Beretta Cougar 40. S&W | 8040 D | Review and Takedown

The Beretta Cougar 8040 in the D configuration is a finely made firearm that is mediocre at best. This video goes over my experience shooting this gun, and it’s disassembly and reassembly. The pistol holds its self back and has nailed its own coffin shut by not delivering what it could have delivered. An improved trigger system with lighter trigger pull, short trigger reset, and higher magazine capacity would have elevated this firearm to legendary stature. It would likely still be in manufacture today. The frame is strong enough for .357 Sig, the balance is brilliant, and the quality of build is top tier. It’s disassembly is simple. Because it never really gained popularity, it did not remain in production and is relegated to the used pistol market. After-market accessories are extremely limited. This could have been one of the great guns in modern history. It misses becoming a masterpiece from shear stupidity. The trigger is nearly as poor as the manufacturing quality is exceptional. A tactical rail on frame that was standard on every gun would have also been a welcome addition. The PX4 Storm family of pistols are the polymer replacement/offspring of the Cougar. I have not used one of these pistols, but if they have fixed the trigger and maintained the beautiful tooling and slickness of the gun, they may have a winner. Their full size .40 cal version magazine capacity is only 14 though. If they just made it 15 or even 16 standard, and they fixed the trigger, this could be a Glock 22 killer. I have debated purchasing a PX4 Storm. I just don’t dare risk such a purchase. It is tempting, but I don’t need another mediocre pistol. I already have a Cougar. These are 11 round magazines technically, but the last round is so difficult to add, that I have grown accustomed to only using 10 rounds in them. This pistol is frustrating because it is so close to being a masterpiece, that it’s failures are even more bitter and poignant. There are so many great pistols available, why buy a fixer upper that has limited aftermarket accessories and is limited in nearly every way. If you can get a killer deal on one of these, go for it. You won’t regret it if your expectations are realistic. The final test of a gun, after reliability, this gun is exceptional at being reliable, is if it delivers accurate, consistent shots on target with ease. This gun fails in this aspect. The trigger requires so much practice and effort to master that it destroys all other good qualities. For a full size pistol, it’s magazine capacity in .40 is ludicrous. In the end, the bullet is the one thing that matters. If it doesn’t end up on target, precisely, and if all it’s friends don’t end up joining it speedily, then it doesn’t matter how much you saved or how much you spent on the gun that shot it.