9mm Stoeger Cougar or CZ 75B compact/P01
- Thread starter labhound
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CZ-100
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One of my many CZ is a CZ-75 Compact PCR, similar to the P01 but without the rail. My PCR is a tack driver, as is every CZ I own. It has one of the most comfortable grips of any gun I have handled.
armoredman
Member
I bet my life on a P01 every day of the week. Somedays I carry a P01 and a PCR. They work, plain and simple. They go BANG every time I pull the trigger, and hit what I aim at. The fit and feel is like a custom made glove...
The Lone Haranguer
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I only have experience with the CZ (a 75D PCR compact). I am very pleased with it, though. 
Fastcast
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I doubt a knock off Beretta Cougar sold under the Stoeger name is even in the same league as the CZ75 but I've never touched a Stoeger Cougar or gave one a second look.
However I do have some experience with the Stoeger semi auto shotguns that are inertia recoil designs almost exact to the Benelli but they are definitely not Benelli quality in fit, finish or quality of materials.
Stoeger is Beretta/Benelli's bottom shelf, economy line so I'd find it hard to believe the Stoeger Cougar is made to the quality standards of the Beretta Cougar and seriously doubt it's made to the tried & true quality standards of the CZ75......Get the 75 and never look back, knowing you chose one of the best 9mm on the planet! IMO
However I do have some experience with the Stoeger semi auto shotguns that are inertia recoil designs almost exact to the Benelli but they are definitely not Benelli quality in fit, finish or quality of materials.
Stoeger is Beretta/Benelli's bottom shelf, economy line so I'd find it hard to believe the Stoeger Cougar is made to the quality standards of the Beretta Cougar and seriously doubt it's made to the tried & true quality standards of the CZ75......Get the 75 and never look back, knowing you chose one of the best 9mm on the planet! IMO
MikePGS
Member
I hear the Cougars are nice, but Ive never held one. On the other hand I just picked up my brand new P01 about an hour ago
Stringfellow
Member
I am sure you will get some good input, but here's my take...
I am generally a big fan of CZ, but I highly respect the Stoeger Cougar. I have fired the CZs, but not the Cougar. I have never heard anything whatsoever bad about the Cougar. It is known to be especially soft-shooting--supposedly even more so than the full size Beretta 92.
The P01/PCRs are great guns, but their grips are compact, and they don't fit my hand (but the full size 75s fit like no other!). In contrast, the Cougar has a full size grip that is kind of a cross between Beretta's standard 92 and Vertec, so it fits me much better than the P01/PCR. The Cougar is not known to be a good CC weapon, if that is one of your intended uses. It is heavy and bulky, and cannot be made less so. Whereas, some folks CC the PCR since it not only is lighter, but can be made much less bulky with slim aluminum grips.
As for fit and finish, I would say they are pretty equal. Read into that what you will--whatever CZ's strengths are, I don't think fit and finish is one of them. E.g., the Cougar does not have CZ's rough internal machining, nor CZ's behind-the-times poly finish.
If money were no object, I would probably go PCR for $~575, plus budget another $100 for slim aluminum grips and some grip extensions. But in my reality, I would probably save the ~$275 and get the Cougar.
I am generally a big fan of CZ, but I highly respect the Stoeger Cougar. I have fired the CZs, but not the Cougar. I have never heard anything whatsoever bad about the Cougar. It is known to be especially soft-shooting--supposedly even more so than the full size Beretta 92.
The P01/PCRs are great guns, but their grips are compact, and they don't fit my hand (but the full size 75s fit like no other!). In contrast, the Cougar has a full size grip that is kind of a cross between Beretta's standard 92 and Vertec, so it fits me much better than the P01/PCR. The Cougar is not known to be a good CC weapon, if that is one of your intended uses. It is heavy and bulky, and cannot be made less so. Whereas, some folks CC the PCR since it not only is lighter, but can be made much less bulky with slim aluminum grips.
As for fit and finish, I would say they are pretty equal. Read into that what you will--whatever CZ's strengths are, I don't think fit and finish is one of them. E.g., the Cougar does not have CZ's rough internal machining, nor CZ's behind-the-times poly finish.
If money were no object, I would probably go PCR for $~575, plus budget another $100 for slim aluminum grips and some grip extensions. But in my reality, I would probably save the ~$275 and get the Cougar.
vettekiller
Member
I wanted a PO1 but couldnt find a good deal on one. i bought a cougar because i found one for 200.00 less than the best price on a po1. the cougar is a solid piece. it is not a bottom shelf design, it is the beretta cougar. machinery from beretta moved to turkey for less expensive production. the gun is very comfortable to hold, soft recoil for its size. accurate. no failures with wwwb ammo. you can get some thinner wood grips for cc. I really like it. I might buy a cz in .40 when money allows.
I've had both the Stoeger Cougar and the CZ 75 BD. I still have the CZ but gave my Cougar to my son for Christmas. I like them both, but I like the CZ a little bit better. They're both very accurate but the CZ fits my hand a little better. The Cougar is less expensive.
Enachos
Member
Fastcast,
If you've "never" shot, much less touched, a Stoeger Cougar then why are you knocking on it??? Makes no sense at all. I've been looking into getting one but ended up making another purchase. However, I finally got to shoot my buddy's just this past Tuesday. We shot 200 rounds of .40 S&W and not a single malfuntion. It was very pleasant to shoot and has a really nice feel on it. You really shouldn't put out that sort of misinformation about something you don't know much about.
Labhound,
While i can respond like fastcast and give a false report about CZ's... I won't because I haven't yet handled one. But I can sure tell you that the Stoeger Cougar is a great handgun. Again, I shot the .40 and not the 9mm but I'm only certain the 9mm is even more pleasant to shoot considering the lower recoil of the round. My buddy has a little over 2k rounds through it and still hasn't had any malfunctions. You should definitely check one out! I HIGHLY reccommend one! It also has a price that's hard to beat!
If you've "never" shot, much less touched, a Stoeger Cougar then why are you knocking on it??? Makes no sense at all. I've been looking into getting one but ended up making another purchase. However, I finally got to shoot my buddy's just this past Tuesday. We shot 200 rounds of .40 S&W and not a single malfuntion. It was very pleasant to shoot and has a really nice feel on it. You really shouldn't put out that sort of misinformation about something you don't know much about.
Labhound,
While i can respond like fastcast and give a false report about CZ's... I won't because I haven't yet handled one. But I can sure tell you that the Stoeger Cougar is a great handgun. Again, I shot the .40 and not the 9mm but I'm only certain the 9mm is even more pleasant to shoot considering the lower recoil of the round. My buddy has a little over 2k rounds through it and still hasn't had any malfunctions. You should definitely check one out! I HIGHLY reccommend one! It also has a price that's hard to beat!
schmeky
Member
I am a HUGE CZ fan, owning several different pistols. With that said, I have had the opportunity to closey examine the Stoeger Cougar. It's a quality piece, and gives away nothing to the CZ, IMHO.
In fact, the Cougar is on my short list. I don't think you could go wrong with either. A big plus for the CZ is there is growing aftermarket and custom items that can take the CZ from very good to world class. CZ's are steadily growing in popularity and rightfully so.
A plus for the Cougar is the price, but then a minus is probably going to be potential resale value for the Cougar. If money is a strong consideration, the Cougar would be a great choice.
In fact, the Cougar is on my short list. I don't think you could go wrong with either. A big plus for the CZ is there is growing aftermarket and custom items that can take the CZ from very good to world class. CZ's are steadily growing in popularity and rightfully so.
A plus for the Cougar is the price, but then a minus is probably going to be potential resale value for the Cougar. If money is a strong consideration, the Cougar would be a great choice.
Fastcast
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What false info?
If you could comprehend my post, I stated I never touched one but suspected since they're Beretta/Benelli's bottom end firearms they're not going to be of the same quality as the flagship.....No false statement there, you can take that to the bank.
The Stoeger shotguns are also made in the Turkey plant and the one my buddy bought for his teen son (waterfowling & clays) has broke at least twice and it's only two years old.
If you honestly believe the Stoegers are receiving the same attention to quality control as a Beretta, you're foolish!......History will never see the Stoeger as the classic, quality design that the CZ is. They will never be a heirloom one would be extremely proud to leave to their loved ones.
Stoeger: Importer synonymous with inexpensive, entry level, budget guns.
Marlin 45 carbine
Member
no experience with a Stoger handgun, but have owned a CZ83 (sort of wish I'd kept it) and a 75 (same thing). the 75 is a good pistol, one of the most accurate 9mm I've ever shot. I've since become a S&W 5900 series fan though. built like a bank vault, reliable and accurate. pricey too since not made anymore.
Enachos
Member
armoredman
Member
wbwanzer, nice looking pistola.
Arthur2001
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- Joined
- Nov 8, 2009
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- 58
Past weekend, I went to the range to test fire the Cougar and CZ 75 B. In the range there were no Cz Compact available .
My impressions are as follows;
Trigger Comparison;
Cz 75B's trigger in SA is like heaven. But I can not say the same for CZ 75B's DA trigger.
Stoeger DA trigger is nearly the same with CZ. Stoeger's SA trigger is not good as CZ
Safety Features;
In order to put down the CZ Hammer you must pull the trigger while you keep to descend the hammer slowly.. I never bang a gun but it is a bit stressful.
In the Stoeger world you simply engage the safety lever on and the hammer gooes down safely.
In addition you can not engage the safety, with a round in chamber and hammer down position in CZ. The aim is to create a combat ready gun with CZ.
With the Stoeger you may engage the safety, which I prefer and feels much more safe with it.
Concealed Carry;
CZ is a bit slimmer then Stoeger.
Grips;
Stoeger handling feels is much more better then Cz's.
Take down;
Stoeger take down is much more easier then CZ. You simply use take down lever.. You do not struggle your self to put out a heavy pin out as you do in CZ..
Accuracy;
The same grouping with both guns.. May be a bit better with CZ.
. My impressions are as follows;
Trigger Comparison;
Cz 75B's trigger in SA is like heaven. But I can not say the same for CZ 75B's DA trigger.
Stoeger DA trigger is nearly the same with CZ. Stoeger's SA trigger is not good as CZ
Safety Features;
In order to put down the CZ Hammer you must pull the trigger while you keep to descend the hammer slowly.. I never bang a gun but it is a bit stressful.
In the Stoeger world you simply engage the safety lever on and the hammer gooes down safely.
In addition you can not engage the safety, with a round in chamber and hammer down position in CZ. The aim is to create a combat ready gun with CZ.
With the Stoeger you may engage the safety, which I prefer and feels much more safe with it.
Concealed Carry;
CZ is a bit slimmer then Stoeger.
Grips;
Stoeger handling feels is much more better then Cz's.
Take down;
Stoeger take down is much more easier then CZ. You simply use take down lever.. You do not struggle your self to put out a heavy pin out as you do in CZ..
Accuracy;
The same grouping with both guns.. May be a bit better with CZ.
armoredman
Member
Yep, the 75b has standard safety, not decocker. I manually decocked a Witness 40 for years until I discovered CZs with decockers.
If I find a Cougar in a gunshop I will see how it feels.
If I find a Cougar in a gunshop I will see how it feels.
redarmy67
Member
I officially own both as of tomorrow when my first CZ (P-01) comes in. I love my cougar. It is has been a great gun. I bought it on sale for 369.00 The barrel had a hair line fracture about 1 inch long after I had put about 200 rounds through it. I sent it back and they gave me a new gun. It took longer than I would have liked but in the end, they gave me 2 extra clips out of the deal. I havent had a problem with it since.
Having said that, I really wanted the P-01 as my first handgun but didnt want to spend the 600 bucks to have one delivered. Some decent work bonuses and my income tax refund later...that eliminated that problem. I am planning on shooting it this Saturday. I will be interested to see how the P-01 performs. After a slow start with my cougar, I have become a decent shot with it. I can't wait to try the CZ this weekend.
Having said that, I really wanted the P-01 as my first handgun but didnt want to spend the 600 bucks to have one delivered. Some decent work bonuses and my income tax refund later...that eliminated that problem. I am planning on shooting it this Saturday. I will be interested to see how the P-01 performs. After a slow start with my cougar, I have become a decent shot with it. I can't wait to try the CZ this weekend.
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