I saw one locally for about $350.
I am wondering the same thing.

Not had one but I've heard they are pretty good weapons. There has been a few people around here them and from the posts they seemed to like them.

As good or better than the Berretta version of the Cougar. Search the Beretta forum and you'll find more specific details from satisfied owners. Great value.

Well, I searched all 14 pages on Beretta and everybody who owns one had nothing bad to say about it. Jumped in the truck and headed to my favorite dealer and bought one. Took it apart and cleaned it. Can't wait to test it. A pretty good bargain for $400.00 bucks.

Congratulations Dougsboy on the purchase..I think that you made a very good choice..Here is an excerpt quoting the website :The Best 9mm Pistol under $510" stating the writer's opinion on the Stoegr Cougar:

Again this is quoting the reference,
13. Stoeger Cougar 8000: Haggle Price $360-$390
Beretta replaced the Cougar with the PX4, and moved Cougar production to Turkey. The Cougar 8000 was too good to let die. With lower production cost, You can now get a Cougar for half the price! Allow about 300 rounds for the trigger to smooth out. The accuracy is amazing with the short 3.62" barrel. We are talking 2" groups from a rest at 25 yards! Accuracy is better than many full size pistols. This gun is so tight! The rotating barrel design and great trigger are the reason the Stoeger Cougar 8000 shoots so good. This proven design feeds all types of 9mm ammo just fine. The recoil feels like a .380 ACP. The magazine for this gun holds 15 rounds. Great pistol bargain for concealed carry or duty use.

If you like to read the whole list, here is the web link:

http://www.best9mm.com/

Thanks Jimmy.

My first handgun. Well over 1000 rounds. Easy to clean and fun to shoot.

I'm pleased with my choice which was made based on a number of good reviews and comments.

Originally Posted by jimmy

Congratulations Dougsboy on the purchase..I think that you made a very good choice..Here is an excerpt quoting the website :The Best 9mm Pistol under $510" stating the writer's opinion on the Stoegr Cougar:

Again this is quoting the reference,
13. Stoeger Cougar 8000: Haggle Price $360-$390
Beretta replaced the Cougar with the PX4, and moved Cougar production to Turkey. The Cougar 8000 was too good to let die. With lower production cost, You can now get a Cougar for half the price! Allow about 300 rounds for the trigger to smooth out. The accuracy is amazing with the short 3.62" barrel. We are talking 2" groups from a rest at 25 yards! Accuracy is better than many full size pistols. This gun is so tight! The rotating barrel design and great trigger are the reason the Stoeger Cougar 8000 shoots so good. This proven design feeds all types of 9mm ammo just fine. The recoil feels like a .380 ACP. The magazine for this gun holds 15 rounds. Great pistol bargain for concealed carry or duty use.

If you like to read the whole list, here is the web link:

http://www.best9mm.com/

I've shot the Cougar in the same session as a Beretta and got the 2 mixed up. I really like the Cougar and hope to add one to my collection one day. Recoil seems almost non-existent when shot against other 9s.

Did anyone notice what came in at #25 on that best9mm site? The reviews there seem fairly accurate on the guns I've shot on the list, though.

A local gun store just got a shipment of Cougars in and they do feel very good in the hand and the price seems right but they sure are heavy. As I am looking for a CC I wish they came in poly. Anybody carry one of these everyday and if so what carry method works well?

Do a search around the forums here. There has been some talk about these in the past. I have one that my girlfriend has put over 1400 rounds through without a single malfunction. It sits in our nightstand, since I work nights and she's most comfortable with it. It's an excellent weapon and a great value.

Originally Posted by Dougsboy

I saw one of these in my local gun store the other day and was surprised at the relatively inexpensive price. It looked to be well finished and fit my grip very good. I know it's a Beretta even though Stoeger produces them in Turkey. Do any of you guys have any experience with this gun and and what are the pros. and cons?
Dennis

Hi Dougsboy,
Have you had a chance to do any shooting yet with your new Cougar? I am in the market for my first 9mm handgun too, and I am looking at this model, among a zillion others. I like the ergonomics and the reviews are good, but as you know, there are soooo many choices. Others on my serious buy list are: FN Herstal FNP 9; Glock 17 or 19; XD9; Ruger SR9 and Beretta PX4.
I'd love to hear your shooting impressions.
How is the fit and finish?
Does the barrel align with steel rails or plastic?
How is the recoil?
Thanks for the feedback.

Originally Posted by Donato

Hi Dougsboy,
Have you had a chance to do any shooting yet with your new Cougar? I am in the market for my first 9mm handgun too, and I am looking at this model, among a zillion others. I like the ergonomics and the reviews are good, but as you know, there are soooo many choices. Others on my serious buy list are: FN Herstal FNP 9; Glock 17 or 19; XD9; Ruger SR9 and Beretta PX4.
I'd love to hear your shooting impressions.
How is the fit and finish?
Does the barrel align with steel rails or plastic?
How is the recoil?
Thanks for the feedback.

I have not taken it to the range as of yet but should be going maybe this coming week-end. It is an all steel weapon just like it was when it carried the Beretta name. In fact Beretta still makes it as they actually own Stoeger. It feels very good in the hand. The fit and finish is excellent as Beretta oversees the quality control. The other pistols you name are all extremely fine weapons but with one difference. The Cougar is almost half the price and the quality (IMO) is on par with those more expensive pistols. Stay tuned.

Originally Posted by BeefyBeefo

Do a search around the forums here. There has been some talk about these in the past. I have one that my girlfriend has put over 1400 rounds through without a single malfunction. It sits in our nightstand, since I work nights and she's most comfortable with it. It's an excellent weapon and a great value.

+1. Several hundred rounds through mine, which is the .40 version, with no problems at all. Mine also resides on the nightstand beside the bed. Great gun for the money.

Quality pistol at a quality price. I plan to pick one up soon when funds allow.

I had a stoeger cougar that seems to be the only lemon they ever made. I loved the way it felt and shot and the price, but unfortunately after 20 to 30 rounds it would constantly ftf or fte. I returned it and picked up a glock instead. If I come across another I will buy it. I've worked in manufacturing my whole life and sometimes a product just comes out flawed. I won't badmouth a manufacturer just because of one bad gun. Asside from that one I've heard nothing but good about them. I just have bad luck.

do you have a holster to go with your stoeger? the cougar is one of my top options for when i turn 21, and was wondering what you thought of holster availability and what kind you preferred?

Originally Posted by rccola712

do you have a holster to go with your stoeger? the cougar is one of my top options for when i turn 21, and was wondering what you thought of holster availability and what kind you preferred?

I do not, but was planning on getting one eventually in case I ever felt the desire to carry it. I was looking at Galco, it seems as though they have quite a few options.

I highly recommend the CrossBreed Super Tuck. I carry mine daily in one and it is as easy to hide and as comfortable as my Colt Detective Special in it's SuperTuck. Can't go wrong with one. I love my Cougar 8000 and it is a perfect hand gun after some 2500 rounds through it.

Originally Posted by Dougsboy

I have not taken it to the range as of yet but should be going maybe this coming week-end. It is an all steel weapon just like it was when it carried the Beretta name. In fact Beretta still makes it as they actually own Stoeger. It feels very good in the hand. The fit and finish is excellent as Beretta oversees the quality control. The other pistols you name are all extremely fine weapons but with one difference. The Cougar is almost half the price and the quality (IMO) is on par with those more expensive pistols. Stay tuned.

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.

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.

The CZ is one of a shooter..You will love that gun..Good choice.

I did some research and it looks like there is a Cougar 8000 D - DAO. Are these available in the USA?

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 do not own a Cougar, my friend does and I shoot it often. It is solid and the rotating barrel makes for some real tight groups. He bought the Cougar and I bought a SR-9. I really like the SR-9 it is a very good gun and 400 bucks is a steal on this quality of a gun. We switch often. I am going to get a Cougar next and my buddy is getting an SR-9. Both are accurate solid easy to clean and shoot all types of ammo.

I bought the SR-9 because it was inexpensive and if I wanted another gun I would be able to afford 2. My buddy bought the Cougar for the same reason. Now we both will have 2 guns one hammer fire and one striker back. Pretty much for what a CZ or Sig costs stand alone. I am not saying a bad word about the CZ or the Sig. i have shot both guns and I love the CZ and the Sig has a long and stelar reputation for quality. I just wanted more then one gun and I wanted good guns. The Cougar is a very good gun, I am glad the factory was moved to Turkey because this quality of a weapon for 400 bucks is something that should make you smile!!!!

RCG

Originally Posted by recoilguy

I do not own a Cougar, my friend does and I shoot it often. It is solid and the rotating barrel makes for some real tight groups. He bought the Cougar and I bought a SR-9. I really like the SR-9 it is a very good gun and 400 bucks is a steal on this quality of a gun. We switch often. I am going to get a Cougar next and my buddy is getting an SR-9. Both are accurate solid easy to clean and shoot all types of ammo.

I bought the SR-9 because it was inexpensive and if I wanted another gun I would be able to afford 2. My buddy bought the Cougar for the same reason. Now we both will have 2 guns one hammer fire and one striker back. Pretty much for what a CZ or Sig costs stand alone. I am not saying a bad word about the CZ or the Sig. i have shot both guns and I love the CZ and the Sig has a long and stelar reputation for quality. I just wanted more then one gun and I wanted good guns. The Cougar is a very good gun, I am glad the factory was moved to Turkey because this quality of a weapon for 400 bucks is something that should make you smile!!!!

RCG

The SR9 is a gun I am looking at, but I have read negative remarks about its trigger. The other model that interests me alot is the FN Herstal FNP9 which gets rave reviews.

The trigger remarks are very much over blown. The old SR-9's had a small trigger issues. The new ones 330-XXXXXX and greater have a very crisp trigger that breaks smoothly and have a good pull. I would not give the trigger hype a second thought.

The FNP 9 is a great gun. I have never shot one. A guy who I see at the range has one and he loves it. It shots real tight groups and is a mean looking pistol. It seems like you are considering a lot of different guns. If the Cougar is still one you are considering and you want a very good reliable gun that is what you get when you buy the Cougar. If the only reason you have ruled out the SR - 9 is the trigger rethink it.

RCG