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You’ve probably heard of this pistol but never actually fired it. And it’s even less likely you’ve carried it concealed. Coonan’s Compact .357 Magnum pistol (retail $1,535), a 1911, creates more than enough intrigue just by combining the numbers “357” and “1911”. I’m hoping to create a little more intrigue by posting a handful of questions about this unique gun. If I missed a question, feel free to add it in the comments below…
Question 1: At 45.5 ounces loaded, just how heavy is too heavy? Yet, how much will I appreciate all that steel when I shoot it? Okay, that’s two questions.
Question 3: What’s the idea behind firing one of the greatest defensive pistol cartridges of all time out of one of the greatest pistol platforms of all time? Hmm. Seems I’ve answered the question by asking it…
Question 4: An enormous fireball and loud report seem antithetical to the precise and butter-smooth controls and trigger. Yet the gun is built like a bank vault. I guess I’m just wondering how all this works together in a defensive pistol…
Looks like many other 1911’s from the back yet the stocks fill the hand more than most. The stock sights are clear enough but I’m wanting night sights for it. So, question 5: Which night sights will fit and work best?
Here’s the image that crosses most people’s mind when they hear .357 Magnum pistol — how that long cartridge looks when its about to go into battery. And speaking of cartridges: The magazines each hold six rounds and Coonan included four magazines with this gun. Question 6: How am I supposed to carry all four?
And, question 7: When will I be able to get this big, heavy, good looking gun to the range to give it a once over?
You can read more about the Coonan at Coonan’s website, but go ahead and let me know your thoughts below. Meanwhile, I’m taking this beast to the range and I’ll even see how it does in a concealed carry role. Watch this space for a follow up to how I’m answering these and other questions about the Coonan Compact .357.
— Mark Kakkuri
