Been a bit slow in the pistol section so I thought I'd post some info on a recent purchase. I'm starting to become a bit of a 1911 fan boy but the lack of power in that style of pistol put me off until I happened upon the Coonan .357 on Hickok45's YouTube channel and fell in lust. A 1911 type styling with the punch of a .357 Magnum round that can also fire 38 Special +P ammo. PTA was duly lodged, Registry employee put out on compo with a back injury pulling my file and 11 days later the PTA was in my mail box. Whilst waiting for the PTA to be processed I approached my friendly gun shop, told them what I wanted and where to get it so it was ready to collect when the paperwork arrived.
Last Thursday afternoon I collected it before heading home for that new gun cleaning routine. Friday night, Wylie27 and I hit the range to break it in and to do the Barricades Pistol shoot. I had to buy ammunition for it cause I was fresh out of stock, it's against my religion to purchase ammo but a couple boxes of Blazer 158Gr JHP single use cartridges were begrudgingly purchased. I'd cleaned and lubed the pistol the night before as they are shipped dry and totally lube free for some unknown reason, makes a change from having to remove oil from new guns. Magazine loaded with 5 rounds and I managed a very tidy 4 shots into the 10 ring @ 10m but 5th shot was a flyer, I screwed it and blame the trigger
The next 7 rounds were sent down range with the appropriate focus on trigger control and accuracy to check if I needed to adjust the sights...The picture shows that no adjustment was necessary
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Tried it out to 25 & 50m and it grouped reasonably well considering it was freehand and not off a rest,I'll use a rest and my ammo next time.
I shot the Barricade's comp with the Coonan for fun but had numerous issues with it failing to return to battery. This is not the fault of the pistol but my grip technique it in order to shoot it single handed. Once I changed my grip all was good, the Blazer ammo isn't the best choice for semi auto pistols being aluminium cased but probably good in revolvers. Managed a semi respectable 321/480 but way off my usual 400+. The 2nd relay was 2 people short so Wylie and myself shot again for fun, managed a 431/480 with the CZ which didn't count but I at least redeemed myself.
This model is the competition version which comes fitted with a compensator and adjustable sights, includes 2 magazines for 6 + 1, soft zippered storage case and the usual safety lock. Retails around the $3,490 mark if you can find one.
While it may resemble a 1911 it's NOT and none of the parts are interchangeable, not even the grips.
Thoughts...It's very comfortable in my hand as I like a larger grip, shoots extremely well and the compensator does an excellent job keeping the muzzle on target. I'm very happy with this purchase and it'll get plenty of range time
Wylie27 put a few rounds through it so hopefully he'll add his thoughts as well.
Photos and Video curtesy Wylie27
The Coonan .357 Semi Auto
http://www.coonaninc.com/product/357-magnum-compensated/
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7 @ 10m with focus...the 2 patches were for the previous 4 rounds into the 10
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Breathes Fire
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Video
https://youtu.be/TeruULHIu6E