Beretta/Cougar Kydex Holster

[sadahl]

Hello all,

I've been searching for several months now and have had no luck finding a kydex holster for my Stoeger Cougar.

I have noticed that there have been threads that talked about all the different guns that some of the kydex holsters will fit, even if the manufacturer doesn't specify them as fitting that particular gun.

This then sent me on the road of finding a gun that had the same measurements and specs as my cougar. And I think I have found one. It looks like the Sig P229 is nearly identical in shape, size, widths and lengths. Now the problem is finding a place in my area that sells the holster for the P229.

I was wondering if anyone has tried using the P229 kydex holster on a Cougar? I'm mainly wanting a good retention holster, I have a nylon holster with a strap, but I just don't feel like that is the safest way to carry it. I want something that takes a little more than just popping the strap off to get the gun.

Something along the lines of an Uncle Mikes reflex holster, or a blackhawk serpa. I'd love to find a good level 2 retention with the trigger guard release button. But I'd settle with just a good strong retention holster.

I'll be around a Cheaper Than Dirt Store this weekend and may stop by and see if they have one in stock and see if I can test the fit. But if anyone has tried this yet and knows if it'll work or not, please let me know.

Or if you know where I can get a pretty reasonably priced kydex retention holster for the Stoeger/Beretta Cougar 8000f.

Thanks in advance.

 

[JTQ]

Garrett Industries shows the Beretta Cougar among the pistol models supported. They have various levels of retention available.

http://garrettindustries.mybigcommerce.com/firearm-models/

 

[sadahl]

Thanks JTQ.

I stopped by cheaper than dirt today, they didn't have a kydex holster for the P229, but they had one that fit the 220/225/and 226. I went ahead and bought it because it was the closest fit. But it still didn't click into place. I'm currently tryin out heating the kydex up to reform is a little. It seems to be working so far, but it's gonna take a little heating a couple times to get it formed just right... I'll post updates when it's done.

 

[sadahl]

Alright. Anyone interested in a Kydex holster, especially a level II retention, for their cougar. You can modify one will a little heat and time. I just got done modifying a Blackhawk holster made for a Sig 220/225/226 ( I think the one for the 229 would have been better since it appears that the Cougar and the sig p229 have very similar measurements. But, they didn't have any in stock so I gave it at try with the ones for the 220/225/226 because it was the only one in the store that would at least get close to fitting.

I threw it in the oven a couple times and slowly molded it to all the cougar to fit. The click isn't as loud when it goes in, but it does make a small click and the Serpa concealment holster holds the Beretta/Stoeger Cougar very good. I shook it pretty hard and it didn't come out, and pulling it without pressing the button is working also. I'll update again later if it is still working good or if anything changes.

Thanks y'all.

 

[JTQ]

Be careful. Lots of folks have reported problems with their SERPA's in an unmodified condition.

Would a Beretta PX4 be a closer match to the Cougar than the SIG P229?

 

[Shadow 7D]

YES, except for grip angle, much the same, HOWEVER there are a few different trigger guards I believe

 

[sadahl]

JTQ, I'm not entirely sure. I just looked up the specs of the PX4. And they were pretty close, but I believe the P229 was closer in all the measurements. I spent a lot of time comparing measurements and sizes to find a gun that was really close to the Cougar.

And yeah, I have heard of and read about the problems people have with the Serpa. Mainly the fact that the button was hard to press when drawing the weapon. I'm not sure if it's just my unusually thin fingers or not, but I so far I haven't experiences any problem with getting the button pressed, the gun released and drawn very quickly.

Were there any more problems that people have had with em? Because that's the only one coming to mind right now.

But, as of right now, I am pretty satisfied with the holster. It holds the gun very good, nice and snug and holds the trigger guard good.

 

[JTQ]

Negligent discharges with the trigger lock contacting the trigger (there is a relatively famous "Tex Grebner" shooting himself on YouTube), and the trigger lock getting jammed with debris making it unworkable.

My understanding is there are some training facilities, and ranges that have banned them due to these problems.

There are many SERPA fans. No doubt why they still sell them.

 

[loose noose]

JTQ, I've had a Serpa Blackhawk for my Springfield XD40 for about 5 years. Never had a problem with it, the trick is to keep your trigger finger along the frame when drawing the weapon. I'm getting ready to go to Front Sight in Pahrump, Nevada to get requalified as a Range Master and firearms instructor, they also banned the Serpa due to several accidents with the holster. I've got a plastic holster that came with the gun which I'll be using, it isn't near as smooth but it will work in a pinch.

 

[BP Hunter]

It's coincidental that this thread was started. I just purchased a Stoeger Cougar 9mm compact and have been looking for a holster. I had an old Uncle Mike's generic holster. I used it at the 3 o'clock position and it works great.

Look at what popped up in ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Beretta-Cou...469?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c27542dd5

 

[JTQ]

I'm always willing to give the SERPA lock system the benefit of the doubt, that it will always work regardless of debris, and that everybody is perfectly trained in the use of the system and that it doesn't present a safety problem.

My arguments against the BlackHawk SERPA concern the two primary applications most of us use a holster for, concealed carry, and range/training/competition.

1. It is a poor concealment holster. It holds the pistol away from the body, and as is the case with most straight drop holsters, the grip sticks out quite a bit.

2. Why have a retention device on a range/training/competition holster? Most of the guys using kydex in these environments are using holsters from Blade-Tech, Comp-Tac, Ky-Tac, etc. None of these use retention devices, mostly because they aren't needed in this environment. If you are training or competing with these other folks who are using those holsters, you put yourself at a disadvantage with a retention holster.

Certainly, military/law enforcement/open carry and those using a holster while riding ATVs, horses, etc., would benefit from a retention device, but chances are good there are better options available, such as Safariland.

I always figure half the cost of the SERPA is tied up in the R&D and manufacture of the retention device. If you need that retention device, it's probably money well spent. However, if you don't need that device, you've basically paid $50 for what is really a $25 holster.

 

[sadahl]

I did buy the holster for rare occasion that I will open carry, since we just got Open Carry here in Oklahoma back in November. And of course it keeps the gun a lot more secure than the little nylon holster I had. But it is still a good nylon holster.

Yeah, the normal Serpa's do cost a bit more for my taste, but I got lucky and the Serpa's were pretty affordable. It was about $30 if I remember right.

And as far as accidental discharge, I've looked in the holster and it looks like it doesn't even come close to touching the trigger. But I have seen some videos with some concerns about hitting the trigger when drawing the weapon, and it was mainly because of the "weird" way the button was and had to be depressed. But like I said, I haven't had that problem, and I think it has something to do with my weird skinny fingers lol.

But thanks for all the info guys.

And BP Hunter, i think I came across that holster while searching, but it wasn't really somethin I was lookin for. I was looking for an Outside The Waistband Holster. I have a DeSantis IWB holster and it works great. I'd recommend it too.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0046IMWF8/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

There was one problem though, it's a little uncomfortable wearing it strong side or cross draw, but fits good in the small of the back. Unless of course you've got some baggy pants a size larger to fit on the side.

 

[WYO]

Blade Tech offers some of their kydex holsters for the Cougar.