Cougar vs. Thunder

[WoodLark]

I am considering buying a new 9mm carry gun. I have narrowed the possibilities down to two:

Stoeger Cougar 8000
Bersa Thunder 9 Ultra-Carry

Both guns have all the features I am looking for and both seem to be liked by their owners and are at about the same price point.

I would like to hear from anyone who has shot both:

How did they fit your hand?
Did they seem to naturally come on to target?
How was the trigger pull (both DA and SA)?
How was the perceived recoil?
Did you have any FTF or FTE problems (did they improve as the gun broke in)?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[sui-juris]

That'd be a nice little "vs" battle. Both seem like good guns.

[mavrik46]

I can only speak for the Cougar. I carry a 1911 99% of the time, but I keep the Cougar under my truck seat. It's definatelly a shooter.

[Krmnnghia]

I have the Bersa/Firestorm Mini 9 and absolutely love it. It is of course DA which I love, nice and small without being "kel-tec small", and very easy to shoot. My wife shot it for the first time which was only her 3 time shooting a pistol and had all shots in the rings and 3 bullseyes. This was actually better than my first magazine with the gun. Bersa's, no matter what model are usually an excellent gun for the money. I have yet to have a failure of any type(600 rounds) which is actually frustrating as I would like to show my wife how to clear different jams. Maybe I should go buy a HI-point for that. Good Luck!

[firestarplus]

I have read a few excellent reviews in magazines about the Cougar and after handling one (it fits my hand really well) I will eventually own one. I find the Bersa's interesting but know very little about them.

[EnglishChannel]

I have no shooting experience with the Bersa, but the Cougar that I have is very accurate and easy to shoot.

Problem is that the Cougar is blocky. I think too much so for concealed carry.

That is where the Bersa may be the better choice.

[WoodLark]

I made my decision this morning.

From what I can tell, both the Stoeger and Bersa are excellent guns and I would probably have gotten good service from either. However, I had to choose one. Here is why I chose the way I did:

The Stoeger might have an edge in accuracy because of the rotating barrel lock up system, but this will be a carry gun, not a range competition gun.

The Stoeger has a 1 year (3 if you return the warranty card) warranty. The Bersa has a lifetime warranty.

The Bersa has the same identical controls as my Thunder .45UC (less chance for confusion). The safety on the Stoeger works in the opposite direction ( down = safe, up=fire).

The Bersa will fit the holsters I already have for the .45UC. The Stoeger MAY require all new holsters (I don't know).

All things considered, the operation of the safety was probably the deciding factor. As a result, I ordered a new Bersa Thunder 9 UC and a total of four mags this morning from Bud's Gun Shop.

[Cakewalk]

...I would like to show my wife how to clear different jams. Maybe I should go buy a HI-point for that.

My friend has a Hi Point 9mm. Ugly as sin, but accurate as all get out and only one jam in some 2000 rounds.