Have you ever found yourself wondering about something and thought, “You know, I bet legendary gun designer Dan Coonan could offer some piercing insight into this”?
Well, now’s your chance.
Put your question in the comments and ask Dan anything. We performed some exhaustive information gathering (translation: asked around the shop) and found a few questions to get things started:
1. What’s shooting the Coonan .357 Magnum Automatic like?
2. What temperature should I serve Guinness at?
3. Zombies: head shot or center mass?
I reload my ammo and I want to know whats the best bullet to use with my new Coonan Automatic? Grain? Brand?
Garth it all depends on what you are using the round for. A proven person stopping round, 1 shot stop according to the Arkansas DOJ on police shottings, is a 110 gr. jacketed hollow point. I like a 110 to 125 gr for personal defence due to the speed of the round; but I think that you need to tailor a round that you can control. The 110 gr I use is Remington and load it with Winchester 296 or Hodgen 110 mag powers; without a strong grip these will give you broad mussel flip. If you are an experienced relaoder try several loads and see which is easiest to control and puts all 8 rounds in the target where you want them. By doing this you will have trust in the load that you use and know that where you aim the bullet will hit.
I hope that this helps some, the information I pulled from Arkansas was back in the late 80 and early 90 and the .357 110 gr bullet, from a revoler, had a 97% 1 shot stop.
Ken Larkin
I totally agree with the bullet choice and powder. I use 110 gr. xtp’s
factory 185 gr
Where can I get a new Coonan.357 here in Germany. I also need some parts for my B model ( barrel, sights ) ?
PS: I have always wanted a Coonan and now I have one after 30 years. (Mine shoots with a spread and high so I just shoot center mass for those Zombies)
Dan,
How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll brand Tootsie Pop?
Hi, I live in ca and I would really love to buy one, but I can’t find your company on the ca doj website. I keep being told by my gun shop owner that approved firearms for this state is what he can order for me and if it’s not, then I’m out of luck. I looked at your website, been on YouTube many times, and I can’t find anything wrong with it. My question is, are you making plans to get on the ca doj list?
I saw your .357 Auto at the Shot Show. I have the same question as one other asked; When do you expect approval in CA so you can offer it to us firearm deprived Californians?
Regarding the Coonan 357 Magnum pistol semi-auto with the 6″ barrel option.
What is the highest bullet speed measured for the high speed light weight 357 Magnum ammo – 125 grain or even 110 grain ammo when fired from the 6″ barrel? Can it approach 2000fps with SAAMi compatible ammo?
I am thinking about running a simular test. I allready have a Coonan and my Carry Ammo is the Buffalo Bore 125 grain bullets (fastest factory ammo I can find) I have a chronograph. I have ordered a 6 inch barrel (for hunting laws) so I may run some rounds over the chrono once I get the barrel just to see what I get.
That said I have doubts about hitting 2000, my marlin with a 16.5 inch barrel only does a little better than that.
I ran some tests with buffalo bore 125 grain ammo… here is what I got: http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=495750&highlight=coonan
basically about 1800FPS. That is about 900 FPE! That is pretty good in my book.
Dan,
I love your .357 automatics and I want you to tell me why I should spend the almost double money it would cost me to buy one instead of a similar tricked out 10MM 1911 Model Pistol.
Thanks So Much,
Brad
Brad,
You already answered your own question. You should spend the money on the Coonan because you love them!
I would be interested in purchasing one of your 357”s,like to know the price and probably ask yyou for some range recomendations.
jim connolly
Dan, I owned one of your Cadets. Smoothest shooter ever! When wiill you begin producing the compact version? I need a new carry pistol!!
I saw a load in a loading manual using Hodgdon H110 producing a muzzle velocity of 1966 fps. Is this safe to shoot in a Coonan?
Hi Dan. I ordered a Coonan 357 Magnum Auto from Bills Gun Shop in Robinsdale, MN in March, 2012. It is a special order and I was told by Joe at Bills Gun Shop that I won’t get the gun until they receive it from Coonan Mfg which will be around Christmas time 2012. Six to nine months is a long time. Is the manufacturing process time for that gun really that long?
Hi, I live in Brazil and I would like to know if is it possible to buy a new Coonan 357 Magnum here in Brazil ?? And if it is not !!! Could I be able to import one ?? ( Do you sell it outside of U.S.A. ??)
Any idea when you will be coming out with the compact for concealed carry, awhile back the reply was soon.
Hi Dan, I’ve have serial # 6 and we have talked about Our new Tampa Range and they are doing very well. Would you like me to see if the range would add ASK DAN to their site?
PS your literature went fast and my Coonan is still on display.
Greetings. I have followed your efforts from the beginning and am very pleased that you brought back this great pistol. Have you considered doing some sort of carbine in .357 magnum? Lever guns are plentiful and have a following. I am not a lever action fan. I would love to see you develop a semi-auto carbine with the Coonan name on it!
Based on your knowledge and thoughts. What gun in history do you consider to be the best made as well what changes would you make to it to make it better?
Thank you Robert
Why doesn’t someone make a laser sight to fit the Coonan Model B ?? I bought my pistol nearly 30 years ago and have tried many laser sights & grips. Nothing fits right. I know that I am not the only one that would purchase one if available. Thanks, Johnny Anders
I own a Coonan 357. When are you going to get a laser sight for the Coonan 357? I have a Crimson Trace Laser on my Ruger LCR 357 and it is really helpful for getting on target.
I am currently waiting for my Coonan pistol and was wondering if you guys could post some pictures of the shop or you guys in action on Facebook. I would love to see a pistol in the baby stages before it is “delivered”.
Jason
Dan, I have built a couple FAL’s on your great FAL upper receiver. The builds where so much easier ,headspace, barrel timing, than the other popular receiver manufacture. Being able to use normal locking shoulder sizes is well “normal”. I love the black finish on your receivers, and would like to be able to match it to my lower receivers and other re-parkerized parts. Can I buy some of the finish you use on the receivers? Please let me know.
Thanks in advance,
Steve Komenda
Is there a threaded Barrel option??
Where can I see one of these around Ann Arbor Michigan?
Mike
On the 1911 style weapon, when changing out the barrell, is it necessary to have it “timed” for a proper fit with the slide? Does this also apply to the B model Coonan?
Why do some guys get in a tizzy when others say that 5.56×45 is the same as .223 and 7.62×51 is the same as .308. Aren’t these rounds close enough that it won’t matter to my rifle?
From what I’ve been able to determine….for simplicity’s sake,it’s something like this…you can shoot a 38 special load in a .357 magnum piece but it’s not recommended that you shoot a .357 round in a piece designed for a 38 special. Likewise for the 5.56 and the .223……The 5.56 is, according to what I’ve been able to determine so far, slightly larger and has a larger load than the .223 and over time could become an issue if put thru a piece designed for .223. This is by no means gospel, but for myself, my B Model Coonan AND MY 5.56 AR, it’s a good practice to follow.
The .357 magnum happens to be my favorite caliber.
This question is not meant to be disrespectful.
I have heard a lot about the strengths of the design.
“What is the inherent weakness of the design”?
As a side note: I would like to see some ballistic data out of the Coonan.
They website below has some data but does not compare to revolvers, just like 357 Magnum semi-automatic pistols..http://home.roadrunner.com/~grizzly/magnumatics.html
Is it normal for the trigger pin to be as loose fitting as mine is. How loose? When cleaning my gun it will fall out if I am not mindful of the possibility and hold it in place. This is not really a problem once you realize it can happen! Just curious? Thankfully it is easily replaced providing you do not loose it when it hits the ground. I love my Coonan .357 and intend to buy another. Why is it advertised as
an automatic vs a semiautomatic? Just Curious. Thanks!
What inspired you to machine FN-fal receivers? I must know because yours are the best! I love my franken-fal and want a Coonan 357 next.
In the time that Coonan Arms has been out of the market there has been a widespread acceptance of concealed carry laws, and this is seen in the firearms industry by the increased production of concealable handguns.
The Coonan Cadet would be an excellent carry pistol. Is there any reason we have not seen it yet? Are there any factors that make it more difficult to produce? I would bet that it would easily outsell the Coonan Classic.
Thank you
Great job on the 1911, do you think you can do anything with the kriss super v. I don’t like the big 45acp, if you cant with the 357mag how bout 10mm?
Any plans to put a rail on the dust jacket of your gun?
Ive reloaded for more than 45 yrs and with 2400 powder and 158 JHP im able to get 1 inch 5 shot groups with zero jams at 20 yds all day long, i want better and know this Coonan can do it. Any info from previous load work available? Ive also worked with H110 but this baby likes the 2400 better. It seems to lke the warm loads in the 14.0 to 14.5 gr. area. I dont like Hot in anything but a warm load is welcome if its accurate . Function of 100% and extremely accurate is what i work for. Any info or a site to go to would be of great help. Thank you!
I have recieved my Coonan 357 and love it. While i like that you had a matched set (pistol & 7.62 rifle), i was disappointed that the rifle was not also a 357. Any plans on producing your own rifle or partnering with someone that makes 357? Really wouldn’t mind if it was lever, bolt or pump. I ask because its just easier to carry 1 load that works in both weapons. Thanks for your time.
Exactly what I’d be interested in…having a Colt Cobra, Coonan B Model, and looking for a long gun to round out the set.
I think a bolt action Ruger 77/357 would go pretty well. Unless Coonan releases a semiauto carbine in 357 magnum, that would be the bees knees. Especially if it shared the same magazines as the hand gun.
I second that – Semi-Auto 357 Magnum Rifle!!!
When are you going to make your Coonan in 41 and 44 magnum? Is it possible to update the model B sights?P.S. love my coonan 357 model B.
I would like to see one that shoots a 45colt (that can handle the hot ruger loads)
When I fieldstrip my Coonan .357 for cleaning, the trigger retention pin tends to fall out, as it seems to be kept in place by the slide stop. Of course, the trigger departs as well. Is there an easy way of keeping that pin solidly set into the receiver when cleaning the gun, or should removing the pin and trigger just be a part of the field strip procedure?
I have run about 600 rounds of 357 Magnum and 200 rounds of 38 Special thru my Coonan, and I am considering buying a Compensator package with the 5.7″ threaded barrel. With the Comp package, will the recoil with 357 Magnum loads be closer to the 38 Special loads? Also, how is the Comp designed and how does it reduce recoil?
I would like to knout ow when the compact or cadet version of the coonan is to be in production
Will Coonan ever make a high cap mag that will cover from 10 plus?
Dan,
I own a gun store in Ohio and I just last week received one of your guns. I must say I am delighted with it so far, I have not gotten to shoot it yet. I am a certified master gunsmith and have worked on and built guns all my life and I use to have a team and we shot in competition. Back many years ago when I was not as well off as I am now I use to lust after your weapons but anytime I had money in my pocket I could not find one and if I had money there was no gun around. Anyway my question is are you going to expand your line the way it use to be ie the comp model and so on? and will the wait time go down? I ordered two guns about Nov. 13 of last year and I got them last week. I am going to put mine on the shelf in my store for a while and see if it attracts much attention but if it does 7 months is a little long for most people to wait for something, also everyone of my friends and pardners love the gun, my brother who is ex seal team six had to have a roll of paper towels to stop the drool. If you take this mail I don’t need the earplugs just the info.
Thank You,
Dan Clark
prop.
Springboro Shooting Sports Llc.
Dan Coonan: I was lucky to get SR. # 1000 coonan 357.Out of the box this is the best shooting gun i have #1. My question is why are so loud? #2 Why does so much fire come out like in your webb sight? My ammo is 125 gr. with 19.9 gr. ofh110.
I was wondering if you ever considered making an ambi version or left handed version.
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How long has Coonan be making the .357 mag?
Dan, I see that Lasermax makes a guide rod laser sight for the gov. model 1911.
Will this fit my model B.
that is a good question… ask a Classic to the question.
Can you renovate a Coonan “Classic” Model A to your more recent innovations, what would it entail and is that something Coonan, Inc. would do/warranty?
Any chance Coonan will ever release a 357 magnum rifle? My S&W revolvers have lever action rifles to match them… any chance of seeing an semiauto or even a bolt action rifle/carbine from Coonan? If not what would you recommend? I have been looking at a Ruger 77/357…
Do you reload and if so what is your favorite loads in 357 magnum? My personal favorites are the Hornady 180 grain bullets over H110 (loaded hot for hunting and loaded mid range for pinking). The other ones I like is the hornady 110 grain bullets over H110 (find this load on the hodgdon reloading manual). These are really zippy rounds that breath fire like a dragon and roar like an F-15 eagle in take off… They do impress at the range.
I’m sure it has been done before, but it sure isn’t common… Why doesn’t anyone make a D.I. or gas piston pistol? I’m talking about a handgun not an AR “pistol”. Is it size constraints? Recoil considerations?
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Will this product be made available in California? I am very interesting in this firearm and would really like to know if this will be made available for sale in California of if they are any plans to has this product available in the future for California residents. If so I will start saving up now for my future purchase.
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think we will ever see higher capacity magazines?
Will there ever be another caliber Coonan handgun?
Do you know if any one has ever taken a deer with a Coonan handgun?
At what barrel leangth does a typical 158 grain 357 magnum bullet start loosing speed? Would there be any advantage in a single shot rifle of having a 30 inch barrel over having a 24 inch barrel?
What are the differences in how Coonan is run now compared to how it was run in the 80s and 90s?
Are you planning on making your pistol with rails on the bottom for mounting a light or laser?
i AM WAITING FOR YOU TO GET APROVAL IN CALIF FOR THE 1911 IN 357
Other than the Coonan what is your favorite handgun?
I understand that there was a 41 Mag Coonan made in the past. Any chance of bringing these back?