Academy handguns on sale January 30 - February 5, 2011.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

http://www.academy.com/index.php?page=c ... ad&pgNum=8

The above link is this week's page of Academy handguns on sale.

Taurus PT22 - Here's a mouse gun for someone. $229.99.

Ruger LCP w/ 2 mags and hard case. $329.99.

Taurus 609B Compact Handgun. 13 + 1 rounds of 9MM.
The "B" in the model simply signifies that it is a "blued" model.
Can anyone out there tell me the difference between a Taurus PT-111
and the 609? The PT-111 is 12 + 1 in 9MM and the 609 is 13 + 1 in 9MM,
but otherwise they seem to be very similar.

Cougar Bruniton "4 Mag" 9MM handgun. The capacity is 15 + 1. $379.99.
The Bruniton is a style of finish on the gun.

http://www.stoegerindustries.com/firear ... cougar.php

The above link goes to the Stoeger Cougar page. In the upper left corner there
is a somewhat smallish link to a nice 1:27 long video. The guns are available in
all black and a couple of various bi-tones.

Note in the ad that the model number given is "31713", but the website does not
reference any of the 3 nine MM pistols with that number.

Another discrepancy is that the ad states "4 Mag" but the website indicates that only
2 mags come with each pistola.

Even the list prices seem very affordable for Stoegers, which are felt by some to be
the equivalent of their corporate brethren - Berettas.

Happy shopping shootists. Feel free to comment on any or all of the above sale handguns.

SIA

[cougartex]

Note in the ad that the model number given is "31713", but the website does not
reference any of the 3 nine MM pistols with that number.

Another discrepancy is that the ad states "4 Mag" but the website indicates that only
2 mags come with each pistola.

Even the list prices seem very affordable for Stoegers, which are felt by some to be
the equivalent of their corporate brethren - Berettas.

Model number 31713 is correct, it does come with 4 magazines, I purchased this Stoeger Cougar from Academy in Sept. 2010.

Stoeger Industries is a subsidiary of Beretta. The Stoeger Cougars are made in Turkey using the same machinery that Beretta used to make the original Cougars. It is every bit the quality of the Beretta. The Stoeger 8000 in 9mm is identical to the Beretta Cougar L Type P (Cougar L slide, lighter barrel and beveled slide, but with a full-length magazine). The Cougar is a great gun for the money.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

cougartex:

Thanks for the info re: the stock number.

Why do you think they don't post this on their website?

Maybe it's an "Academy only" special stock number, due to the 4 mags?

How do you like your Cougar?

SIA

[cougartex]

SIA:

A friend of mine purchased a Cougar from Academy in January of 2010 and the model number on the outside of the box was #31700 and it came with two magazines. Mine was purchased in September of 2010 with model # 31713 and has the four magazines. It could be an Academy exclusive, not sure.

When the silver slide & black frame and silver slide & silver frame models first came out, they were exclusively sold at Cabelas.

I really enjoy the Cougar. Very soft recoil, great grip, easy to field strip, very accurate. The Beretta Cougar 8000L (compact model has about 1/2 inch shorter grip) is my favorite Beretta. Stoeger has just announced the Cougar Compact will soon be out.

The Stoeger Cougars are available in 9mm, .40S&W, and .45ACP (with rail).

[e-bil]

From the picture, the Taurus 609 has a slot under the barrel for a light/laser. The PT's don jot have that with the exception of the 145. Plus the extra capacity as you already mentioned. That's definately a feature I wish my 140 has. Everything else looks to be the same.

[O6nop]

I went by Academy ready to buy the Stoeger Cougar. The counter guy didn't know much about the sale, especially the 4 included mags, tho. When I handled it, it felt great but I had to pass because my hand was just a bit on the small side, I guess, because with my shooting grip, I couldn't press the mag release without repositioning my hand. I could get my thumb on the release but couldn't apply the necessary inward force. Disappointment. I tried a few other guns but ended up going home empty handed. Guess I'll stick with my 1911s. I'll keep my eyes out for some other good deal, would just like to have a handgun with a capacity in the teens.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

cougartex:

Thanks for the Cougar comments.

You list your location as "Golden Triangle".

Being a North Texas resident, I'm not aware of what
cities make up the "Golden Triangle". Do tell. :-)

SIA

[cougartex]

SIA:

Golden Triangle = Port Arthur, Beaumont, Orange

On a map if you draw a line from Port Arthur to Beaumont to Orange back to Port Arthur it looks like a triangle.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

cougartex:

Thanks for the quick geography update.

In 1987, when I was still living in Mass, I worked with a gal
who lived in Orange, TX for a few years. She told me an interesting
story that there was a white guy there who was beating his wife
like a rented mule, on an ongoing basis.

She said that the local KKK paid him a visit and beat HIM like a rented
mule, and told him to stop beating his wife.

It sounded rather amazing, but that's what she told me.

SIA

[garcia946]

I see that they have the NANO Vault 100 on sale for $20 if someone wanted that

[CompVest]

I went by Academy ready to buy the Stoeger Cougar. The counter guy didn't know much about the sale, especially the 4 included mags, tho. When I handled it, it felt great but I had to pass because my hand was just a bit on the small side, I guess, because with my shooting grip, I couldn't press the mag release without repositioning my hand. I could get my thumb on the release but couldn't apply the necessary inward force. Disappointment. I tried a few other guns but ended up going home empty handed. Guess I'll stick with my 1911s. I'll keep my eyes out for some other good deal, would just like to have a handgun with a capacity in the teens.

If it has an ambi mag release you can use your trigger finger or middle finger to release the mag. This is what I do and it is very fast and very efficient. I have all of my semi-auto set up with the mag release on the right side of the gun. Otherwise I use the thumb of my left hand to release the mag.

[Springbike]

You also might wat to look at the Bersa Thunder UC. Ambi clip release and ambi safety. For a double stack it is remarkably compact.

[O6nop]

That one Cougar at Academy didn't have an ambi release.
I will look at the Bersas. Never really gave them that much thought, they are more familiar for their .380 and didn't think much about the other calibers they offer. I have heard good things about them.

[cougartex]

The Stoeger Cougar has a reversible magazine release button.

[e-bil]

My wife has a Bersa thunder in 9mm. She's a lefty so its good for both of us having the safety on both sides. It's a nice shooter and the only complaint I would have with it is the safety is also a decocker so no cocked and locked carrying. She loves it. Momma's happy so we're all happy...