[lissell]

For the last two years i have been looking at CCW guns and thought i had come up with the right firearm for me. I had been hoping to carry a beretta cougar in 9mm. The problem is that now im actually a few weeks away from getting my CHL and am having trouble finding a good way to carry the cougar. Im a pretty petite girl, and its just too big. A close friend has suggested that i look at getting a beretta 9000s as it supposedly shoots a lot like the cougar and is a lot smaller.

The problem is i cant seem to find anyone who actually owns one, and hence knows things like what kind of kick does it have, just how much smaller is it then the cougar, is the grip going to be roughly the same size or is it a lot smaller....etc.

So folks, does anyone have experience with this gun, espcially in comparison to the cougar? I have yet to actually purchase a gun myself, so far they have all been gifts, and this one will be my first. I really dont want to put down the money and then realize it just isnt going to work for me.

Thanks,

lissell

[10-Ring]

Go try over at www.berettaforum.net there are probably a couple of 9000 owners that can help you out.

[George Hill]

The Beretta 9000 is reported to be questionable in regards to reliability. The Cougar is a good choice. The only question there is how to carry it.
That all depends upon you.
How do you dress. Where are how you work.

CCW is not a simple matter and there is no off the cuff simple answer. Some ladies like shoulder rigs, some like IWB and belt slides or SOB, like guys do... others like OB carry (Off-Body) with one of those nice gun-purses.

You will probably find that no matter how you slice this pie - you will probably end up with a box of holsters like the rest of us... each holster allowing you to carry a different way.

If you want a smaller, easier to carry gun... that will simplify things to a point - but all the above will still be a factor.

[Mastrogiacomo]

Female shooter here and petite as well. I have piano hands so when I look for a gun the grip has to be comfortable. The most important thing is finding a good gun and then it's more a matter of dress and the right holster. The cougar comes in a few sizes with mini, and the L version which I believe is a compact of the full size like what you have with the 92FS -- L and M. The full size isn't much of a problem if you ask me. I have a full size 92FS and I don't consider this big -- mind you, I'm tiny. 5'2" and 114 lbs. Maybe you just prefer a different gun? I have two Beretta compacts type M which are great carry guns: slender, eight rounds, accurate. I thought of the 9000s at one time but I agree, it's questionable.

As already mentioned, the www.berettaforum.net is a great place to find out about all things Beretta. I'm registered there too. Hope to see you on the forum.

[lissell]

Well, maybe i need to buy a new cougar then. The one i have has mod. 8000 cougar f on the slide, so im thinking its the full size version. It was a gift from my boyfriend who is a bit bigger then me, and decided to give it to on account of my liking it so much:p We werent really thinking about it as a carry gun at the time, just something to practice with.

Still, has anyone actually shot a 9000s?


thanks guys ;-)


lissell

[Mastrogiacomo]

Stick with the full size, compact or mini Cougar. Do a search on the Beretta forum about the 9000s. No one has anything really good to say of it and those that do are in the considerable minority. It's considered the bastard child of Pietro Beretta. At least with the Cougar in any size, you've got a Hell of a gun. Wish I had it in my state -- it'd be in my collection. :)

[22/22mag]

Hi Lissell look at the Kahr MP9 9mm before you buy the Beretta ,has 2 mags a 6+1 and a 7+1 .Only neg is the slide might be a little hard to pull back.Will handle any +p 9mm bullets mine is right on target to 30 feet.Whatever gun you buy don't carry in purse!Try a belly band if you wear skirts or pants without pockets. Not trying to be a know it all.Good luck

[Mastrogiacomo]

Second the recommendation never to stick it in your pocketbook...get a good holster and keep it close to the body. Someone steals your purse, they got a new, loaded gun as a gift...:o

[Tamara]

To me, "big" isn't as much of a problem as "thick." Unfortunately, "thick" is an attribute that the 9000S shares with its Cougar siblings. :uhoh:

[Alan Fud]

Kahrs shoot better than the 9000s but IMHO they have too light of a trigger pull to be carried without a safety.

I agree with Tamara regarding thickness ... I can conceal a big single stack easier than a small double stack. Shooting -- single or double stack are all the same to me.

Getting back to the original subject -- consider a SIG239 or a 3913TSW.

[Skunkabilly]

Shot a 9000. Maybe it was in 40. Handling, trigger etc were normal for a chunkybutt polymer gun. Not bad, not good.

I tried hard to like the 9000 for the concept--cock & lock Beretta with polymer frame, compact, took 92 magazines.

I found it difficult to manipulate--the safety took work to swipe on and off (or I'm just weak) and the slide was difficult to cycle. Big no nos for the skunk on a carry gun.

[Strings]

... but dinstinctly remember my first reaction to HOLDING one: felt like the clerk had handed me a 2x4. My Automag felt better in the hand...

[lissell]

Re: purses and such.

The Cougar wouldnt be a problem if i was wanting to carry in my bag. Both of my purses(the small go anywhere and the big taking lunch to work) have spots "built" into them for a firearm. I bought them specifically because they would be easy to carry with. But i dont want to carry in my purse all the time, i would rather use it as a holding spot in situations where i simply cant have the gun on me.

I will have to look at a few of the guns suggested, i havent liked a lot of the guns ive fired, so hopefully one of these will do the trick.