Got my Coonan Classic

[Green Ice Dragon]

So I got my Coonan Classic and it is now my new favorite gun.

I bought it from Sound of Freedom (http://www.sof-usa.com/) and SSE through OC Armory (http://www.ocarmory.com). The guys at Sound of Freedom were very accommodating. Initially, they were not going to sell the Coonan Classic to me because they thought it wasn't legal. But when I explained the whole SSE deal they were cool with it. Just needed to get verification and OC Armory assured them everything was completely legal.

OC Armory made the entire SSE process smooth and painless. This would be the first time I did a SSE for a handgun so I'm glad everything was easy to deal with.

[Capt Jack]

Congrats! Now post a picture!

[bsg]

congratulations.

[Tarn_Helm]

Coonan Classic .357 Magnum

So I got my Coonan Classic and it is now my new favorite gun.

I bought it from Sound of Freedom (http://www.sof-usa.com/) and SSE through OC Armory (http://www.ocarmory.com). The guys at Sound of Freedom were very accommodating. Initially, they were not going to sell the Coonan Classic to me because they thought it wasn't legal. But when I explained the whole SSE deal they were cool with it. Just needed to get verification and OC Armory assured them everything was completely legal.

OC Armory made the entire SSE process smooth and painless. This would be the first time I did a SSE for a handgun so I'm glad everything was easy to deal with.

You got a Coonan Classic .357 Magnum through SSE?!

Please PM me the names and numbers of the people whom you contacted on both ends of the transaction.

And please post pics and range report.

Be sure to tell us how well it cycles various brands and configurations of .357 Magnum ammo.

Tell how the trigger feels (1 stage? 2 stage? etc.)

Those guns seem really cool.

Congratulations!


EDIT:

I just found this on the Coonan website: http://www.coonaninc.com/faq.php

"Due to the wide variety of ammunition available in the .357 Magnum caliber, we recommend using Federal or Magtech 125 or 158 grain JACKETED ammunition. Other ammunition can be used, but some setup of the firearm might be required."

The website answers other questions about magazine compatibility with earlier production models, etc.

[dfletcher]

So I got my Coonan Classic and it is now my new favorite gun.

I bought it from Sound of Freedom (http://www.sof-usa.com/) and SSE through OC Armory (http://www.ocarmory.com). The guys at Sound of Freedom were very accommodating. Initially, they were not going to sell the Coonan Classic to me because they thought it wasn't legal. But when I explained the whole SSE deal they were cool with it. Just needed to get verification and OC Armory assured them everything was completely legal.

OC Armory made the entire SSE process smooth and painless. This would be the first time I did a SSE for a handgun so I'm glad everything was easy to deal with.

What's the magazine situation with the new Coonan? The originals are hard to find, about $125.00 or so each - do the new ones fit the old model, how much do they run?

[Echidin]

No pictures???

[pyromensch]

i didn't know they were still in business, and a pic WOULD be nice

[CAL.BAR]

NICE! You beat me by a month. Coonan said my newly minted copy will ship end of March. At least Mike at OC will have experience doing the SSE with it.

Please give a full range report and ammo preference report.

[CAL.BAR]

i didn't know they were still in business, and a pic WOULD be nice

YES they are BACK in business after all these years.

http://coonaninc.com/

But they are SLOW! I ordered mine on Oct 26th, and they said it will ship end of March (which we all know means May)

[Nor*Cal]

Congrats!

BUT

[ckprax]

Awesome. Can you tell us more about it? Why is it your favorite? How does the recoil compare to shooting .357 out of a revolver?

[trashman]

Congrats...one is on my to-buy list this year...

--Neill

[Green Ice Dragon]

I'm writing this right now because I can't sleep yet a little delirious from the lack of sleep this week. So hopefully I'm coherent and answer everyone's questions.

I got lucky on getting mine. I contacted Sound of Freedom and they happened to have one with adjustable sights and 2 magazines.

On the issue of magazines, I hear the new ones fit the old Coonans just fine but you can make sure by contacting Coonan. They're happy to answer any questions you have.

I've thrown about 400+ rounds of various brands of 357 mag.

Fiocchi 142gr fmj
Remington 125gr hp
Federal 158gr sjsp
Some other brands I can't remember.

So far the Coonan hasn't been picky about what ammo it shoots.

I did have some feeding problems initially. With the help of Coonan's tech support I was able to easily fix the problem. Next time I go I'll try 38 specials as well.

The grip is noticeably bigger than a 1911 but it isn't horrible. Keep in mind I have very small hands and I never felt uncomfortable with it. I do plan on adding slim grips to it though.

The recoil is about as manageable as any 1911 in 45 acp.

I can't say anything on accuracy as I spent the ammo mainly on making sure I fixed the feeding issue, so I was going through ammo like candy. I'll be sure to deal with that next time I go to the range though.

I'll post pictures later. It's not much different then what you can find on the Coonan website. I have it in regular stainless. The only notable thing is that I added ambidextrous safety on it (the Kimber brand is a perfect drop-in).

Overall, love this gun mainly because I have a semi-auto handgun in 357 mag. I know there's the Desert Eagle but those things are way too big. I'm actually thinking of getting another one in black duracoat but I'm still thinking about this. Right now if you try to order one you'll be looking at a 9 month wait period.

[Tarn_Helm]

What is part number for Kimber ambi safety?

I'm writing this right now because I can't sleep yet a little delirious from the lack of sleep this week. So hopefully I'm coherent and answer everyone's questions.

I got lucky on getting mine. I contacted Sound of Freedom and they happened to have one with adjustable sights and 2 magazines.

On the issue of magazines, I hear the new ones fit the old Coonans just fine but you can make sure by contacting Coonan. They're happy to answer any questions you have.

I've thrown about 400+ rounds of various brands of 357 mag.

Fiocchi 142gr fmj
Remington 125gr hp
Federal 158gr sjsp
Some other brands I can't remember.

So far the Coonan hasn't been picky about what ammo it shoots.

I did have some feeding problems initially. With the help of Coonan's tech support I was able to easily fix the problem. Next time I go I'll try 38 specials as well.

The grip is noticeably bigger than a 1911 but it isn't horrible. Keep in mind I have very small hands and I never felt uncomfortable with it. I do plan on adding slim grips to it though.

The recoil is about as manageable as any 1911 in 45 acp.

I can't say anything on accuracy as I spent the ammo mainly on making sure I fixed the feeding issue, so I was going through ammo like candy. I'll be sure to deal with that next time I go to the range though.
I'll post pictures later. It's not much different then what you can find on the Coonan website. I have it in regular stainless. The only notable thing is that I added ambidextrous safety on it (the Kimber brand is a perfect drop-in).


Overall, love this gun mainly because I have a semi-auto handgun in 357 mag. I know there's the Desert Eagle but those things are way too big. I'm actually thinking of getting another one in black duracoat but I'm still thinking about this. Right now if you try to order one you'll be looking at a 9 month wait period.

(op edited by me)

What is the part number for the Kimber ambidextrous safety that dropped right into the Coonan?

Please post pics if you duracoat the Coonan.

Which grips do you plan to order (post a link!)?

[Green Ice Dragon]

Here you go!