coonan .357 mgnum automatic?

id like to hear some oppinions on these guns, im getting ready to take the plunge!

anyone own one? shoot one at least?
iv held them find them very comfortable.

Groo here
I have a Compact [commander size] coonan.
As the ad says, "looking for your first gun, this ain't it"
The coonan is [like many autos] made for Full power loads.
Many seem to want to down load 357's or shoot target 38's.?????????????
What you have is a Strong 357mag auto made to shoot an function with full power factory
ammo {at least} all day, so feed it correctly.
The gun has the weight to shoot 180gr+ hunting loads and with a solid barrel 5in barrel [mine is a 4in and a 6 in is avalable]
will drive them at speeds faster than a 6in and up to a 7in.
Like an FA 454 , it sings with the hot stuff.
Ps, the fire ring is for real!!!! no special effects!!!!!

no one else?

always wanted an automatic in 357 mag but when I have the money none to be found and when I find one, don't have the fun tickets. let me know how you like it---maybe someday I'll be able to acquire one.

A buddy of mine has one and I have shot it a few times. Very accurate with regular federal ammo, 158 gr. jacketed hollow point. Fun to shoot with a very sharp recoil.

Made a few 41 mags, if I find one reasonable I'd buy it, the 357s are nice but I not recoil sensitive till I get to a 475 linebaugh.

I owned one of the first production runs in a past life. Lost it in the "Great Divorce War of 1995".

It was a terrific pistol. 357 mag is my favorite anyways. It definitely showed a preference for full power loads. That is true, now they ship a low power spring for downloading your handloads.

I will own another someday.

I had an original model B in the 90's and I thoroughly enjoyed owning it. I have always been a big fan of .357. I sold it to go back to school and regretted it ever since. Now I just can not bring my self to pay the price for a new one.

I've handled and fired one of the originals....

Mucho muzzle flip. Ain't no way no how you're going to do rapid fire and hit anything:-).

Grip is longer than Colt Gov't due to the longer .357 cartridge.

Brand new it needed some break in. A few times the JHP hung up on the "feeding surface" on the underside of the slide going into battery. I have no doubt it would smooth up with use but that particular gun was brand new.

I *did* shoot it rapid fire and I don't have girly hands/grip/forearms. That Coonan has a LOT of muzzle flip.

Dutch

Groo here
At one time there was a 41 mag listed,
Now [I talked with Mr. Coonan]]
The thought is 10mm mag.
New barrel ,spring,and mag.

Would love to have one but I'm concerned on 2 things : a) finding my brass and b) does it damage the fired brass

Groo here
It does fling brass but have not heard of brass damage.

I've got two of the full size Coonans and they are a JOY to shoot and very accurate also. As far as reduced power loads, Coonan will send you the recoil spring if you ever want to shoot .38 Specials out of it that works very well.

These are recent production Coonans and I don't have ANY issues with muzzle flip as the other guys do -- I'm a 1911 guy at heart so this fits me very well. Coonan recommends at least 200 rounds for break in and I've got about 50 to go on mine.

I know they ain't cheap, but for a really nice .357 -- .45 and .357 are my two main calibers, I have zero issues transitioning from one to the other and they are well worth the price in my humble opinion....

Art

Groo, I have been shooting the 10mm mag version for a number of years, not as much as the 357, but enough to prove the concept beyond any doubt. the barrel and spring(really stout) were the easy parts, the Magazine is the stumbling block. The new style mags wont work at all, the old ones with the tension finger bullet guides can be modified to feed well, expensive if you make a mistake in the modification. I actually welded up a frankenmag from GI 1911 mags and it worked for the prototype The std 10mm norma was a waste of time, the 10mm mag is a real good calber in the Coonan. there are a couple 41cal versions out there on modified 41mag brass, not your average shooter/loader project though. The OLD CUR is in a class by himself and did magazine development for Dan. I still tinker with it when time allows and am amazed at the performance with the 180 and 200gr HPs.

I have had my mod B for since the 90's and have a great time shooting it. I like the fact that it is not a gas operated gun like the desert eagles so I can shoot lead through it. I like to put a lighter recoil spring in it and shoot 158 gr. lead bullets right around 1,000 fps for general shooting fun.

Neal in AZ

Groo here
When I talked to Dan [ 2 or 3 years ago] we were talking a good deal on the 10mm mag.
He talked [lol] me into an NRA [ ser 00x]compact and it was downhill [ $$$] ever since.
He said a new mag was needed but the rest was easy as you said.