I'm looking at getting my first handgun. Our local Pawn Shop as 2 Stoeger Cougars, 1 in 9mm and 1 in 40cal. both for $399 They also have a Sig P250 in 40cal and comes with a .357 Sig barrel for $479. I went to the store and held both of them, and they both feel almost the same in my hand. I'm just wondering what you guys think about them? Thanks
Stoeger Cougar or Sig P250
- Thread starter Eddystone1917
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Both good guns for the money, I prefer the trigger on the Cougar, but the DAO trigger on the 250 is decent (for a DAO).
I had a P250 and the DA trigger was really nice, but I just couldn't get used to it, especially when I shoot a 1911 most of the time. I would definitely check out the cougar.
Thanks for the info. I have shot a couple handguns, but I haven't got used to DA/SA and DAO. When I handled the guns the double action on both of them felt the same. The original one I wanted was the 9mm cougar, but after I got to check out the Sig I started leaning towards it, the only thing that was a little different was the slide release. At only $79 more with an extra barrel, it makes it really hard to decide. An more advice wold be nice.
triplebike
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That's a super high price for a used Stoeger 8000. NIB is $369 at my LGS. For the going price it's one of , if not the best value handguns going today. Buy the Stoeger, but you need to shop around some.
Would the Cougar make a better hand gun to learn with? I'm not set on getting a DA/SA gun, or would the DAO of the Sig be better to learn with? Thanks
sigarms228
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I would be careful of that SIG P250.
The first ones could be problematic if it is from that generation. You should be able to get a new P250 for that price or less but with one barrel.
While I have never fired the Stoegar Cougar I have heard good things about them but I again I believe you can do better price wise as triplebike mentioned.
The .357SIG cartridge is VERY expensive and somewhat hard to find so keep that in mind also.
For a first time pistol purchaser I would NOT recommend a .40 unless you have had experience firing it as the recoil can be pretty objectionable to new shooters and even many experienced shooters.
I believe 9MM is a better choice and is cheaper to shoot which means more practice time.
I would also suggest you check out the SIG SP2022 in that price range which I have seen them new for around $400.
Try to go a a gun store where you can handle many different makes and models and rent a couple that you think you might like if at all possible.
Trigger action is a personal preference and they all have their advantages and disadvantages. I like both DA/SA and striker fired myself. I am not a real fan of the SIG P250 trigger and I own quite a few SIGs. I LOVE the trigger on the SIG SP2022.
Good luck!
The first ones could be problematic if it is from that generation. You should be able to get a new P250 for that price or less but with one barrel.
While I have never fired the Stoegar Cougar I have heard good things about them but I again I believe you can do better price wise as triplebike mentioned.
The .357SIG cartridge is VERY expensive and somewhat hard to find so keep that in mind also.
For a first time pistol purchaser I would NOT recommend a .40 unless you have had experience firing it as the recoil can be pretty objectionable to new shooters and even many experienced shooters.
I believe 9MM is a better choice and is cheaper to shoot which means more practice time.
I would also suggest you check out the SIG SP2022 in that price range which I have seen them new for around $400.
Try to go a a gun store where you can handle many different makes and models and rent a couple that you think you might like if at all possible.
Trigger action is a personal preference and they all have their advantages and disadvantages. I like both DA/SA and striker fired myself. I am not a real fan of the SIG P250 trigger and I own quite a few SIGs. I LOVE the trigger on the SIG SP2022.
Good luck!
I've never owned a 250 so I can't compare, but I do have a 9mm Cougar and like it a lot. Just purchased a Cougar in .45 the other day. I like the trigger pull on the one I have. I almost never shoot on DA, so I look for a nice SA feel. I also like that the rotating barrell system is different than most of the other semi-autos out there.
As someone else mentioned, if the Cougar that you're looking at is used, then the price is too high. If new, that's about what Bass Pro sells them for.
Here's mine with Beretta grips:
As someone else mentioned, if the Cougar that you're looking at is used, then the price is too high. If new, that's about what Bass Pro sells them for.
Here's mine with Beretta grips:
My friend has a 40cal that I shot every time I go with him so i'm used to the recoil of the 40cal. The Sig is a 1994 model, is that the first gen?
sigarms228
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They did not make the SIG P250 in 1994. The P250 has only been around since about 2007??
Are you sure it is not a P229?? If it is a P229 then that is a great pistol and excellent price if it is in at least very good conditions.
Are you sure it is not a P229?? If it is a P229 then that is a great pistol and excellent price if it is in at least very good conditions.
The Sig P250 never impressed me, and I like most Sigs. The DAO setup of the 250 will be somewhat simpler to learn on, but I don't think it's a big deal to learn to handle a DA/SA gun.
I had a Stoeger Cougar in 9mm, I recently let it go to a buddy for his 21st bday. Excellent all around gun, no doubt one of the best handguns you can find new for around or even under $400 many places.
I had a Stoeger Cougar in 9mm, I recently let it go to a buddy for his 21st bday. Excellent all around gun, no doubt one of the best handguns you can find new for around or even under $400 many places.
I don't have any experience with the Sig but the prices seem quite high. I picked up a Cougar for $399 with 4 mags, brand new. The Sig retails for $399 in .40 locally for me as well.
I like the Cougar. I have it in 9mm, and it is a real pleasure to shoot. I have about 500 rounds through mine, not a lot but it hasn't had any issues.
I think that any gun you get, you should get plenty of range time in with it and with that being said, I prefer a Single Action trigger to use at the range.
I like the Cougar. I have it in 9mm, and it is a real pleasure to shoot. I have about 500 rounds through mine, not a lot but it hasn't had any issues.
I think that any gun you get, you should get plenty of range time in with it and with that being said, I prefer a Single Action trigger to use at the range.
I used to have a BERETTA 8000 Cougar in 9m.m. and liked it. My only complait was that the grip was just as long as the model 92, so it was not that easy to conceal.
Another officer really likes the STOEGER Cougar and bought a .40 S&W and then a .45ACP version. I have heard nothing bad about them other than my complaint about the long grip on an otherwise compact gun. Also, you could probably get that price to include the tax or go elsewhere. I have also seen it at $369.00.
I have not shot the SIG 250 and probably will not unless my agency adopts it. That has been talked about among our firearms instructors.
Personally, I do not like the feel of the 250, but that is my opinion and others may disagree.
JIM
Another officer really likes the STOEGER Cougar and bought a .40 S&W and then a .45ACP version. I have heard nothing bad about them other than my complaint about the long grip on an otherwise compact gun. Also, you could probably get that price to include the tax or go elsewhere. I have also seen it at $369.00.
I have not shot the SIG 250 and probably will not unless my agency adopts it. That has been talked about among our firearms instructors.
Personally, I do not like the feel of the 250, but that is my opinion and others may disagree.
JIM
I'm sure it is a P250, but I'll have to go look again. What sucks is that they are the only store in town and they don't do rentals. What were the problems with the P250 first generation? They both feel the same in my hands, so its really hard to decide on what gun.
The P250 is a polymer gun and the Cougar is an alloy frame I believe. Cougar is a little heavier; not as good for carry but possibly better for range use. I prefer a little more weight in my range pistols. The 250 has a rail and the Cougar does not, unless you get the .45 version. Cougar is DA/SA and 250 is DAO.
I'll be going to the store to make sure that it is a P250, it will be a range/side arm for coyote rabbit hunting, but mostly a range gun. I'll handle both again when I'm there and give you guys an update on what I think. Thanks
As someone else pointed out, the 250 was not made in '94. So if it was actually made in '94 then it's something else. If it's a 229, then that's a real nice pistol. I've never played with a P250.
If you just starting out, what you need to realize is that you're probably going to end up with lots of pistols.
So I would get the Cougar (if it's new for $399) because it's a great value and a very good pistol. Then six months later (or less) you'll be looking at a SIG or something else. There is no end in sight. They're like potato chips. 
If you just starting out, what you need to realize is that you're probably going to end up with lots of pistols.
So I would get the Cougar (if it's new for $399) because it's a great value and a very good pistol. Then six months later (or less) you'll be looking at a SIG or something else. There is no end in sight. They're like potato chips. It is a brand new P250, so with the .357 sig barrel for $475 sounds like a good deal to me, how about you guys? While I was there one of the workers showed me a Glock m-17 with a ported barrel used for $429. I like all three guns but................
Depends on how much you feel like shooting .357SIG. I could care less, it's not like .40S&W is underpowered and .357SIG is not a cheap caliber, you may end up never using that extra barrel. If it was a 9mm barrel I might be a little bit more excited.
I don't know if I will ever use the .357 barrel either, might just sale the barrel, but I do have a reloading press, if that changes anything. Are all three of these guns good for a first time handgun owner? I have shot everything up to 10mm and 45cal. so i'm used to recoil. Thanks.
One thing you might want to consider is the Cougar has a safety/decocker and it doesn't appear the Sig 250 has one. I has a Stoeger Cougar 8000 F and an 8045. Love both Cougars and personally I prefer a safety/decocker.
For a first gun you may want to stay away from a ported barrel. I have a G17 and I absolutely love it, but I tried a lot of rental guns at a couple of ranges before I bought it. The biggest issue for me with the ported guns is that they are LOUD at an indoor range.
I also have a Sig P226 in .357 SIG with a spare .40 barrel. I do shoot the .357 SIG, which is a bit more expensive than the 9mm and about the same as the .40. Our RSO describes the .357 SIG as a "snippy 9mm" and I think that about sums it up right.
Good luck!
I also have a Sig P226 in .357 SIG with a spare .40 barrel. I do shoot the .357 SIG, which is a bit more expensive than the 9mm and about the same as the .40. Our RSO describes the .357 SIG as a "snippy 9mm" and I think that about sums it up right.
Good luck!
don't assume you're getting a good deal at a pawn shop. Most jack their prices up hoping a chump walks in.
We have no indoor ranges for about 150 miles in any direction, so it doesn't matter if its ported or not. If I got the P250 how much do you think I could get out of the .357 barrel money wise, its brand new? The problem is all three of the guns feel good in my hand! This will be the only handgun I will get in about 3 yrs, so I want to get a good one.
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