Title: 2 Coonan 357 Magnum Pistols for Full-Size and Compact Carry – Ballistic Magazine
Headings: 2 Coonan 357 Magnum Pistols for Full-Size and Compact Carry
2 Coonan 357 Magnum Pistols for Full-Size and Compact Carry
David Bahde
Coonan the Conquerer
A Resurrection
Coonan 357 Magnum Shootout
Coonan Classic Testing
Coonan Compact Testing
Coonan 357 Magnum Mates
Coonan Classic Specs:
Coonan Compact Specs:
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Content: Coonan Arms filed for bankruptcy in 1994 and was eventually incorporated into JS Worldwide, but both were dissolved in 1998. For some, that would be the end of it, but fate and some hard work intervened. A Resurrection
In 2009, the pistol was resurrected. Parts from the original pistols surfaced at an auction, and Dan was able to acquire them. Then he acquired more parts and some barrels from former investors, providing the base for a few guns. Dave Neville, acquainted through their daughters’ attendance of the same college, convinced him to start a new business, Coonan Inc.
The eventual result was the Model C, a more refined version of the original. It retains the linkless barrel, adding dovetail sights and a smoother overall feel. The pivoting trigger remains along with an external extractor. Like everything these days, it benefits from the precision and tight tolerances of modern machining. But just as in his original thesis, it’s the magazine that is the most critical component.