Beretta 8000 Cougar - markings? + ring around muzzle??

[gbelleh]

I just got a NIB, unfired Beretta 8000 Cougar, and I can't find much info about the import markings.

It has "INDUMIL BOGOTA" on the left side of the frame. It also has "PW ARMS REDMOND WA" on the right side of the frame. And "BERETTA USA CORP. ACKK. MD" on the right side of the slide. All other markings are standard Italian Beretta markings.

Why so many import marks?

Also, it has a ring on the front of the slide going all the way around the barrel that looks like something was welded there. Does anyone know what that is? I don't recall ever seeing anything like that on a Stoeger Cougar?

Here's a picture of the ring around the muzzle...



This is a very nice gun, and I really like it, but I'm curious about this. Thanks.

 

[labhound]

My Stoeger Cougar 8000F 9mm has a ring on the front of the slide going around the barrel but it doesn't have the rough welding marks around it like yours does. Now this part is a guess on my part, but maybe the slides for the .40 and 9mm are the same size and the spacer around the barrel is to size it correctly to fit the basic opening in the end of the slide. I believe the Cougar was originally designed around the .40 S&W and the 9mm came around afterwards.

 

[ku4hx]

The "ring" is basically decorative there being insufficient metal present to provide any increased weight or rigidity. I guess if the maker made a lot purchase of barrels out of spec on the short side its presence would allow the use of a shorter barrel. That doesn't appear to be the case with your gun.

I have several guns that have it, my Smith 1006 for instance. I doubt any are welded on with what looks like a weld bead being simple manufacturing tool marks.

 

[gbelleh]

Here's a slightly better picture.

It's too sloppy to be decorative, and doesn't look much like a tool mark to me...

 

[labhound]

Look on the inside of the slide and you'll see the ring or sleeve goes all the way through the thickness of the slide and acts like a bushing for a tighter barrel fit. Here a link on the Beretta forum that discusses the Cougar bushing.

http://berettaforum.net/vb/showthread.php?t=27477&highlight=bushing+cougar+barrel

 

[gbelleh]

Ok, thanks. It's hard to tell, but looking closely, I see that it is a sleeve.

I would have expected better fit and finish from Beretta. But the gun seems very well made otherwise.