The Beretta 8000 (Cougar) series pistols are manufactured 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. Originally developed for the .40 S&W cartridge, which was a new cartridge at the time, it was later also manufactured for other calibers, such as 9×19 mm, .357 SIG and .45 ACP. These pistols are suitable for use by police and for civilian self-defense. Description Cougar 8000 series pistols are recoil-operated, locked breech semi-automatic pistols. These pistols use a 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. 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 SIG and .40 caliber models, and staggered column magazines in .45 caliber models. Variants The 8000 series is available in several calibers and in either "F", "G" or "D" configuration. Calibers 8000: 9×19 mm, 15-round magazine capacity 8000F: .41 AE 8000L: 9×19 mm, lighter, more compact, 13-round magazine capacity 8000L Type P: 9×19 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 European models were offered in .41 Action Express and 9×21mm. F configuration The F specification is the basic version with double-action trigger, exposed hammer, and ambidextrous safety/decocking levers (located on the slide). D configuration The D specification is double-action only ("DAO") with a spurless hammer and no safety/decocking levers. 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. T configuration The T specification includes a tactical rail. Mini Cougar The 8000, 8040 and 8045 are available in a Mini variant weighing 140 g less than the respective models and with a