Need opinion on choice of new handgun

[Bennett]

I am thinking of getting a new handgun and need feedback on the following
Beretta 9000
Beretta Cougar
Ruger P series
I am thinking of 40s&w,
advise/opinions, please

[Topkicker]

Last new gun I bought was a Ruger P944 at Cabelas in St Lewis. Its a "special edition" model. It came w Hogue finger groove grips,2 tone(grey frame w black slide) and stainless barel. If u go to Ruger's web site,click on "P series" and then click on "distributor exclusives" to view the gun. It was $469. The gun is a little on the heavy side but has a light,crisp DA trigger and is built like a tank. I was dead set on buying a M&P 40 but came home w the Ruger. Nice gun w a nice price.

[Kyo]

+1 for the P series. mine's not a .40, its a 45. I know my gf's uncle bought a used p944 in the .40 caliber. didn't clean it for 7 years. told me it never gave him an issue of any sort ever.

[oldandslow]

bennett, 12/24/09

I have a Beretta mini-cougar in .45, but not the .40 you are interested in. It has a rotating barrel instead of the tilt-up barrel like most auto pistols. It is light, accurate, reliable and safe. I have about a thousand rounds through mine and am pleased with it. It you choose a Cougar I think you will be satisfied.

Merry Christmas- oldandslow

[lee n. field]

I am thinking of 40s&w,

Tons of options. What's your budget, and what exact niche will this fill?

[KyJim]

You need to set some parameters to narrow down your list of possibles. You've narrowed it down to .40 SW so that's the first step. Next, consider:

1. Purpose -- Home defense, carry, plinking, or all of these. The purpose impacts on size of gun, weight, double or single stack, etc.

2. Budget.

3. Steel or polymer.

4. Single action only, traditional double action, DAO only (mechanical or striker)

Then you need to absolutely handle the guns on your short list even if you can't shoot them. There are some fine, functional firearms out there that I just wouldn't buy if given a choice because they just don't feel right for one reason or another.

[wbw]

You could get a Stoeger Cougar (essentially a Beretta) new for around $400. Beretta doesn't make them any more. I got one in nine a few weeks ago and am impressed (they make it in 40 also). I've only got 100 rounds through it but there were no problems. I am more accurate with it than I am with my XDm. Barrel is 3.6 inches and rotates instead of tilting. Metal frame.

[Bennett]

Thanks for all good input.
WBW: that Cougar looks really nice, That may end uo as my choice,
I have an FN P9 that has a great trigger, how is the trigger on the Cougar?

[GONIF]

Wouldn't buy any of those you listed.

[Bennett]

Gonif: What would you recommend?

[wbw]

The DA pull is pretty heavy. SA is heavier than I like but it's fairly crisp. There is a spring from a DA only Beretta Cougar that is supposed to lighten up both DA and SA. I haven't gotten a chance to get one yet. It's from the 'D' model of Cougar so it's refered to as the 'D' spring. Only costs a few bucks. I'm going to do it after Christmas. I like the trigger, it's just heavier than I like right now.

It really is a nice pistol. I got mine from Bass Pro. Price was $419 but if you open a BP credit card you get 10% off of first purchase, which I did. I don't think you can beat the value.

Here is another pic showing that the barrel doesn't tilt when the slide goes back. I kind of like that it's a little different than what most everyone one else has.

[NJgunowner]

I've turned into a sig guy myself, but check out the IWI Jerico line. (distributed by Charles Daly now, used to be sold by Desert eagle and called the baby eagle)

Great ergonomics, fires nice.

Don't rule out a good used CZ 75 (or cz anything) or sig.

[azredhawk44]

Three fugly guns, none used as an issue weapon by a police department, law enforcement agency or military of note.

Of the three, the only one I'd even consider would be the 9000, since it has a frame mounted safety rather than a slide mounted one.

I wouldn't spend anything near 1/2 MSRP on any particular one of your choices, though.

[mnhntr]

Wouldn't buy any of those you listed.

Three fugly guns, none used as an issue weapon by a police department, law enforcement agency or military of note.

Of the three, the only one I'd even consider would be the 9000, since it has a frame mounted safety rather than a slide mounted one.

I wouldn't spend anything near 1/2 MSRP on any particular one of your choices, though.

I second both of these sentiments. I would look at an FNP in 9mm or 40. which is similar but better quality than the pistols you mentioned.

[dondavis3]

You might look at a Springfield XDm or a Baretta P4X

[Bennett]

I have considered an FN P 40 but have not seen any for sale on the boards.

[mnhntr]

I have considered an FN P 40 but have not seen any for sale on the boards.

that should tell you somthing if people are not getting rid of them. Check gunbroker.

[Bigjim3]

Busby, has a beretta 9000 .40 two mags for sale in the buy sale trade handgun section. Hes a great guy to deal with also. Check it out. They are great little guns for CCW.

[ttheel]

I would not rule out a Glock or Sig. Glock is the most used firearm in Law enforcement circles today and Sigs still are used in alot of agencies. I think that speaks to the quality and dependability of both. I tend to be a Sig guy myself but I just recommended a Glock to my brother the other day. His wife went out and bought it for him for Christmas afterwards. Really there are alot of good quality guns out there to choose from. I would recommend going to a gun shop that has a range and handle and fire a few weapons if you can. What feels good in ones hand may not feel good in anothers.

[wbw]

Apparently the Cougar doesn't cost enough to be a quality gun.