Coonan 357 Magnum compact-size grips
Coonan 357 Magnum compact-size grips
The Coonan .357 Magnum Compact (also called Compact or Model C Compact) was developed as a carry-optimized variant of the iconic Coonan .357 Magnum Automatic, building on Dan Coonan's 1977 design for a 1911-style semi-auto handling the rimmed, high-pressure .357 Magnum cartridge
While the full-size Classic (5-inch barrel) focused on power and versatility, demand for concealed carry led Coonan Inc. (revived 2009) to introduce the Compact around 2014–2015, showcased at events like SHOT Show and announced in mid-2015 as a limited edition
Key features include a 4-inch stainless steel barrel, shortened slide and grip for better concealability (7.7 inches overall, 5.4 inches tall, 39 oz unloaded), 6+1 single-stack magazine, linkless bull barrel, external extractor, fixed sights (often night or three-dot), and robust construction to tame magnum recoil—offering softer perceived recoil than revolvers due to slide mass
It retained M1911 ergonomics (controls, trigger) with upgrades like adjustable recoil springs for .38 Special compatibility. Priced around $1,799–$2,025 (limited runs), the Compact delivered big-bore power in a pocket-friendly package, appealing to self-defense and trail users. Production ended with the company in 2019, cementing its status as a rare, high-performance collectible