Since the .357 Magnum was introduced over 70 years ago, advocates of the semi-automatic pistol were yearning for a gun with the power of the first magnum pistol round. The .45 ACP is about as good as you can get for real world stopping percentages, based on Marshall & Sanow and all the other "researchers," the best .45 ACP is only surpassed by the best .357 Magnum rounds.
Well, back in 1980 a guy named Dan Coonan released a modified, stainless steel M1911 Government style weapon that held 8 rounds of .357 Magnum. His company was called Coonan Arms. The company was located in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The first 1700 made used a link, just like the M1911 (some sources quote 5000). After those, the design was modified to a linkless design. These linkless models were called the "B" variant." All variants came with adjustable sights, extended slide releases, and extended safety catches. The standard model of the weapon had a five inch barrel and weighed a hefty 45 + ounces. The pistol held 7 +1 rounds of ammo. This was a lot of fire power, when compared to a standard 5 or 6 round revolver, using the same cartridge. This was a "tweaked" pistol, and its price showed it. It cost almost double what a base model M1911 Government would. The M.S.R.P. was approximately $750.
There was also a Cadet version, with a shorter 3.9 inch barrel and a 6 + 1round capacity. Apparently, there was also a .41 Magnum version made, that held 7 rounds of that little powerhouse.
The pistol was supposed to have been fairly accurate, but had quite a kick even with its hefty weight. Reports on the reliability of this weapon vary only slightly; most agreeing it is very reliable. The best part about this pistol is that the magazine was generously enough proportioned to hand bullets ranging from 110 grains to 180 grain bullets. This accommodates almost all commercial loads, from plinking to high end self defense rounds. Reports on accuracy state this pistol was extremely accurate; as in close to M1911 National Match type accuracy.
I haven't found a source that states if the manufacture of this pistol was resumed after the bankruptcy of Coonan Arms in the mid-1990's and the later restructuring. Last thing I found on the corporate website (http://www.dancoonan.com/dci_sales.html) is that sales of parts has ceased, but no mention on the weapon itself.
It's an interesting pistol and I wish I could get a hold of one.
