Serving in the Military and carrying a firearm, which in the day was a Beretta 9mm. I grew accustomed to the weapon. After joining the cilvian side of Law Enforcement, I wanted a weapon with more stopping power. I looked at the Beretta 8045 Cougar, first and last and decided that was what I was going to use. It is an excellent weapon that fires smoothly, without a lot of recoil. The only draw back to this weapon is that it just doesn't have high capacity magizines. It is extremely accurate and reliable, and can be used for undercover work with it compact size.