Coonan Compact .357 Mag Stainless/Silver Pistol

Very smooth action and...

Very smooth action and manageable recoil in this smaller version of the Coonan Classic 357. As an owner of the full size Classic, this smaller Officer style 1911 in 357 allows you to legitimately consider making an automatic 357 your full time CCW. It's still heavy though, so you will need a good holster and belt, but there are a variety of well made Kydex and leather offerings staring to pop up on the internet specifically for this model. Like the full size, their is a break in period that you need to get through to be 100% sure of the pistol and know it will be ready when you need it. You also want to keep it well lubricated as indicated by the manual during this break in period. From my experience after the break in is over you can back off on the volume of lubricant you use and get fully reliable results. You still want to keep it oiled, you just don't have to drown it to make it run. This gun handles just about every 357 load, from standard PD hollow point rounds up to much hotter loads like my own range recipe of LSWC 158 gr coated Missouri Bullets over 16.5 grains of H110 with no problems and no leading at all. I have noticed the ejection and lock back seemed to be a little better with 158 grain vs 125, but after the break in period they all ran the same without any issues. It does not like powder puff loads, and will not cycle wimpy 357 properly, nor will it cycle .38 spl, although you can shoot it you just have to rack it after each shot if you just want to play around with some 38 ammo. Don't try and fire this things new out of the box without properly lubricating it. When they say it comes clean and dry they mean it, you have to lube it up or you won't even be able to get it feed right at all. Follow the instructions and you will have no issues. I added a set of aftermarket aluminum grips with extra checkering and it made taming the recoil much better with the added hand purchase. Takedown and cleaning is a bit of a pain but nothing any worse than a Officer style Kimber with the retention cap guide rod. Just keep a paperclip handy. I have to give great props to the guys at Coonan Inc. They have been very quick to respond to questions and especially Mark Dante who has been very helpful and supportive of their products. When my front Trijicon night sight on my Classic lost it's tritium capsule during a long day at the range Mark was quick to send me a replacement at no cost, where many other firearm vendors would have thrown up their hands and told me to take it up with Trijicon. These guys stand behind their guns and they are 100% American made. It doesn't get much better than that. ...Did I mention it's also just plain fun the shoot?