Can't speak to the Stoeger, but have one of the original Beretta Cougars in 40sw.
They are supposed to be the same gun as mentioned earlier in the thread.
It's a good reliable gun, always goes bang, and feeds everything it's been fed just fine.
Mine's a DA/SA ; not the best trigger in the world in DA mode, but not terrible.
Points well and with ammo it likes it's plenty accurate, but not a tack driver.
Shot a Beretta 96 in 40sw side by side with the same ammo and the Cougar had less felt recoil with the rotating bbl. lockup.
Read somewhere once that the Cougar was the issued sidearm of the Turkish Army at one time ; not sure if that's true or not, or if it matters.
For the price point I think it's a good buy ; wish my Beretta had been that inexpensive!
Good luck whatever you decide,
Ted