Designed and developed by gun designer Dan Coonan, and eventually produced by the Minnesota firm bearing his name, the Coonan pistols were chambered for the .357 Mag. cartridge. First the Model A, followed by an upgraded Model B, quickly gained a following for this well-made pistol. The Coonan Compact pistol is a somewhat smaller and easier to carry version of the full-size Coonan Classic. At 39 ozs. and measuring 7.7"x5.4", it is still a pretty hefty pistol likely to find use more as a sportsman’s gun, or even as a home-defense pistol, than as a concealment piece. Learn more in this NRA Gun of the Week video hosted by Joseph Kurtenbach.
Specifications
Manufacturer: Coonan Inc.
Model: Coonan Compact
Action: recoil-operated, semi-automatic pistol
Caliber: .357 Mag.
Slide: stainless steel
Frame: stainless steel
Sights: three-dot; drift adjustable rear, dovetailed and pinned post front
Magazine: detachable box; six-round capacity
Barrel: 4”
Rifling: six-groove, 1:16” RH twist
Trigger: 4-lb., 7-oz. pull
Weight: 39 ozs.
Accessories: owner’s manual, loading tool, spare magazine, ear plugs, trigger lock, zippered case
MSRP: $1,535
For more on the Coonan Compact pistol, please enjoy the following articles:
Review: Coonan Compact
Review: Coonan Compact .357 Mag. Pistol
NRA Gun of the Week: Coonan Compact Pistol
More like this from around the NRA
Latest
Too Late: The Perils Of Waiting To Buy That One Gun
Gunmakers are often quiet when they discontinue a gun model. We’ve all felt the pain of suddenly discovering a firearm we’d love to own that is no longer available.
Preview: DA Targets Half-Size Silhouette Color-Changing Target
Replacing targets, time and time again, can be costly and time-consuming, which is where this U.S.-made product from DA Targets comes into play.
Return Of The Red Label: Ruger's New Red Label III Shotgun
Ruger's Red Label III marks the third generation of Ruger's classic over-under shotgun, which is finally making a reappearance after it was discontinued more than a decade ago.
Preview: GPS Bags Shotgun Shell Tote
Range visits are often more enjoyable with well-organized equipment, which is where GPS Bags comes into play with its Shotgun Shell Tote.
Gun Of The Week: Wilson Combat NULA Model 20
In our latest "Gun Of The Week" segment, we’re taking a closer look at Wilson Combat’s NULA Model 20, a lightweight, bolt-action hunting rifle that incorporates innovations first pioneered by the “rifle wizard of West Virginia."
The Armed Citizen® Jan. 2, 2026
Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.
Interests
SECTIONS
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
EXPLORE MORE NRA PUBLICATIONS
