Coonan Classic

[John S.]

Just layed one of these away. I can't remember where, but, I read a story about a LH owner, sayin he couldn't carry with it loaded in the chamber, and had to always rack the slide after drawing from holster! Anyone know if there's any truth to this, or, am I missin something here? I'm a lefty and don't like the id of not having a round in the pipe!

Why would a LH not be able to carry, ready for use? Thanks.

[selurcspi]

Does it have an "Ambi" safety in the factory configuration? If that's the case, the fix is easy.

[John S.]

Does it have an "Ambi" safety in the factory configuration? If that's the case, the fix is easy.

I don't know for sure, but, sending email to info@coonan now to find out!

I haven't really carried a 1911 style pistol since I was in the Navy from 84-89 so, not real familiar any more, but, if there's a round in the barrel with the hammer down, isn't it "safe'" till the hammer is cocked, or, am I forgetting stuff here?

[selurcspi]

Does it have an "Ambi" safety in the factory configuration? If that's the case, the fix is easy.

I don't know for sure, but, sending email to info@coonan now to find out!

I haven't really carried a 1911 style pistol since I was in the Navy from 84-89 so, not real familiar any more, but, if there's a round in the barrel with the hammer down, isn't it "safe'" till the hammer is cocked, or, am I forgetting stuff here?

John Browning's designed method of carry was condition 1, round in the chamber, cocked and locked; this is safe. The military in its wisdom decided that troops couldn't be trusted with this light trigger and simple safety, so a deliberate action of cycling a round into the chamber prior to use was devised, condition 4 carry. Condition 3 carry, empty chamber with the hammer back an safety off is considered a possible option to 4 as it makes cycling the slide easier. The carry method you describe, condition 2 chamber loaded ad hammer down is the one unsafe method of carry, as bumping the hammer spur has the possibility of moving the firing pin sufficiently to fire the cartridge. There is also the Half-cock condition 2 where, the hammer is lowered into the half-cock notch preventing the inadvertent bump, this presents the possibility of thinking the hammer is cocked when it isn't.

The upshot really is, a 1911 style pistol should really be carried in condition one or 4 to be safe, and condition 1 if you intend deploying it in earnest.

My $.02 for your edification an delight.

[John S.]

OK, so, in this pic, the lever in the rear by the hammer? Is that the safety? Or for half cock? I know the button, down by the trigger is the mag release. And the front lever is the slide lock open. If that rear lever is the safety, I can easily hit that with trigger finger as I draw it. See why I love wheel guns? lol. No Buttons or levers, just pull the damn trigger. BTW, I ordered a Wolff Spring kit for my SP101, I'm in love now! Thanks again for any re-edumaction. John

[John S.]

Doesn't appear to be any safety on this side? But, I'm old, and getting dumber by the minute, lol



Taking refresher course right now, lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_xrAAzz6ac

[selurcspi]

The rear lever is the safety, you will feel the half cock if you hold the hammer back, press and hold the trigger, then ease the hammer forward and release the trigger, the hammer should move forward until it stops and there is about a 15 to 20 degree angle between the hammer face and the firing pin retainer surface, this is the half cock.

[selurcspi]

Doesn't appear to be any safety on this side? But, I'm old, and getting dumber by the minute, lol



Taking refresher course right now, lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_xrAAzz6ac

Replace the safety with an ambi one and save a lot of trouble.

[John S.]

The rear lever is the safety, you will feel the half cock if you hold the hammer back, press and hold the trigger, then ease the hammer forward and release the trigger, the hammer should move forward until it stops and there is about a 15 to 20 degree angle between the hammer face and the firing pin retainer surface, this is the half cock.

Yup, it's all starting to come back, damn those GLOCKS! I watched the youtube video in my previous post. I will have no problem dropping the safety lever using my left index finger, especially after some practice, hell, you keep that finger out of the trigger anyway, so. Thanks for the re-fresher course!

Wow, it's funny, I was a Roving Patrol on the Destroyer I was stationed on, in the Navy. I always thought it was so stupid, because we'd carry a Colt 1911, no magazine inserted, but we carried 4 mags in a pouch on the Duty Belt. In other words condition 4. If something serious was found, we'd be dead LONG before removing a mag from pouch inserting and racking the slide. I always thought WTF???????????? I remember now, never had a problem as a lefty with the Colt 1911, so, why would I with a Coonnan 1911? Duh?

PS: It doesn't look like the slide is even slotted on the right hand side to change the safety over, although, I suppose with enough cash anything is possible!

[John S.]

Reply from coonan:

Hello John,



At this time we do not offer a left hand version of our pistol. However, the standard 1911 ambi safety will work on our pistols you would just need to have a gunsmith install it for you.



Thank you for your inquiry!







Regards,



Coonan Team

So, I suppose the slide has to machined then huh?

[tman]

The ambidextrous safety doesn't need a groove in the right side of the slide.

They generally look like this:

[John S.]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhso, why the hell would it take a gunsmith? I suppose to polish and smooth shtuff. Same as the spring change on my Ruger, I could've easily changed the springs, but polishing and smoothing parts is another story............

[Seismic Sam]

Dear John S: OBVIOUSLY your avatar is distracting you so much that you can't think straight about guns any more!! It's impossible to look up girl's skirts and clearly visualize what an ambi safety looks like or how it works!! Sheesh!!!

[John S.]

Dear John S: OBVIOUSLY your avatar is distracting you so much that you can't think straight about guns any more!! It's impossible to look up girl's skirts and clearly visualize what an ambi safety looks like or how it works!! Sheesh!!!

Yessir!

Like I said, I'm a wheel gun man..................

[Deputyhiro]

I happen to own one of these beauties. Sweet gun to shoot, never even thought about carrying it. Too big, and she's so purrty, wouldn't want and wear marks or anything.