Coonan 357 pistol - Page 2

nstoolman1 · October 27, 2012, 02:52 AM

I get mine out of jail in 7 days. Can't wait.

blaiwayw · November 8, 2012, 10:32 PM

I've enjoyed reading comments on the Classic, and will add my first impressions. I have several (my wife probably has a full count) 1911 based pistols and three Desert Eagles, one in .357M. Than, there's the L.A.R. Grizzly in 45WM and a Detonics Scoremaster in .451 Detonics M. I found my Classic on an auction site, and paid just under the list price $1225, for the standard issue, with wood grip panels, and three dot sights. The backlog is listed as 9-12 months. My Classic is sn CHA12xx. I picked it up on my way out to hunt, so my first rounds fired were directly out of box. Just couldn't wait to try it out, so neglected to clean and lube. New toy, couldn't wait..... I shot Federal 158gr JSP and Remington Golden Saber 125gr JHP. One magazine of each. I was shooting for function, not accuracy, and I had several FTE, where the case hung up in the ejection port. Some of the brass landed at my feet and most didn't clear 5 feet. That is one stiff recoil spring! I have no concerns about the FTE, since I figure that was my fault for failing to lubricate it, and not using the recommended ammo. That ammo being Magtech 158gr or American Eagle 158gr, both in JSP. I usually use the recommended ammo or at least factory, before I go to my reloads. The pistol comes with a bottle of FP10 and the manual (read this after I got home) says to lubricate the slide rails and barrel muzzle. Reading the manual was useful and I recommend it highly. Quality of the finish is overall excellent. Interior is well polished. In take-down, the slide lock lever is much easier to remove and install, than the standard 1911 with barrel link. The barrel bushing is fairly loose. Only needed finger pressure to remove and install. Unlike my warmed over Colts that really need the bushing wrench. The slide to frame fit is looser than I would expect. Not sloppy, just loose compared to most of my 1911's. Coonan mentions barrel flex in his pistols due to the higher pressure of the 357M. This may be for another reason for being generous with lubrication. The trigger has a slight amount of creep, but is better than any factory trigger in my other pistols. Not counting the Detonics Scoremaster, which I think is exceptional. I really like the 3 dot sights, which are fixed for elevation. Next trip to the range I'll check accuracy and find out how well the sights work. Both front and rear are in dovetails, so should be easy to swap if needed. I ordered a spare magazine from Coonan at $59, but it's backordered until next month. They must really be busy. I think it a great fit for me. I don't think the grip is too thick, the balance is fine, and the recoil is no issue. I'll post again after I give it a proper test.

**44 AMP** · November 9, 2012, 02:47 AM

I have one of the original Model A guns, and the new ones sound even better.

Being recoil operated, Coonan's will handle lead bullets just fine (hard cast, just like any other autoloader, of course). Desert Eagles are gas operated and lead bullets are a BIG mistake for them.

Don't know about the new ones, but I have a set of rubber grips for mine, and they make a huge difference in the feel of the gun for me. The slick wood grips were not to my liking.

One word of warning, don't use Blazer (or any other aluminum cased ammo) in the Coonan. IT won't work well, and may tear cases.

One of the new ones is on my list, but it looks like it will be a while....

Sevens · November 9, 2012, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Coonan mentions barrel flex in his pistols due to the higher pressure of the 357M. This may be for another reason for being generous with lubrication.

Actually, Dan Coonan and somewhat former/formerly regular poster Kurmudgeon on these forums (a former Coonan gun builder & tester) would clarify that it's the slide that does this flexing under full recoil and that is why it's been specifically designed somewhat loose -- as the whole thing tightens up under this full flex. If the slide felt any "tighter" then it would be locking up or galling or destroying itself with each cycle when that slide flexes.

Dan Coonan does indeed recommend that his gun is run wet-- he says that if you shoot it and you end up with flung lube on your shooting hand & arm, that's the right amount.

Dan Coonan knows infinitely more about his guns (and most guns) than I'll ever know, but I can tell you that I do not run mine that wet. I run it nicely lubed with nothing flinging anywhere, but the key for me is that I run it with strongly built handloads. From 125 to 158 grains jacketed and 158 grain to 180 cast lead, with a few different powders. Mine runs all of the time in my hands. It will fail to function in certain hands -- same guys each time, who don't manage to grip it the way the pistol wants. In my hands and most of the folks who shoot it (and love it), it runs like an animal and just begs for more.

as for the lube, I started with Shooter's Choice gun grease which I like on most of my semi-autos because it stays where I put it. When I found out the Coonan is recommended to use FP-10, I snagged a bottle of it and I've been using it on the Coonan. FP-10 is definitely a lube and not a grease, and it's not cheap stuff.

blaiwayw · November 9, 2012, 10:23 PM

SEVENS. Thanks for correcting me about the slide flexing in recoil, not the barrel. That's what I meant to comment on. The videos on the Coonan web site are pretty good. Fun to listen to comments right from the "man".

nstoolman1 · November 11, 2012, 07:51 PM

I can tell you the Classic is a flame thrower and shoots flawlessly. I love it.

CCCLVII · November 14, 2012, 05:07 PM

I have shoot a Coonan a few times. They are very fun guns and I would like to get one. Too bad the money is short at the moment and I still got to pay for Christmas.

Mystro · November 14, 2012, 05:25 PM

They do look like a fun gun. I like the entire idea of the gun. Being a 10mm guy, I probably will have to get a Coonan. My large complete handgun collection suddenly seems like there is a hole in it for this gun and being a reloader, I can cook up some nasty loads for the woods. My wife is gonna be ******.

DFrame · November 14, 2012, 05:52 PM

Looked one over very carefully this weekend at a show. Wish I could have afforded it. Seems like a really nice gun.

November 8, 2012, 10:32 PM	#27
blaiwayw Junior Member Join Date: November 8, 2012 Posts: 3	New Coonan Classic owner I've enjoyed reading comments on the Classic, and will add my first impressions. I have several (my wife probably has a full count) 1911 based pistols and three Desert Eagles, one in .357M. Than, there's the L.A.R. Grizzly in 45WM and a Detonics Scoremaster in .451 Detonics M. I found my Classic on an auction site, and paid just under the list price $1225, for the standard issue, with wood grip panels, and three dot sights. The backlog is listed as 9-12 months. My Classic is sn CHA12xx. I picked it up on my way out to hunt, so my first rounds fired were directly out of box. Just couldn't wait to try it out, so neglected to clean and lube. New toy, couldn't wait..... I shot Federal 158gr JSP and Remington Golden Saber 125gr JHP. One magazine of each. I was shooting for function, not accuracy, and I had several FTE, where the case hung up in the ejection port. Some of the brass landed at my feet and most didn't clear 5 feet. That is one stiff recoil spring! I have no concerns about the FTE, since I figure that was my fault for failing to lubricate it, and not using the recommended ammo. That ammo being Magtech 158gr or American Eagle 158gr, both in JSP. I usually use the recommended ammo or at least factory, before I go to my reloads. The pistol comes with a bottle of FP10 and the manual (read this after I got home) says to lubricate the slide rails and barrel muzzle. Reading the manual was useful and I recommend it highly. Quality of the finish is overall excellent. Interior is well polished. In take-down, the slide lock lever is much easier to remove and install, than the standard 1911 with barrel link. The barrel bushing is fairly loose. Only needed finger pressure to remove and install. Unlike my warmed over Colts that really need the bushing wrench. The slide to frame fit is looser than I would expect. Not sloppy, just loose compared to most of my 1911's. Coonan mentions barrel flex in his pistols due to the higher pressure of the 357M. This may be for another reason for being generous with lubrication. The trigger has a slight amount of creep, but is better than any factory trigger in my other pistols. Not counting the Detonics Scoremaster, which I think is exceptional. I really like the 3 dot sights, which are fixed for elevation. Next trip to the range I'll check accuracy and find out how well the sights work. Both front and rear are in dovetails, so should be easy to swap if needed. I ordered a spare magazine from Coonan at $59, but it's backordered until next month. They must really be busy. I think it a great fit for me. I don't think the grip is too thick, the balance is fine, and the recoil is no issue. I'll post again after I give it a proper test.

November 9, 2012, 02:47 AM	#28
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 8,966	I have one of the original Model A guns, and the new ones sound even better. Being recoil operated, Coonan's will handle lead bullets just fine (hard cast, just like any other autoloader, of course). Desert Eagles are gas operated and lead bullets are a BIG mistake for them. Don't know about the new ones, but I have a set of rubber grips for mine, and they make a huge difference in the feel of the gun for me. The slick wood grips were not to my liking. One word of warning, don't use Blazer (or any other aluminum cased ammo) in the Coonan. IT won't work well, and may tear cases. One of the new ones is on my list, but it looks like it will be a while.... __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

November 9, 2012, 10:23 PM	#30
blaiwayw Junior Member Join Date: November 8, 2012 Posts: 3	Yes, It's the slide... SEVENS. Thanks for correcting me about the slide flexing in recoil, not the barrel. That's what I meant to comment on. The videos on the Coonan web site are pretty good. Fun to listen to comments right from the "man".

November 14, 2012, 05:07 PM	#32
CCCLVII Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2012 Location: Idaho Posts: 226	I have shoot a Coonan a few times. They are very fun guns and I would like to get one. Too bad the money is short at the moment and I still got to pay for Christmas. __________________ "I ask, Sir, What is the militia?" "Its the whole of the people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them" -George Mason Co-Author of the second amendment.

November 14, 2012, 05:52 PM	#34
DFrame Senior Member Join Date: March 7, 2008 Location: central Illinois Posts: 453	Looked one over very carefully this weekend at a show. Wish I could have afforded it. Seems like a really nice gun. __________________ Mark Lane to William Buckley: "Have you ever referred to Jessee Jackson as an ignoramus?" Buckley: "If I didn't, I should have"

October 27, 2012, 02:52 AM	#26
nstoolman1 Member Join Date: September 30, 2007 Posts: 46	I get mine out of jail in 7 days. Can't wait.

November 11, 2012, 07:51 PM	#31
nstoolman1 Member Join Date: September 30, 2007 Posts: 46	I can tell you the Classic is a flame thrower and shoots flawlessly. I love it.

November 14, 2012, 05:25 PM	#33
Mystro Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2004 Location: Central Pa. Posts: 462	They do look like a fun gun. I like the entire idea of the gun. Being a 10mm guy, I probably will have to get a Coonan. My large complete handgun collection suddenly seems like there is a hole in it for this gun and being a reloader, I can cook up some nasty loads for the woods. My wife is gonna be ******.