Stoeger Couger 8000f or Rugar SR9

[norm-t]

Been looking at handguns for a while, narrowed my search down to either the stoeger 8000f or sr9. Stoeger is priced @ $429, SR9 $469. Like the feel of both, (large hands). Extra mags for stoeger $28 vs $38 SR9. One is us USA made other from turkey, Stoger 1 yr warranty Rugar lifetime.
Does anyone have any pros and cons and / or which would be a better firearm thanks norm-t

 

[Kalindras]

For an extra $40, I'd go with the Ruger, no question. While Stoeger makes okay products, their QA is spotty, at best. I've not heard many complaints about Rugers in general, and nothing yet about the SR9. They may LOOK similar, but I doubt Stoeger has gone to any effort to research ergonomics or usability. More than likely, they copied the average design that's prevalent today, tried to sexy it up a little bit, and got it out to market as fast as they could.

My $.02. I don't shoot for a living, write for gun rags, or rely on my firearms in cloak-and-dagger black ops. I just love to shoot, love guns, and have a lot of respect for the manufacturing processes. So take that however you'd like.

 

[mdThanatos]

Stoeger is owned by Beretta and makes the Cougar which Beretta used to make. They moved the machinery to Turkey and use Turkish labor. It is not a copy of another companies design since it is part of the same group. The Cougar is reliable, accurate and well worth the price.

The two pistols are entirely different, from the size, capacity and trigger mechanisms. Early model SR9s had trigger problems, and some reports of peening issues. The biggest thing you will have to decide is do you want a striker or DA/SA. I haven't owned an SR9, I have shot one and it was ok. I owned a Cougar and never had a problem with it for the 2000 rounds I shot through it. I only sold it because it funded the purchase of a shotgun.

 

[Stringfellow]

Ruger has a solid reputation for making an excellent value product, with great customer service.

The Stoeger is in an entirely different league though. It really is a $750 pistol for $450--in fact it was, when sold by Beretta a decade ago. It has the slick action and trigger that Beretta is famous for (because for all intents and purposes, it is a Beretta). You just don't get actions that smooth at anywhere near its price.

As a bonus, its grip is one of the most comfortable grips out there for folks with big hands. I actually like the grip way better than my Beretta 92's grip.

Its only downsides are its bulk. It is a bit big and heavy compared to modern polymer pistols. But for non-CCW home defense and range use, it is ideal.

 

[labhound]

I have both the latest version SR9 and Stoeger Cougar 8000 F plus a Stoeger Cougar 8045. All three are excellent pistols, accurate and have been 100% reliable. The biggest difference of course is the SR9 is striker fired and the Cougar is DA/SA hammer fired. The Cougar does have the slide mounted safety/decocker vs the thumb safety of the SR9. The latest version of the SR9 has an excellent trigger for a striker fired gun. For me the grip of the Cougar is almost perfection. The grip of the SR9 was a little slim for me so I put a Hogue slip on grip on it that made it near perfect. I did put a "D" hammer spring in both Cougars which lightened both the DA and SA trigger pull. There is a new version of the 8000 F out that has a rail like the 8045 does. You can't go wrong with either the SR9 or the Cougar. For me it would all come down to whether I wanted a striker fired or hammer fired gun.

 

[RBid]

SR9.

Labhound is correct. The SR9's new trigger is very well done. Almost zero take up, crisp break. After a few hundred rounds, it's even better. This is a very soft shooting firearm, and the trigger makes it very easy to be accurate with.

 

[needmorecowbell]

SR9 is very nice and you can find them new for around $409. Don't pay $469.

 

[wbwanzer]

What labhound said above. I too have and SR9c, and 8000F Cougar and an 8045. I like all three and had zero problems with any of them. As said above, it comes down to striker fired vs DA/SA hammer fired. I'm not too keen on striker fired but I do like my SR9c. And the Stoeger really is a Beretta. So it's quite a good value at around $400 new.

 

[Jaymo]

I'm saving up for an SR9. It fits my hand very well. My LGS has them for $399, regardless of black or stainless slide. I think I'm going with the black slide. It looks better to me.

 

[Shipwreck]

Sorry - I gotta go with the Cougar. It's built by the same machinery Beretta used to make the cougar. And, Beretta owns cougar. It is the same gun, except the finish on the slide is not quite as fancy.

You can use some 92 parts in the gun too - like the "D" spring.

I have owned a Beretta 9mm Cougar when they first came out in the 1990s, and I've owned on in 45 ACP (a Stoeger) about 1.5 years ago or so). Great guns. Good quality.

I have shot the SR9, and I just don't care for the trigger, personally.

Honestly, hold both and see which you prefer. Otherwise, you just end up with someone else's gun, possibly

 

[Josh45]

Bought a Stoeger Cougar 8000F some time ago for $300 used.
Best $300 I spent. Very reliable and accurate. Eats everything I threw at it. From factory to hand loads, even cast bullets.

Not one hiccup with it and I like the grip as it fits my hands perfectly. I never did get to try the SR9 so it would be hard for me to suggest it but if you can find this gun new, The Cougar, go for it. You won't be displeased with it.

 

[Shadow 7D]

I'd take the Beretta, er, stoeger cougar

but they are both good gun, however the ergos on the cougar, along with the the locking system (rotary vs. short recoil) makes it a soft shooter

 

[ljnowell]

If it were me I would buy the Ruger based on past experience. I have never considered myself a "ruger guy" but I have slowly accumulated several of them. They are all great. I have never used their customer service for myself, but have been there when a friend called them for an issue with an LCP. They were very accomodating and helpful. I will probably buy more firearms from them, or at least their brand, in the future.

 

[RBid]

The SR9 is 6oz lighter, has an accessory rail (some Cougars don't), holds two extra rounds, has a constant trigger pull (and a very well done trigger, in the newer models!), has a low bore + light slide (low muzzle flip), extracts strongly right (as opposed to mostly rearward), and you can generally find goodies for it on the wall at LGS. I bought my IWB and OWB holsters right off the wall. Same with spare magazines.

I consider all of the above to be pluses. Cougar fans will naturally reflect those sentiments with their own. In the end, buy the one that sings to you.

 

[sfed]

SR 40 Is For Me

I have the SR 40 and I am very satisfied with it. Fills my large hands well and I carry it everywhere I go.