Stoeger Cougar. Stoeger Industries is a subsidiary of Beretta. The Stoeger Cougars are made in Turkey using the same machinery that Beretta used to make the original Cougars. It is every bit the quality of the Beretta. The Stoeger 8000 in 9mm is identical to the Beretta Cougar L Type P (Cougar L slide, lighter barrel and beveled slide, but with a full-length magazine). The Cougar is a great gun for the money.

Beratta M9 & varients/copies. Sig has a few. Colt has a compact 1911 variant in 9mm, as does Springfiled Armory (EMP). Rock Island has another 1911 9mm as well, they seem to be pretty nicely done for the cash. EAA witness (CZ clone), Baby eagle (CZ... Cousin?)

After being in a similar situation to yours a bit over a month ago, I ended up with a CZ 75BD. At it's price point, it's hard to beat. Accurate, reliable, and comfortable. Your going to spend quite a bit more to equal or better it. I understand the 9mm EAAs are pretty good. YMMV.

Thanks for the replies so far. I'm not very familiar with either CZ or Stoeger, but I do see the names pop up on forums quite often.

On a side note, is it pronounced "Cee-Zee" or "Czech"?

EDIT: WTF? Except for the CZ-USA website I can't find the CZ 75BD anywhere! The only one I've found is the 10-rnd CA model. Any suggestions? Thanks!

The 75 DB has a decocker If this is your first gun the 75 B is a Classic and pretty readily available. It is a beauty and has a thumb saftey on it rather then a decocker. You will love that gun. I just, 30 minutes ago, was shopping for my wifes Christmas present, I bought myself a new CZ PCR, the compact version of the gun. I now have ,,,,well plenty of CZ's Pronounced See Zee.

The P-01 is a great gun too You can't go wrong with any of the CZ's. My first CZ was a P-01 then the 75B then a couple others and then the one I got today. CZ isnt the only brand I own but it is the one I recomend to folks. You will be satisfied with the 75 B if it fits your hand It is egonomic and dealy accurate. Once you get better wit the 75B it can be customized and the same gun can be twaeked into a competition caliber weapon. It is versiatle and reliable and not too much $$$$$$.

The Stoegar is a good gun too, I may own one oneday myself. Good luck with your new weapon enjoy it and be safe.

RCG

Originally Posted by clockworkjon

Thanks for the replies so far. I'm not very familiar with either CZ or Stoeger, but I do see the names pop up on forums quite often.

On a side note, is it pronounced "Cee-Zee" or "Czech"?

EDIT: WTF? Except for the CZ-USA website I can't find the CZ 75BD anywhere! The only one I've found is the 10-rnd CA model. Any suggestions? Thanks!

I only bought the 75BD because the shop where I bought it was out of the black 75Bs. I took the pass on the Stainless version. Stainless looks nice, but it doesn't make it any more accurate, and the extra co$t was a bit much, IMHO. They had no idea how long it would take to get more so I went with what they had in stock. I had made my choice & by golly, I wanted my CZ then, not weeks later. The difference doesn't seem very significant. Now I just need a Kadet kit for it.

Second gun, first "real" gun. Just picked up a Browning Buckmark a month ago. As to the CZ75BD, aren't de-cockers a good thing? The only other way I know to de-cock a hammer-fired gun is to squeeze the trigger and slowly let the hammer down. Maybe I'm just a noob, but that just doesn't seem safe. I'm pretty sure Beretta 92s come standard with a de-cocker. Education please!

Speaking of being built on the same machines Beretta used to be made on, how about Taurus?
Not real familiar with them, but don't they have the decocker also?

Stoeger Information -

http://www.stoegerindustries.com/fir...ger_cougar.php

Originally Posted by clockworkjon

Second gun, first "real" gun. Just picked up a Browning Buckmark a month ago. As to the CZ75BD, aren't de-cockers a good thing? The only other way I know to de-cock a hammer-fired gun is to squeeze the trigger and slowly let the hammer down. Maybe I'm just a noob, but that just doesn't seem safe. I'm pretty sure Beretta 92s come standard with a de-cocker. Education please!

I bought it as a range & plinking gun, with possible HD use. The decocker is niether here nor there to me. To be honest, they are a bit unsettling at first, watching the hammer fall in an unhindered manner.
But let's be honest, the standard safety model can be unsettling as well, it requires that the operator is competant and paying attention. I grew up around revolvers, so the pull the trigger method is no big deal to me.
I would guess that the decocker method is probably safer in a military/police type environment.

Originally Posted by clockworkjon

I'm pretty sure Beretta 92s come standard with a de-cocker. Education please!

Beretta 92 Information -

Beretta 92 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If I were looking for a new metal framed 9mm handgun, I'd be looking at the Browning HP, a SIG 229, the Stoeger Cougar, or a 1911 style.

Considering used handguns opens up a few more possibilities, including Walther's P5. I love that thing.

Beretta 92, my all time favorite pistol. Metal frame, military proven, reliable, accurate and beautiful to look at. The CZs are cool too, great fit and finish, but I have never owned one. I have heard good stuff about the Stoegers but please stay away from the Taurus. My gunny for 25 years tells me that the Taurus semis are the number one warranty issues they got, and he sells just about all the major brands.
Good luck,
Eli

Have I mentioned CZ is a great gun......Oh I have sorry.

CZ all the way!

RCG

Ok, so since I have limited range options with limited rental options, and no friends or family with guns, I have to rely on the "How-Does-It-Feel-In-My-Hand?" test. I was at a shop yesterday and got to handle the Stoeger Cougar, CZ 75B, Beretta 92FS, and a FN Hernstal something or other. Without having the ability to actually fire them, I have to say I was most comfortable with the CZ, with the Beretta a very close second. The Cougar just didn't feel quite right, and the FNH looked and felt like crap.

When the time (and money) comes I'm going with a CZ. I found a great online price for the CZ 85B. I like the ambidextrous safety and slide release, and my OCD appreciates having both sides of the gun look the same! I don't think not having a de-cocker will be as big of a deal as I previously thought. I tried out the trigger-pull method and I think with a little dry practice I can safely do it with no problems (pointing down range of course.)

So thanks for all the advice, I will now begin accepting donations! (j/k....unless you really want to donate!)

Congratulations, the CZ is a great choice. Enjoy and safe shooting.

Congrats on the choice the 85 is a good pick.

RCG

Here is my CZ 75b - it is a excellent gun.



or Here is a great shooting 9 mm gun of mine.

EAA Witness 9mm in "wonder finish"



Best of luck in your search.

[QUOTE The Cougar is a great gun for the money. [/QUOTE]

I picked up a Stoeger 8000 9mm yesterday. I planned a range day today, but we got a blizzard going on. Anyway, the gun is very well made, complements my 92 and will hopefully be the great shooter I've heard about. Love that rotary barrel!!! Range report whence the snow recedes.
Eli

I've been wanting another handgun that has a high capacity variable size mags. available. I really like the Stoeger Cougar 8000 but I also want a pistol whose magazines are reasonably priced. Looks to be Glock mags every where at a reasonable prices. What ever I purchase I want to eventually have at the minimum of 5 magazines. I just don't want to have to pay $25-$30 for magazines, if at all possible.

I have a Norinco Tokerev and mags are pretty pricey for 8 rounders. The Tok is a rugged and dependable pistol if you keep it clean and lubed. I purchased it for $110 NIB in mid 90's. Wish I would have bought another!

The CZ line is a good choice. This model has not been mentioned and the odds are you will not see this 9mm Performance Center S&W 952-2 in any gun shop. Most are custom order and $1500 +. But, I'll bet if you handle one and shoot it, you may change your mind. Nonetheless, here's a look:

Whoa, waaaaayyyyy out of my price range! I'd rather buy the CZ and a Remington R1, and spend the difference on ammo and range time.

Even though I'm leaning heavily towards purchasing the CZ85c, I'm still waiting for my bonus to arrive, so technically I'm still in the research phase. I'm wondering why I shouldn't just go with a Beretta 92fs and make life simple. Parts and accessories are unlimited, price is almost the same, features are almost the same. What's really the difference between the two? Anyone own both who can comment?

The Bereta 92 is a proven weapon with unlimited possibilities. It shoots very nicely and is a good weapon. The CZ is a proven weapon also with unlimited possibilities. It is a gun used by champion shooters, it shoots nicely and is accurate out of the box like no other gun I know of. ( I dont know of all guns) You will not be unhappy with the berreta you will also not be as happy with the berreta. You will always want a CZ if you get the Berreta, If you get the CZ you will want another CZ.

I promose.

RCG

Originally Posted by SigZagger

The CZ line is a good choice. This model has not been mentioned and the odds are you will not see this 9mm Performance Center S&W 952-2 in any gun shop. Most are custom order and $1500 +. But, I'll bet if you handle one and shoot it, you may change your mind. Nonetheless, here's a look:

Wow! Nice pistol there.
Eli