compact, metal .45acp options?

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hmm, i really liked the old beretta cougar pistols.. i knew they sent production to the stoeger factory, but i didnt know they were making the 45acp versions.. what do you guys think about the 45acp stoeger cougar?
 
justin22885 said:
hmm, i really liked the old beretta cougar pistols.. i knew they sent production to the stoeger factory, but i didnt know they were making the 45acp versions.. what do you guys think about the 45acp stoeger cougar?
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I have the Stoeger Cougar in 45acp....no issues what so ever...easy to clean and re-assemble....I really like it...it is all steel and on the heavy side...
 
i carry a 2 1/2lb revolver now, so a little on the heavy side doesnt bother me, but the weight difference between that and the bersa is something to consider, i need to find a gun shop that has them both so i can handle them side by side
 
Anybody bad-mouthing the "sub 4" barrel 1911 is knee jerking; you won't change my mind on this; have owned several (Colt, Detonics, Springfield, Kimber and SIG); also HAVE OWNED Colt CCO and Commanding Officer; no problems ever; they deserve your trust; Never ever a problem with any S&W of that size either (CS-45, 4513, 4516,457) just the same boring reliability of the full sized frames; the little ones seem to hit much better than 4566 though, unfortunately...
 
hmm, i already have at least two really good options around the $400 mark, the cougar and the bersa thunder UC pro so i wont be considering the sig anymore, i do like sigs, and will likely get a full size model later, but for a simple carry piece i'll save the money
 
I agree with Moxie, but if you can't find a Star PD, the Firestar M45 is a great option. Low cost and solid steel.
 
Bersa

I have 9UC and it's a good gun. Over 1000 rounds, no problems.

Every review of the 45UC I have read has been positive. The Thunder 9, 40, and 45 all seem to be good reliable pistols.

The pistols you are looking at are both DA/SA, and you originally wanted SA. They are also both decocking safeties, so you can't carry "cocked and locked". The Stoeger has a slide mounted safety that keeps me away from Beretta and Walther (and other) designs. If there is going to be a safety, pushing down better turn it off, and it better be on the frame.
 
justin22885 wrote,
hmm, i already have at least two really good options around the $400 mark, the cougar and the bersa thunder UC pro
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May I suggest you do a little holster research at this point. You've picked two pistols that aren't real common and may not be covered by all holster makers. The particular holster you intend to use may be available for your gun choice, so it may not be a problem, but it may be worthwhile to check before you go any further.
 
The Stoeger Cougar 8045F is an excellent value in an accurate, soft-shooting .45 cal ACP semi-auto pistol. It is a traditional double action semi-auto with a slide-mounted safety/decocker lever. Unlike the Beretta 90 series pistols, the Cougar F models can be converted to G models, in which the lever works as a decocker only, relatively easily without slide modification.

It has two features that some see as undesirable. One is the frame size. Although the barrel is compact (3.7 inch) the frame is full-size. The grip is rather chunky, like many Berettas so it might not be ideal for those with smaller hands. The grip is also seen by some as too long to be ideal for a carry weapon, but this is a matter of opinion.

The second issue is the magazine capacity which is a bit limited at 8 rds. No worse than a Government model 1911, but there are certainly pistols with greater magazine capacity for a frame and grip of that size.

If the Cougar 8045 frame is too big to suit, you could shop around for a used Beretta mini-Cougar 8045. Thus far, Stoeger has not chosen to produce the mini versions of the Cougars that Beretta made. The mini-Cougar has a shorter grip but will accept magazines for the full-sized Cougar versions. The flush-fit magazines for the mini-Cougar 8045 have a 6 rd capacity.

The Stoeger Cougar 8045 comes with an accessory Picatinny rail which might make it incompatible with some holsters that were made for the Beretta Cougars (which had no rail). If you intend to carry the pistol outside the waistband, the Fobus plastic Evolution roto-holster made for the Beretta PX4, which comes in either a belt or paddle version, will work just fine for the Stoeger 8045.
 
its a really tough decision, in many ways the cougar seems better, more aftermarket ,more grip and finish options since its steel, so if i wanted to blue it i can, more holders.. but the bersa seems to be more compact, lighter, probably better overall for carry.. and then with all the handgun options available and greater capacity, im considering sticking with 9mm for carry pistols as it seems 45acp options are limited, and stick to 45acp in open carry / "duty pistols"
 
I have a Citadel commander-size .45 with Hogue grips on it that has been great for me. Very reliable and accurate, and at a good price. Picked it up at Cabela's during a sale. Check 'em out.
 
i really am starting to consider 9mm, the hit you take on the shorter barrels and the magazine capacity isnt much of a difference in full size double stack pistols, but when you get down to the compact, concealed stuff the difference become much more apparent.. anyone disagree with this logic at all? would a 9mm be a better choice for the sub 4" pistols?
 
i have a Colt Defender sitting right in front of me and it has no rail or the STI Guardian (3.96"Barrel) is defintely worth consideration. I conceal carry my Defender IWB and it is great. I generally shoot WWB at range and run at least 1 mag of Crictical Duty on every trip.
 
i have no issues with 9mm, im not someone who looks at the size of the two and assume the bigger one is more powerful because im intelligent enough to know the 45acp is incredibly low pressured by comparison so its not nearly as powerful as its size may suggest,the two are pretty evenly matched for kinetic energy, i like and prefer 45acp for reasons outside of this though, i like it for how much better it performs when suppressed, and the fact i can chop old, damaged 308 brass down for more 45acp ammo, i find it recoils a big smoother and isnt as snappy as other calibers.. and would love to make a double-stack commander size 1911 with an under barrel rail as a "duty pistol" or for open carry

however, i look at it this way, some of the lightest, most concealable concealed carry pieces are blowback 380s, you know, compact little things like the bersa thunder, walther PPK, and all those eastern european copies (CZ82 being my favorite blowback)... compare these to the bersa thunder UC pro in 45acp and the UC pro 45 ACP is the same length, the same height, only about 1/8" wider, and about the same ammunition capacity.. so the UC pro 45 is a major upgrade to the 380s without really adding any extra bulk, weight, or losing capacity

so when i compare it that way and not to full size, double stack 9mms (even the really compact 9mms seem to be single stack and only 10 rounds), theres not that much of a dropoff.. so i think thats the pistol im going to go with, i dont feel i need to really compare the two side by side, the bersa thunder 45 UC pro is much better suited for CC than the cougar, so thats the one im going to go with

so.. verdict, my concealed carry pistol will be the bersa thunder 45 UC pro
 
joneb said:
I'll pass on a 1911 with a barrel shorter than 4.25". The issues grows larger with barrel lengths less than 4.25".
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Other than possible failure to expand at the lower velocities from a sub 4" barrel, what issue "grow large". Curious because I've never experienced any in a properly set up handgun.
 
I just noticed this thread so I'm late to the party, sorry. I used to own a Bersa UC45. It ran great and I liked it a lot, but the grip wais thick and kinda square and pounded my arthritic old thumb joint, so I eventually sold it.
All I'm saying is, the grip might not work for you. Fondle one with that thought in mind before you buy.
Otherwise, they are great, underappreciated guns.
 
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