instructor/Armorer

There’s enough steel.

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Yes, a bit too angular to me given the historic appearance of Colt DA revolvers...but keep on making them anyhow please.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

It’s a nice shooter. Don’t like cci primers. Accurate as can be. Seems to shoot low but it’s more like center of target than six o clock hold. It’s definitely a nice gun. Not what I’m used to. Not a S&W.

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Bobby SWCA #4067
SWHF #1144

Please explain to me the attraction/niche this gun has versus the Python & King Cobra?

I don't get it.

Colt and "Collect them all" both start with a "C" ? I mean Colt has had a great run selling reptile models with very little difference in them.

The Python is a larger frame revolver while using the same basic action. The King Cobra and the Viper are the same other than the barrel profile.

While I've only handled a Viper (but own a King Cobra)...I like the Viper better as the barrel profile is more attractive (a subjective thing at best) and a bit less weight if you intend to carry one.

All three are fine revolvers...it just comes down to personal preference.

The Viper is a self-defense revolver. The Python is a target revolver.

Viper shoots very well, and I prefer the issue grips. Since that photo was taken, I've purchased a set of them with the Colt medallions and modified for cylindrical speedloaders: unmodified they don't work so great.

This gun is best viewed like a K frame Model 13: a .38 Special that will shoot .357 Magnum. Since .357 Mag has been watered down, maybe it doesn't matter anymore. That .357 Mag Remington 125 grain BJHP is an excellent load. I haven't tried my .38 Spl 158 SWCHP loads yet.

Didn't get the memo on dry frying until around 500 dry-snaps. Nothing has broken, so I've kept going.

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Retired LE Instructor/Armorer