Opinions needed - Beretta 8045 Cougar

A

Aahzz

New member
So, I don't own any .45's, and I'm thinking that needs to be rectified. I'm thinking about trading my Beretta 92F, US made, 'cause I'll still have my wife's 92F Italian. Am considering the Beretta 8045 Cougar...anyone have any opinions on the quality/reliability of this pistol?

Also, about how much should one of these cost me?
 
Aahzz,
Never owned a 8045 but have owned a 8040 when they first came out...The gun felt good in my hands,was pretty accurate & never gave me any problems whatsoever...I would definitely recommend the gun to my friends...I ended up traded it in on something else...I guess the only drawbacks are the weight & the sheer size of the gun...Take care...
 
I, too, haven't had an 8045, but I do have the 8040. It is a great little gun. I think the size is perfect as well. It's a nice size for both concealed IWB carry and open duty use. It is short in all the right places and full sized where it needs to be. Many here that have had or do have the 8045 speak very highly of it too.
 
I had one I traded on a 1911, and it was a fine gun. Grips fit me really well and accuracy was ok, but I was hot for a 1911 at the time. I'd definitely consider it again, tho that'd be admitting I screwed up trading it in the 1st place.

Edit: I think I paid abt $600 for mine, but I've seen them in the mid-$500's.
 
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AAhzz,

I carry a Beretta 8045 on duty as well as everyone else in my department. I'm also the department Beretta armorer, so I have seen how well these guns are made. In three years of thirty officers carrying this sidearm, I have had no problems that were more than asthetic. Some practice only annually and some, like me, shoot all the time. I have put probably 7000+ rounds throught mine without a hiccup. I shoot with it during IDPA matches as well. I found that the female or small hand shooters had a little trouble with the thick grip. However all shooters were able to handle recoil and qualify sucessfully. According to Beretta instructors, this firearm was designed with the American law enforcement officer in mind. It is extremely easy to break down, clean and reassemble. If I didn't carry one on duty I would purchase one for myself.

This is a compact pistol that uses a short recoil rotating barrel. It features a firing pin block, chrome lined barrel, anodozed aluminum alloy frame with the Bruniton (Beretta black) finish. Overall length is 7 inches with a barrel length of 3.6 inches and overall height is 5.5 inches. The unloaded weight is about 34 ounces. It is offered in traditional single/double action as well as double action only. .45 magazine is a staggered, double stack holding eight rounds. The price is anywhere from $625 (MSRP) to $50 for a used. I hope this helps.
 
I had one that I got when they first came out (paid $469 NIB as a weekend special). It has great ergonomics, was emminently reliable (ate any/everything, never a FTF), accurate enough, and very well made. The only thing I didn't like was the slide mounted safety. I sold it and a 92 FS for that reason (I now go to the Church of the 1911). It is a bit bulky as 'compacts' go, but certainly no worse than a USP45C or a 245 SIG. I now have three Kimbers and an H&K USP45C in my .45 battery.

The Cougar is a fine gun, it just doesn't 'talk' to me the way the Kimbers & H&K do. YMMV, enjoy.
 
A good, quality gun. If you like the grip angle and controls of the Beretta 92, the 8045 will do you fine. As far as I can tell, another fine Beretta design.
 
I own and 8357 and I think it is a very well built gun. However, there is one thing I should warn you about. It is almost impossible to accesorize the thing. Good luck finding magazines, or aftermarket grips. It's not even that easy to find holsters. But if you can work your way around that...

The other thing is that the Cougars have short barrels and so they are not as accurate as others.

But like I said, It's built well and it feels good in my hands.

Tstr
 
AAHZZ-

I also have a Cougar, an 8045D. It is extremely accurate and reliable. The recoil is easily controlable and the shape of the grip is very comfortable. It is a full size gun with a bit of a compact feel. You can't go wrong with a Cougar.

I must agree that accessories are somewhat scarce, however, for a belt/paddle holster you might try a Safariland Custom Fit of the appropriate size. They are very comfortable, not too expensive, and hold the gun securely.

You might also try one of the various custom holster makers. They can usually construct a reasonably priced holster for just about any type of gun. My favorite is Milt Sparks. I have a Summer Special that I got in 1990 in which I carried a 92FS, then a 96D, then a 96D Brigadier for avout ten years. The holster is still in good shape if a little worn and was only recently semi-retired when I got a MS Versa-Max II, probably the most comfortable IWB holster I have ever used.

Good luck!

Tom C
 
I love my 8045. Best grip in my collection. Sits low in your hand, recoils a breeze. As accurate as a 4" barrel gets. It's got that grrrrrreat Beretta "click-click" precise sound when you rack the slide.

Makes big holes in the ten ring at 15 yards. Good leather's a bit hard to find, but other than that, not many drawbacks to the weapon.

I think I'm gonna go dry fire mine a few times now...
 
I'm another satisfied Cougar 8045 owner. Mine has been reliable and accurate. The only thing I don't like about it is the slide mounted safety/decocker. I didn't let that stop me from buying it though.

Joe
 
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