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
NRA Gun of the Week: Coonan Compact Pistol
More like this from around the NRA
Latest
Here for the Boom: How I Learned to Love the Big-Bores
A fear of recoil can turn into a longing for more kick. The author is proof of that.
Steiner Optics Debuts Overwatch Program to Support First Responders
With its new Overwatch Program, Steiner Optics now offers special pricing on select products for qualified military members, law-enforcement officers, first responders, corrections personnel and court officials.
Review: Taurus RPC
Taurus’s RPC brings a large-format pistol to the company’s lineup of revolvers and affordable semi-automatic pistols.
Old Meets New: The Springfield Armory Kuna Tri-Lug and .40 S&W Models
The iconic tri-lug muzzle of the H&K MP5 is now available on the Springfield Armory Kuna, allowing it to more closely match the original HS Produkt design while also allowing for easy mounting of suppressors.
The Armed Citizen® Sept. 7, 2026
Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.
Review: High Desert Cartridge Company Ammunition
Ammunition brands like High Desert Cartridge may not be as well-known as larger makers, but they can still offer excellent bang for your buck.
Interests
SECTIONS
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
EXPLORE MORE NRA PUBLICATIONS
