NRA Gun of the Week: Coonan Compact Pistol

by
posted on January 16, 2016

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

Latest

Springfield Armory Echelon Compact 1
Springfield Armory Echelon Compact 1

New For 2025: Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C

With a shortened slide, barrel and frame, the new Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C is designed to be concealable and easily carried while still offering a host of features.

Favorite Firearms: A Model Trainer

My dad handed it to me, his rough hands steady as he passed me the gun with a smile. “Take care of this,” he said. “It’s yours now.”

Preview: U.S. Arms M-905 Talon

The M-905 Talon is an uncommonly long and weighty muzzle brake offered as an aftermarket accessory and as standard equipment on some of U.S. Arms Co.’s higher-tier AR-15 models.

A Lightweight Hammer: Browning’s A5 Hunter 20 Gauge

A new rendition of the modern A5 shrinks the bore to 20 gauge but manages to deliver the finest-swinging and softest-shooting gun in a new generation of Brownings.

The Armed Citizen® Dec. 2, 2024

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Is Propellant Additive Manufacturing The Future Of The Ammo Business?

Although it’s in its infancy, this new technology signals a sweeping change coming for firearm enthusiasts. Less propellant, precise burn rates, improved reliability and enhanced performance are on the horizon—even if it’s a distant one.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.