Would someone who owns or has fired the PX4 Storm and the Stoeger Cougar comment on how the PX4 compares with the Cougar, i.e., recoil, trigger pull/weight, grip comfort? Please note if the guns you shot were 9mm or 40. I am seriously considering one of these two models as my second 9mm or 40, especially if the 40 has fairly light recoil. Thanks!

Hey Donato,

I believe you have read some of my other posts about my recent px4 purchase, but I saw your post here and thought I might be able to help. I have a few posts about this topic in the "Px4 rotating barrel" thread, but I will give you my overall opinion of these 2...

First of all, the cougar that I have experience with is a "Beretta" and 9mm, I have never held the Stoeger, but I doubt my opinion would change at all. I love the Cougar. I think it is a well made gun, it is attractive, it is comfortable, it is accurate, and the barrel system really is amazing. I shot at least 500 rounds out of one before I knew that the Px4 existed. (I am only 23 now) It really is a great pistol .

Having said that, I had to check out the Px4. This is a model that was designed as the replacement of the cougar. For the most part, the crucial working parts are the same. Everything that I like about the Cougar, IMO is even better on the Px4. The Cougar is a good looking damn pistol, and the Px4 is just gorgeous. I, like you, do not have large hands. The grips on the Px4 accommodate this problem. It feels like I was born with it in my hands, fantastic grip to it. Of course the Px4 is polymer so it feels lighter in comparison. I don't know if it is the balance or what but the Px4 seems to recoil even less than the cougar. More importantly to me, muzzle flip is lighter which increases your recovery time for the next shot. IMO, you really can't go wrong with the Px4, unless you are just a steel frame kinda guy. Donato, if you are looking for a stellar 9mm, this is your boy right here!

[QUOTE=falchunt;182427]
Hey Donato,

I believe you have read some of my other posts about my recent px4 purchase, but I saw your post here and thought I might be able to help. I have a few posts about this topic in the "Px4 rotating barrel" thread, but I will give you my overall opinion of these 2...

First of all, the cougar that I have experience with is a "Beretta" and 9mm, I have never held the Stoeger, but I doubt my opinion would change at all. I love the Cougar. I think it is a well made gun, it is attractive, it is comfortable, it is accurate, and the barrel system really is amazing. I shot at least 500 rounds out of one before I knew that the Px4 existed. (I am only 23 now) It really is a great pistol .

Having said that, I had to check out the Px4. This is a model that was designed as the replacement of the cougar. For the most part, the crucial working parts are the same. Everything that I like about the Cougar, IMO is even better on the Px4. The Cougar is a good looking damn pistol, and the Px4 is just gorgeous. I, like you, do not have large hands. The grips on the Px4 accommodate this problem. It feels like I was born with it in my hands, fantastic grip to it. Of course the Px4 is polymer so it feels lighter in comparison. I don't know if it is the balance or what but the Px4 seems to recoil even less than the cougar. More importantly to me, muzzle flip is lighter which increases your recovery time for the next shot. IMO, you really can't go wrong with the Px4, unless you are just a steel frame kinda guy. Donato, if you are looking for a stellar 9mm, this is your boy right here! [/QUOTE

Thanks for your outstanding post! Your remarks have been very, very helpful. You made me LOL, though, when you described the PX4 as "gorgeous." Only a true handgun affecionado would talk like that. I mean, I've heard men call women "gorgeous," and women speak of men as "gorgeous," but never a pistol! Well, I recently purchased an FNP-9 in bitone and I love that too, but I still would like a second pistol and I think you have sold me on the PX4. I just have to hold one in my hand and see how this "gorgeous" baby feels. (I held and dry fired a PX4 .40 but not a 9mm - are they different in size?) There is a local gun shop that has one in stock so I think I can do that soon. THanks again for the post. Your positive view of the gun really shined through.

Glad I could supply the laugh, and I hope you get to check the 9mm out soon. To be honest, I don't know if there is size differnce in 9mm vs 40 px4. If there is, it probably is not much. Either way, enjoy your shooting and be safe.

Some time ago I was searching for a Beretta Cougar and couldn't find one. I did find a new Stoeger Cougar in .40 cal at quite a bit less than the price of the Berettas. Bought it and have had no regrets. I wanted to put wood Beretta grips on it to match my other Berettas and called Beretta Customer Service. They told me that the Stoeger is the same gun as the Beretta and the grips would fit with no problem. I ordered them and they did fit perfectly. Second from bottom:

I bought a Cougar .40 caliber about a month ago......can't hit the side of a barn with it. With all my other handguns I can shoot 3-4 inch groups at 50 feet. But with the Cougar, I'm shooting 10-12 inch groups....from a rest. It's got slightly less than 100 rounds through it, so for now I'm gonna shoot it a little more, in case it needs breaking-in, and use different brands of ammo. Maybe I can luck-up and find a brand that it likes.

Originally Posted by Donato

Thanks for the reply. I'll look forward to hearing how it shoots. I wonder how the Cougar stands up to the Sig P250. I have narrowed down my search for a first 9mm to one or the other and possibly the XD9 or CZ 75 P-01. The price difference is amazing.

I am a SIG fan but the P250 is crap, the trigger sucks, and the ergos are terrible, if you going to go with a SIG the Classic line (P220, P226, P228, P229, P239) is the only way to go. When it comes to CZ the 75 line or 85 for leftys is hard to beat, I perfer the look of the classic 75B but the P01 is a great little gun as well. As for the Cougar I don't own one yet but I am getting one by October, they have great ergos that fit my hand well, I have read nothing but good reviews, and Beretta has never failed me.

I thought I read a post saying the Cougar was to heavy (but now I cant find it) the PX4 Storm is basically a Polymer version of the Cougar

I have 2 CZ's,a P01 and a PCR, and a Stoeger Cougar. All 9's. I'd be torn to decide which to keep if I had to choose one. Cougar mags are cheap, check Berettea's website. Good holster's from Ray's Holsters(I have the Sable, great quality and 1/2 the price of most) I also carry the Cougar in a Crossbreed Supertuck, works very well. Cougar has better trigger,both double and single, but haven't done any trigger work on any of them. All 3 are accurate as hell, the CZ's are real tack drivers.CZ's slides are tight, as they are captured in the frame versus outside the frame.CZ's need to be dry-fired and shot a fair amount to work out the trigger.CZ's ergonomics are awesome, trigger reach a little long for me,big meaty hands with not such long fingers. The Cougar's ergonomics are also great, but different than the CZ's, for me not as" tight", ie: my hand has a little more room, and I prefer that in some ways, tho the CZ's tend to force my hands into position. Reloading for the CZ requires shorter OAL than most, Cougar eats anything fed to it and reliable,I'd say CZ a little fussier w ammo.The Cougar is a lot of gun for the money, and would not hesitate to recommend for a first gun. Quality is first rate, and I see none of the tooling marks on the Cougar that I see on my CZ's. The CZ's will outshoot the Cougar,and me for that matter. Both weigh aprox the same and can use the same holsters in a pinch, (the crossbreed not so much) Cougar is easier to feild strip.
Anyway my 2 cents...

This looks like a very nice gun.

This looks like a very nice gun.

Originally Posted by ToyCloser

This looks like a very nice gun.

My girlfriend picked it out and I must admit that it is a very nice gun. It's our nightstand gun. Flawless and it was inexpensive although they are continually climbing in price...

This is an old thread but the durability, accuracy, light recoil, and nice trigger of the Stoeger Cougar 9mm never gets old. Years from now people will be saying "Hey! I just bought a Stoeger Cougar from a guy and is it ever a nice shooter." The Cougar will roam the gunlands forever.

Well, it may roam around in my gun cabinet too. I'd like to have one.

I have the Beretta Cougar; to me it is identical to the Stoeger except the Beretta's finish is better.

I had one awhile back. I sold it but I wish I haden't. It is a great gun. Mine was a .40, not sure if they come in different calibers. Great price. Never had it hiccup and accuracy was very good for the short barrell.

I have one also with well over 1,000 rounds through it...It's easy to take down and clean. Two of my friends liked it and the price so well that they each bought one... a very nice handgun and value.

Hi Pilot Also,
I am located on the West coast and I can't find anyone who cares the Stoeger....where did you find it?
Also, did you get the full size or is it the compact? I really am hearing nothing but good things about the pistol...
Thanks for your post,
Sandibeach

I bought one at Academy Sports for $400, which was the 8000 F model and the other one from Able Ammo for $370 which is the 8000 F L model. The only difference being that the L version has a grip that is about 3/4 inch shorter making it easier to carry every day. Also the full size comes with 4 magazines and the compact only comes with 2. Good news is that the Full Size mags work fine in the compact so when I go to the range I can use both in the Compact.

As far as accuracy, I'm an average shooter at best and both of these handguns make me look better than I am. The action is smooth and the recoil is minimal because these are not light guns. But I have a Sig Pro 2022 and they are more accurate than it is for me when i shoot them both.

Based on shooting mine, several friends have bought them and so far no one has had any issues or not be VERY happy the guns especially at the price point. They were in the $700 range when they were marked Beretta and after the tooling and management was moved to Turkey they could be produced for much lower costs. Not less quality, just lower which meant they could be sold for less. Academy sells a ton of them and the stores I frequent have never had one return. That is saying something right there.

I've fired a beretta cougar 45 extensively and it is one of my favorite pistols.
Never had any problems with it, recoil is very manageable and very accurate. Feels good in my hands.
It is rather heavy, but that helps with the recoil.
I also like the rotating barrell design, it may make taking it apart and putting it back to gether slightly more dificult than an M9, but its still pretty simple.
I am really wanting a cougar 9mm for myself.
The .45 is my fathers but he is somewhat intimidated by anything bigger than a 9mm, yet after years of me being the only one who fires that weapon he still will not let me have it, so I think I will get one for myself.
But since I already have a .45 M&P and I do not have a 9mm at all I think I will go with a 9mm in this weapon if I can find one.
The only draw back is that on the new .45s there is a picatinny rail but not on the 9mms.

Another thing to note is that the .45 cals come with 8rnd mags and I have been unable to find any larger mags for this weapon.
The 9mm have 15rnd mags availible however.