Berreta Couger

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4thHorseman

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I haven't heard a thing about Berretta's Couger model in the last 12 months. Not a word. What's the deal with them? They any good? Have they discountinued the model? Anyone one own one and what do you think about them?
 
You'll find a number of threads on the Cougar with a brief search at TFL. Most folks seem to like them. I had one in .45 and it was a fine pistol. Not the most accurate in my stable, but not bad. Traded mine towards a Kimber. Ergonomically, I thought it was great, at least for my hand. I still see them around, and think they're current production (tho the 357 SIg seems to have been dropped). I'd have no trouble recommending them.
 
Count me among the satisfied Cougar owners. I've had an 8045 for a couple years and it really fits my hand well. The backstrap has a deep curve in it that's reminiscent of the CZ-75 and very comfortable.

The gun sits low in your hand and doesn't seem to generate much flip with 185gr ammo. My .45 will keep the groups pretty tight and I've got an Old World leather holster that fits is just fine.

Can't go wrong with the Beretta Cougar.
 
My wife has one 40SW. She loves it. It is her favorite pistol. However, the new Sig she picked up may change that. The Cougar fits her hand extremely well. I don't like the pistol personally. I like SA pistols, the 1911 variety.
 
My GF (a dyed in the wool CZ lover) went ga-ga the first time she saw a Cougar 8000. They couldn't get it out of the display case fast enough for her to fondle. We went back as soon as her "one handgun a month" wait had passed and got it.

She did have a few FTE/stovepipes the first time out. I shot it with no problem and it only took me watching her fire a few rounds to determine that she was limp-wristing it. Funny as she never had that problem with her CZ's or Para. After that, it's been flawless and she now LOVES Beretta's and the Cougar. She just added a 96 Elite II to the collection.

One word of caution... the DA trigger pull is LONG, FIRM and not that nice (IMHO). If you are going to carry it practice, practice, practice like crazy to make sure that first shot is on target. SA is very nice.
 
I have an 8045 F that I'm going to trade because I don't like the decockers, but that is a personal preference. The cougar is a fine pistol. It takes everything I feed it (230gr) flawlessly. The grip is a little big for some people but I really like it. Mine came with a ss guide rod, but some are plastic now. I asked Beretta USA about this and the tec said the plastic is actually better cause if you dropped the gun with the slide locked open the steel rod could bend, where the plastic would just flex. If you like the way one looks and feels, I'm sure you'll like the way it shoots.
 
Another satisfied owner of the 8045. Other than the size of the 8045 there is really nothing to complain about, For an eight shot .45 ACP the grip is a bit large - a Beretta trait.
 
I believe North Carolina just adopted the Cougar (in 357 Sig) for their state police. I believe that is the second state police agency to opt for the Cougar.
 
I had gotten an 8040D (DAO .40S&W) that I really liked other than the fact that it wasn't a natural point shooter for me. I had gotten it for home defense and I always shot low with it unless I was engaged in concentrated slow fire. Having a gun that shoots where I point it is a very important criteria for me when it comes to a defensive weapon and I just couldn't develop that with the Cougar. I have no complaints as to its reliability or other handling characteristics. Mike
 
Had an 8045, loved it, but had to sell it. The hammer was biting the web of my hand. Traded it in on a S&W 1076.
 
I'm very satisfied with my Cougar 8045. It's become my carry gun. Typical Beretta reliability, good looks and fit n' finish. Its also very easy to disassemble for cleaning.
 
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