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
Firearm Industry Philanthropic Efforts Endure, Despite Lagging Gun Sales
Gun sales in 2025 may not eclipse records, but the firearm industry’s generosity continues to abound, even within challenging economic circumstances.
Product : Ten21 Tactical “The Junk Drawer” Tripod Hammock
Precision shooters using tripods to support their rifles can keep miscellaneous gear organized and within reach by attaching The Junk Drawer by Ten21 Tactical to the tripod’s legs.
Review: SAR USA SAR9 SOCOM Compact
The SAR9 SOCOM Compact from SAR USA packs popular tactical features into a compact package.
A Jakl In Bullpup Clothing: Palmetto State Armory's Olcan
Palmetto State Armory adapted its piston-driven Jakl rifle design into a bullpup configuration it calls the Olcan.
150,000 NFA Applications Filed On Day 1 After $0 Tax Stamp Becomes Official
Approximately 150,000 NFA enthusiasts filed their paperwork through ATF’s electronic system in just the first 24 hours of 2026, the first day after the $0 tax stamp for most NFA items became official.
Gun Of The Week: Caracal USA CMP9K
Caracal's CMP9K pistol is based on a design originally produced to replace the aging stock of Heckler & Koch MP5s in United Arab Emirates service.
Interests
SECTIONS
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
EXPLORE MORE NRA PUBLICATIONS
