Range report on the Coonan .357

Johnnyjellybean

Johnnyjellybean

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So today was the 2nd day with the Coonan at the range. I fired about 50 rounds each day (at
2 different clubs). Let me start by saying this is a wonderful gun , exceedingly well
made with a great finish. I landed up trying 3 different types of ammo through it. The crappy
5 rounds of CCI Blazer aluminum stuff which did nothing but FTF, PMC 158gr FMJ which ran the
gun like a top, and Federal AE 158gr JSPwhich also worked very well. Yesterday ,
shooting the very 1st 2 mags, the slide failed to lock once the mag was empty . After
that, it was not an issue. I sighted in the gun, after which I was able to get 1.5" groups
from a rest at 55 ft. This is a very accurate gun. I was able to manage 3" groups at the
same distance with a 2 handed freehand grip. I really like the adjustable white dots.
Did I mention that this gun kicks?!!! Every bit as much as my 686 which I had there to compare with.
The Coonan is a hard gun not to like. That being said, it is still not as comfortable as
my .45acp 1911s in the hand......... Probably because of the longer grip frame due to the
longer cartridge. The gun makes a LOT of muzzle blast and has that "circle of fire' at
times that can be plainly seen. To get an understanding of this, you just have to go on
youtube and watch the Coonan videos.... way cool. My one and only complaint which
might be a plus to a lot of shooters, is that the trigger is a little too light for my tastes. I
guesstimate it to be 2.5 to 3 lbs pull. It is crisp and clean with virtually no creep and
very little takeup but if you're not used to a light trigger, you may find yourself double
firing. So , in summary, great accuracy, seems to digest most ammo, great finish and a
load of fun to shoot! Not quite as tame and smooth as my Desert Eagle MK 1 .357 but
better feel in the hand and way cool having the 1911 vibe in a age old proven magnum
cartridge! (PS: yes you can call me an ass for not having taken pictures of the targets!!)

coonan1.serial.jpg
 
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nice review. i'm sure you would have mentioned it but just checking to see if you tried any 38 spec.?
 
Stop the good reviews on it please haha.

Good point about the grip frame. Still think it's really cool. Need some fireball pics.
 
Johnnyjellybean said:
So today was the 2nd day with the Coonan at the range. I fired 100 rounds each day (at
2 different clubs). Let me start by saying this is a wonderful gun , exceedingly well
made with a great finish. I landed up trying 3 different types of ammo through it. The crappy
CCI Blazer aluminum stuff which did nothing but FTF, PMC 158gr FMJ which ran the
gun like a top, and Federal AE 158gr JSPwhich also worked very well. Yesterday ,
shooting the very 1st 2 mags, the slide failed to lock once the mag was empty . After
that, it was not an issue. I sighted in the gun, after which I was able to get 1.5" groups
from a rest at 55 ft. This is a very accurate gun. I was able to manage 3" groups at the
same distance with a 2 handed freehand grip. I really like the adjustable white dots.
Did I mention that this gun kicks?!!! Every bit as much as my 686 which I had there to compare with.
The Coonan is a hard gun not to like. That being said, it is still not as comfortable as
my .45acp 1911s in the hand......... Probably because of the longer grip frame due to the
longer cartridge. The gun makes a LOT of muzzle blast and has that "circle of fire' at
times that can be plainly seen. To get an understanding of this, you just have to go on
youtube and watch the Coonan videos.... way cool. My one and only complaint which
might be a plus to a lot of shooters, is that the trigger is a little too light for my tastes. I
guesstimate it to be 2.5 to 3 lbs pull. It is crisp and clean with virtually no creep and
very little takeup but if you're not used to a light trigger, you may find yourself double
firing. So , in summary, great accuracy, seems to digest most ammo, great finish and a
load of fun to shoot! Not quite as tame and smooth as my Desert Eagle MK 1 .357 but
better feel in the hand and way cool having the 1911 vibe in a age old proven magnum
cartridge! (PS: yes you can call me an ass for not having taken pictures of the targets!!)

coonan1.serial.jpg
Click to expand...


Good review

That gun arouses me
 
Johnnyjellybean said:
Not yet. I have the 38 recoil spring but haven't tried it yet.
Click to expand...

I took mine to the range today, swapped out the 22lb spring for the 10lb spring and tried some 38 spec.

I used Federal AE 130gr FMJ. The box says the specs are 810 ft/s and 190 ft/lbs, however, the same ammo (AE38K) on the federal web site say 890 ft/s and 230 ft/lbs. (no barrel length listed) Maybe the store i bought from was clearing out an old batch or something.

Anyway, it didn't cycle at all. Not even a stovepipe. So yes i'd think 38 +p is a must with the 10 pound spring. Maybe, if my assumption is correct, the newer 'hotter' loading of this same type of ammo with an extra 40 ft/lbs of energy would be enough to cycle it but i don't know. i think i will pick up an 8 pound spring and try it out.

In 357, the Coonan worked flawlessly with the AE 158 gr and the Remington 180gr. it really is an accurate pistol. i was particularly surprised with the 180gr. It is also a blast to shoot.
 
So I took the Coonan to the range to see if i could get her to function with 38 sp. As above, the 10b spring that comes with the gun needs +p to function properly so I picked up a Wolf ultra light variable spring kit with 5, 6, 7, 8, & 9 Lb springs.

I was using the same AE 130 gr jacketed as above with just under 200 ft/lbs of energy. This ammo cycled maybe 50% of the time with the 7lb spring, but functioned very smoothly with the 5 and 6lb springs. The only issue i encountered was a stovepipe on the last round with one of the 3 mags I was using. As you can imagine, very low recoil (it is frankly not that bad in 357). I'm thinking this would be a good setup if i wanted to shoot a high volume, or if i can ever convince my wife or daughters to come out. Accuracy with 38 was just as good as with 357 - this is a capable gun.

If you wanted a more dedicated package for 38, you might want to consider a lighter mainspring. The Coonan uses a pretty hefty mainspring in tandem with the 22b recoil spring to control the 357. In 38, once it overcomes the inertia of the stock mainspring, there is not a huge amount of energy left to cycle the gun. Brass was landing literally within a foot radius (though this was actually kind of nice as i don't always enjoy hunting for brass). Anyway, a lighter main with a slightly heavier recoil spring would have helped cycle this particular load a little quicker. I want to keep mine for 357, and have no complaints about this 38 set up for my particular needs so i wouldn't contemplate changing. Most of the other 38 special ammo I see is a little hotter anyway. Incidentally, Coonan recommends shooting more that 500 rounds of 357 to smooth and soften things up a little before trying 38 special. I'm probably around the 200 mark so that would make a bit of a difference.

I finished off with a few magazines of 357 to see if there was any fouling that might prevent the 357 from properly chambering but no problem. Granted in only shot about 100 jacketed 38 special.

Anyway, this is a fun gun and the ability to shoot 38 makes it a versatile package.
 
Nice review, if i may add, the Coonan crave on Leverevolution 142 gr, they shine on precision and reliability, my trigger on the trigger scale brake clean at 37 ounces, nearly on par with my 1911 Les Baer trigger...
The Coonan is my second best 1911 just after my LB... JP.
 
The Leverevolution is a smoking 357 load. That and the Coonan would be a great little package for deer if only we were permitted to handgun hunt up here.
 
caramel said:
I believe one day we could if things go our way... JP.
Click to expand...

would be great but i'm not overly optimistic. I'd settle for easing off on the restrictions for wilderness protection carry. Though at this point, i just hope we don't go the way of the UK or Australia.
 
I have one of these as well and love it. An older modelB from the end of original production
Depending on what I load varies widely what it does to & with the brass .
Win 295 22.3 w/ cam pro plated 125's are a blast.
My avatar pic shows the ring of fire from these.
At an outdoor range, good luck finding them.
I found a few 20-30 feet away.
Indoors the concussion is ....nasty.
Brass will get dented bouncing around and they look beat up.
I found 38 sp loaded to +P using hs6 & 158 semiwads sized @ .357 cycle beautifully, almost land in a pile, and are comfortable indoors.
 
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