[AQUAJOE]

I have always been a Beretta fan. I own a Beretta 391 Urika 12ga. I was Looking at a Beretta 8000 Cougar F .45 I was wondering if anyone has one and what your opinion of it is? This would be my first handgun purchase. I can get a new one for $620
:)

[Skunkabilly]

$620 sounds a mite high? Maybe I'm not sure because I haven't priced them.

[AQUAJOE]

So Skunk, are you saying the Beretta is a POS and not worth the time to look into?

[Skunkabilly]

No, just that I see them online for $575-600. Your dealer's prices seem a smidge high, but so are all of mine out here.

I don't have any practical experience with them, you may want to run a search over on www.berettaforum.net and run a search.

Unlike the 92 series, I think the 8045 can be converted to be a G-thang.

[Croyance]

I have a Beretta 8045. It is a good gun, though bulky for an eight round .45 ACP. Reassembly is a bit slower than the 92/96 series.
The asking price seems a bit high, though I have no idea what part of the country you are in. If it is a Cat-Pak, the price is good.

[AQUAJOE]

After reading the post to this I emailed my gun dealer about the price he said he made an error and said all said and done I could get it for $560. Would that be a good deal at that price?

[Croyance]

Sounds about right.
Out of curiosity, what other handguns have you handled?

[10-Ring]

$560 is a fair price for the 8045.

[AQUAJOE]

I have handled a glock20, 29 never fired though didn't like how they felt in my hand. I'm new to shooting pistols. Last time I shot one was about 12 years ago. It was a service pistol 1911 9mm.

[Handy]

Take a look at a used or new USP Full size .45, a Ruger P90 and P97, a Sig 220, EAA Witness .45 and CZ-97 (all .45s). There's nothing really wrong with the 8045, but it isn't the end all of accuracy, due to the rotating barrel design. Just check out the excellent competition, first.

[Boats]

Why "first," Handy?

If he likes the Beretta, tries it, likes it, and finds it at the right price, what further is there to debate? All of these preferential decisions are subjective, so what is to be gained by shopping such an extensive list when the pistol he is already considering is certainly very reliable and accurate and more inexpensive than many of its competitors?

[cratz2]

Why look at the competition before making a decision?

When I got my 1979 Chevette, I was happier than a pig in poo... Now that I know more, I wouldn't consider getting a Chevette.

Why would you knock a guy for suggesting that folks look at what all is available? I mean, I like the Beretta platform and the Taurus version as well but I can't imagine telling some that liked my gun to go out and buy one without looking at what else was available in the price range.

[cratz2]

It was a service pistol 1911 9mm.

Are you sure it was a 1911 in 9mm?

The Beretta M9 (9mm) replaced the 1911 (45ACP)

[Boats]

Why look at the competition before making a decision?

Well, gee, maybe because the list is incomplete? Maybe because some of those pistols will be difficult to find? Maybe because he is an admitted Beretta fan?

Okay, I give. Aquajoe you be sure to try and find an Astra, a Ballister-Mollina, a Colt 1911A1, the CZ 97B, EAA Witness, three flavors of Glock, the HK USPc, USP, and SOCOM, some sort of IMI offering, those cut down Kimbers, a Llama, a Norinco, a Para-Ord LDA, a SIG 220, a SW99 .45ACP, and wait to try a Walther P99 .45 ACP (rumored) or a XD-45 (in development) before buying anything.:D :rolleyes:

[10-Ring]

Before you buy, you should look at the varieties of 45's on the market. For the money you're gonna spend, it's nice to know that you bought the one that best fits you & your needs. Besides trying out a bunch of the competition is 1/2 the buying experience.

[Handy]

Boats,

The poster is interested in a high quality DA/SA automatic and is willing to spend $600 or so for one. He also states that he is "new to shooting pistols", so maybe he doesn't have a really broad knowledge of what's available, or what to look for in the one he's interested in.

I listed several other popular, available DA/SA guns in .45 that all have a following for accuracy and reliability and are in his price range, then I recommended he "take a look" at what else is available so he knows what he's getting with the Beretta. Comparison is one of the best ways to learn. Most of the "looking" can be done on the internet, or at his dealer's counter. Not too tough.


Is that okay?

[AQUAJOE]

Ok, I didn't want anyone to start arguing over it. I appreciate the listing of other handguns and your opinions on those. I do understand that there is a broad range of .45's out there.
I have read many article's and post on lot's of models.
Like:

EAA, Kimber, Glock, Para, Ruger, Sig, Baby Eagle and Walther.

I guess I should have explained this better at the start. The reason I asked about the Cougar is I had a really hard time finding alot about it and or finding posts on it. So the reason I asked for opinions was to find out and see if people had them or there was a reason why they don't. Or do they just not talk about them.

I know I want a .45, when I look on the internet I would say the top posts for a .45 is on the Glocks, and kimber's. You can also get people to talk about them all day long.

So back to the Beretta. I'm not saying I'm not looking at the others but in the buying process I'm trying to do my homework on each model I'm looking at.

Right now I'm looking at the Beretta.:banghead:

[Boats]

Handy,

No offense, but if you read this thread, it doesn't make any distinction between any firing systems. Aquajoe wasn't even adamant about .45ACP, so we could spend all our breath arguing he should try other calibers before buying the pistol he is actually researching.:banghead:

[Handy]

Boats, like I said, I offered pistols for comparison that are very similar. Trigger system, frame materials and caliber are probably the 3 biggest difference between one auto pistol and the other. So I had thought I was offering information about that category of gun. I am aware of what you are complaining about, I just didn't think I was that guilty of it. Read my comments here along those lines:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6116

Aquajoe,

Not many people bought these pistols, so not many people are going to have much to say. The reports I've read here and there indicate that the weapon is quality, just like other Beretta's. The action is obviously alot stronger than that of a 92. My comment about accuracy relates to the way the barrel locks up at the rear, jammed between the upper and lower lucking cams. It strikes me that it would be difficult to get such a system (locking a rotating part from top and bottom) repeatable accuracy. The reviews and owner comments seem to reflect this, the 92 usually given higher marks for accuracy over the 8000 series. The rotating barrel, like all the other Beretta locking systems, requires a fairly wide slide. The 9mm magazines are not compatible with 92 mags, but if you do a search, one guy is converting one to the other (but you want a .45). Maybe a Beretta oriented forum would reveal more owners of this fairly unique gun.

[cratz2]

Man, I think someone might have got up out of the wrong side of the bed today...

I've never been one to answer a question by suggesting something else entirely. I just think that when answering a question for someone that admittedly has relatively little experience with handguns, that instead of a bunch of people saying, 'No, I've never shot one' that suggestions of other similar guns might be warranted... that's all. We weren't suggesting he ditch the Beretta and get a Lorcin in 25ACP, or at least I wasn't.

I've handled the 8000. It handles pretty nicely and certainly looks to be a solid gun. For $620, there are other options I would consider and would mention to folks that personally asked me about the 8000. I would suggest that someone looking at a 8000 also look at the EAA Witness Compact in 45. I'd also suggest the Glock 30 and 36, the SIG 245 and the Combat Commander and various clones.

[Serpico]

Enough! I will make my decision this afternoon on what gun Joe will get and send him the model number....I'm so tired of people ramming their opnions down other people's throats....

[Handy]

Serpico,

Which opinion got rammed down who's throat? The poster requested opinions. He got a bunch of polite answers, not a single "bye a Glock". I don't get where you're coming from.

[betterluckytg]

if anyone had one and for their opinion... I do, and have an opinion, but it's not based on a whole lot of experience with it since I've only had it a month or so and only have about 300 rounds through it since it's a PITA digging in the snow for brass. It has a shorter than "normal" throat, so I had to seat all my reloads deeper so they'd feed and not stick in the throat. Once that was accomplished, they feed perfectly. No malfunctions that were not related to the reloads. I don't shoot factory loads, so can't comment on them.

The .45 is a short range proposition, so I wasn't surprised when it scattered shots at 200 yards and over, which is where I like to check out my loads. It tells me a lot about whether or not they're uniform. I look for perfect functioning and 3" or so groups at 25 yards or so w/ a .45, firing seated on my ATV, resting elbows on the handlebars and this model will do it often enough to keep it interesting.

The gun fits me well, and the controls are in the right place for me, unlike some others. It's quite concealable in a shoulder rig, and light enough to not be burdensome.

I'd advise you to find one and shoot it before buying, rather than depending on pictures and specs, but that goes with any other model as well, especially considering that this is your first handgun. You didn't ask for opinions on other calibers or models, so I'll quit here. Buy what you want, practice with it, and be happy!

[Skunkabilly]

Aquajoe, the bottom line is find something you LIKE and you will be comfortable with. Who cares about extra 50 fps from so and so barrel or bla bla bore axis this and that?

I just ran a search on Berettaforum for '8045' and came back with 77 hits, perhaps you will find some of it of use?

Don't let anyone talk you in or out of anything (within reason) the bottom line is putting your lead in the 10-ring.

[AQUAJOE]

Well thanks guys. I went a large Gun show today in Minnesota and got to handle alot of the handguns I was looking at. I ended up buying the EAA Witness (999156) Wonder finish and compensated. It felt the best in my hand out of all the one's I was looking at and I got it for $350 new in the box.:D

[Safety First]

Way to go Joe...hope you get good service and a lot of shooting pleasure from your new gun..

[Handy]

I had a EAA Wonder .45 Witness. One of the most accurate guns I've shot. Does yours have the short slide and thread on comp or a comped barrel with slots in the slide (I had the former)?

[AQUAJOE]

Not sure I don't actually get it until next Friday. It was ordered today. I suppose that means Monday. I will let you know when I get it.

[AQUAJOE]

It is the comped barrel with the serations at the rear of the slide. I just picked it up tonight. I'm happy all said and done the New witnes and 2 extra clips for $390.:D

[Skunkabilly]

I'm happy all said and done the New witnes and 2 extra clips for $390.

Magazines...magazines.... ;)

[JerryN]

Joe, now that you have the EA, you should try to shoot the Beretta to compare. See if your original interest is borne out by hands on experience.

I have an 8045 and I am very pleased with it. Its my daily carry.