Beretta 8000
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Beretta 8000 Cougar | |
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| Type | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin | Italy |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Beretta |
| Specifications | |
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| Action | Recoil operated (locked breech) |
| Feed system |
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| 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.
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[edit] Description
Cougar 8000 series pistols are recoil operated, locked breech semiautomatic 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 and .40 caliber models, and single stack magazines in .45 caliber models.
[edit] Variants
The 8000 series is available in several calibers and in either "F", "G" or "D" configuration.
[edit] 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, 11-round magazine capacity
- 8045: .45 ACP, 8-round magazine capacity
[edit] F configuration
The F specification is the basic version with double action trigger, exposed hammer, and ambidextrous safety/decocking levers (located on the slide).
[edit] D configuration
The D specification is double action only ("DAO") with a spurless hammer and no safety/decocking levers.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Mini Cougar
The 8000, 8040 and 8045 are available in a Mini variant weighing 140 g less than the respective models and with a barrel that is 25 mm shorter. This variant is only available in the F configuration.
[edit] Inox
Some models are available as an Inox version which has a stainless steel slide, barrel and other components.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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 it was recorded for all kits since some were sold seperately (did not include the pistol)
[edit] 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. It's unclear if the barrels were shipped to the LAPD to be added or if they were shipped form 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.
