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Beretta Cougar or Sig 229 in .40 cal???

NOTPARSNOTPARS Member Posts: 2,081 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited March 2002 in Ask the Experts
Okay, I have manged to narrow my selection down to two choices. I am looking for a .40 caliber auto pistol, metal, on a medium frame (I have a Ruger but its a tad larger than I wanted). I am looking for what everyone wants, quality, reliability, and accuracy. I love to shoot. Anyway, I can get a new Sig 229 in .40 caliber for $635 and $30 in taxes. I like the Sig. However, I like the Berettas but they are too big. A gun smith suggested the Beretta Cougar which is smaller than the 92 series. I am looking for opinions, especially from those who own either, as to whether or not these are good choices (basically a defense gun, maybe some carry, and definitely target practice with maybe a little competition thrown in). Is the Cougar equal to the Sig? (I can probably get the Cougar for around $550)? Or, should I go with the Sig? Any help, as I am torn between the two, would be greatly appreciated!
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Comments

  • bigdog1bigdog1 Member Posts: 193 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Go with the SIG. There is NO finer handgun made. The cougar is a POS IMHO.....
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  • gap1916gap1916 Member Posts: 4,977
    edited November -1
    If the two are your only choices then go with the Sig.
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  • NOTPARSNOTPARS Member Posts: 2,081 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks guys, this helps....uh, one last offering...any opinions on Kahr K40???
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  • KadaverKadaver Member Posts: 333 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    once again...go with the sig
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  • j2k22j2k22 Member Posts: 329 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    can't agree with the assessment of the Cougar being a POS; it is a fine pistol which would serve your needs equally well as the SIG. It comes down to how the piece fits in your hand. There is no doubt that the SIG is a fine pistol, and many people prefer them, but that doesn't mean that you should blindly accept the preference of others. The Cougar uses a rotating barrel locking system that may seem strange to some, but it is an old, tried-and-true system. I have fired the Cougar, and it is a sweet shooting pistol. I challenge whoever called it a POS to expand on your comment with some real complaints instead of a blanket label which is more appropriately used for Bryco, Lorcin, and Jennings products.
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  • airborneairborne Member Posts: 1,728 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Agree with j2k22, said very tactfully.For my money would consider a Glock, model 27, even consider getting an extra 357 sig barrel.
    B - BreatheR - RelaxA - AimS - SightS - Squeeze
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  • 1blitzer1blitzer Member Posts: 72 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have seen many beretta cougar .40's have failures to extract during qualifications. They are not easily cleared by working the slide. Glad I am not issued one.
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  • bigdog1bigdog1 Member Posts: 193 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Just look in the holsters of your local city, county, state and federal law enforcement people and tell me just how many Beretta Cougars that you see. I'm sure that it works just fine because Beretta builds some very nice guns, but when your *, or somebody else's, is on the line, why would you want a Fiat, when you could have a Mercedes Benz????
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  • CA BlueCA Blue Member Posts: 51 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    One thing to keep in mind is that the Sig P229 is specifically designed for the 40 S&W cartridge in the beginning. It is not a scaled up 9mm. I was in the same shoes 9 months ago and did extensive research on all 40 cal. pistols. The final choices are either the Sig P229 or the HK USP40 (again for the reason they are specifically "designed" for the 40 cal. for the start. I chose the USP 40 but I am wondering now about the missed opportunity to swap a 357 Sig barrel into the Sig P229 if I had bought that.Kahr K40 opinion - accurate, beautiful, but unmanageable in rapid firing.
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  • BoomerangBoomerang Member Posts: 4,513
    edited November -1
    SIG P229 in .357 SIG is tops. BTW, the P229 was designed for the .357 SIG not the 40 S&W round, but that is being picky. I have 2 and am very pleased.Boomer
    Protect our Constitutional Rights.
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  • idsman75idsman75 Member Posts: 13,398 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have been issued and have fired Berettas and SIGs in the Army. There is no comparison. The SIG is so pointable and I have never had a malfunction with a SIG. It hits the target every time and is, put quite simply, a masterpiece when it comes to defensive/combat handguns. I'd take the SIG in .40 for warmer months and I'd drop in the .357 SIG barrel for colder months when people tend to wear heavy winter clothing. The .357 SIG will give you great penetration.
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  • Christian B.Christian B. Member Posts: 218 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sig without a second thought.christian
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  • NOTPARSNOTPARS Member Posts: 2,081 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Gentlemen, Thank you all for your input. I don't relish asking gun store people since it seems so difficult to get a straight answer. But you folks, those who own and shoot these firearms, always give me a straight answer. You have made up my mind for me. I hope to order my Sig within the month! Again, thanks!P.S. If you ever see me at Arms Mart (Crossfire) in Independence Missouri, I owe you a round of shots through the pistol you helped to pick out.
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