Coonan .357 Magnum

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Yesterday I rented a Coonan .357 Mag at my local indoor range.

That was one of, if not, the most fun pistols I have ever fired. It has now moved up the the top of the must-have list. Kind of a pain to load the mags but otherwise, wonderful gun.

Recoil was no worse than a full size .45 1911, IMO.
 
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Mine came with a small pin that slides in the magazine. makes it easy to load. we had it out yesterday and it is a blast to shoot for sure.
 
The pin really helps load. I agree it is super fun. I cant really explain why but there is a certain feel to it.

I got mine with a the extended hunter barrel (6.1 inches) I find that mine cycles 38 specials better than most other peoples Coonans and I think that is why. I know the Compact Coonan with a 4 inch barrel does not feed 38s at all.
 
I actually run more .38 Special through my Coonan than I do .357, but that's only because my club's steel plate range demands it. I worked up a warm handload that goes just the slightest bit above published loads -- but it's just a pipsqueak load compared to any .357 Magnum.
 
yup. that's gotta be in the top 5 semi-autos ever made. I really hope to be able to get one someday. I guess I COULD sell off half my guns and do it, but I dunno.....I probably wouldn't regret it though
 
Very accurate and easy to shoot. Much more than I expected.

I decided some time ago that I was not selling any more guns to fund additional ones, but I may just part with something to get the Coonan.
 




This is a Model A (one of 1,500 made). Its really nice. The new production Model B variant is said to be even better.

One thing about the Coonan, and I understand it applies to the new production guns as well, while they look like a 1911 pattern gun, they are much different. Besides the obvious differences, slide to frame fit might seem ..sloppy.. to those expecting the tight fit of a tuned target .45.

It is intentional. The length of the .357, and its power means the frame flexes differently than a "regular" 1911 and what looks like a poor fit is just the needed clearance for the gun to operate.

I like mine, its the smallest and lightest of my magnum auto pistol! :D
 
How well does the Coonan feed the various SJHP and lead hollow point .38/.357 magnums? Can it only run FMJ loads?

It would be awesome if it can run the Federal 357B 125 grain SJHP load.
 
I only fired 50 rounds of Fiocchi 158 Grain JHP's, but it ate them all very well. I did have one stovepipe at about round 40. It was a range gun and seemed a little dirty, though.
 
How well does the Coonan feed the various SJHP and lead hollow point .38/.357 magnums? Can it only run FMJ loads?
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While I haven't tried any, JHP should work, if not, it would be an individual gun issue, not a design issue.

The Coonan is recoil operated. Not gas operated like the Desert Eagle. The Coonan can shoot any FMJ, JSP, JHP, or cast bullet without issue (other than an individual gun might not like a given load).

With the Desert Eagle you must stick to jacketed bullets (with the jacket covering the base of the bullet), or you risk clogging the gas system. Desert Eagles are ok with exposed lead bullet noses (JSP, JHP), but need full jacket coverage over the rest of the bullet, or you will have issues, at some point. AND, a clogged gas system is NOT covered under their warranty.

The Coonan is like the 1911 it resembles in its ability to eat ammo. Meaning jacketed or lead (the lead must be hard enough for a semi auto, like any semi auto), the gun doesn't care much. Different load levels can be made functional by changing the recoil spring. The Coonan will shoot (and feed) .38 Specials with the correct spring for them, and I understand that the new Coonans come with the needed parts for conversion.

The Coonan is much more versatile then the Desert Eagle, in terms of the ammo you can use. Bigger and heavier than a 1911 Govt model, its still smaller and lighter than the Desert Eagle, and because of that, more people can more easily use it. It is thinner than a magnum revolver (no cylinder), and while larger than the usual duty class autos, its not much larger, still within the range of practical carry, I think, if only barely.


Another thing I like about Coonan is the attitude. Honest might be a good way to describe it. In a fairly recent Coonan ad I saw they make a point of stating (in a noticeable fashion) something like this...

"If you're looking for your first handgun, this ain't it!!!"

gotta admire that. :D

Its not for the tyro, its not for everyone. But if it's for you, I don't think you will be unhappy.
 
Big .357 fan here. Used to own a DE in .357, shoulda' bought the Coonan.

What's the little bar behind the trigger? Trigger bow? It looks like a pivoting trigger or is it like a 1911?
 
It is a pivoting trigger however it acts upon a bow -- the bow works like the 1911 except that it is of a different size and indeed, it is a pivoting trigger and not diretly connected with the bow. Dan Coonan was asked about this and simply said that was what he did and didn't offer much reason.

The actual look of the trigger itself has evolved a bit over time but it works the same way that it always has.
 
Are you asking about a Model A, Model B or the current production Coonan Classic?

The Model A's are scarce and you would pay collector price for one.
The Model B's had collectible "value" but that "value" has been reduced because the new production Coonan Classic pistols are basically the same but produced with more modern methods results in a pistol that is the same or better.

New Coonan Classic pistols start as low as $1250 for the base model and options such as barrel length, sights, finishes and grips and extra magazines rocket the price ever higher.

If a person new to Coonan wanted to play, I would suggest that $1,400 or so would be a perfectly rational number to prepare yourself for a new production gun of new manufacture. Haven't seen many of them on the used market.
 
If you compare the cost against the high end 1911s out there, its really not all that much, and its a .357 Magnum!
:)
 
Is the Coonan reliable enough for serious self defense?

I've got visions in my head of this gun in a shoulder holster rig with double magazine pouch attached, loaded with 125 grain Federal 357B loads. Should make a... persuasive... defense weapon but only IF it would be reliable. I've seen the Coonans at local gun shows. I feel one may well be in my future.
 
I am certain that my Coonan is reliable enough for defensive use (2,400+ rds thru it) but I would suggest the Coonan Compact is likely a far better size for such a role. The Compact is fairly new to the market, I would think or hope that they run just as well.
 
I have to admit that I'm getting very interested in buying one. It's not that I don't like shooting the .357AMP, but the brass for that is like gold not to mention any repair bill if something breaks. The Coonan seems fairly priced, and I think there's room enough in the safe. :rolleyes:
 
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