Coonan .357 magnum/.38special 1911

clogspecialist · 02-19-2012, 11:09

Recently discovered this very strange pistol. I think its extremely interesting, and would like to hear anyone's thoughts if anyone on GT owns one. I really wonder what reliability and accuracy is like with these "hybrid" handguns

***faawrenchbndr*** · 02-19-2012, 11:41

There are a few members here with them.

http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/show...ghlight=coonan

http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/show...ghlight=coonan

http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/show...ghlight=coonan

bac1023 · 02-19-2012, 11:47

They're awesome shooters.

Mine is an original, not new production.

Tim151515 · 02-19-2012, 12:38

do they all have grips like ^^^ or do they come checkered as well?

bac1023 · 02-19-2012, 13:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim151515

do they all have grips like ^^^ or do they come checkered as well?

All smooth as far as I know.

They don't take standard 1911 grips. Its not actually a 1911, but its based off of one.

jrs93accord · 02-19-2012, 16:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by bac1023

All smooth as far as I know.

They don't take standard 1911 grips. Its not actually a 1911, but its based off of one.

Darn, you beat me to it.

On the prototype model, the original barrel and barrel link design was that of the 1911. It was later redesigned to a linkless barrel system with the introduction of the Coonan B.

The 1911 and the Coonan have few things in common.

There are 18 parts that are direct replacements:
•Hammer & Pin
•Hammer Strut & Pin
•Sear, & Pin
•Sear Spring
•Disconnector & Pin
•Thumb Safety
•Plunger Tube, Pins (Front & Rear), and Spring
•Barrel Bushing
•Recoil Plug
•Grip Screws
•Grip Bushings

and there are 6 parts that require some modification:
•Firing Pin Stop
•Grip Safety
•Recoil Spring
•Ejector
•Recoil Spring Tube
•Sights

Also, Coonan Arms does offer some really nice checkered grips.

http://www.coonaninc.com/products.ph...walnut/cPath,6

http://www.coonaninc.com/products.ph...milled/cPath,6

jrs93accord · 02-19-2012, 16:05

Here is mine. According to Dan Coonan, it is a late '80s production. These pistols are a real blast to shoot. They are a bit pricey new, around $1300. Used ones can run from $1000-$1200. I got mine for a steal. I bought it from a guy in Missoula, MT for $840 shipped and that included two magazines. It did not come in the original case, but that was still a helluva deal.

clogspecialist · 02-27-2012, 14:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrs93accord

Here is mine. According to Dan Coonan, it is a late '80s production. These pistols are a real blast to shoot. They are a bit pricey new, around $1300. Used ones can run from $1000-$1200. I got mine for a steal. I bought it from a guy in Missoula, MT for $840 shipped and that included two magazines. It did not come in the original case, but that was still a helluva deal.

She sure is purty, how is accuracy?

jrs93accord · 02-27-2012, 14:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by clogspecialist

She sure is purty, how is accuracy?

Even with me behind the trigger, it can hit where you point it. I have no problem doing quick head shots from 7 yds.

bac1023 · 02-19-2012, 16:11

That was a great deal, James.

bac1023 · 02-19-2012, 16:47

Yeah, it's styled after the 1911, but there are many differences.

The dimensions aren't even the same.

fnfalman · 02-27-2012, 15:03

Do those things cycle on .38 Special ammo?

jrs93accord · 02-27-2012, 15:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by fnfalman

Do those things cycle on .38 Special ammo?

They can, but you need the correct recoil spring to do so.

dajowi · 03-05-2012, 10:25

I owned a Coonan for a number of years. A great pistol. Accurate. Fun to shoot. It's great that Dan is making them again.

Poohgyrr · 11-30-2012, 19:27

Here is the Model B I USED to own.

A great pistol that I would have kept if I had guessed Dan would resume production. Very accurate, reliable, etc......
Shoots all 357 Magnum ammo, and 38 Special as well.

RYT 2BER · 11-30-2012, 20:22

I always think they seem pretty cool, but to my eyes they are as ugly as sin.

bac1023 · 11-30-2012, 21:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by RYT 2BER

I always think they seem pretty cool, but to my eyes they are as ugly as sin.

Wow, you think they're ugly?

To each their own, I guess.

RYT 2BER · 11-30-2012, 22:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by bac1023

Wow, you think they're ugly?

To each their own, I guess.

My taste tends to be a bit blingy, and they look almost like dated 1911s to me... Kind of the same issues I have with the 10mm deltas... They just look "old"

I will admit, I like the ones with the black machine aluminum grips in the pics above... I guess those just have enough of a modern look for me over the more stayed smooth wood.

Again though taste is of course subjective.

I've thought about ordering one for laughs but I've got to take it easy with more $1500 toys..

The gun still on the top of my "dumb things I don't need and shouldn't spend money on" is a s&w 500 revolver.... Only God knows why

Veedubklown · 02-11-2013, 20:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by bac1023

Wow, you think they're ugly?

To each their own, I guess.

I have to admit I'm not a fan either, but for me it's the full length dust cover. Some are done well, this one.. isn't. Also, that trigger looks goofy. How's the grip on em? It looks really big, almost disproportionate, and definitely off that key profile that the 1911 has down perfect.

jrs93accord · 02-12-2013, 04:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Veedubklown

I have to admit I'm not a fan either, but for me it's the full length dust cover. Some are done well, this one.. isn't. Also, that trigger looks goofy. How's the grip on em? It looks really big, almost disproportionate, and definitely off that key profile that the 1911 has down perfect.

I will say this, my Coonan .357 is one of the nicest shooting pistols out there. It very comfortable to shoot. I have even had some first-time female shooters try it and shoot very well with it. Looks are not everything. Until you have shot one, you are missing out on a fantastic shooter.

bac1023 · 02-12-2013, 05:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrs93accord

I will say this, my Coonan .357 is one of the nicest shooting pistols out there. It very comfortable to shoot. I have even had some first-time female shooters try it and shoot very well with it. Looks are not everything. Until you have shot one, you are missing out on a fantastic shooter.

It is an awesome shooter, James.

I personally like the looks of it quite a bit.

Poohgyrr · 02-14-2013, 10:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrs93accord

I will say this, my Coonan .357 is one of the nicest shooting pistols out there. It very comfortable to shoot. I have even had some first-time female shooters try it and shoot very well with it. Looks are not everything. Until you have shot one, you are missing out on a fantastic shooter.

Absolutely. Mine had no problem emptying mags full of current factory full power ammo into one (small) hole at 30'. And I'm not the world's greatest shooter.

Accurate. Reliable when you lube per instructions. These are easier to CCW than the (also great) 7 and 8 round S&W revolvers being made these days.

These shoot 38 Specials, and surpass what the 357Sig can do.

These are sweet shooting pistols.

Here is are pics of my old original Model B that I sold before Dan resumed production and resolved the mag shortage problem:

bac1023 · 02-12-2013, 05:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Veedubklown

I have to admit I'm not a fan either, but for me it's the full length dust cover. Some are done well, this one.. isn't. Also, that trigger looks goofy. How's the grip on em? It looks really big, almost disproportionate, and definitely off that key profile that the 1911 has down perfect.

Ok. The reason its profile is different than a 1911 is because it NOT a 1911. I've said that over and over on this forum. No offense to you, because its probably the first time you have heard it.

The trigger looks "goofy" because its not a 1911 trigger. It pivots. Also, there is no barrel link, which is a key feature in the 1911's design. The frame is bigger because it fires a 357 magnum round. The grips are wider. The grip safety is different. I wouldn't compare the full length dust cover to a 1911 with the same feature, because they're two different guns.

Yes, it has some 1911 traits, but the Coonan is its own design. Why people (such as the OP) constantly want to refer to it as a 1911, I don't understand. If you handle one, you'll know instantly that its a totally different breed.

I will certainly agree the 1911 looks better.

Veedubklown · 02-13-2013, 21:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by bac1023

Ok. The reason its profile is different than a 1911 is because it NOT a 1911....

I will certainly agree the 1911 looks better.

Oh no bac, I know it's quite different, I've seen you say that many times on here. I can see the mechanical differences, but there is still parts interchangeability between the guns for *some* stuff. The bigger grip due to the bigger round I also figured, but I've held a 10mm 1911 and it wasn't too bad. This looks really goofy. Also, the dust cover just makes it look, squirt-gunish I suppose. I know it's not a 1911, but it's like.. 1/3. And in that 2/3s that's not, they effed it up in the aesthetics department.

DFin · 02-12-2013, 09:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by RYT 2BER

I always think they seem pretty cool, but to my eyes they are as ugly as sin.

Kind of like a stainless steel Glock.