looking for hand gun

[norm-t]

I have been looking for a 9mm pistol for some time now. I have looked at glock, sig, smith , taraus ect. Did not care for glock or the others. I have been looking at bersa, stoeger, beretta. I have narrowed it down to these three.
The gun store I went to and saw these, say go with glock , I do not want a glock.
The bersa thunder 9mm $429.00 Stoeger couger 9mm $439.00 Beretta PX4 $499.00.
My question is has anyone ever fired any of these three. i know that Stoeger Cougar and beretta px4 are basically the same pistol. Which would be the better buy and more bang for the buck
thanks

 

[ugaarguy]

What are the features on these three pistols that meet your wants / likes?

What did you not like about Glocks?

Which SIG models did you look at, and what did you not like about them? They have a few somewhat dissimilar lines.

Which S&W models did you look at, and what did you not like about them? Again, S&W offers a couple of distinct lines of pistols that have some fundamental differences.

Which Taurus models did you look at, and what did you not like about them? I'm particularly curious about this because Taurus started as a manufacturing facility for a Brazilian govt licensed version of the Beretta 92. Taurus has quite a few Beretta like models, plus entire lines of both striker and hammer fired polymer frame pistols.

I know that's a lot of questions, but even general answers will help everyone here get a better idea of what you like and in a pistol. Without that information it's hard to make a recommendation.

Last, what is the intended use (carry, range, home protection), and what is the max budget?

Best bang for the buck is going to vary based on intended use and what you want feature wise in the pistol.

 

[Pukindog12]

I own two Cougar 8000 Fs and one Bersa Thunder UC9 Pro. Both are great guns. I got hundreds of rounds through them and all three have been flawless. Accuracy wise a slight edge might go to the Cougars (at least in my hands) but not by much.

The Cougars safety is inverted from a traditional safety (down is safe, up is fire). The lever is also mounted on the slide. Both these attributes are a turnoff to some but can be dealt with if trained with properly. I did a conversion so that both my Cougars are of the decocker only version (Cougar 8000 G). This was done to keep from inadvertently flipping the safety to safe when racking the slide. The fit of the Cougar is excellent. No slide rattle at all. The slide seems to be on ball bearings. The finish on mine are also excellent. No blemishes yet. Trigger is DA/SA with a kind of heavy DA pull and a crisp SA pull. Hammer also can be put in a half cocked position. The ergos on this pistol are only second to my Walther P99 AS. In other words, great ergos! This is a heavy all metal pistol on the thick side. About two lbs unloaded. Barrel length is 3.6". 15 + 1 capacity. I do carry this pistol although sparingly.

The UC9 has a traditional safety/decocking lever nicely placed on the frame which can be reached without moving one's grip. The fit of the Bersa is also good with just a touch of rattle but this does not affect function. The finish is also good but not as good as the Cougars. Trigger is also DA/SA, a heavy DA pull, and a very crisp SA with a very short reset. Of the two the UC9 has the better trigger. Has full length rails and the easiest and quickest takedown of any pistol I am aware of. Ergos are good with a slightly thicker grip than the Cougar. Weighs about 8 ozs less than the Cougar and is slightly smaller except in thickness which is about the same. Barrel length is 3.25". Capacity is 13 + 1 or 10 + 1. This is my main cold weather carry piece. A Bersa Thunder HC9 Pro might also be considered. It is bigger with a 4.25" barrel and 17 + 1 capacity.

If I was forced to keep only a Cougar or a UC9 I'd pick the Bersa UC9 just because it is easier to carry and the better trigger. I hope this helps.

Good luck in your endeavors!

 

[labhound]

I have the fullsize PX4 9mm and the Stoeger Cougar 8000 F 9mm. Both are excellent guns. The PX4 has bigger sights than the Cougar but I like the decocker levers on the Cougar better than the PX4. I shoot the PX4 slightly more accurately than the Cougar. For my hand the grip of the Cougar is better than the PX4. Both the Cougar and PX4 are very soft shooting 9mm's. IMHO the Stoeger Cougar is the best bang for the buck.

 

[wbwanzer]

I think the Cougar is a heck of a gun for the money. It's a Beretta made by a subsidiary. I think they can still be gotten at Bass Pro for about $400. I like mine a lot. I'm not knocking the other two choices. I've fired a friend's PX4 and liked it. But for the money, you can't beat the Cougar.

 

[Morgan8119]

From those three you listed I would say Px4 all day.

 

[SouthernYankee]

I have Beretta's in a few different models & Cal.'s and really like them. If your not trying to CC then why not a model 92, tough and proven in real life do or die situations many times over. If your going to CC than I would use a smaller package and then the PX4 would certainly be an excellent choice which I don't believe would disappoint you.

 

[Jed Carter]

Norm-T try different pistols, if you can rent some at a range. I was never ever going to buy a Glock, felt like a plastic brick in my hand. Then I had an oppurtunity to shoot one at an intro class to IDPA and USPSA, within 2 weeks I bought my first Glock a G34 9mm. I was a harecore SIG shooter had up to 7 in my collection, I just sold or traded off all off all my DA/SA pistols now all I shoot are 1911 SA or Striker fired (Glock) pistols. My experience with different trigger types: DAO/DAK most are horrible, I'll pass. DA/SA first trigger pull is long, hard and pretty much wide of the mark. DA/SA second shot much better, some almost as good as a SA pistol...but not quite. Glock striker fired pistols first pull is long but consistant, if you learn the trigger on a Glock and just release to reset they are amazing pistols, with great triggers. SAO triggers like a 1911 are always the same and usually shooters are consistantly better with these vs any other trigger. Again try various pistols if you can, see what you shoot the best, then make your own informed decision. Trigger pull weight, feel and length of pull will have an effect on how well most of us shoot a pistol. Me, I carry a 1911 SA pistol most of the time, sometimes a Glock G19, or a SA SIG P238. I have based my pistol purchases in the past on how it felt in my hand in the shop, made some not so good choices like a CZ 75D PCR. It felt great and I shot it OK, but the first DA shot was almost always dissapointing ( unless I took a long time ), traded it off on a G19, no regrets. Rent some pistols at a range, keep an open mind, maybe even try a Glock... and a 1911.

 

[wildehond]

From those three you listed I would say Px4 all day.

This would be my choice as well.

 

[The smiling swordsman]

The guy said that he does NOT want a Glock! Why do some of you feel the need to change his mind? It's OK to not want a Glock. There are plenty of quality manufacturers out there. We don't all have to like the same thing. Rant off.

I have a PX4 and LOVE it. Any of the three guns you listed would serve you well.

 

[Skylerbone]

Norm, welcome to THR where all are eager to help and discuss everything firearms. I've read each post thus far and concur with uga (post #2). The more we know about you and your needs, purpose, models you've looked at or tested, any other pistols or revolvers you've had experience with.

 

[mdauben]

The bersa thunder 9mm $429.00 Stoeger couger 9mm $439.00 Beretta PX4 $499.00.

I'm going to go against the herd, here, and recomend the Bersa Thunder. The reason I don't like the Stoeger or Beretta is the slide mounted safeties they both share. I just find them slow and uncomfortable to operate when the gun is held in a proper shooting grip. I don't own any Bersa guns myself, but I have heard from more than one person who does and they seem to be generally well pleased with them.