Guns 2011-02.pdf - Jeffersonian

Cougar
Maker: Stoeger Industries
17603 Indian Head Hwy
Accokeek, MD 20607
(800) 264-4962
Caliber:
.45 ACP (tested, 9mm, .40 S&W)
Capacity:
8+1
Barrel Length:
3.7", chrome lined
Material:
Stainless steel slide, aluminum frame
Overall Length:
7"
Finish:
Black Bruniton slide, anodized frame
Weight:
32.6 ounces
Sights:
Fixed 3 dot
Price:
$499
around for over a century and, in
the Stoeger Cougar, is very well
engineered. An angled slot on the
underside of the barrel mates with
a cam in the steel action block. The
barrel remains aligned with the slide,
its rotation abating some of the recoil
impulse, which is largely absorbed
by the breechblock instead of the
alloy frame. The rotating barrel and
related aspects of the design facilitates
manufacture of the pistol in different
calibers and are likely compatible with
the extended service life claimed in the
promotional material.
The .45 has the wide body magazine
of the same dimensions as the 9mm
and .40 S&W. The smaller calibers
boast enhanced magazine capacity
due to staggered loading. The .45,
on the other hand, while appearing
wide-bodied is actually a single stack
and holds 8 rounds. Dismounting the
pistol for cleaning is, like the Model
92, quite easy, as is reassembly,
however, be aware it is very easy to
feed the spring/guide rod assembly
backwards into the action block, and
then wonder why the thing will not go
back together.
Shooting
The helical barrel and its recoil
characteristics are credited with a
reduction in perceived recoil. The
very favorable grip shape may actually
play the major role but whatever
cheerful synergy is in place, recoil is
exceedingly soft even when shooting
the +P CorBon loads from the
bench. Testers frequently posit that
the rotating barrel has a noticeable
influence on torque during recoil.
Some say it moderates or eliminates it
and others say it makes it perceptibly
more pronounced.
In shooting the sample .45, I noted
Viridian Green Laser C5L
The Stoeger Cougar in .45 ACP
is the first of the 8000 series to
incorporate the Picatinny Accessory
rail. Its advent on the market
coincides with the ultra compact
Viridian C5L Laser light—a multimode
programmable combination of
green laser target designator and a
100-lumen LED white light. The C5L
seems tailor-made for the compact
Cougar. The C5L supercedes the
larger X5 series and, in addition to
substantially reduced size, it features
simplified operation and a battery
compartment accessible without
removing the unit from the weapon.
Activation and programming are
all accomplished by manipulation
of the single, large button on either
side of the body of the sight. The
buttons primarily function as an
ambidextrous on/off switch and,
with ideal mounting, is just in front
of the triggerguard and reachable
by either trigger finger. Depressing
both buttons simultaneously moves
the laser and flashlight from one
operating mode to the next allowing
selection ranging from laser or
The “R1 Rail Set” is generally used for the
Springfield XD and the S&W M&P and also fits
the Stoeger Cougar. R2 fits the Glock with rails
or the standard Picatinny. R3 is designated for
“most Taurus Models.” The CR2 battery is rated
for 4 hours with the strobe option extending it
past 7. The steady laser beam is considered the
most intense and works well for bright daylight
25-yard sight-in. Setting the laser on strobe in
bright daylight seemed to enhance visibility.
The 2.1-ounce C5L mounted to the Stoeger
8045 Cougar. The package is a prime choice
for home defense. The accessory kit contains
three universal rail sets and all the tools needed
for mounting and sighting in the unit. The onswitch,
ideally mounted, is activated by the
right or left trigger finger without shifting the
grip. The buttons working together govern all of
the program modes for the unit.
C5L Green Laser
Maker: Viridian
Green Laser Sights
5929 Baker RD, Suite 440
Minnetonka, MN 55345
(800) 990-9390
Type:
Laser, with constant or strobe and
white light
Battery:
1 CR2, 3V Lithium
Battery life:
4 hours (steady), 7 hours (strobe)
Weight:
2.1 ounces
Price:
$357
flashlight only, to both units on and
can set either or both features on
strobe. Depressing the buttons for
three seconds accesses the “deep
programming” mode and allows
adjustment of the pulse rates and
the intensity of the lumen output.
The last selected mode of operation
becomes the default activated
automatically when the shooter
presses the “on” button.
In subdued lighting, the C5L with
both lamps set to strobe bids fair to
fill any miscreant downrange of the
display with a special sick feeling
of dread. The green laser projects a
visible needle beam through the dust
and pollen and the 100-lumen light
is strong enough to dazzle. Shooting
under the most adverse of bright
daylight conditions, we found the laser
designator to be highly visible against
the popular deep green B27 target
providing rapid and precise target
acquisition out to 25 yards or so.
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