Stoeger Cougar .45 or Taurus 845??? - The Firearms Forum

polamalu43 · 05-23-2011, 07:30 AM

Looking for a reliable .45 that won't break the bank (and get the wife ticked). In the "less expensive" category, it seems to point to either Taurus 845 or the Stoeger Cougar. I would like at the minimum a 4" barrel, which both have. This will be primarily used for HD, as I live in one of the few remaining socialist blue states that does not allow concealed carry. Can anyone offer an opinion on which they prefer and why? Plus, if there is another option out there, what is it? Thanks for any responses or opinions.

NGIB · 05-23-2011, 07:33 AM

I'd have to choose the Cougar. Why - it doesn't say "Taurus" on the slide. Seriously, Taurus puts out to many lemons to suit me, and yes I've owned one of their bad ones...

garydude · 05-23-2011, 08:56 AM

Cougar, for sure. I've run about a thousand rounds through my fathers' without a hiccup. It has a loooong trigger pull, took some getting used to, and I don't particularly like de-cockers, but I sure wouldn't mind owning one. Take down and clean up were super easy compared to my 1911. Fit and finish were quite good on his gun.

(And it's not made of plastic

)

mncarpenter · 05-25-2011, 05:21 PM

I owned a Cougar-9mm. Pretty much the same gun as the 45, good gun.I found absolutely nothing wrong with that gun except I didn't like the funky external trigger bar.It was an accurate pistol and ate whatever I fed it. Traded it for an American Classic II-a Philipino 1911, 45 ACP Gov't model. Gun sells for around 425-460. Haven't looked back.

MichiganShootist · 05-26-2011, 01:14 PM

For pennies more than a Stoeger or a Taurus...... you could have a Glock 21

JLA · 05-26-2011, 01:19 PM

Id go with the cougar because I find the action truly fascinating. But im just a gearhead gunsmith that finds genuine fascination in both simple and complex mechanical devices..

Double D · 05-26-2011, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichiganShootist

For pennies more than a Stoeger or a Taurus...... you could have a Glock 21

I would take either one over a glock....I know I know, I am crazy....I just cant stand glocks!

JLA · 05-26-2011, 03:51 PM

Me either D, just something plaztik about them...

Old Guy · 05-26-2011, 05:48 PM

Well, do you want to support Turkey or Brazil? That is the question at hand. Both guns are good guns. The Cougar has the rotating barrel which is kind of cool. I would add a Ruger P345 to the list which is in the same price range.

cluznar · 04-26-2012, 12:18 PM

No contest get the Cougar. I have a 9mm Cougar and they are really nice guns, accurate, dependable, nice trigger. Cougar all the way.

05-23-2011, 07:30 AM	#1
polamalu43 Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 42	Stoeger Cougar .45 or Taurus 845??? Looking for a reliable .45 that won't break the bank (and get the wife ticked). In the "less expensive" category, it seems to point to either Taurus 845 or the Stoeger Cougar. I would like at the minimum a 4" barrel, which both have. This will be primarily used for HD, as I live in one of the few remaining socialist blue states that does not allow concealed carry. Can anyone offer an opinion on which they prefer and why? Plus, if there is another option out there, what is it? Thanks for any responses or opinions. -->

05-23-2011, 07:33 AM	#2
NGIB V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Hinesville, GA/Sumter SC Contributor Posts: 152	Re: Stoeger Cougar .45 or Taurus 845??? I'd have to choose the Cougar. Why - it doesn't say "Taurus" on the slide. Seriously, Taurus puts out to many lemons to suit me, and yes I've owned one of their bad ones... __________________ Proud to be a veteran and still serving (USAF Retired, Army Civilian) I'm old, experienced, grumpy, and jaded - still vertical though...

05-23-2011, 08:56 AM	#3
garydude Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Desert Southwest Proper Contributor Posts: 742	Re: Stoeger Cougar .45 or Taurus 845??? Cougar, for sure. I've run about a thousand rounds through my fathers' without a hiccup. It has a loooong trigger pull, took some getting used to, and I don't particularly like de-cockers, but I sure wouldn't mind owning one. Take down and clean up were super easy compared to my 1911. Fit and finish were quite good on his gun. (And it's not made of plastic)

05-25-2011, 05:21 PM	#4
mncarpenter V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Minnesota Contributor Posts: 479	Re: Stoeger Cougar .45 or Taurus 845??? I owned a Cougar-9mm. Pretty much the same gun as the 45, good gun.I found absolutely nothing wrong with that gun except I didn't like the funky external trigger bar.It was an accurate pistol and ate whatever I fed it. Traded it for an American Classic II-a Philipino 1911, 45 ACP Gov't model. Gun sells for around 425-460. Haven't looked back. __________________ *"No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is as formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women."- Ronald Reagan* *"Remember to have your democrats neutered or spayed" -Ann Coulter*

05-26-2011, 01:14 PM	#5
MichiganShootist Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: North Central Michigan Posts: 21	Re: Stoeger Cougar .45 or Taurus 845??? For pennies more than a Stoeger or a Taurus...... you could have a Glock 21 __________________ Life NRA Member and CPL Instructor IDPA 5 Gun Expert -- USPSA 4 Division B Shooter

05-26-2011, 01:19 PM	#6
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,315	Re: Stoeger Cougar .45 or Taurus 845??? Id go with the cougar because I find the action truly fascinating. But im just a gearhead gunsmith that finds genuine fascination in both simple and complex mechanical devices.. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

05-26-2011, 03:51 PM	#8
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,315	Re: Stoeger Cougar .45 or Taurus 845??? Me either D, just something plaztik about them... __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

05-26-2011, 05:48 PM	#9
Old Guy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Beaufort County, NC Contributor Posts: 342	Re: Stoeger Cougar .45 or Taurus 845??? Well, do you want to support Turkey or Brazil? That is the question at hand. Both guns are good guns. The Cougar has the rotating barrel which is kind of cool. I would add a Ruger P345 to the list which is in the same price range. __________________ Old Guy ___________ NRA Life Member GOA Life Member

04-26-2012, 12:18 PM	#10
cluznar Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 70	Re: Stoeger Cougar .45 or Taurus 845??? No contest get the Cougar. I have a 9mm Cougar and they are really nice guns, accurate, dependable, nice trigger. Cougar all the way.