Battle of the Beretta Clones

[GuidoTorpedo]

If you had to choose between either a Taurus PT92 (or a similar model like the PT917) or the Stoeger Cougar, which would you pick and why?

 

[strat81]

Stoeger because it fits my hand better.

The 92 is a big gun.

 

[Pebcac]

I'd go with the Stoeger because it's built on Beretta equipment in a factory owned by Beretta (which owns Stoeger). It's exactly the same gun for $350 that used to cost $500, simply because the name on the slide is different.

 

[DMK]

Get a CZ75! (just to beat the Glock guy)

I'd get the Taurus PT92. I kind of like it's features better than the Beretta actually. I prefer the safety on the frame.

because it's built on Beretta equipment in a factory owned by Beretta

The PT92 is actually produced on Berreta Equipment too. Taurus bought the Berreta factory in Brazil when their contract was up.

 

[DougDubya]

I love the frame mounted controls on the Taurus. I love that the Stoeger can be easily converted to G/decocker mode and its grip frame.

Frankly, can't I have both?

 

[gggman]

I'd get the Beretta.

 

[Onmilo]

+1, Buy the Beretta.
No copy is ever as good as the original.

 

[Moonclip]

I like the safety design on the Taurus, has a lifetime warranty also though Taurus has a bad rep with it. Taurus PT92 series has been around a long time also. If a Stoeger Cougar in the low mid $300 range becomes available in .357sig and .45acp I'd like to own one.

 

[rbernie]

I prefer the PT92 style/feel/controls, and Mecgar replacement mags are inexpensive.

 

[Pops 1]

Save up and get a Beretta. Pops

 

[rbernie]

Save up and get a Beretta.

I love help like this.

For the record - I have/had several Beretta and Taurus. There is a qualitative difference in the consistency of the trigger pull of the Beretta compared to the Taurus. The Taurus has a better safety.

Other than that, over tens of thousands of rounds, I can't tell the difference.

And that's real world experience, not some opinion formed based upon second-hand info or Internet gossip.

 

[Glockorama]

Well, for one thing, the Stoeger Cougar isn't a "clone" of the Beretta Cougar. It's the same gun with different markings and a (somewhat) less polished finish. It is made with the very same equipment Beretta used, Stoeger is owned by Beretta (as well as Benelli), and it's managed in Turkey by rotating Benelli and Beretta QC management. So it's not a clone, like the Taurus.

 

[Devonai]

I'd go with the Cougar because I already have a Beretta 92FS. However, the 8000 series are good pistols in their own right, and Stoeger is getting good reviews for their version.

In other circumstances, if you gave me a PT-92 as a sidearm I wouldn't gripe about it. Too much.

 

[rbernie]

Well, for one thing, the Stoeger Cougar isn't a "clone" of the Beretta Cougar. It's the same gun with different markings and a (somewhat) less polished finish. It is made with the very same equipment Beretta used,

I was of the impression that the same could be said for the Taurus Beretta copies and S&W copies. In both cases, Taurus bought the tooling and equipment used by the design owner.

 

[bikerdoc]

have a beretta, liked my taurus a lot until i got a CZ

 

[bikerdoc]

have a beretta, liked my taurus until i got a CZ

 

[lechiffre]

choice #1 the cougar because it is a beretta

 

[Glockorama]

Rbernie: I've never heard that Taurus uses actual Beretta equipment, I have my doubts that is true. But I could be wrong. But Taurus has no affiliation with Beretta, whereas Stoeger is OWNED by them. Stoegers are built on Beretta equipment in Turkey with Beretta management. And that quality definitely shows on the Stoeger Cougars. Mine is fantastic, and I've heard nothing but positive things about them.

 

[nitestocker]

Ive never had a Taurus pistol but i have had there revolvers and like them very much i also have a cz40p and the beretta 92 fs i carry the 40 the Beretta is to big for me to carry easily . but i keep it for the range and house its by my bed as we speak it has laser grips and has never failed to feed or eject for me. Ive had it for ten years and keep it clean . if your going to carry it concealed go with something smaller than the beretta. but if its for home defence or the range id do like the others have said and save a little longer and get the beretta

 

[Bezoar]

Taurus bought the factory and equipment that was used in south america by BERETTA to make the Beretta 92 series handgun. Taurus has made a few design changes to the beretta 92.
Name the safety mechanism, changing the decocker/manual safety to the grip frame from slide. And i know they improved/modified the barrel locking lugs to be strong/er then the current berretta upgrade to prevent the lockign lug failures of the early 92fs series.

 

[Seven©]

Stoeger.

Find a gun shop that has both and handle them. You'll see why I say Stoeger.

 

[BlkHawk73]

Stoegar simply becasue it's a beretta with a different name.

 

[GuidoTorpedo]

Wow, probably one of the closest polls ever on THR! Thanks for all the input.

Stoeger says that a sports store near me carries their products. They were recently bought so I wonder if they still do. I would really want to handle one (actually both side by side).

(Gallyan's is now Dick's Sporting goods)

 

[cougar8040]

Stoeger
I have one and love it.

 

[denfoote]

I got rid of my Beretta and kept the PT92.
Actually, I traded the 92FS for a Browning High Power.
It was the best trade I had ever done!!
I could not hit squat with the Italian monster, but put rounds in the black all day with the HP!!
Ditch the thought of a Beretta and get the BHP!!
BTW, the Taurus is a safe queen now!!