Aiming problems new Cougar

MikeGoob · January 19, 2008, 07:12 PM

My first auto pistol was a Glock19 and considering my novice gun experience I was pretty darn accurate with it. I wanted a different kind of 9mm so I got a Stoegar Cougar for a great price new. This one is a completely different story.

Im consistently shooting low and sometimes to the right. Can the sights be off? It seems unlikely that I would shoot low on a rotating barrel mechanism rather than a dipping barrel like the Glock?

Any ideas on how to correct it?

kfsps83 · January 19, 2008, 07:22 PM

Given that you shoot well with the Glock but not the Cougar, I'd assume the sights on the Cougar are a bit FUBAR.

As I've never had to monkey with the sights on a pistol, I couldn't even begin to tell you how to fix 'em, but I bet there's a FAQ SOMEWHERE on the internet - or you could always take it to a gunsmith (could be pricey tho).

MikeGoob · January 19, 2008, 07:26 PM

can the sights be adjusted vertically? L and R i can see by moving the rear sight...

as a note: The Cougar does have a bit of a stiffer recoil, probably from the springs being so new? If its user error and not the sights it could perhaps be this?

ShipWreck · January 19, 2008, 10:14 PM

Have someone else try the gun and also try shooting it while resting the gun on sandbags. I would bet money that the sights are fine - but it is U.

You are used to the Glock trigger, and are pulling the gun when firing it.

obxned · January 19, 2008, 10:38 PM

Two different trigger systems - could be that you are pulling it off target unknowingly. Have independent person shoot it, or fire it off a rest with your weak hand.

Sgt.Fathead · January 19, 2008, 11:16 PM

Bought the wife a Stoeger Cougar in .40 and sold it within six months not because she disliked it so much as she like the Ruger P94 a bit better. I wound up doing most of the shooting with it and breaking it in was very valuable! After the first 800 or so rounds and a thorough cleaning, it started to fire a lot smoother, shoot and group better. Might just need some break in time!

Donovan655 · January 20, 2008, 02:21 AM

My Cougar was low and to the right as well. however the groupings were ridiculously tight.

I think it is a different sighting system that is messing with you. I ditched my cougar because i really wanted a ruger p90.

softmentor · January 20, 2008, 03:31 AM

I'm wondering if the site is designed to cover the target rather than "lollipop" with the target sitting on top of the front site.

monadh · January 20, 2008, 04:04 AM

I have spent most of my time shooting a Kimber or my HK USP, so when I started shooting thr Stoeger I was understandably (for me) off. Once I got used to the feel of the pistol and how it shot, I became much better at it. I find the pistol to be very accurate, but different in ever way from what I had been shooting. Give it some time.

ShootingNut · January 20, 2008, 08:02 AM

I have the same gun, and agree with comments from other posters. The gun
as others, takes time to wear in and smooth out, trigger becomes better at the same time you become used to it.
Hang in there, you will shoot fine and love the Cougar!

SN

ShipWreck · January 20, 2008, 10:24 AM

Quote:

I'm wondering if the site is designed to cover the target rather than "lollipop" with the target sitting on top of the front site.

Yes - that is how I shoot all of the handguns I own. I cover the target with the white dot. Try that.

MikeGoob · January 20, 2008, 11:04 AM

thanks for all the input.

If it is my hand, what exercises can fix it?

Ozzieman · January 20, 2008, 02:27 PM

I have owned my Beretta Cougar 9mm, now for since they first came on the market.(forgot the date) It too shot low and still shoots low by about 4 inches at 7 yards. I could do something about it but since it still hits in the zone that will do the most damage and its as some one else said “ridiculously tight” I don’t want to do any thing with it.
I would take others suggestion and have some one else fire the gun.
The left/right is ease to fix since the rear sight is can be moved within the grove but warning, if you haven’t done it or have little experience with working with guns don’t try it your self. Find a GOOD gun smith and have him show you the first time and the proper tools.
Good luck.

MikeGoob · January 29, 2008, 01:17 AM

Just an update:

A friend who knows a lot more about shooting took me to the range last weekend and--surprise the gun is just fine!

I was making a lot of mistakes probably due to the stiffer than normal recoil. I put almost 500rds through it and its a LOT sweeter. Im shooting it really nice now and thankfully, learning HOW to shoot it well is the best solution.

ShipWreck · January 29, 2008, 01:06 PM

Told ya! Glad to hear it!

NCHornet · January 29, 2008, 01:10 PM

Glad to hear it. I had the same problem when I first bought my Glock. Some guns just require different types of grip and sighting, but glad you got it worked out.
NCH

ShipWreck · January 29, 2008, 10:29 PM

My USPc took a lot of work to not shoot low w/, and I didn't have this issue with any other gun. But with practice, I improved!

January 19, 2008, 07:12 PM	#1
MikeGoob Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2006 Posts: 876	Aiming problems new Cougar My first auto pistol was a Glock19 and considering my novice gun experience I was pretty darn accurate with it. I wanted a different kind of 9mm so I got a Stoegar Cougar for a great price new. This one is a completely different story. Im consistently shooting low and sometimes to the right. Can the sights be off? It seems unlikely that I would shoot low on a rotating barrel mechanism rather than a dipping barrel like the Glock? Any ideas on how to correct it?

January 19, 2008, 11:16 PM	#6
Sgt.Fathead Junior member Join Date: March 3, 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 1,637	Breaking It In Bought the wife a Stoeger Cougar in .40 and sold it within six months not because she disliked it so much as she like the Ruger P94 a bit better. I wound up doing most of the shooting with it and breaking it in was very valuable! After the first 800 or so rounds and a thorough cleaning, it started to fire a lot smoother, shoot and group better. Might just need some break in time!

January 20, 2008, 04:04 AM	#9
monadh Junior Member Join Date: January 13, 2008 Posts: 9	My experience with Stoeger I have spent most of my time shooting a Kimber or my HK USP, so when I started shooting thr Stoeger I was understandably (for me) off. Once I got used to the feel of the pistol and how it shot, I became much better at it. I find the pistol to be very accurate, but different in ever way from what I had been shooting. Give it some time.

January 20, 2008, 08:02 AM	#10
ShootingNut Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,475	Just Takes Time I have the same gun, and agree with comments from other posters. The gun as others, takes time to wear in and smooth out, trigger becomes better at the same time you become used to it. Hang in there, you will shoot fine and love the Cougar! SN

January 19, 2008, 07:22 PM	#2
kfsps83 Junior Member Join Date: January 19, 2008 Posts: 3	Given that you shoot well with the Glock but not the Cougar, I'd assume the sights on the Cougar are a bit FUBAR. As I've never had to monkey with the sights on a pistol, I couldn't even begin to tell you how to fix 'em, but I bet there's a FAQ SOMEWHERE on the internet - or you could always take it to a gunsmith (could be pricey tho).

January 19, 2008, 07:26 PM	#3
MikeGoob Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2006 Posts: 876	can the sights be adjusted vertically? L and R i can see by moving the rear sight... as a note: The Cougar does have a bit of a stiffer recoil, probably from the springs being so new? If its user error and not the sights it could perhaps be this?

January 19, 2008, 10:14 PM	#4
ShipWreck Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 1,744	Have someone else try the gun and also try shooting it while resting the gun on sandbags. I would bet money that the sights are fine - but it is U. You are used to the Glock trigger, and are pulling the gun when firing it.

January 19, 2008, 10:38 PM	#5
obxned Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2007 Location: OBX, NC Posts: 1,128	Two different trigger systems - could be that you are pulling it off target unknowingly. Have independent person shoot it, or fire it off a rest with your weak hand.

January 20, 2008, 02:21 AM	#7
Donovan655 Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2006 Posts: 138	My Cougar was low and to the right as well. however the groupings were ridiculously tight. I think it is a different sighting system that is messing with you. I ditched my cougar because i really wanted a ruger p90.

January 20, 2008, 03:31 AM	#8
softmentor Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2007 Posts: 233	I'm wondering if the site is designed to cover the target rather than "lollipop" with the target sitting on top of the front site.

January 20, 2008, 11:04 AM	#12
MikeGoob Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2006 Posts: 876	thanks for all the input. If it is my hand, what exercises can fix it?

January 20, 2008, 02:27 PM	#13
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 6,117	I have owned my Beretta Cougar 9mm, now for since they first came on the market.(forgot the date) It too shot low and still shoots low by about 4 inches at 7 yards. I could do something about it but since it still hits in the zone that will do the most damage and its as some one else said “ridiculously tight” I don’t want to do any thing with it. I would take others suggestion and have some one else fire the gun. The left/right is ease to fix since the rear sight is can be moved within the grove but warning, if you haven’t done it or have little experience with working with guns don’t try it your self. Find a GOOD gun smith and have him show you the first time and the proper tools. Good luck.

January 29, 2008, 01:17 AM	#14
MikeGoob Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2006 Posts: 876	Just an update: A friend who knows a lot more about shooting took me to the range last weekend and--surprise the gun is just fine! I was making a lot of mistakes probably due to the stiffer than normal recoil. I put almost 500rds through it and its a LOT sweeter. Im shooting it really nice now and thankfully, learning HOW to shoot it well is the best solution.

January 29, 2008, 01:06 PM	#15
ShipWreck Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 1,744	Told ya! Glad to hear it!

January 29, 2008, 01:10 PM	#16
NCHornet Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2006 Posts: 1,001	Glad to hear it. I had the same problem when I first bought my Glock. Some guns just require different types of grip and sighting, but glad you got it worked out. NCH

January 29, 2008, 10:29 PM	#17
ShipWreck Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 1,744	My USPc took a lot of work to not shoot low w/, and I didn't have this issue with any other gun. But with practice, I improved!