When Revolver Meets 1911: The Coonan .357 Magnum Automatic

[@treyotwell5445]

I met Dan Coonan at the NRA show in Houston around 2012~2013, can’t remember exactly, and he mentioned that this gun came about as a result of a fight he had with his roomate over .45acp, vs 357 mag. Roomate acknowledged the practicality of Semi-Auto handguns, but refused to shoot anything without “Magnum” in the name. Coonan took him up on that and the rest is history

[@treyotwell5445]

He was also ripping hard on a vape on the show floor. Legend

[@bobhill3941]

Thanks for the conformation, I remember reading that somewhere. It was around the same time when I just heard of the pistol.

[@meatpuppet5036]

This is what every college should strive to be: just taking brave risks and pushing the boundaries of knowledge.

[@inactiveaccount8851]

Spite is a powerful motivator 😉

[@tamlandipper29]

I get strong Frank Reynolds vibes from a guy who has to have magnum bullets.

[@williamhoppe4500]

Dan Coonan would come into the Gunshop I managed in Lilydale, MN. and shoot the breeze with us in the 80's and 90's. Very eccentric and wildly intelligent. He was bitter about the way he was treated by people he was in business with. Very cool guy.

[@Ass_of_Amalek]

it's rare for people to be talented both as inventors/engineers and as business people. the inventors tend to take any arrangement that lets them focus their efforts entirely on the parts of the business that they enjoy, and they end up getting taken advantage of by whoever they found to take the finances off their hands/invest capital. particularly in the eyes of the inventors, who only care about the technical stuff, they are the ones who did essentially all of the work because they made the product, but they get very little of the profit because they only cared about the work and the product when they made the original agreements, whereas the businesspeople and investors they partnered with had their eyes on the money from the start, and they basically profit off the fact that they barely even care about the product. I think what inventors might need when setting up businesses like this is their own personal starting capital to hire a lawyer to negotiate a good position for them in the company from the start. which is already a horrible amount of bureaucracy for your average inventor to deal with.

[@davidwoodbury8972]

I agree. Erik Buell in the motorcycling world comes to mind. Not much love between him and Harley-Davidson. He designed bikes that were decades ahead of the competition.

[@BobSmith-dk8nw]

@@Ass_of_Amalek Yep. Happens time and time again. Venture Capitalists are notorious for that. They are actively looking for opportunities to do that. They have a money source and allocate funds from that that won't damage it as an income generator. Then they take those funds and invest them with - say- 10 companies. 9 of the 10 go bust and they lose their investment - but - the 10th is profitable and based on the deal they made with the creator - they take it away from him - and the money they make off the 10th one - more than makes up for all the money they lost on the other 9. Companies where the creators made it - were like Apple and Microsoft. With Apple you had Wozniak with the talent and Jobs was the wheeler dealer. With Microsoft you had Paul Allen, Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates. Between those three they had a good bit of technical know how but also a good bit of business sense. People who don't have friends like that to begin with - come up with an idea - but then they need money to turn it into a business and the money people are planning on taking it all away from them from the start. Time and time and time again ... Much of the Internet is made up of Cisco Routers - that is EXACTLY what happened there. In the documentary on it one of the money men says something like _"it's sad when the creators hang on to long"_ .... .

[@randymagnum143]

@@davidwoodbury8972 Harley was only interested in outsourcing manufacturing to lowest bidder. Result? Italian level chicom porous castings of the lowest quality.

[@damanyocum149]

@Wanda Fishlips interesting handle

[@HarryPrimate]

Ian isn’t wearing some obscure European military uniform, today he is channeling his inner Magnum PI

[@johnpayne6009]

Florida militia

[@PsychoticBovine]

Thomas Magnum should have carried a Coonan.

[@accidentalheadclunkers8517]

Needs a Tigers hat

[@solwindp78-1]

Closer to a military uniform than you might think - the shirt Ian is wearing is an Otte Gear Hawaiian shirt that is a nod to the experimental blue tigerstripe camouflage that the US Air Force briefly considered adopting in 2003, before they settled on the grey UCP/ACU colors. So it is an alternate reality Air Force uniform.

[@Spiz103]

He should do a backup gun match dressed as Maigret

[@j.c.denton2060]

Saw one of these at my local gun store for over $3,000. I had no idea why a seemingly uninteresting-looking 1911 was worth that much but now I see why.

[@shinobi-no-bueno]

That grip didn't spark any curiosity?

[@davidm.7099]

@@shinobi-no-bueno I'd have just thought it was a grip for unusually large hands if there wasn't ".357" written in the title of the video tbh.

[@joeyallen1609]

I remember seeing one of these for $1400 at a gun store once (probably around 2013). But I was a broke college kid at the time and could only drool over it. Would still love to own one some day.

[@tylerwilliams6022]

@@joeyallen1609 Interestingly this gun was originally designed by a college kid. Oops, he just said this as I was writing. Lol!

[@charlesfollette9692]

I should’ve bought 3 or 4 of em when they were 1300 dollars

[@fightingusik4265]

TRUE STORY: I was a USAF Law Enforcement Specialist and Mt. Home, Idaho PD Reserve Officer in the late 80's/early 90's. An Elmore County deputy who was considered "the mountain deputy", meaning his area literally covered the mountains and he was quite remote with backup being at least 20 min's out, carried a Coonan. He was a giant of a man, a Viet Nam veteran. Being a deputy, they wore brown uniforms and ole Glenn wore a brown leather web belt with a custom holster and mag pouches. We were doing a multi-department training shoot one day when Glenn showed up and he let me run the course with his Coonan. I sucked! That grip felt huge and I was running a G21! But, the only malfunctions I had I chalked squarely up to me and Glenn had none. Hearing Ian say only around 10K total were built and realizing that I'd shot one in a podunck little Idaho town over 30 years ago is a trip for sure.

[@sithticklefingers7255]

Huah Tigers 🤘

[@AMXSShirt]

Thanks for your service as a sky cop ;)

[@VanDaRifleman]

I met Dan Coonan at the Shooter's Round-Up at Ahlman's Gun Shop in Morristown, MN about a decade ago. He was cool. At his range booth, I paid $5 to fire five rounds from a Coonan .357 Mag Auto. I hit steel plates with all five shots and I immediately fell in love. I would enjoy buying one some time in the future.

[@ddegn]

Very cool. I love stories like these. Thanks for sharing it.

[@wastedangelematis]

Cool !

[@rob6850]

The good ol' days when $5 more than covered 5 rounds of .357...

[@douglasstewart4066]

I did the same. Very impressed with the firearm.

[@mshort7087]

After my divorce in 2014; I had an incredible urge to do something nice for just myself. A friends dad ran a small gun shop out of the motorcycle shop. I decided my life was incomplete without a Coonan. I asked Gary to order a Coonan Classic for me, he says “Sure, lemme call Dan”. I had no idea that he knew Dan. They chit chat and catch up for a minute then Gary made my order. Dan usually had a minimum order of two or three guns but made an exception for us for one pistol. He even offered custom serial numbers of my choosing. The thing runs like a sewing machine and I am thankful that I ordered it when I did as there probably won’t be any new ones coming out. A big thanks to Dan Coonan.

[@parrotheadlasvegas]

I met Dan about 12 years ago at SHOT Show and got to shoot this model of his 357. The man is as awesome as the gun and vice versa. Thanks for another great video 😎

[@shakejuntbitches]

I fuckin love that emoji

[@SeanCMonahan]

How did it handle compared to a 45 ACP 1911 or a 357 revolver?

[@parrotheadlasvegas]

@@SeanCMonahan I shot it with .38 Special rounds. It was smooth and didn't really kick. Kinda felt like shooting a little .32 for the recoil 👍

[@WeerdBeard]

Yeah I was reporting on an Anti-Gun Rally at the NRA Annual Meeting and I got talking with an older gentleman.....then I looked at his exhibitor badge and I said "Holy Shit, you're Dan Coonan!!" Super nice and Down-to-Earth guy. Also HUGE Fan of the FAL. Glad to hear he's still doing well, I haven't seen him in a number of years.

[@TrainmasterRR]

@@SeanCMonahan to add to Jeff’s reply, even in 357 magnum, these are super smooth and very accurate. The recoil is handled perfectly. There is a compact version which I don’t have any experience with, but I’m sure it just has a little bit more kick. Everyone I let shoot my coonan falls in love with it. If you ever have the chance… buy one.

[@mattdirks7896]

I know we live in the era of the big 10mm, but I really think there's something cool about an autoloading .357

[@EnthalpyAndEntropy]

There is. We just need a 357 mag AR-15 and I'd be ecstatic. Imagine using the same round in a revolver, lever gun, automatic pistol, AND carbine.

[@bobjohnson1633]

The coonan is still more powerful than the same size 10mm. I say stick to fewer cartridges. There are 10mm revolvers, so...

[@vanessakitty8867]

I agree.

[@stairman3151]

@@EnthalpyAndEntropy wouldn't that be awesome!!!!!!!!!!!

[@MrJest2]

.357 is somewhat easier to obtain ammo for, plus with the spring swap you can always plink away with .38spl. 😁

[@P_RO_]

Remembering the times, unless you were rich enough for an AutoMag or Wildey, serious handgun power was revolver territory. Coonan wanted to break that mold and he did. It was never cheap but far more affordable than the alternative autos. Having always been a great fan of the 357, I only regret not buying a Coonan when I could. Lots of serious power in auto's today using newer cartridges designed for them meaning there's better choices today, but for a classic (and classy) handgun a Coonan will always rank among the best.

[@turbogerbil2935]

Did Coonan ever look at a Lee Metford magazine to get his design inspiration? A similar 8 round, single stack, straight magazine with a tilting follower that drops the rear of the cartridges in order to sort the rims one behind the other. Those Victorian engineers figured out the rimmed ammunition solution nearly 140 years ago.

[@lightweight1974]

It's possible. But he also may have arrived at the solution independently. There's really never very much that's truly new under the sun. Some ideas are just ahead of their time, others fill a specific niche. How often in the development of, name anything, have people arrived at the same solution? More than we think. I give him all the credit due for this gun. It's a shame more aren't available to be had and enjoyed

[@44R0Ndin]

Might be a connection there after all, tho indirect. The direct connection, like Ian said, is to single-stack 22LR magazines. However, the connection is that those single-stack .22LR magazines that Mr Coonan looked at could indeed have taken inspiration from the Lee Metford. At the moment this is just a hypothesis of mine, and I'd need to do some actual research to prove it out. On the other hand, my common sense says "there's nothing new under the sun" like another commenter here said. Because if I know one thing about how a gunsmith's mind works from watching many videos both here on Forgotten Weapons and over on C&Arsenal, I know that they're prone to take good design elements from any gun (good or bad) and apply them to a new gun. So, the Lee Metford, being quite an old design, seems like a prime candidate to lend its magazine design to a more ubiquitous firearm such as a .22LR of nearly any brand that uses a single-stack magazine. Speaking of interesting magazine designs that have been seen in .22LR rifles, I do have to wonder if we're ever going to see a proper 7.62mm/.30 caliber rifle that is basically a "rotary" or "drum" magazine like the Ruger 10/22's stock 10-round magazine does. Then again, AR10 magazines for that caliber seem to be a very common and very reliable design, the only advantage that the "rotary/drum" type mag of the 10/22 would give would be a lower vertical profile, so you could make it fit in a form factor more similar to an M1 Garand, but with 2 more rounds and the magazines are better able to keep dirt and grime off of the ammunition. Now maybe this avoids most of the fallbacks of a more normal drum magazine in "battle rifle" type service (heavy, bulky, hard to manufacture, often unreliable), maybe not. But I'd like to see the idea given a chance to shine.

[@randymagnum143]

There are a lot of solutions to this problem. To say that any have "solved" the problem of feeding rimmed cartridges is a little optimistic and naive. The kraut rifle commission of 1888 (or Swiss engineers just previous) certainly *solved* the problem though. With the introduction of the 7.92x57 case.

[@44R0Ndin]

@@randymagnum143 Ah so you're saying the ultimate solution would be a new, rimless case. While it solves it in a way, in that firearms that use rimless cases don't have nearly as many feeding problems, it also does not solve it in that there are still rimmed cases that have feeding problems in semi-automatic and bolt-action firearms. But a rimless version of .357 magnum would be a nice thing to have, that's for sure.

[@randymagnum143]

@@44R0Ndin it's just shortened straight wall .223 brass.(.357 rimless mag) .350 legend is just rimless .357 maximum on steroids.

[@TallBob2k]

I'm grateful and fortunate that I was able to purchase one back in 2015. I've only shot ,357 with it and have never had a problem Thought the original grips were not worthy so found some snake skin grips and installed. Looks awesome and shoots awesome. Thank you Dan Coonan and thank you Ian for featuring this on Forgotten Weapons.

[@recoilrob324]

I've had a B model since 1987 and when I got it also ordered 5 extra mags. Nice gun with LOTS of warnings about properly seating in the slide/frame rails as the early guns wanted to gall until well worn in. Lots of grease...both on the rails and elbow to manually work the slide through a few thousand cycles and it's good to go. Mine will work down to 38+P'ish loads so it's completely reliable with just about anything marked 357. Oh....after Coonan went out of business until the third go-round the magazines I have were worth a lot more than the pistol as they became unobtainum. Glad to see they're available again and yes...totally reliable.

[@arnox4554]

Wait, they're selling the gun again?

[@onpsxmember]

@@arnox4554 He has the B model, mags got rare until the C model came out and those closed up in 2019.

[@arnox4554]

@@onpsxmember Well, in any case, I do wonder why these pistols never took off. I mean, they don't look as good as an M1911 since the underbarrel doesn't have that same cut that the M1911 does, but even so.

[@MrJest2]

@@arnox4554 I expect price was the biggest factor. Maybe someone will pick it up again someday, a la the Automag.

[@poet99999]

Yeah I remember paying $200 per mag before they started production up again. Too bad the gen 3 mags are slightly longer and require modification to the pistol to fit. At least the gen 3 mags I have are

[@TheHylianBatman]

This, to me, is the very thesis of Forgotten Weapons: a spotlight on designers, what they did different, and how it works. I appreciate that Ian spoke to Mr. Coonan and would love to see more like this. And also, that's a neat 1911 variation.

[@boatrat]

Yup. This is CLASSIC Forgotten Weapons. (F.W. being only notionally about stuff that's really "forgotten". Heh.)

[@robertkelley4991]

When I Bought mine in 1988 it cost about $850.00. Told to use 180 gr. rounds for the first 2000 rounds through the gun. Coonan Arms Inc., St. Paul, Minn. I agree with kicked by a horse, do not know about step on by an Elephant. I do know about being step on by a Horse and bitten by one also. For that to happen you piss the horse off when you shoot the Coonan you will piss off someone else. When I first shot the Coonan I did it one handed, only time I did that. The ball of flame width extended several inches into the lanes next to me. The noise was like a fighter jet flying over you at Mach 1 at an altitude of 500 5eet. The other people at the range had stuck their head out and asked what the hell was I shooting. When I took it apart to clean after the first shooting the recoil spring went about 35 feet in the house and took me an hour to find it.

[@CeltKnight]

I've followed this gun's development through the years. I remember that "7 round speedloader" ad and the first time I read about the Coonan as a young teen. Along about '88 I met an older man (we were in a martial arts organization together) who carried a Coonan. He'd done Heaven only knows what mods to his pistol including an early laser sight which required him to build a battery box along one grip panel. He passed away very recently and it was good to see this gun covered. I think he'd have enjoyed this presentation. I also knew a trooper from my early LEO days who retired and went to work for a while at a tiny local dept. He carried a Coonan .357 (probably first gen, maybe 2nd) as his duty pistol. He was always tinkering with it. Great video, as always! :)

[@PltOffPPrune]

As a teen in the '90s I loved firing my dad's S&W 19 and 686. When I first discovered the Coonan existed it became my dream pistol. I hope Ian takes it to the range tomorrow.

[@0zmose]

My friend has one of these, so I have a lot of hands on time with it. I think a big reason that toe is there on the barrel is to help with feeding. It stops the longer .357 from nosing up and causing a stovepipe. The ejection on these things is absolutely hilarious. It launches the brass a solid 30-40 feet. We've been at one end of the range and pelted people with brass all the way at the other end.

[@mshort7087]

No kidding about brass into the next zip code. At the range I use magnets to hang a mesh screen from the tin canopy so it’s easier to collect my brass

[@pxrays547]

You can defend yourself downrange and ejection side? ;) That is interesting, I have never seen one of these in action.

[@LukeLegere]

Is it consistently reliable? This would be an awesome carry gun

[@0zmose]

@@LukeLegere With .357 it runs flawlessly. It comes with a spring you can swap out to shoot .38 Special, but it does have some issues when you do that.

[@wbriggs111]

My S&W 1911 10mm did the same bad trick. I ground down on the rear ejection pin till the casings did not go as far. I a still finding some of those brass casings 40+ft. away in the field next to that range.

[@chlebowg]

I had two Model Bs 1987 to 2002. Hunted whitetail and pigs, shot ISPC and bowling pin matches and opened carried them in KY before they adopted their concealed carry. Never a malfunction. Would even feed full .38 wadcutter ammo. had to change to lighter spring and different mag. Different mag had a different follower so shorter specials won’t go as far back. Coonan also sold an 8 rd mag. My 10 mags were all 8 rd mags. 100% reliable

[@oscardavis3906]

In your experience, did you ever try .38 +P ammo with the .357 spring?

[@chlebowg]

@@oscardavis3906 Don’t remember as that was 20-30 yrs ago. I always had .357 ammo reload

[@robmonaco9269]

P.S. The Sig 220 that were made in W. Germany have internal extractors but the newer Legion line are external...

[@johnmoorefilm]

Great video Ian: I grew up on the border with Northern Ireland during the troubles and there were ZERO guns - no real guns, kids were discouraged from having toy guns because you could get shot on the street. But…one news stand carried the Guns and Ammo magazine end of year annual and I remember all those cool custom guns like the Coonan. Boy: the 1980”s! Please would you consider doing a series of the greatest autos of the 1980’s? Thanks

[@eriksrigley9026]

I talked with Dan Coonan and visited his mfg plant in Blain MN. Have shot a bunch of them. Very accurate and reliable. Great guns.

[@tumultuoustenets1228]

I was fortunate enough to live near a range that offered this as a rental gun My goodness, I was not expecting the report and recoil. I had shot revolvers in 357 Magnum but it was a surprise and a half to feel it in a semi auto pistol My hat is off to you Mr. Coonan for your impressive feat

[@scene24man]

A coonan is definitely something I want in my life someday. So damn cool.

[@PsychoticBovine]

You won't regret it. I love mine.

[@worldtraveler930]

🤤🥰 I can Live and Hope!!!

[@matthewhall7976]

I have really enjoyed learning about how the magazine design came into being.. The functionality, choices for design to allow better reliability and everything.. Excellent quality video as always Ian.. Thnx..

[@AKAngelKingAK]

Yes always wondered myself about the mag and how unique it was, if at all. Just the magazine it self is a piece of art. Glad Ian went into detail about it and it's development. This the type of stuff I live for. Absolutely love it

[@mydogsnameisbeans]

Bought for my dad a few years back for his birthday! He’s carried it ever since!!

[@richardnaganuma6325]

Good on ya! My son floored me when he gave me my Coonan Classic for Christmas in 2013. I wonder if your dad also says, "WHAT a gun, what a SON!"

[@jimscharba4818]

Great video, I have two Coonans, A model B that is unfired, and a 6 inch compensated which is the one I shoot.My favorite guns in my collection.And man what a fireball they produce.

[@edbecka233]

I was a competitive shooter in the TXARNG. One of the disciplines I shot was bullseye pistol, and I was issued the classic Box O Pistols, an S&W 41 for Rimfire and two M1911s, for Wadcutter and Service Pistol. Some of the other shooters, who had enough seniority to pick & choose, had .38 Spl Wadcutter autos; there were S&W M52s and worked-over 1911s in .38 AMU and .38 Spl. So there were .38 SPL semiautos that far back; ostensibly they could have also been stretched/beefed up for the longer/more powerful .357 as well.

[@wowwhydoIneedahandle]

I was able to rent one of these once and I gotta say I'll never forget shooting it. Very fun and surprisingly smooth, after every shot the slide would actually center the gun on target again when it slammed forward.

[@archstanton7035]

Thank you Ian for this informative video. A number of years ago, a friend of mine, who was an engineering student as well as a local short track racer, designed, built, and successfully raced a Nascar modified as his senior engineering project. Can you imagine what would happen today if a student submitted a proposal to design and build a firearm as a senior project?

[@iowa_lot_to_travel9471]

The libs would scream beyond their vocal cords being sore. 😅😊

[@JerryEricsson]

Back in my early days as a police officer, I was torn between the issue revolver, a Smith and Wesson Model 19 in .357 Magnum and my personal .45ACP Interarms Silver Cup (a stock service model .45 put together by Interarms on their frame using all government surplus parts. When that 357 mag model 1911 style came out I almost went ahead and purchased it but at the time I had 2 kids in school and the cash was needed to put cloths on their backs and food in their tummy's. Never did get one but I did read a lot on them. I still have a .45, my old silver cup went to my brother-in-law who begged me out of it. His kids sold it when they found they could not hit a beer can with it. I told them that the pistol was not intended to hit beer cans, but I always qualified at the top of the list with the old girl. Sad to see it go but you know kids now days. Kind of makes me wish I had went ahead and got one but then there are a ton of guns that I had over the years that I wish I had back now.

[@anon_y_mousse]

Ramen noodles are good, and cheap. Add eggs and chopped up meat and it's a proper meal. Then you could afford more guns.

[@UnsaidHealer]

So many stories like that have to do with family members just getting rid of precious items and guns without even thinking about how many memories or how important it might be to the original owner/ family member. I don't understand some people.

[@seanrobert9661]

@@UnsaidHealer damned humanities

[@NATIVE1179]

@@anon_y_mousse I'm sure his kids are supporting themselves now, don't think this man needs to cook them ramen or anything anymore

[@anon_y_mousse]

@@NATIVE1179 True, and it's too late to change, as we can't change the past. But for the future, for his children that aren't that way or his grandchildren, it could be a good tip that could help them. Better to eat poorly and save up for a gun than to eat well and be unable to defend oneself.

[@44hawk28]

Consider purchasing one of these recently, I think it was in the neighborhood of about 1800. It was a used firearm but had never been shot. With my favorite load it probably would have produced a velocity of about $1,700 ft per second with the 125 grain hollow point with 21 and a half grains of h110. My Revolver was spitting those out at about 1500 ft per second when I carried a 4-inch 357 revolver for quite some time. I finally moved into semi-autos in about 2007. But I have been teaching both revolver and semi-auto tactics since I was about 22 years old, I had been teaching shooting overall since about 14. When I was first shooting competition in high school. That's been about 52 years now.

[@five5105]

As someone in college for engineering, designing a handgun for a class is so cool that I don't even have words for it

[@doughesson]

Do you think that you would get an A for designing the next big thing in firearms technology?

[@user-mn8lz7gf6d]

​@@doughesson only if it doesn't get too much attention

[@ianhelyar9553]

Yeah, I can imagine some SJW notifying ATF and the FBI now...

[@84kjk]

Wrong year. Probably get kicked out of school bc you made them feel unsafe. Lol.

[@markwoodger2]

My interest in firearms is mostly in the engineering behind them this sort of video is why I watch forgotten weapons.

[@davidfigueira8648]

I would love to have one...I've been a 1911 fan ever since my military service, and we still were using them before they went to the Beretta M-9. The .45 ACP has always been my go to caliber for my EDC. However, it is a heavier option in weight, and my age is catching up to me. I recently stopped carrying my RIA BBR-310, as the weight of firearm and ammo loadout was making my hip hurt after a full day of my usual activities. I bought a Taurus GX4 and carry that as my main EDC. Much lighter, and while not an overall fan of 9mm, it is super accurate and does have its advantages. I did own a .357 and enjoyed it until I traded it in for the Taurus. But having only 5 rounds to work with, didn't feel like a good self defense option even with speedloaders. If this Coonan would have been available to me, I would have considered this as a viable option. Hip be damned...

[@anon_y_mousse]

Maybe you could sew a pad onto your holster, or into your pants. Might help.

[@PsychoticBovine]

Try a Crossbreed brand holster. Most comfortable holster I have ever used.

[@onpsxmember]

Give the hips a rest and go for a classic shoulder holster.

[@tylerwilliams6022]

@@PsychoticBovine I like the N82 holsters. Separates the whole gun from your body, even the grip. And the backing is super soft suede. These are my go to holsters after trying many others.

[@o.w.i.m]

Great as always Ian! I was checking/YT searching on things .357 mag and similar to see if anything nifty and new would turn up but a recap on something older fit right in also.

[@tis7963]

I got to shoot an A model that belongs to my uncle. He mostly used it for bowling pin matches. Strongest magazine springs in the history of the world ever. A real struggle to load. It came with a little pin tool to go through the hole in the follower to help push it down.

[@bindingcurve]

How about the grip length. Did you find it an issue?

[@0zmose]

@@bindingcurve I've shot one quite a bit. I have larger hands, so I can't speak for everyone, but I don't have a problem with it. It's very noticeably longer, but it's pretty slim, so you can still get a good purchase. Way better than a Desert Eagle.

[@mshort7087]

I have averaged size mitts. The mag release and slide release are a bit of a stretch for my thumbs but I love the thing

[@jarrodwidiger5472]

​@@bindingcurve I have fairly small meaty hands and don't really have to much trouble with mine. Recoil is very manageable even if I don't have what I would call a perfectly ideal grip. The grip safety tends to be a little to the thumb side of things instead of the web pocket but I could still shoot it all day.

[@UncleJimmema]

Dan is an awesome dude, he helped me make a mostly reliable suppressed Coonan Classic when his shop wasn't far from where I lived. He's good friends with one of my employees and it's always a pleasure to see him.

[@parrotraiser6541]

Thoughtful ingenuity, beautifully implemented. It's a piece of jewellery. .38 Special in an automatic gives a nice, smooth, shooting experience.

[@johnbriney5987]

A friend ordered on of these around 2012, had to wait about 2 years for it (Australia) an amazing firearm, was very expensive but well worth it. At the time I thought it was interesting, now I realise it is actually perfect amazing. Thanks Gun Jesus for bringing these informative videos

[@spikespack1]

I have had a Classic since 2015, it was a $2000 "dream" gun and making it a reality was awesome!! I also got a custom serial number. It shoots really well and produces giant fireballs! I couldn't resist buying the .45 MOT which is just as well made as the .357. I was so sad when they went out of business! My favorite guns by far!!! I also had the opportunity to speak to Dan and he was super nice!

[@mshort7087]

That’s about what mine cost. I’ve never had a moment of buyers remorse. With hot handloads it has some fantastic muzzle pizzazz 🔥

[@davidelliott8324]

Thank you Ian, Dan Coonan, and anonymous viewer!

[@357Dejavu]

I have a pair of these. The full sized one with a 6 inch extended barrel and a short “compact” sized one. Both are the newer models. Very fun guns to shoot. I match it with a ruger 77/357 bolt rifle in 357 Magnum. Odd ball 357 set.

[@louiswilkins9624]

Nice 👍

[@juliancantarelli]

Now that you mention, this gun would be a match made in heaven for a Lever Action in 357.

[@TheGreenMarksman]

Thank you from future gun enthuses for getting your info directly from Dan Coonan and documenting it.

[@Fastwinstondoom]

Coolest 1911 there is imo. There's just something about the finish and the dimensions of the gun that is just right... not to mention the magnum factor, obviously.

[@joeysimunds6352]

I've waited for this video for years!! Thankyou SO MUCH

[@cammyboy011]

I got the chance to shoot the Coonan several times whilst working in Alaska. At a super cool (though now closed) Juneau gun shop. Probably one of the most memorable shooting experiences I have had 👍

[@TinkerBobV8]

I've always wanted one since i saw it in an old 1978 guns and ammo annual magazine. Such a cool design.

[@davidgoodnow269]

I love how he says, "Let's compare with a standard 1911," and pans to include an *original* M1911.

[@silverback3926]

One of the softest shooting 357s i have ever shot. If there was continued support i would still have it. Great piece of tech. Beautiful gun. I think coonan 357 and dan wesson 357 with various barrel lengths were some of the best 357s made and i have ever shot

[@dekstehnrasta741]

Love my Coonan. It's a bonus that it was made in my own town. Unfortunately, the local gun shop no longer carriers the magazines, so I don't treat them very harsh.

[@l67swap1]

They are no longer made that's why

[@jimh4375]

Great video as usual, all of the little background info that makes the story so interesting.

[@AsbestosMuffins]

14:50 oh that's actually pretty cool to be able to cycle this reliably with .38 special

[@bobhill3941]

I also never knew the frame and slide needed some play for the tilting barrel!

[@chloehennessey6813]

Dad has one of these! It goes with his lever action .357 Magnum Henry Big Boy.

[@user-mn8lz7gf6d]

Thank you Mr. Coonan and thank you whoever loaned this awesome pistol!

[@unclebear4806]

One of the most satisfy 1911 I ever shot. I was so mesmerized that I need to have one. And after 10 years of searching, my dream finally came true. Sure enough, it doesn’t disappoint. Even I been scold by my wife for a full month…IT’s STILL WORTH IT!😝

[@PsychoticBovine]

It is so very worth it!

[@DizzyRonson]

it was so worth it that i payed extra to have mine with a supressor barrel and a regular barrel.. my better half has come to terms with it going in the grave with me now, but i no longer control the finances.. oh well.. worth it 10/10 :)

[@jamesbrooks2132]

Truly had no idea this existed. Excellent video Ian!! Now I have yet another firearm on my bucket list.

[@manythingslefttobuild]

Great video Ian. Thanks to Dan Coonan for the origin and other stories, and likely fireplace guy for the pistol.

[@Alan.livingston]

Great video. Never really been interested in the 1911 but the Coonan has always been a bucket list firearm to own since I first saw them when they came out. It’s awesome that old mate Coonan himself took the time to speak with you.

[@austinflint8671]

leave it to a 1911 adapted design to be one of the few to reliably run magnum rounds in semi auto xD theres a reason its been around so long

[@bindingcurve]

BULL. It's the over sized .22 magazine that was the trick.

[@stairman3151]

Austin Flint................ How true!

[@someoneelse4492]

Fantastically cool that you got in contact with him :) Thanks.

[@liquorgunsandrhetoric]

I knew a guy who shot one of these at an indoor USPSA match, with a .357 magnum loaded with a slow powder. He called it his "flashbang load."

[@mshort7087]

My hog loads with H110 or Win296 will make impressive flame rings or halos from my C Model. It’s an attention grabber at an indoor range

[@kittty2005]

My cousin has a Coonan .357, nice gun, I hope some day some one does a piece on the Shiloh Sharps reproduction 1873 rifle, I owned one, was bought when the company was in Farmingdale New York, it was for black powder loads. The rifle was caught in a down pour and after some time the barrel became pitted, the company had since moved to Big Timber Montana, I sent the barreled action to them to upgrade and repair, it was sent back with the desired upgrades, it could use smokeless powder, and it is a beast ,.50-140. I just wanted to say that investment casting is used throughout the firearms industry, the receiver of this gun is 4130-c investment cast as is the breech block and color case hardened, it fired 600 grain Barnes bullets and a full charge of IMR type powder never had a mishap not once, it weight 12 pounds and could place 3 shots in a 3 inch group offhand at 100 yards, I loved this gun. 130 pounds of free recoil made it a mans gun.

[@harrisonlewis6853]

Thank you Ian, for doing a video on the Coonan .357. Being 70 years old, this year, I remember the advertisements when this pistol first came out. Guns and Ammo magazine did several write ups about this "revolutionary " pistol and I always, after reading about it, wanted one. Sadly, I've never been able to save enough to get one. But, I've been able to purchase some other unusual pistols. Have a functional pepperbox, a 1855 horse dragoon with shoulder stock, a stocked 1851 colt navy, a stocked 1860 colt army.and a Royal Navy ( British) Enfield musketoon, smooth bore. 24 gauge. So things even out in the end.

[@markyoung2981]

Excellent presentation thank you for your time posting this informational video.

[@jonHErickson]

I’m loving this run of magnum caliber handguns. Good video!

[@05Tcat]

Loved this video, and love my Coonan. Mine is extra special to me because I bought it from Colt's research and development department while I was working as a Colt Custom Shop gunsmith.

[@NikeaTiber]

Ian brings the magazine in for a close-up. My brain before Ian starts talking: "that's an oversized ruger mk II mag. Makes sense."

[@1868Brett]

I bought the Competition model with integrated compensator back in 2017 and it's still one of my favourites to shoot.

[@chinabluewho]

I am still waiting for someone to make a stainless steel M1 carbine using .357 mag ammo, why has no one ever done this? Seems like a M1 mixed with a 20/30 round mag is the perfect home defense/survivalist gun.

[@DeereX748]

Very nice; I'd heard of the Coonan, but never thought much about them until now. The video makes me want one. Couple of comments; you mentioned the cast frame and slide and the strength of properly casted parts. The Browning HiPower is another case in point. in the early 1980's, after the MkIII was released, Browning /FN Herstal came out with a .40 S&W version of the historically 9mm pistol. Early models with forged frames experienced frame cracking; the manufacturing process was shifted to cast slides and frames, and the cracking issues disappeared. I am somewhat surprised though, to see only one locking lug on the barrel and slide; the .40 BHP added a third lug to the two that the 9mm version used due to the extra power of the cartridge. I figured the .357 Magnum might need a stronger lockup as well. The camming barrel probably helps with feeding the longer .357 cartridge, more than the link-type barrel does. As always, you do a really nice program on the firearms you show us. Can't wait to see what's next.

[@bobjordan8283]

You always get to play with the cool toys brother! Love all your videos I love the bigger caliber hand guns so this one's right up my alley! Go big or go home! I am so glad you were able to actually talk to the designer that just adds to the coolness factor!

[@jarrodwidiger5472]

I saw one a gun shop my dad worked at briefly and purchased it and 3 mags about 8-9 years ago and absolutely love it. Its still one of my favorite guns to shoot along with just about everyone else that shoots it. Im also glad i bought one when they were still kind of affordable paid about 1250 for mine. Also the fireball that comes out of this thing in low light is hilarious!

[@bobhill3941]

Everything I learned was new, this is the first in-depth review I saw on the Coonan .357, up until right now, my only experience of one was a now defunct KZbin gun guy fpsrussia shooting one about a dozen years ago. That's where I learned you could shoot .38 special but I didn't know it was the mainspring. I never knew the dust cover was cut back to reduce weight, I always thought it was just for style and became iconic.

[@blahorgaslisk7763]

I have a suspicion that Hickock45 might have a video on the Coonan .375, but I'm in no way certain about that. OK so I looked and yes, he has a video on it. And DemolitionRanch does as well. Matt is a bit of a clown, but then so was FSPRussia, but hey, if it's it's entertainment you want...

[@bobhill3941]

@@blahorgaslisk7763 Exactly, back in the day, they were fun time killers. And I learned of the gun's existence.

[@harrycallahan9733]

Recoil spring. On a 1911 main spring means the hammer spring :)

[@RevolutionPony]

I really appreciate the research and primary sourcing that went into this episode!

Oh hey I have one of those, I really like mine and the trigger is amazing, my only really problem with mine is the slide not locking back on the last round, not sure exactly why it does this

[@text-2693]

Congratulations you have been selected among our shortlisted winner, contact the number above ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^🎁✅

[@silvadossantos6803]

You're interfering with the gun's wave function.

[@tangero3462]

Loving this dive into the magnum auto pistols lately, it's been a great showcase of some very unique engineering

[@golf-n-guns]

Pretty cool. I have a 1911 in 10mm. Love it.

[@nowweride3094]

I absolutely love my Coonan! It shoots like a dream! I had to switch out the .357 to a .38 special+P round just because the cost per round... but when I take it to the range everyone thinke it is a typical 1911 until it fires! 😁🇺🇸👍

[@oscardavis3906]

Have you tried 38 +P, with the 357 spring? I've been thinking about trying them in my Coonan.

[@nowweride3094]

@@oscardavis3906 I didn't want to, it's kinda crazy because they give you everything you need for the. 38 rd and it's a breeze to change out! The only thing I would change out would be the fixed sites.. I have the two tone dura coat.. she looks so fine! 😁

[@oscardavis3906]

@@nowweride3094 I understand that they give you everything you need, but you wouldn't be changing springs in a gun fight. I have a friend who carries .38 +P, and I sometimes carry the Coonan. So, the thought crossed my mind. I guess I will just have to pick up a box of .38 +P and find out. The Safariland model 100 vertical shoulder rig, LG Auto holster is a great holster for my Coonan.

[@nowweride3094]

@@oscardavis3906 if I carried my Coonan it wouldn't be loaded with .38's thats for sure! 🤣🤣 mine only comes out to play a couple of times a year, but you really have me interested in looking up your holster because we just never know whats coming around a future corner now do we?

[@oscardavis3906]

@@nowweride3094 Why is it so hard to accept the concept that if you were in a gun fight and ran out of ammo = .357 ammo. To have the knowledge to know if your friend using .38 +P ammo, if his ammo would run in the Coonan, without changing springs? When I carry my Coonan, it's with .357 ammo, but I still want to know if I can use .38 +P in it without changing springs? As I mentioned already, I will find out.

[@jesstreloar7706]

I have about a thousand rounds through my model 'B', all factory ammo has passed through just fine. I think I paid $600 for it in 1986. Looking at the prices now I should have bought two.

[@RexWoodward]

I got mine in the same time period, no regrets except for ammunition expensive then and much more now.

[@edallen5711]

I am the very happy owner of one of these Coonan pistols and can attest to it's being very flat shooting and very comfortable recoil. I discovered it at a local gun show about a year ago. I absolutely love shooting it. I do baby is a little because of the difficulty in finding parts for it. I was also fortunate enough to get 3 magazines with it. Total cost was $2300. Consider that the magazine are running about $250 each if you can find them. Not a bad deal.

[@ninjaturkey100]

I feel like that shirt and a 1911 in a funky mid-20th Century calibre go too well together.

[@frenchfrey65]

Ian should turn into a private eye and start a TV show, I'll call it, Magnum P.I.!

[@shawnc5188]

@@frenchfrey65 Yep, Magnum gun with Magnum shirt and Magnum moustache!

[@ninjaturkey100]

@@frenchfrey65 I feel like he'd best suit a cold case police procedural about extremely obscure and forgotten cases that somehow end up revealing a portion of a larger conspiracy, which inevitably ends up with a gun fight with some villains in a warehouse stuffed with boxes of 7.65mm French Long. The antagonist will be equipped with a rare French rifle that has been atrociously bubba'd (sawn-off RSC18, somehow?).

[@craigsavarese4554]

This gun has been on my “to get bucket list” ever since it came out.

[@sipofsunscorchedsarsaparil6052]

When the 1911 meets revolvers... God is real after all. Always wanted one of these but never quite got around to it.

[@drerod8543]

And His Son Gun Jesus presenting it to us ungrateful sinners 😂

[@GranMaese]

That magazine is simply ingenious.

[@calamityhex3729]

The real question is will Dan ever make a comeback for the Coonan 357? He obviously has a love for it to make it 3 time's now over the course of roughly 30 plus years.

[@kevinpickering3866]

doubt it as apparently alot of customers didnt get there guns or deposits back as well as some who claim the sent the guns in for work and never got them back. also heard another gun company bought all the designs so hopefully it was a reputable company and they re-release the gun and all the extras for them would love to finally get the compensated barrel kit for mine. will say well over 2k rounds 0 issues and can shoot all day long but gonna have to slow down until someone start making the replacement firing pins and springs lol

[@calamityhex3729]

@@kevinpickering3866 they didn't give them back? Jesus sounds like an actual legitimate job for the ATF. Probably whouldent give them back either though.

[@jaynederp5236]

Doubtful. I'm a Coonan owner and I was keeping up with things after to most recent bankruptcy. His entire machine shop got sold off by the bank, even the shipping container he used as an indoor range to test fire the guns. I saw the auction listing that listed off everything but the kitchen sink online.

[@calamityhex3729]

@@jaynederp5236 damn. Sad to here aside from the desart eagle there's nothing else in semi auto that takes 357.

[@pmgn8444]

Great video. This is one of those guns that always intrigued me. Thanks for filling in some of the history!

[@mtacoustic1]

Thanks for a very educational review! Bought a brand new Coonan several years ago. The store actually had two in stock. As you report, it has been very accurate and reliable. Don't remember which pattern I have - will have to dig it out of storage and check. One note on the magazine: the hole through the follower pin is very handy for reloading; sticking a small screwdriver or wire through it and pulling the follower down makes it much easier to load. Always disliked 15+ round mags where the spring pressure makes them a real b--h to load!

[@KnollaforRP2012]

I worked there for about a year doing machining, the finish polishing and test firing

[@chriscrowe87]

I have one of the originals that I bought off my uncle. One of my favorites in my collection!

[@daerichorrenst6743]

As always, Ian, your willingness to do the deep dive research on the(dare i say) older, obscure guns is top notch. I had little interest in a 357 Magnum handgun. Now I want a Coonan.

[@JAB6322]

I remember a certain professional Russian shooting these but the .357 Magnum rounds (Courtesy of Coonan) are silver in case of vampires and are stored in a wooden stake in case of vampires lol

[@bobhill3941]

That was my introduction to this pistol.

[@PsychoticBovine]

I have that Zombie/werewolf/vampire survival kit with my Coonan.

[@FASmith-qd1yj]

I worked there at the time they made those. If you have that silver ammo do not shoot it. It is loaded to max pressures and will damage the gun and the silver plate will stick to your rifling. We had to stop selling it and unload all that was left. There was a 3rd of a galore of pulled silver plated bullets sitting in the shop. Even with the vary thin plate on those bullets that was a lot of silver.

[@bobhill3941]

@@FASmith-qd1yj That's really cool, someone's very rich given inflation and today's silver prices.

[@FASmith-qd1yj]

@@bobhill3941 The cost of removing it from the lead is more than it's worth and with inflation it still is

[@johnlastname2397]

glad to see this video 1st that I've hears of this fire arm

[@AllAboutSurvival]

Badass version of 1911. 😍 love that sleek

[@PhoenixFyre]

Been wanting one of these for so long.

[@jwseibert1059]

Saw one of these on Demo Ranch and thought it looked awesome and worked well. Had no clue it would be on FW within a few years.

[@2fargonedaytona128]

Growing up in 80s I always loved this! They would be at many gun shows. Kind of like the 4 barrel derringer COP .357 mag. I almost bought a like new one in a pawn shop they had a bs 2 week waiting period even though I was in law enforcement at the time. It irked me and I passed on it. Was a great cheap price too. I love odd ball guns it like Coonan it was. The magazine design strong resembles me of my Ruger SR22 and many others. Guess it’s what makes it more reliable as well. Thanks for sharing

[@Ehtereon11B]

It is unfortunate the Coonan is a "Forgotten Weapon." I always liked the tech behind a revolver round in a semi auto. Particularly a 1911.

[@harrycallahan9733]

11:00 That is the exact reason I love 1911s (one of the reasons), no external extractors, no stupid roll pins :)