[bearcatter]

Okay, 27 hours and no posts. I guess you guys had a better Sunday than I did, going through storage tubs in the basement. .

Here's the question. If you could have any gun you wanted, any gun ever made, free, in perfect condition, unlimited ammo, what would it be? You can pick one handgun and one long gun. You might already own it, which kills all the fun. .

It's a tough one for me. I guess the handgun would be the Sig P230SL stainless in .32 ACP. It was replaced by the P232, looks the same but some bad changes, in 1996. Stainless version is scarce, in .32 more so. Blued .380s go for a grand.
Long gun would be the Rossi / Taurus 62. Stainless pump action .22. Discontinued 1998. Stainless is scarce, averages about $800.

 

[Terry_P]

Handgun probably an original Python although a triple lock in 44 Special has appeal as well. Long guns right now aren't on the near horizon although I s/b ok for this years muzzleloader season. Probably a custom Perazzi in 28 ga.

 

[bearcatter]

You have excellent and expensive tastes! I knew somebody would say an older Python. Nice shotgun, too. .

 

[KimberLover]

Well, I have been thru many guns.
My pick is not for size but power and performance in the 38- 357 caliber.
My favorite is the Coonan.
7 + 1 makes it a great shooter.
230 range shot: 230 yard shot Coonan 357 magnum pistol, steel target - YouTube

 

[bearcatter]

Hi, KL,
We haven't "seen" you for a while. I hope things are well for you.

I understand the Coonan is well made. A .357 semiautomatic is definitely unique. Does it function with .38s, or just .357?

 

[KimberLover]

Sorry for the lost time.
My age (80) and my back have really not been well.
I no longer go to the range as the gun bag is difficult.
I hurt so bad I am losing weight and of course 6 weeks of late 2019 covid did not help either.
Can't walk as a normal person does.
So, this week I started a new enrollment into a pain clinic for an experimental treatment.
The waiting room at the clinic was full of people in pain.
I waited for a year to get enrolled.
Last night was the first night after the beginning of the treatments.
About 4 am I am awake with a terrific headache.
But there is a plus side, I am no longer hurting in the back. Well maybe 90% better.
My appetite is far better and maybe without the excruciating pain maybe I will have an appetite again.
Now back to the Coonan.
The Coonan I own is the best of the best.
I have owned a lot of pistols as the 38 is my favorite round.
I own two rifles on 38-357.
The Ruger #1 and a Rossi 38-357.
Both are falling block rifles.
You; however, have to change a spring to change from 38 to 357 in the Coonan.
The magazines only hold 7 and I thoughtfully bought 2 extra mags.
The hold down for the magazine fill is terrible.
I modified a handheld filler that works great.
I made an extra for my buddy that also has a black Coonan.
A note, last time I was at the outdoor range a guy had one of the other brands of 38-357s.
After only 3 rounds down range it fell apart.
It was not repairable at the range, but it sure gave me something to ponder.
Sorry I have not been on the forum, but maybe I can get here more often.
I bench zeroed the scope on a 300 Blackout Thursday for friend and it took a toll on me
I just do not have the stamina to bend over the vise and do the tedious adjustments for a set up.
By the way, I have discovered a new way to zero a rifle on the range.
If interested I will share that with all.

 

[bearcatter]

Don't worry about being here, but we do hope to hear you are on the mend very soon.

It's nice that the Coonan can use .38 Special. I never enjoyed .357 when I was a lot younger, I sure wouldn't like it now. I can't shoot .38 like I used to, so I sold my SP101 revolver a few months back. I only have .32 and .22 now.

 

[KimberLover]

For some reason the recoil of the Coonan is not as severe as a normal 357.
I guess the slide absorbs some of the kick.
To be truthful, I am far more accurate with the Coonan than I am with a revolver.
Add to that, I can put 7 rounds down range in the blink of the eye and hold a good group. or I could once.
I was young when there were gallery guns at the fair.
I have managed to get two of them.
I need to sight them in.

 

[KimberLover]

I mentioned a new way to zero a rifle.
Now it may not be new to you, but I think it is a great idea.
After bench zeroing a rifle, you can bet there is still some tweeking to do.
So here goes on the new idea.
First set a target at 30 yards.
Set the rifle in a rest and set the cross hairs on target.
The rest must be held firm and not allowed to move.
Fire one round.
Make sure the rifle is back on target.
Locate the bullet hole.
While holding the rifle in position, move the cross hairs to the bullet hole.
The next round should be close to the cross, if not make the adjustment.
Move the target to a new location and repeat.