NRA Gun of the Week: Coonan Compact Pistol

by
posted on January 16, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

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

Latest

Subsonic Ammo 101
Subsonic Ammo 101

Subsonic Ammo 101: Everything The Suppressor Shooter Should Know

Slower-than-sound rounds are an art as much as a science. For target shooting, bullet upset is not important, but if you’re using subsonic loads for hunting or self-defense, it becomes critical.

I Have This Old Gun: Model 1874 Gras Rifle

Following the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, the French military were in desperate need of a new service rifle. Their answer was the Model 1874 Gras, which was largely an update to the earlier Chassepot design.

Compact & Quiet: CMMG's ZEROED Banshee

CMMG has expanded its Banshee line of AR-style rifles with the ZEROED, a firearm that is optimized for suppressor use.

Making the A-Cut: Springfield Armory's COA-Ready Operator, TRP & DS Prodigy Pistols

Springfield has already released a COA-ready version of its Echelon earlier this year, and the new models will bring the A-Cut to the company’s hammer-fired handguns, including the 1911 Operator, 1911 TRP and 1911 DS Prodigy.

Skills Check: Snake-Eyes Drill

Our drill this month trains you to form a stable firing platform early enough to gain optimal control before the shot breaks. Timing is of the essence.

A Memorial Day Conversation With Grey Team

Grey Team was founded to help armed services members and veterans with the physiological impacts traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain and more.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.