HammerheadSSN663
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...and what do you think of them?
I own the F series, DA/SA 9mm.
I own the F series, DA/SA 9mm.
Any Beretta 8000 Cougar owners out there?...
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dogtown tom
Member
I love mine! Recently picked up another as a "project".
It's sitting disassembled waiting for a refinish in stainless Duracoat.
It's sitting disassembled waiting for a refinish in stainless Duracoat.
SigP229R
Member
Hey DOGTOWN are they as good in your judgement as the 92' S, and are they a poylmer frame?
rhino57
Member
Hey, Hammerhead.
I don't have a Beretta but a Stoger Cougar 8000-9mm. I bought one 3 months ago because it was a double stack mag and felt good in my hand. I've put 800 rounds or so down range without the first malfunction, all have been winchester 115gr FMJ ammo. The pistol is accurate and indeed a pleasure to shoot. I can tell you for the price this is a fine pistol. I also picked up 3 extra Beretta mags from the Beretta on line store for less than 20 bucks each, The site list the Mags to fit either the Beretta or Stoger Cougar.
I don't have a Beretta but a Stoger Cougar 8000-9mm. I bought one 3 months ago because it was a double stack mag and felt good in my hand. I've put 800 rounds or so down range without the first malfunction, all have been winchester 115gr FMJ ammo. The pistol is accurate and indeed a pleasure to shoot. I can tell you for the price this is a fine pistol. I also picked up 3 extra Beretta mags from the Beretta on line store for less than 20 bucks each, The site list the Mags to fit either the Beretta or Stoger Cougar.
dogtown tom
Member
I've never owned a 92. Mainly because I think they are HUGE for a 9mm and I don't like the open slide. (I'm a Browning Hi Power fan, mainly due to it's slimness.)
The Cougar isn't exactly slim, but is a bit more compact than the 92. And I really like the Cougar grip- it seems pretty close to the angle of a BHP.
As far as accuracy it shoots quite well. I am a better shot with it than any of my HP's.
The Cougar (both Beretta & Stoeger versions) are alloy frames.
The Cougars are a decent piece. Triggers feel the same as the 92F, which is really my only down point on them...these days a DAK or LEM or QA just give better triggers.
Anyway, I had a .40 way back when, and a 9mm more recently. I was quite surprised to have 1 malfunction with the 9 - no idea why as every Beretta I ever had was always perfect.
If you like Berettas and don't mind DA/SA, you could do a lot worse. I would consider 1 in .45 as a pretty good aquisition.
Anyway, I had a .40 way back when, and a 9mm more recently. I was quite surprised to have 1 malfunction with the 9 - no idea why as every Beretta I ever had was always perfect.
If you like Berettas and don't mind DA/SA, you could do a lot worse. I would consider 1 in .45 as a pretty good aquisition.
I had a D model (DAO) and it was a very accurate gun. That rolling barrel thing actually works.
It's not a good idea for CCW, owing to the size and weight, and relatively low capacity in exchange for all that. For a range gun, they're awesome shooters.
If you hold one up to an M92, they aren't much smaller. They are (as noted) wider, but are within an inch in length and nearly identical in height.
Dan
It's not a good idea for CCW, owing to the size and weight, and relatively low capacity in exchange for all that. For a range gun, they're awesome shooters.
If you hold one up to an M92, they aren't much smaller. They are (as noted) wider, but are within an inch in length and nearly identical in height.
Dan
...and very accurate.
And how can you argue with the price? IMO it's one of the best values out there.
I picked up a .40 about a year ago. I've put about 700 rounds through it without a single malfunction. It's become my favorite carry pistol.
I did replace the plastic factory grips with Beretta grips.
Its a great weapon. The grip angle is wonderful and for my larger hands the thickness of the butt is perfect. It just feels right and points very well. The rotating barrel controls recoil very well and there is little muzzle flip. The only issue is a lack of aftermarket accessories like holsters etc. Magazines are also sometimes not available so you should pick them up when cheap.
The weapon is also a modern design so feeds virtually everything. The metal frame was designed around the .40S&W so if you have a 9mm (like mine) you are pretty good to go with +P as well.
Finally, you cannot beat the price. Its probalby the best buy one could find.
No issues what so ever. Big Thumbs up!!!
The weapon is also a modern design so feeds virtually everything. The metal frame was designed around the .40S&W so if you have a 9mm (like mine) you are pretty good to go with +P as well.
Finally, you cannot beat the price. Its probalby the best buy one could find.
No issues what so ever. Big Thumbs up!!!
Magichelmt
Member
I have an 8045 mini cougar and I love it. It is my favorite carry piece. But it is a .45 Even with my big hands it is comfortable to shoot.
HammerheadSSN663
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The only thing I don't like is the trigger's length of pull and its kinda 'thin'.
IMO, the cougar is the very best choice all the way around. I love mine and will not part with it. When Beretta had their name on it it was $700+. Same machines, same gun, different location and you now get it half price around $350-$400.. Goes to show what names can do to cause price hikes. Mine looks identical to Stevens. Super gun and lets just be realistic. It IS a Beretta. Plain and simple. I have owned the Beretta 96 (.40 cal version of the 92FS) and it is Beretta quality all the way. I always tell people it is an overlooked diamond. But if one must pay 1k+ just to say they have a so-n-so, well, so be it. But I promise you they are no better than a cougar. So whether you have the Beretta or the Stoeger version it is one of the same. Absolutly no difference other than the name. Stoeger is owned by Beretta/Bennelli. You can not go wrong with it. I have delt with many guns but the cougar is by far my favorite.
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As you can see, people who've had them really don't have anything bad to say. These are outstanding guns.
Like a couple of guys above have said, it's something of a blocky/heavy piece for a concealed carry choice, the alloy frame notwithstanding. Most of the weight is in the slide and this is part of what makes them such great shooters.
Utterly dependable and, again, to echo the above, wonderfully accurate for its size and - now, thanks to Stoeger - price.
Although I have to be honest, I thought the gun was a good value at Beretta prices.
It should also be noted that the Stoeger is not "licensed" (in the sense that we often hear the term), or in any other way only tangentially related to the Beretta. They literally took the exact same production tooling and set it up in Turkey. I believe the Beretta techs also trained the new guys.
This is not just my opinion when one about the gun is asked. Just a few days ago I threw the Courgar into the ring on the question of "best compact 9mm under $700".
Hang onto it. I sold mine, and it is the one firearms I've parted with that I miss and regret selling. Hell, even my old man regrets its absence.
I'm presently debating whether I'd like a used but clean 45 ACP, or should get a new Stoeger 9mm.
Like a couple of guys above have said, it's something of a blocky/heavy piece for a concealed carry choice, the alloy frame notwithstanding. Most of the weight is in the slide and this is part of what makes them such great shooters.
Utterly dependable and, again, to echo the above, wonderfully accurate for its size and - now, thanks to Stoeger - price.
Although I have to be honest, I thought the gun was a good value at Beretta prices.
It should also be noted that the Stoeger is not "licensed" (in the sense that we often hear the term), or in any other way only tangentially related to the Beretta. They literally took the exact same production tooling and set it up in Turkey. I believe the Beretta techs also trained the new guys.
This is not just my opinion when one about the gun is asked. Just a few days ago I threw the Courgar into the ring on the question of "best compact 9mm under $700".
Hang onto it. I sold mine, and it is the one firearms I've parted with that I miss and regret selling. Hell, even my old man regrets its absence.
I'm presently debating whether I'd like a used but clean 45 ACP, or should get a new Stoeger 9mm.
Ghriegünst
Member
I just bought mine (Beretta 8000 Cougar F - 9mm) last month and absolutely love it. Everyone's basically summed it up above, but to reiterate, here's some of my favorite things:
Wonderful design and quality - First rate Beretta all the way. I'm a designer so that matters to me. Match that with the best ergonomics in any gun I've ever held. I am a die hard Sig Sauer fan, and this gun has really opened my eyes to Beretta - I'm thinking about getting a 92 or 96 now cause the grip and controls look almost identical to the Cougar.
It's fairly compact. No, it's not a mini glock or any of the new subcompacts - but it is a great size and I intend to carry it when I get my CWP.
The action is smooth and it's a dream to fire. I'm also using the 115 gr Winchester Silver Hollow points, and they feed all day long. The gun has thus far been utterly reliable and I expect that to continue. It is also exceptionally accurate.
I like the safety systems on board (especially how the safety takes the firing pin out of alignment) and how everything just seems to make sense as far as placement and function. Safeties were important for this purchase as I'm teaching my wife safe-handling and shooting and this gun has just enough without being a hinderance.
Someone above mentioned that they wish it came in .45. It does, the 8045 Cougar. Same gun - .45ACP
The rotating barrel action is just cool, and the recoil is light in the 9mm. The gun is also VERY easy to strip and clean.
So yeah, I really like this gun in case you can't tell, and I'd recommend it to anyone. Some day I want to get the Inox version just because. Someone mentioned that this is an overlooked gem, and I can't agree more. If you pick one up used you are getting A LOT of gun for the money, a gun you can definately be proud of owning.
Wonderful design and quality - First rate Beretta all the way. I'm a designer so that matters to me. Match that with the best ergonomics in any gun I've ever held. I am a die hard Sig Sauer fan, and this gun has really opened my eyes to Beretta - I'm thinking about getting a 92 or 96 now cause the grip and controls look almost identical to the Cougar.
It's fairly compact. No, it's not a mini glock or any of the new subcompacts - but it is a great size and I intend to carry it when I get my CWP.
The action is smooth and it's a dream to fire. I'm also using the 115 gr Winchester Silver Hollow points, and they feed all day long. The gun has thus far been utterly reliable and I expect that to continue. It is also exceptionally accurate.
I like the safety systems on board (especially how the safety takes the firing pin out of alignment) and how everything just seems to make sense as far as placement and function. Safeties were important for this purchase as I'm teaching my wife safe-handling and shooting and this gun has just enough without being a hinderance.
Someone above mentioned that they wish it came in .45. It does, the 8045 Cougar. Same gun - .45ACP
The rotating barrel action is just cool, and the recoil is light in the 9mm. The gun is also VERY easy to strip and clean.
So yeah, I really like this gun in case you can't tell, and I'd recommend it to anyone. Some day I want to get the Inox version just because. Someone mentioned that this is an overlooked gem, and I can't agree more. If you pick one up used you are getting A LOT of gun for the money, a gun you can definately be proud of owning.
I have two 8040 compacts, One in DAO and the other DA/SA. They are a joy to shoot. the cougar is one of the few platforms to tam the often reported snappy .40 S&W and it does so with excellent accuracy in its rotating barrel. The compact models conceal quite well, so they are my day to day carry piece. at $400 they are a real steal in terms a quality.
I've got a Beretta Mini Cougar 8000D, I carry it on duty. Great shooting gun, nice trigger, very accurate. The short butt makes it concealable if need be and it'll still take full size mags, plus Beretta still has the grip extension sleeves to go on the 15rd mags. I got mine used (but new) from Bud's, in the box with all of the paperwork, spare mag, etc. for $358 about a year ago, turned out to be a great deal.
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