Beretta 8357 Cougar F
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The Beretta 8357 Cougar F is a semi-automatic pistol designed and manufactured by Beretta.
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History
First appearing in 1994, the Beretta 8357 Cougar F is a first generation Cougar, based on the Beretta 8040 Cougar F. It uses a rotating barrel lockup that allows for a straight recoiling barrel which enhances accuracy and reliability. It fires the potent .357 SIG ammunition which is popular with US Highway Patrol units. The .357 SIG can't be fired out of a Beretta 96, because its locking block system would be to weak, the Cougar's rotating lockup is strong enough however.
Specifications
The Beretta Cougar was designed for law enforcement and self defense use. The frame is made out of aluminium alloy. The barrel bore is hard chromed for reduced wear and ease of maintenance. The slide is made out of carbon steel.
Intended market
The Beretta 8357 Cougar F is a service pistol designed for law enforcement and the US concealed carry market. The fact that it uses the potent .357 SIG cartridge makes it ideal for US Highway Patrol units, as its bullets can easily penetrate vehicles.
Design advantages
The combination of front barrel bushing plus straight recoiling barrel enables the Cougar to achieve good accuracy out of a compact package. Like the Beretta 96, Cougar Fs are fitted with a decoking safety, that disables the trigger and makes the pistol safe to handle, clean and carry. The Cougar series closed slide provides better protection from dust and dirt compared to a Beretta 96 series. The rotating barrel lockup reduces the recoil to a surprisingly low level and is very strong. Overall the Cougars are very reliable pistols.
Limitations
The Cougar series is not as capable at feeding different types of ammunition then the Beretta 96 series. The Cougar disassembly is somewhat more complex than the disassembly of a Beretta 96 series. The Cougars do not use Beretta 96 series magazines, which makes them less attractive to those that already own Beretta 96s. The closed slide does not enable the barrel to cool down as quickly as on a Beretta 96. The Cougars are heavy for their size.
Technical data
- Type: Beretta 8357 Cougar F
- Trigger system: Single-action or double-action
- Caliber: .357 SIG
- Capacity: 10-11 rounds depending on magazine
- Frame material: Aluminium light alloy
- Slide and barrel material: Carbon steel
- Grip material: Plastic
- Barrel length: 92 mm
- Length: 180 mm
- Height: 140 mm
- Width: 38 mm
- Mass: 920 g
- Safeties: Slide mounted combined safety and decocking levers. Loaded chamber indicator. Firing-pin safety. Slide retention device.
- Magazine release: Lower trigger guard.
- Production years: 1994 - present day.
- Production locations: Beretta Italy
See also
External links
- View of the Beretta 8000 Cougars (http://www.beretta.com/frame_tabellaprodotti_2002.asp?sgmt=21&Model=Cougar#)