| Beretta 8000 Cougar | |
|---|---|
 Beretta 8000 D Pistol | |
| Type | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin | Italy |
| Service history | |
| Used by | See Users |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Beretta |
| Produced | 1994–2004 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass |
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| Length |
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| Barrel length |
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| Caliber | |
| Action | Recoil operated (locked breech) |
| Feed system |
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| Sights | Iron sights |
The Beretta 8000 (Cougar) is a family of rotating barrel semi-automatic pistols that were designed and manufactured by Beretta of Italy.
They first appeared on the market in 1994 as a more compact alternative to the full-sized Beretta 92 service pistol in order to offer a compromise between concealability, ease of carry, accuracy and firepower. The 8000 series was originally developed around the .40 S&W cartridge, which was a new cartridge at the time. This allowed it to easily be converted to other calibers, such as .357 SIG and the less powerful 9x19mm. The Cougar series was later also manufactured in .45 ACP. These pistols are suitable for use by both police and for civilian self-defense. [1]
Cougar 8000 series pistols are recoil-operated, locked breech semi-automatic pistols. These pistols use a relatively rare rotating barrel locking system, in which the barrel rotates on recoil to unlock itself from the slide. The rotating motion of the barrel is controlled by the stud on its bottom, which follows the cam track in the steel frame insert. The rotating barrel allows for lower recoil despite a smaller overall size and lower weight than a standard Beretta 92FS.
The frame is made from lightweight aluminum alloy. The basic version of the Cougar pistol is the F model, with double-action trigger with exposed hammer, and ambidextrous safety/decocker levers, located on the slide. Alternative is D version, which is double-action only, and thus have spurless hammer and no safety/decocker levers. Cougar pistols use double-stack magazines in 9 mm, .357 SIG and .40 caliber models, and staggered column magazines in .45 caliber models.
The 8000 series is available in several calibers and in either "F", "G" or "D" configuration.
European models were offered in .41 Action Express and 9×21mm.
The F specification is the basic version with double-action trigger, exposed hammer, and ambidextrous safety/decocking levers (located on the slide).
The D specification is double-action only ("DAO") with a spurless hammer and no safety/decocking levers.
The G specification is a DA/SA variant with a "decock" only feature. It features an exposed hammer with ambidextrous decocking levers (on the slide). There is no safety on this model.
The T specification includes a tactical rail.
The 8000, 8040 and 8045 are available in a Mini variant weighing 140 g less than the respective models and with a grip that is 25 mm shorter. The slide and barrel are the same length as the full size pistols. This variant is available in the "D" and "F" configurations.
Some models are available as an Inox version which has a stainless steel slide, barrel and other components.
The 8045 Beretta Cougar was produced between 1998 and 2004 in the D and F configuration. A Mini 8045 Cougar was also produced in the same configurations. No factory 8045 Cougars were produced in the "G" configuration, but prototype Cougars do exist in the G configuration as well as with a light rail.
In 1999, Beretta USA offered 2000 special edition kits to accompany the 8045F Cougar. Accompanying the basic 8045F was a kit consisting of a special edition case, lapel pin and charcoal laminate grips with inlaid cougar medallions. The pistol comes in the 8045F model which is a double/single-action-type pistol. Standard white dot sights and factory black plastic grips are standard with the "Pak" consisting of the case, wood grips and pin.
Beretta USA made an 8045F for the Los Angeles Police Department. One requirement of the LAPD using these firearms was the inclusion of a 4-inch barrel. There were a limited number of these longer barrels produced to meet this need. Some barrels were shipped to the LAPD to be added and some were shipped directly from the factory already assembled in the pistols. However, BUSA had offered these barrels for sale to military/law enforcement officers for $198 only for a brief period. Some of these pistols were converted to a "G" model (decock only) by various agencies but were not offered in this configuration from Beretta USA.
In 2004, following Beretta's acquisition of Stoeger Industries through Benelli, marketing and distribution of the Cougar was transferred to Stoeger. [3] In 2006, Stoeger Cougars began being sold in 9×19mm, .45 ACP, and .40 S&W, made in Turkey on Beretta factory tooling. Stoeger also added a more compact-sized Cougar pistol to their production line, which has a reduced magazine capacity of 13 rounds and MSRP is US$50 less than its full-size counterpart. Stoeger's later .45 Cougars also included an accessory rail. The Stoeger Cougar was quietly discontinued around 2017, but the pistols have reappeared on Stoeger's Turkish website as of February 2024. [4]
 | This section needs additional citations for verification .(January 2011) |
Italy 
Kazakhstan - since 2007 used as service pistol in private security companies [5] 
Slovenia 
United States- North Carolina Highway Patrol used the Model 8357 357 SIG, Los Angeles Police Department authorizes the weapon for duty carry, Utah Highway Patrol issued the Model 8040 in .40 S&W, as well as some city and sheriffs agencies throughout the country. The New York City Police Department still authorizes the 8000D (double action only) variant for off-duty and backup carry, but as the pistol must be in new condition and manufactured by Beretta, the pistol is slowly aging out of use as no new pistols are being manufactured, and therefore cannot be acquired by new officers.
The Beretta 92 is a series of semi-automatic pistols designed and manufactured by Beretta of Italy. The Beretta 92 was designed in 1975, and production began in 1976. Many variants in several calibers continue to be used to the present.
The Beretta 92G-SD and 96G-SD Special Duty handguns are semi-automatic, locked-breech delayed recoil-operated, double/single-action pistols, fitted with the heavy, wide Brigadier slide, chambered for the 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge (92G-SD) and the .40 S&W cartridge (96G-SD), framed with the addition of the tactical equipment rail, designed and manufactured by Beretta.
The CZ 75 is a semi-automatic pistol made by Czech firearm manufacturer ČZUB. First introduced in 1975, it is one of the original "wonder nines" and features a staggered-column magazine, all-steel construction, and a hammer forged barrel. It is widely distributed throughout the world and is the most common handgun in the Czech Republic.
The SIG Sauer P220 is a semi-automatic pistol designed in 1975 by the SIG Arms AG division of Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft, and produced by J. P. Sauer & Sohn, in Eckernförde. It is currently manufactured by both SIG Sauer companies: SIG Sauer GMBH, of Eckernförde, Germany; and SIG Sauer, Inc., of New Hampshire, United States.
The USP is a semi-automatic pistol developed in Germany by Heckler & Koch GmbH (H&K) as a replacement for the P7 series of handguns.
The Heckler & Koch P2000 is a German semi-automatic pistol introduced late in 2001 and intended primarily for law enforcement, paramilitary, and commercial markets. It is based on the USP Compact pistol. The P2000 was designed specifically with improved ergonomic characteristics; it has features that reduce handling related stresses, while at the same time increasing user handling and comfort.
The Ruger P series is a line of centerfire semi-automatic pistols made by Sturm, Ruger & Company produced from 1985 to 2013. The P-series pistols were designed for military, police, civilian and recreational use. The designs are largely based on the Browning action found in the M1911 pistol, but with minor variations, generally related to the safety mechanism and the barrel-camblock interface. Reviews have considered them rugged, reliable, and strong, though this strength comes at the price of bulk and a blocky appearance.
The Beretta Cx4 Storm is a pistol-calibre semi-automatic carbine aimed at the sporting, personal defense and law enforcement markets. It was designed to accept magazines from different Beretta pistol platforms using adapters. The CX4 is available in 9×19mm Parabellum, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, and 9×21mm models. The .45 model can only use 8000 "Cougar" magazines.
The K100 is a 9×19mm semi-automatic pistol designed and built by Grand Power s.r.o. in Slovenská Ľupča, Slovakia located approximately 11 kilometers east of Banská Bystrica, Slovakia which is the region's major city.
The Beretta Px4 Storm is a semi-automatic pistol intended for personal defense and law enforcement use. It is available in full size, Compact, and Subcompact versions. The Px4 uses a trigger and safety system similar to the Beretta 92 and the Beretta 8000 series, though it is distinguished from its predecessors by its light-weight polymer construction with steel inserts, standard Picatinny rail, and swappable grip backstraps. The full size and Compact versions use the same short-recoil, rotating barrel action as the Beretta 8000 series, whereas the Subcompact uses the tilt barrel system.
In American English, a pocket pistol is any small, pocket-sized semi-automatic pistol, and is suitable for concealed carry in a pocket or a similar small space.
The Tanfoglio Force, also known as Force 99, Force 2002, EAA Witness Polymer or EAA Witness P-Carry, is a modified clone of the Czech CZ-75/CZ-85 semi-automatic pistol. It is made in Gardone Val Trompia near Brescia, Italy by Fratelli Tanfoglio S.N.C.
The Beretta 90-Two is a series of semi-automatic pistols designed and manufactured by Beretta of Italy. It was released in 2006 as an enhanced version of the Beretta 92, and is produced in 9×19mm, 9×21mm IMI and .40 S&W versions.
The FN FNP pistol is a series of semi-automatic, polymer-framed pistols manufactured in Columbia, South Carolina, by FNH USA, a division of Fabrique Nationale de Herstal. The handgun debuted in early 2006 and is variously chambered for the 9×19mm, .40 S&W, .357 SIG and .45 ACP cartridges.
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FN HP-DA is a 9mm semi-automatic pistol developed by Belgian Fabrique Nationale arms factory in Herstal. In North American markets, it was marketed as the Browning BDA and is also referred to as Browning DA and Browning Hi-Power BDA.
The Tanfoglio Combat or Standard, also known as T(A)95 or EAA Witness Steel, is a modified clone of the Czech CZ-75/CZ-85 pistol. It is made in Gardone Val Trompia near Brescia, Italy by Fratelli Tanfoglio S.N.C.
The FN FNX pistol is a series of semi-automatic, polymer-framed pistols manufactured in Columbia, South Carolina, by FN America, a division of Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal. The pistol is chambered for the 9×19mm Parabellum, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP cartridges. It was introduced in 2009 as the successor to the FN FNP.
The Beretta 70 is a magazine-fed, single-action semi-automatic pistol series designed and produced by Beretta of Italy, which replaced the earlier 7.65mm Beretta M1935 pistol. Some pistols in this series were also marketed as the Falcon, New Puma, New Sable, Jaguar, and Cougar. The gun is notable for its appearances in film, and is also the first compact Beretta pistol to feature several improvements commonly found in Beretta pistols for the rest of the century.
The SIG Sauer P227 is an American-designed and produced semi-automatic pistol which was introduced in 2013 and discontinued in 2019. The P227 introduced a double-stack .45 ACP caliber handgun into the SIG Sauer lineup. It was introduced along with the P224.
Beretta Firearms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Handguns |  | |
| Submachine guns | ||
| Rifles & carbines | ||
| Machine guns | ||
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