stoeger 9mm auto or taurus 357 magnum

O

old fart

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a few months ago i posted on getting a new gun, i decided to wait to see if i could put a few more dollars back and look at other guns. well next week i'll get the gun and i have narrowed it down to two, its the stoeger couger 9mm or the taurus 65 in 357 magnum. i would like to know for my intended purpose which would be the overall better gun? i will open carry here in kentucky when i'm out walking where i live which is a rural area, and i'll be taking it in the woods hiking and camping. the biggest threat will be feral dogs or coyoties, with a possible black bear which is rare and a wild hog which is starting to be more numerous as several were killed last deer season, the two legged vermin are always a threat and hiking you don't know what you'll walk up on. there were couger tracks seen within 60 miles of me and a few people swore they seen the cat but the KDFW only confirmed tracks not the animal. as for coyoties and dogs, around here they are beginning to worry me. this past turkey season i had to kill two dogs that were a threat and a coyotie that came to my call dropped low and its hair stood up on its back and started snarling at me when i stood up to run it off so i wouldn't scare the turkeys. i had to kill it too, so which would be the best overall gun? i've handled both and they both fit my hand, thanks for any help.
 
No right answer here, IMO, and it's hard to carry one gun that will be best for every scenario. The Cougar is a nice gun, Beretta designed, and is probably the better for anti-personnel work, fine for everything you mention critterwise up til black bear and hogs, where it is on the light side. The Taurus is in all weather stainless, has fewer shots, but is chambered for the cartridge that can be loaded up with deep penetrating rounds that would be better if it were pressed into service against bear or hogs... so it depends on what you think is the more likely threat, and which you would be more comfortable shooting, enjoy more.
 
I like what CarbineCaleb said

I've also heard 9mm is a little light for cougar/mountain lion. Recall reading a story where a cougar was up in a tree. A guy emptied his 9mm into the cougar and it didn't fase it. Had to get a .308 to take it out.

So I would opt for the .357 for your specific tasks. And go with heavy outdoor loads.
 
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I like the Cougar a lot, great buy for the money.

I also really like the .357 and it would serve you well. However, I am not a Taurus fan. Maybe a used Smith or Ruger in .357?

Of the 2 options given I would get the Cougar.
 
stoeger 9mm auto or taurus 357 magnum
the biggest threat will be feral dogs or coyoties, with a possible black bear which is rare and a wild hog which is starting to be more numerous as several were killed last deer season,
Click to expand...

.357 Magnum, or better.

If you get the Taurus, check it over real good first, and put it through its paces before you trust it. S&W or Ruger are better thought of. (Internet Gunboard hearsay, YMMV.)
 
357

For the stated purposes, I would take the 357. I have a 1993 model 65 Taurus that I have never had any problem with. Can't say about the newer ones. I would feel much safer with it than any 9mm in the stated situations.

As for putting the Taurus through the paces before you trust it, you should do that with any gun, even a S&W.
 
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As another poster postulated, you may want to consider the Cougar in either .40 or .45 caliber. That would be my recommendation. The Cougar 8045 shoots well and the rotating barrel is really reliable. Moreover, the price is really good.:cool:
 
Shoot cheaper

If you want to shoot cheaper for practice use 38 Special, but practice enough with 357 to be somewhat proficient. Indeed, 9mm would be cheaper to shoot, but may not handle bears or hogs.
 
i will have a chance of seeing a bear or hog but the chances are remote. my biggest threat is a rabid coyote or pack of dogs and the 2 legged pot growing or meth labbing human. are the taurus revolvers that bad as most claim? a good 9 is better than a bad 357, and these two are i can afford if i want to be armed. thanks
 
357 would have more knock down. 9mm would have higher round count and faster reload with another magazine. If it is down to these two calibers, those are the primary factors I would consider. You can get some really good self defense ammo in either caliber. If I wasn't at all concerned about bears or hogs I would probably choose the 9mm for high round count. It would give you more rounds to throw out there and if humans or a pack of dogs are trying to get you that might be advantageous. Personally, if it were me I would open carry my 1911 in 45acp with an extra couple of magazines, but I already have that. Good luck with your decision.
 
Given the two options the Cougar IMO wins hands down.

If the .357 being considered was a S&W or Ruger then it is a toss up. As others have stated it is greater knock down power and fewer rounds vs. less knock down power but significantly higher number of rounds. Six of one and half a dozen of another. Hard choice in this scenario.
 
I say the Taurus .357 as it is (most will agree) a better round relative to stopping power. I would, however, have a speed loader or two available (and practice to achieve proficiency with such).

-Happy Birthday America
 
well the shop called today and all guns came in, but he said there was a problem with the taurus 65. the barrel is not exactly inline, he said it wasn't bad but could be seen if eyed closely and he said he put snap caps in it and it felt like the cylinder was rubbing on the forcing cone. he said the bullet gap wasn't there he didn't have a gauge that would fit in it as it was too close. he did get the cougar in 9mm and 40 and said those were ready to go, but he was sending the taurus back. i really wanted the 357 but i guess i'll have to settle for an auto. thanks to everyone's help
 
I have owned a Steoger Couger 9mm and it was a great gun. I only sold it because I had nine 9mm pistols and only shot my Beretta 92fs 99% of the time. I call it the "$350 dollar" $600 dollar gun :D Fine pistol and fits the hand very nicely.

I have a Taurus 441 (same pistol as the 66 but chambered in .44 special) and love it. For your purposes, I would buy the Taurus in stainless. Just be sure to use the revolver pre purchase sticky in this subforum. Be sure to inspect the cylinder chambers and make sure they are smooth. If it was me, I would opt for the model 66 Taurus for the adjustable sights and 7 rd capacity as compare to the fixed sights and 6 rd capacity of the 65. It only cost about $20 more. The Tracker 627 is also nice. If you go the revolver route, handle all three of these models and compare. They are all good. Going the .357 revolver routes gives you good versatility in that you can shoot .38 special and .357 mags depending what you might be doing on that particular day. If you are hiking in big cat country, load the magnums. Fun cheap day at the range, plink with cheap lead rnd nose .38s.

Goodluck
 
Having owned the Cougar 9mm & .45 , outstanding firearm for the money. Never a failure from either, just flawless.

Captain H is right on with ;

I have owned a Steoger Couger 9mm and it was a great gun. I only sold it because I had nine 9mm pistols and only shot my Beretta 92fs 99% of the time. I call it the "$350 dollar" $600 dollar gun Fine pistol and fits the hand very nicely.
 
I like Captain H's advice...seriously consider the model 66. Extra round (7) and adjustable sights. Versatility of ammo (357/38+/38) would make practice a lot cheaper and increased confidence if you load heavy in Bear country. Remember to load very light in bare country.
 
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