My Coonan 357 arrived.
Received delivery of my Classic model Coonan 357mag semi-automatic pistol on Thursday; can't wait to get to the range and test it out. They say the break in period should be at least 200 rounds so I have already stocked up on my ammo. Just finished taking some photos of the gun alone and next to my standard military 1911 so people can get a feel of the size of this firearm. Length and height are both about a half inch longer and thickness seems about the same. You will notice that the magazine is considerably wider and longer than the 45.
Quality is everything I remembered from seeing it at the Shot Show. Purchased it with adjustable night sights, six magazines, upgraded grips and a bunch of spare springs. Came in a nice carrying case and they include a very detailed manual with color photos. This breaks down the same as a regular 1911. People know I see all kinds of hand guns from Kimber, Springfield, Colt and other quality manufacturers and I can honestly say the Coonan meets or exceed any other gun I've inspected as far as fit and finish. I was told since they were on the cover of Shotgun News their lead time has jumped from four weeks to eight to ten; mine took seven weeks due to delivery problems with the Trijicon sight supplier.
Quote:
Is that Coonan a descendant of the LAR Grizzly? Looks about the same.
Always meant to get one with both .45 Win Mag and .357 barrels and
magazines... Came as a kit in the 80's... John
No, this is not the same gun, the Coonan 357 was first developed and sold way back in the 80's as Coonan Arms and that company was eventually sold by Dan Coonan, the developer of this firearm. That company went Chapter 11 in the mid 90's but by then the Coonan 357mag had developed a cult type following. Magazines for those first guns can run as much as $200 each if you can find them. Dan Coonan started his new company, Coonan Inc. a couple years ago and is now selling an improved handgun based upon the same platform. It is much easier to handle than the Grizzly and the Desert Eagle. You can find a lot of interesting information on these firearms on the internet. As mentioned by another INGO member this is the best of both worlds for me as I love the 1911 style and also the 357mag cartridge.
I believe the LAR Grizzly was chambered for the .45 Win Mag and had conversion kits for changing over to other rounds like the .357. They were very heavy guns. Dan Coonan developed his design in 1977 and the Grizzly was developed in the 80's. Two good guns using different concepts. There is also the Desert Eagle which along with the Grizzly weights at least a pound more than the Coonan pistol. The Coonan is probably as close as you will come to this type of pistol suitable for a personal carry gun. Personally I purchased mine for target shooting and because I just had to have one once I held it in my hand.
I have the Coonan & LAR Grizzly. The Coonan is smaller & will fit my small hands better.
I purchased a coonan 357 this winter I have fired it several times. The recoil is not bad. The muzzle flip and flash are more than a 45 but I was most impressed by it accuracy. I also have 4 mags for it.They are more difficult to load than a 45. The mag springs are very stiff. Congrats you will enjoy!
A fellow Coonan owner as well. The recoil on them is not that bad. It's a heavy gun so that takes up quite a bit of it. What's awesome is how loud it is shooting at an indoor rage. It will make people next to you jump.