357 Auto Recommendations

[redcliff]

Had a chance to handle a Coonan recently that was for sale. The grip size/shape was a deal killer for me. The length of the .357 magnum cartridge makes for a long grip imho. YMMV.

Although some people think .357 and .44 magnum pistols are a great idea, they share the problem that they will only function within certain load parameters whereas a revolver can fire a wide variety of power/bullet weight loads including the shorter special rounds and shot shells.

[Sailormilan2]

9x25 Dillon? 357 Mag performance out of a semi auto.

[ciscosixgun]

Coonan the Barbarian

[Oceanbob]

I don't think you have any logical choices. Most attempts to run a rimmed .357 cartridge thru an auto-loading pistol have failed. Too big a grip and other options that are rimless have more power and feed without issues. (Glock 10MMs for instance). You are also limiting yourself to a single-stack magazine; the .357 Magnum cartridge with its rim won't feed well in a double column magazine (assuming you could get your hand around the grip..haha).

Either switch to a wheel gun or think about 10MM. JMO

[Guns R Tools]

Desert Eagle is gas operated gun, very easy to shoot. However it is ammo sensitive.
Current generation of DE can be converted to any caliber they currently offer.

However you would need barrel, magazine and bolt assembly in some cases.
44mag 50 AE uses same bolt so barrel and mag only to change caliber.
If you want to go from 357mag to 44 mag or 50AE, you would need bolt, barrel and mag.

[TripleThreat]

A few fine points.

The reason I'm looking into getting a 357 Magnum automatic:
1. Has nothing to do with the power of a 357 vs any other round
2. I did look at a DEM and decided that is just not the weapon for me when I was in the market for a 44 (ended up with a 629).
3. The single stack magazine is not a concern either as long as I can get 10 or so rounds per magazine.

I already own a couple of 357 magnum Pythons, I'm looking for something that is a little different and something I don't already own in the 357 caliber. I'd like to have something in an auto because I prefer shooting autos, although I a better shot with a wheel gun. I have a ton of 357 rounds and would love to shoot them out of something other than my Pythons.

So far the Coonan is looking to be the best fit thus far, I want to check out the grip comfort and confirm if this is quality gun that won't give me headaches and eat most 357 ammo. If it also shoots 38's, even better as my Wife could shoot it as well.

Thanks everyone!

Triple

[DrewN]

Coonan did have the best ads. "Looking for your first gun? This isn't it" with a picture of a truly epic muzzleblast.

[23 Skidoo]

FYI, if you're in CA, you can't get a new Coonan firearm; they are not CA-DOJ list registered. Nor are the LAR Grizzly firearms - even though they're not new. I don't know if you can get one if you're LEO or an FFL holder, but even so, I don't think they can be imported, i.e., brought into the state. You can get a Desert Eagle, but the CA-DOJ listed models are in .44 Mag.

AFAIK, there are no approved .357 Mag semi-auto handguns on the list. Your best bet is to find a pre-owned one already in state and purchase via PPT; otherwise, if you're in CA, you're out of luck. There are plenty of .357 SIG approved handguns.

Shooting .357 Mag out of a lever gun is a lot of fun; and most will also take .38 Special.

[23 Skidoo]

FYI, if you're in CA, you can't get a new Coonan firearm; they are not CA-DOJ list registered. Nor are the LAR Grizzly firearms - even though they're not new. I don't know if you can get one if you're LEO or an FFL holder, but even so, I don't think they can be imported, i.e., brought into the state. You can get a Desert Eagle, but the CA-DOJ listed models are in .44 Mag.

AFAIK, there are no approved .357 Mag semi-auto handguns on the list. Your best bet is to find a pre-owned one already in state and purchase via PPT; otherwise, if you're in CA, you're out of luck. There are plenty of .357 SIG approved handguns.

Shooting .357 Mag out of a lever gun is a lot of fun; and most will also take .38 Special.

[Bigtwin]

Just remember that crappy roster we have in CA. The Coonan is not on it, and unless you can find one used, it will have to be SSE!

BTW the Coonan has been interesting to me too.

[Sky_DiveR]

Coonan is a quality firearm. Only magnum in a reasonable size still in production. You basically get a semi-custom pistol for a reasonable price. The new pistols even come with a spring so you can shoot 38 Special. You can even use the some mag for 357 or 38. Difficult to find a holster for it tho.