Anyone tried a Stoeger 8000?

[dgray64]

Its a pistol that used to be made with the Beretta name, then Beretta shifted the mfg to Turkey and changed the name. It looks like a great pistol.

Dave

[dgray64]

I ran into a Beretta Cougar today at my favorite pawn shop. It was a .40 cal and nice. I could see the evidence of the "roll lock" barrel. Pretty neat. Uses a hammer, but is DA only. My only issue was that the grip was too large to be comfortable in my hands...about like my Glock G22. Nice, accurate, shoots any ammo, but it's so large in my hand that it's uncomfortable. Anyway the Cougar and the Stoeger are the same gun.

Dave

[neophyte]

dgray64: I have researched the Stoeger Cougar 8000
for months now. Stoeger is going to have a problem venturing into handguns. Stoeger is shotgun.
Beretta move there mess to Turkey; they too mismanaged the Beretta model 8000 that is why they are trying to reintroduce this model.
Based on my research; outstanding unit, accurate, priced way below market and quality value. I've had one on my short list since the beginning.

[9mmfan]

Does anyone have any experance with a Beretta Model 9000 ? I saw one used at my local gun for around $250. It seems to be in great condition. I thought it was a good deal, but I would like to talk to someone who owns one, thanks.

[raveneap]

I couldn't find a Beretta Cougar so bought a Stoeger. Very well made; smooth shooting, light recoil, mine's in 40 cal. Cost was far less than the Beretta and it's actually the exact same gun as the Beretta with the exception of the name & logo.

[neophyte]

raveneap: Sir; would you do a report?
All reports have been positive. I would like your opinion. Redundant; my question Yes sir'eee

[Oppy]

I am interested in trying out a Stoeger Cougar 8000 or CZ75 at the range. I have narrowed down a wish list to these two based on what I have read. Anyone have experience to compare the two? Or perhaps you can suggest a comparable option I should consider?

Also heard any repair/warranty for Stoeger is handled by Beretta. True?

Comments appreciated.

PS Nice Pic Raveneap.

[Seven©]

Originally Posted by neophyte

raveneap: Sir; would you do a report?
All reports have been positive. I would like your opinion. Redundant; my question Yes sir'eee

Finally got out to shoot mine yesterday. I'll give you a short report. I'm not a writer, but I'll do what I can.

Stoeger Cougar .40...



Picture sucks, but we know what they look like. Sorry.
Price I paid: $385 otd. Not good, not bad. Fair IMO.

Anyways, I ran 50 rounds of CCI Blazer Brass 180gr. FMJ through it yesterday. No problems.

My thoughts. YMMV.

Accuracy: I've read reports of 2" groups at 25 yards. I believe it now. It's another case of "this gun is more accurate than I am."

Trigger: Excellent. The first DA shot is surprisingly smooth. I was actually caught off guard when it fired the first time I shot it. It doesn't have the usual "catches" that most DA pistols I've shot had. I'd go as far as saying the pull was as smooth as my wife's striker-fire Ruger SR9. Longer and heavier (naturally) but just as smooth.
On the following SA shots, I felt the trigger was OK. I would guess slightly >6lbs. Keep in mind, I'm a 1911 fan so I'm critical of SA trigger pull.

Slide: Excellent. Smooth out of the box. It is heavy to chamber the first round. Really. The slide grooves are small and shallow, and the springs are stiff. But, I guessing that will lighten up with some more use. Should anyways.

Sights: Easy to acquire. But, I like the 3 dot deal and I'm familiar with it. Again, YMMV.

Feel: Ergonomically one of the best I've held. Balance is great. No excellent! This gun feels like a compact to me. It feels lighter and smaller than it really is. After you hold it and shoot it, you just go "Wow!"

Recoil: Not what I expected at all. I anticipated the normal "snappy" .40. It wasn't bad at all. I'd equate it to a 5" 1911. It kicks, but it don't pound. It recoils, it doesn't flip. If that makes sense.

Finish: I'd read on boards it wasn't good. I can't find a single flaw in mine. No tooling marks. Nothing.

Grip: It is large, but well rounded. Again, this pistol handles and feels smaller than it is. I don't care at all for the plastic grip panels. Too smooth. I ordered wooden panels from Hogue to the tune of $47 shipped. Rubber replacements are cheaper. I just prefer wood. That's how I roll.

EDIT:

Originally Posted by dgray64

Uses a hammer, but is DA only.

It's not DA "only." When the first round is chambered, the only way to put the safety on is to use the de-cocker. But, you can take the safety off and thumb cock it for a SA first shot. It ain't a 1911 that can be carried C1, but it isn't "DA only."

NEGATIVES: One word. Accessories. Holsters, grips, magazines. They aren't everywhere, and when you find them; YOU PAY for them. Stoeger Cougars come with two factory mags. Mine were flawless. I got lucky and picked up a Fist holster and a Galco Fletch holster off feeBay. $25 and $40 respectively. I haven't tried to find any mags on the nets, I'm happy with two. The holsters and grips are the worst. Hogue is the only place I could find grips.

OVERALL: For the money, this is the best damn purchase I've made in a long, long time. Quality pistol. Money well spent.

DISCLAIMER: YMMV. Just one man's opinion.

[dilagaf2]

great review ,i cant wait to pick mine up out of layaway

[raveneap]

Originally Posted by neophyte

raveneap: Sir; would you do a report?
All reports have been positive. I would like your opinion. Redundant; my question Yes sir'eee

Really sorry for the late response. I find nothing to complain about in my .40 Stoeger Cougar. It's smooth, accurate (for what it's meant to be) and perceived recoil in not bad. Constructon is flawless, finish is good. Let's face it, it's a Beretta. And I replaced the grips with Beretta wood grips that fit perfectly. A great little gun and a good buy.