Anyone familiar with the Coonan .357 1911?

[VanGoghComplex]

My first gun is a Taurus 66 revolver, and I love it. I handload my .357 magnum rounds and frequent the range often. I've been considering my second gun purchase, and tried a Springfield 1911 in .45 at the range; I really like it.

While looking through the net for various 1911 options, I found the Coonan. It's pricey, but it seems to be lauded for quality. Anyone ever shot one? I read varying reports from "not for the recoil averse" to "this is an easy gun to shoot."

 

[PJSprog]

I have no personal experience with one, but I'd like to change that. .38/.357 are my favorite cartridges, and I'd love to have a semi chambered for them.

Hickok45 recently posted a video on his YouTube page with his review of the Coonan. If you haven't seen it yet, give it a watch.

 

[rule303]

I have fired several, and they are very nice. The new models seem to be much less "quirky" than the old ones. Recoil isn't bad at all, but certainly heavier than a .45acp in the same size gun. The Coonan isn't really a 1911. The grip is quite a bit deeper, and the internal workings are entirely different, although it does feel somewhat similar.

 

[JellyJar]

I shot one once, just one round, not crazy about them. However, this fellow:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKM5B7ykQBs

Seems to like the new ones just fine!

 

[lauderdale]

My friend just got one seemed very accurate think it was an 1800 fps round. It packed a punch!

 

[rbernie]

I've handled them at my FLGS, and they seem well made. The shop owner sells a fair number of them without complaint, so they do appear to work well for those who buy them.

 

[Capt. Ct.]

Years ago I knew a guy who owned one. He got rid of it because it didn't function well with regular ammo. Coonan recommended using extra heavy loads years ago. I don't know today what the story is. If you reload though that should not be a problem as you can work up a load that is good for the gun. I have always read that they are or were very well made guns.

 

[steady shot]

I was interested in the Coonan .357 1911 until I saw the price....

 

[nstoolman1]

Have one. Reload for it. Love it.

 

[Hillbillyz]

Friend of mine owns one, by far his favorite handgun.

 

[Rodentman]

I have the full sized model with a 6" bbl and the "compact" which is somewhat smaller, compact for a Coonan, but not generically compact, IMHO. Anyway they are great fun, require hot loads, but put out a great muzzle blast and flame.

The fit and finish is great and they aren't too loose or too tight. Mine gets a lot of range time. .357 is probably my favorite cartridge. Very versatile.

 

[bannockburn]

I have handled a few of them and while the quality and workmanship on them seem to be first rate, I felt like I couldn't get a comfortable grip on the Classic model. Also the price tag has always been a little bit up there for my budget.

 

[ohioshooter]

I have both of the new models....Love them both. Not good for you if you have small hands. Like Rodentman said, it likes heavier loads. I load for mine and if you reload 125 grain it has to be at the top limit or it won't cycle well. I haven't changed out springs for it to shoot .38 and don't plan on it either. So much fun to shoot the way it is.

 

[Rodentman]

Yeah it's not much fun at all shooting 38spl. The slide is in slo-mo and it just doesn't feel like the gun *should* be used that way. Frankly I don't know why they bothered. If someone wanted to shoot 38's they wouldn't buy a Coonan, IMHO.

What's not to love about this?

 

[agtman]

Yeah it's not much fun at all shooting 38spl. The slide is in slo-mo and it just doesn't feel like the gun *should* be used that way. Frankly I don't know why they bothered. If someone wanted to shoot 38's they wouldn't buy a Coonan, IMHO.

Funny, but that's exactly analogous to what 10mm fans have long advised folks *thinking* about getting into the 10mm cartridge - i.e., if all you want a 10mm pistol for is to shoot .40-level ammo in it, don't get a 10mm. Just get a .40 pistol and be done with it.

That tangential comment aside, the compact .357 Coonan does look interesting. I've only seen and handled the full-size model in one of the LGSs.

Has anyone here shot the compact model extensively? If so, any range report? Thanks ...

 

[Rodentman]

I haven't shot the compact a lot so I deem it still to be in the break-in phase. I had a couple of assorted misfeeds but I am sure it will be ok. They do take some breaking in and I need to be sure the loads are workable for it.

 

[mstreddy]

A buddy has one. I helped him tune the loads for it as I taught him to reload. They want hotter loads and won't function well with lighter than medium charges in our tests. It's an accurate gun, not really a lot of recoil, but lots of flash and boom.
As mentioned above it's 1911ish, not fully a 1911. Grip is large, so smaller hands may have trouble with it.
It's a great range gun and sure to draw attention when that boom goes off.
We did get the 38s to work with 38 Spcl +P loads.

 

[Pilot]

If you reload, and want a genuine 1911 that approaches the .357 mag in power, check out .38 Super 1911's. The factor ammo is weaker than it has to be, but there may be defense ammo out there now that takes advantage of the cartridges potential. It is a good round, especially if you reload.

 

[agtman]

Rodentman: thanks for the pics and your input on the Coonan Compact.

 

[scramasax]

I've been shooting a Coonan model B for over 20 years and have had no problems with it. I use full power loads and have changed the recoil spring 4 times. It is my travel pistol in the truck. I have shot the new ones and they seem to be just as good.