*LIVE* Coonan Classic Mod. B .357mag Stainless 5" *EXCELLENT AMERICAN MADE PISTOL*

Bryant Ridge's Analysis

An American gun designer, Dan Coonan, began developing a semi-automatic pistol chambered in .357 Magnum caliber around 1977. He aimed to create a pistol for combat and defense that provided the same terminal effectiveness as .357 caliber revolvers but with a larger capacity and faster reloading, which is specific to semi-automatic pistols. First, he designed a working magazine, which was not easy given the large overall length and rimmed case design of a .357 Magnum round.
Once the magazine was ready, Dan Coonan built his first working prototype using standard M1911 parts. To accommodate the long .357 cartridges, he cut the slide and the frame (in the grip area) and welded steel inserts to increase the length of the parts. The first Coonan .357 Mag barrel was made from a solid steel block. Once the prototype pistol was finished and successfully tested, Coonan established his own business, Coonan Arms Inc., and started making pistols of his design. Over time, the basic design was upgraded to Model B, with the major improvement being the introduction of the linkless barrel system.
In the early 1990s, Coonan introduced a cut-down "Cadet" model with a shortened barrel and grip. Around the same time, he also worked on a .41 Magnum caliber pistol, which apparently was never finished. Coonan Arms also offered .38 Special +P caliber conversion kits, which included weaker return springs and magazines with spacers necessary to firmly hold shorter rounds. In 1994, Coonan Arms Inc. filed for bankruptcy and was reorganized. It continued operating until 1998, when it was dissolved. Dan Coonan Inc. currently offers parts and repair services for Coonan pistols. Coonan pistols are out of production and no longer made.
Overall, Coonan pistols were fine weapons suitable for most applications, such as self-defense (including concealed carry), service use by police officers, hunting, and target shooting. These pistols were made to a high standard and thus were somewhat expensive. Coonan Model A pistols were short-recoil-operated, locked-breech pistols that employed a Browning-type system with a tilting barrel connected to the frame with a swinging link (a system borrowed from Colt M1911 pistol). Conan Model B and smaller Cadet pistols were similar to Model A, except for a simplified linkless barrel tilting system. The single-action trigger with exposed hammer, automated grip safety, and frame-mounted manual safety were also copied from M1911. Magazines were single-stack; early magazines held 7 rounds, while late production magazines held 8 rounds. Shorter Cadet magazines hold only 6 rounds. Coonan pistols were fitted either with Millet-type adjustable or combat-type fixed sights, and the rear sight was dovetailed to the slide.

Specifications

Manufacturer: Coonan Arms, Ind. 

Model: Classic Model B

Serial: B7909

Range of Manufacture: 1983-1998

Caliber: .357 Mag

Finish: Stainless

Barrel Length: 5" 

Optics/Sights: Combat StyleFixed Ramped Front with Notched Rear

Stock/Grips: Black Checkered Synthetic with Coonan LogoAction: Semi-Automatic

Markings: Standard

Images