Coonan Classic 357

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I had only one gun, a Marlin 357 lever action.

One day, I decided I wanted a pistol that shot the same thing, so I started looking on line. Somewhere, I saw something about the Coonan. From that point on, I knew that there was a 357 pistol out there, but I forgot the name "Coonan." For several years, I would ask gun guys, "What's that 357 pistol they used to make -- I want to get one?" And all of them said "You mean 357 Sig," or "There's no such thing as a 357 magnum pistol."

I swear, not one gun guy I asked would even admit the possibility that such a gun existed. Then one day, I was at an indoor shooting range in downtown LA with my lever action, and the man behind the counter said, "You like 357 magnum? Try this." He then handed me the most beat-up looking gun I'd ever seen. It was a Coonan. This thing must have been doing rental duty since the 1970s.

Big disappointment. Jam after jam, and this was before I knew that guns sometimes jam (not a problem with a Marlin). I got frustrated and gave up on the thing, but I always held out faith that a Coonan in decent shape would be a good gun.

I'm still waiting to find out.
 
I rented one at a range and liked it. A lot. Functioned flawlessly (at least for 50 rounds) and shot great. Much less recoil than a revolver IME.
 
Does anyone know how many of the LTD serial number limited edition Coonan's were made ?
 
A friend recently purchased a mint condition Model B Coonan. The classic style mags did not fit, and He does not want to have the magwell Broached or filed. Do You think the Model B Mags will work with 38 plus p and the 10 pound spring, or will a spacer in the magazine need to be used? Appreciate Your Assistance.
 
pairof44sp said:
I had only one gun, a Marlin 357 lever action.

One day, I decided I wanted a pistol that shot the same thing, so I started looking on line. Somewhere, I saw something about the Coonan. From that point on, I knew that there was a 357 pistol out there, but I forgot the name "Coonan." For several years, I would ask gun guys, "What's that 357 pistol they used to make -- I want to get one?" And all of them said "You mean 357 Sig," or "There's no such thing as a 357 magnum pistol."

I swear, not one gun guy I asked would even admit the possibility that such a gun existed. Then one day, I was at an indoor shooting range in downtown LA with my lever action, and the man behind the counter said, "You like 357 magnum? Try this." He then handed me the most beat-up looking gun I'd ever seen. It was a Coonan. This thing must have been doing rental duty since the 1970s.

Big disappointment. Jam after jam, and this was before I knew that guns sometimes jam (not a problem with a Marlin). I got frustrated and gave up on the thing, but I always held out faith that a Coonan in decent shape would be a good gun.

I'm still waiting to find out.
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Coonans are good guns, they're well made and can be reliable. Trouble is there are several different potential malfunctions waiting to happen. I can't speak from experience so take that for what it's worth. Cartridge length & power will play a factor- 357 mag ammo has significant variation between commercially available cartridges. Rimmed cartridges also complicate things and regular 1911 issues (sorry, not sorry) exist too. So no matter how well the gun is made (I think coonan made very good quality guns) the design has parameters in which it will work well, box-o-range ammo probably isn't good food for a coonan. The guys who actually shoot theirs , I'm sure know what to use and how to get them to run as well as anything else. I just don't think it's like feeding a glock a random box of ammo , it's a specialty pistol and loading considerations & maintenance should be priorities if it's going to run well.
Could be off on that, just a thought .
 
Obturation said:
Coonans are good guns, they're well made and can be reliable. Trouble is there are several different potential malfunctions waiting to happen. I can't speak from experience so take that for what it's worth. Cartridge length & power will play a factor- 357 mag ammo has significant variation between commercially available cartridges. Rimmed cartridges also complicate things and regular 1911 issues (sorry, not sorry) exist too. So no matter how well the gun is made (I think coonan made very good quality guns) the design has parameters in which it will work well, box-o-range ammo probably isn't good food for a coonan. The guys who actually shoot theirs , I'm sure know what to use and how to get them to run as well as anything else. I just don't think it's like feeding a glock a random box of ammo , it's a specialty pistol and loading considerations & maintenance should be priorities if it's going to run well.
Could be off on that, just a thought .
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Wonderful point. We're living in a Glocks and Camrys and Consumer Reports world, where everything has to work perfectly with zero maintenance schedule. Little room for all the great machines that still require us to show a little extra cooperation on our part.
 
I always liked the idea of a 357 autoloader. I liked the coonans, but i guess Iiked the lar grizzly more. I still have a yearning to get an coonan though if money and gun would ever line up.
 
Dain Bramage said:
I don't shoot mine much anymore. I broke the magazine catch and had Coonan fix it while they were still in business. It still functions somewhat gritty, and I'm worried it will break again.

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Nice gun....but the grips...WOW
I think thats the nicest grips I have ever seen.
 
Dain Bramage--
Beautiful grips, and I'm sorry to hear that Sarge has retired.
I almost bought a Coonan about 5 years ago, and probably should have. At this point, prices are prohibitive.
Guess I will have to be content with my DW 10mm CBOB. Not nearly as exclusive, but a pretty decent pistol in it's own right.
 
Sarge is an artist. And a good sport for standing up to my pestering. I really appreciate him making the best Coonan grips on the planet for me.

Here is a screen grab from his Facebook page from late 2019.

Sarges Grips Retired.JPG
 
I didn't know Coonan was no longer in business. I guess I need to see what parts are available. It is a great handgun. It is a lot of fun to shoot. There is recoil, but it is all right back into your palm. Little muzzle flip. My pistol has done pretty well, but I am sure my round count is under 500. The only real issue I ever had was new magazines don't feed well until they have been emptied a couple times.

Given the comments on accuracy, I need to shoot mine again. I didn't notice any lack of accuracy. I will have to shoot it against my best 1911's in 45 as a comparison. That should make a good range trip.
 
I had two early Coonans on which the little "elf weiner" barrel hood extension broke off. Coonan machined the slides and installed new barrels. I sold one and traded the other for a Colt Delta Gold cup and I was never sorry I got the Colt.
 
I've read everywhere that the new Coonan Classic model magazines do or do not fit the older models with modification.
But does anybody know if the reverse is possible? Will the older Coonan model magazines work with the Coonan Classic models?
 
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