bersa,firestorm and stoeger cougar explain.
- Thread starter jece
- Start date
- Status
Halo
Member
The Bersa and Firestorm are indeed essentially the same. IIRC the difference is that final assembly of the Firestorm is in the US. Most/all of the parts are from Argentina.
Not sure about the Stoeger. I thought they were Brazilian, didn't know they had a pistol from Turkey. Is it the Turkish copy of the CZ?
Not sure about the Stoeger. I thought they were Brazilian, didn't know they had a pistol from Turkey. Is it the Turkish copy of the CZ?
rocinante
Member
IIRC most firestorms are made by bersa. The cougar is made in turkey and a clone of a beretta cougar made in italy. No stoeger experience but I think the bersa doesn't get the respect it deserves. I have a 380cc and I think it rocks but what do I know. It looks good and goes bang and hits near enough to where I point it. My gun snob buddy visibly flinches everytime I saw Bersa though 
His attitude is while it works it is fine but it could fail at anytime so why have or trust it.
His attitude is while it works it is fine but it could fail at anytime so why have or trust it.rellascout
member
Stoegers are now bring made in Turkey. I have not seen one recently.
In that price range I would skip all of them and get a FNP-9 for $379 from CDNN.
In that price range I would skip all of them and get a FNP-9 for $379 from CDNN.
I don't know about the others, but, for all intents and purposes, the Stoeger Cougar IS a Beretta. It is made on Beretta's original Cougar machinery, to the original specifications, and Stoeger is part of Beretta. I have a Beretta Mini Cougar and would not hesitate to buy a Stoeger if I were looking for one with a fullsize grip.
hankdatank1362
Member
The Stoeger is a Beretta, but I think the finish is not quite as nice.
The Bersa's are great pistols for the money. 100% reliable and accurate, but have some sharp edges that can really hurt, especially if CCWing it.
Avoid Firestorm 1911s like the plague. Seriously. Bad experience. Besides, they're not really 1911s anyway; they're all out of spec, and grips won't swap.
The Bersa's are great pistols for the money. 100% reliable and accurate, but have some sharp edges that can really hurt, especially if CCWing it.
Avoid Firestorm 1911s like the plague. Seriously. Bad experience. Besides, they're not really 1911s anyway; they're all out of spec, and grips won't swap.
Scratchshooter40
Member
Stoeger Cougar 8000
I have a Stoeger Cougar 8000 in .40 S&W. Its' finish is as good as either of my Beretta 96's. I use it as a truck gun due to the cost and reliability. It is exactly the same weapon as the Beretta Cougar as stated earlier and a higher quality handgun than a Bersa and I'm not knocking Bersa. Shoots with great accuracy and recoil management and has digested everything I've fed it without a bobble. I carry 155 gr. PMC Starfire JHP in it at the moment. Those rounds do NOT feed in my FNP40 DASA but work flawlessly in the Cougar (or the 96's for that matter). You couldn't go wrong with one at all, great handgun.
I have a Stoeger Cougar 8000 in .40 S&W. Its' finish is as good as either of my Beretta 96's. I use it as a truck gun due to the cost and reliability. It is exactly the same weapon as the Beretta Cougar as stated earlier and a higher quality handgun than a Bersa and I'm not knocking Bersa. Shoots with great accuracy and recoil management and has digested everything I've fed it without a bobble. I carry 155 gr. PMC Starfire JHP in it at the moment. Those rounds do NOT feed in my FNP40 DASA but work flawlessly in the Cougar (or the 96's for that matter). You couldn't go wrong with one at all, great handgun.
Cougar...
The Cougar is a great gun... all metal, great Beretta quality, flawless shoot (shoots everyting), very accurate with rotary barrel and is great value at $350...
But would have to agree with rellascout... if you can get a NIB FNP-9 for $379, I'd probably go in that direction... I have both guns and they are each excellent shoots... wouldn't go wrong with either!!
.
The Cougar is a great gun... all metal, great Beretta quality, flawless shoot (shoots everyting), very accurate with rotary barrel and is great value at $350...
But would have to agree with rellascout... if you can get a NIB FNP-9 for $379, I'd probably go in that direction... I have both guns and they are each excellent shoots... wouldn't go wrong with either!!
.
FieroCDSP
Member
The largest difference is the size. The Bersa is more a compact gun. The Cougar is a full-size. My Cougar 9mm has been stone-cold reliable since day one. If you can get one less than the FNP-9, go for it.
steelyblue
Member
The Stoeger Cougar is a great pistol. I bought one and loved it. Sold it to keep my 9mm 1911.
MICHAEL T
Member
Lets put this to rest right now. That was the old LLAMA Firestorm 1911. Llama has been history for about 3 years. Their is a NEW FIRESTORM 1911 made in Phillipines by Metro Arms . Also sold under American Classic II brand. I have one of these they are 1911 compatable and as good or better as a Rock Island
So please don't say avoid the Firestorm like the plague . Avoid the LLAMA /Firestorm but new one is Great.
http://bersatalk.com is my home come visit
- Status
