Beretta 8000

Infobox Weapon
name= Beretta 8000 Cougar


caption=
origin=flagcountry|Italy
type=Semi-automatic pistol
is_ranged=yes
service=
used_by=
wars=
designer=
design_date=
manufacturer=Beretta
production_date=
number=
variants=
weight=

• 900 – 925 g
• 800 g ("8000L")
• 850 g ("8000L Type P")
  length=
  • 180 mm (7 in)
  • 183 mm (7.2 in) ("8045")
  
  part_length=
  • 92 mm (3.6 in)
  • 94 mm (3.7 in) ("8045")
  
  crew=
  caliber=
  • 9 x 19 mm ("8000")
  • .357 SIG ("8357")
  • .40 S&W ("8040")
  • .45 ACP ("8045")
  
  action= Recoil operated (locked breech)
  rate=
  velocity=
  range=
  max_range=
  feed=
  • ("8000") 15-round magazine
  • ("8000L") 13-round magazine
  • ("8357/8040") 11-round magazine
  • ("8045") 8-round magazine
  
  sights= Iron sights

  The Beretta 8000 (Cougar) series pistols are manufacted by Beretta of Italy.

  They first appeared on the market in 1994 as a more compact alternative to the full-sized Beretta 92 service pistol in order to offer a compromise between concealability, ease of carry, accuracy and firepower.

  It was originally developed for the .40S&W cartridge, which was a new cartridge at the time. It was later also manufactured for other calibers, such as 9 x 19 mm, .357 SIG and .45 ACP. These pistols are suitable for use by police and for civilian self-defense. [ [http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg08-e.htm Modern Firearms – Beretta 8000 Cougar pistol] ]

  Description

  Cougar 8000 series pistols are recoil operated, locked breech semi-automatic pistols. These pistols use relatively rare rotating barrel locking system, in which the barrel rotates on recoil to unlock itself from the slide. The rotating motion of the barrel is controlled by the stud on its bottom, which follows the cam track in the steel frame insert. To decrease peak recoil and stress to the frame, the insert is mounted on the recoil spring and is buffered. The frame is made from lightweight aluminum alloy. The basic version of the Cougar pistol is the F model, with double action trigger with exposed hammer, and ambidextrous safety/decocker levers, located on the slide. Alternative is D version, which is double action only, and thus have spurless hammer and no safety/decocker levers. Cougar pistols use double-stack magazines in 9 mm, .357 SIG and .40 caliber models, and single stack magazines in .45 caliber models.

  Variants

  The 8000 series is available in several calibers and in either "F", "G" or "D" configuration.

  Calibers

  *8000: 9 x 19 mm, 15-round magazine capacity
  *8000L: 9 x 19 mm, lighter, more compact, 13-round magazine capacity
  *8000L Type P: 9 x 19 mm, lighter, more compact, 15-round magazine capacity
  *8357: .357 SIG, 11-round magazine capacity
  *8040: .40 S&W, 10-round magazine capacity
  *8045: .45 ACP, 8-round magazine capacity

  F configuration

  The F specification is the basic version with double action trigger, exposed hammer, and ambidextrous safety/decocking levers (located on the slide).

  D configuration

  The D specification is double action only ("DAO") with a spurless hammer and no safety/decocking levers.

  G configuration

  The G specification is a DA/SA variant with a "decock" only feature. It features an exposed hammer with ambidextrous decocking levers (on the slide). There is no safety on this model.

  Mini Cougar

  The 8000, 8040 and 8045 are available in a Mini variant weighing 140 g less than the respective models and with a grip that is 25 mm shorter. The slide and barrel are the same length as the full size pistols. This variant is available in the "D" and "F" configurations.

  Inox

  Some models are available as an Inox version which has a stainless steel slide, barrel and other components.

  8045 Cougar

  The 8045 Beretta Cougar was produced between 1998-2004 in the D and F configuration. A Mini 8045 Cougar was also produced in the same configurations. No factory 8045 Cougars were produced in the "G" configuration.

  8045 Cat Pack

  In 1999, Beretta USA offered 2000 special edition kits to accompany the 8045F Cougar. Accompanying the basic 8045F was a kit comprised of a special edition case, lapel pin and charcoal laminate grips with inlaid cougar medallions. Several kits were sold but the number of kits is unconfirmed. With 2000 units initially projected, it is believed the total number sold to be far less than that. There is no specific serial number run for these as the kits were sold with the standard pistol as they were ordered. Typically, the Cat Pak cougars had a date code of BM for 1999. 8045 Cat Pak pistols are listed as such in Beretta USA records but it's unclear if all kits had that code since some were sold separately (did not include the pistol). The pistol comes in the 8045F model which is a double/single action type pistol. Standard white dot sights and factory black plastic grips are standard with the "Pak" consisting of the case, wood grips and pin. These models are becoming increasingly rare and value is estimated in the $650-$800 range depending on condition.

  8045 LAPD

  Beretta USA had made an 8045F for the Los Angeles Police Department. One requirement of the LAPD using these firearms was the use of a 4" barrel. There were a limited number of these longer barrels produced to meet this need. Some barrels were shipped to the LAPD to be added and some were shipped direct from the factory assembled in the pistols. However, BUSA had offered these barrels for sale to Military/LEO only for $198 for a brief period. Some of these pistols were converted to a "G" model (decock only) by various agencies but were not offered in this configuration from Beretta USA.

  Stoeger Cougar

  Marketing and distribution of the Cougar has been transferred to Stoeger Industries, a subsidiary of Beretta. [ [http://www.gun-tests.com/issues/20_7/features/Midsize-Semiautomatic-Pistols5623-1.html "9mm Semi Shootout: DA or SA? We Like Stoeger’s Cougar 8000", "Gun Tests", July 2008] ] The firearms are made in Turkey, using Beretta factory tooling. Stoeger now produces Cougars in 9x19mm and .40 S&W. Only the full size models are being produced, with no current plans for a Mini Stoeger Cougar.

  References

  External links

  * [http://www.stoegerindustries.com/firearms/stoeger_cougar.php Stoeger Cougar official website]