Stoeger Industries, a trusted name in firearms since 1924 and a subsidiary of Beretta, has expanded its reputation for quality and value into the handgun market. Located in Maryland, Stoeger offers a complete line of air guns, as well as semi-automatic, side-by side and over-under shotguns. The firearms manufacturer introduced the STR-9 series — a line of polymer-framed semi-automatic pistols designed for self-defense and sport — in 2019.
About the STR-9C
Manufactured in Turkey, the STR-9C Compact (#31788) is one of four models in the Compact lineup and reflects Stoeger’s commitment to delivering high-performance firearms at an accessible price point. This 9mm pistol — as well as the STR-40 and STR-45 — are inspired by the Glock series. It combines proven engineering with innovative features and is backed by Stoeger’s 5-year warranty.
The STR-9C is equivalent in size to the Glock 19, making it suitable for a wide variety of applications. This handgun is not a mere knock-off of the Glock design, though. In a stroke of engineering genius, Stoeger has modified the Glock disassembly system sequence, which has long been criticized. The Stoeger system does not require the user to pull the trigger to start the takedown sequence, further preventing negligent discharges.
Disassembling a Glock involves removing the magazine, clearing the chamber, pulling the trigger on the empty chamber, and then releasing the latches to slide the barrel assembly off. The Stoeger STR-9C follows a similar process but adds a safety twist: after clearing the chamber, you pull the release latches first, which takes the slide out of battery and prevents accidental discharge. Only then do you pull the trigger to remove the slide assembly, making the process safer by ensuring the trigger pull happens after the takedown latches are engaged.
Reassembly is almost exactly like that of the Glock. However, one small detail is missing from the Stoeger instruction manual: After unlocking the slide assembly with the frame latches, the trigger remains in the rear position. If you try to reinstall the slide assembly with the trigger back, it will stop before fully engaging the frame. The slide assembly will slide on smoothly once the trigger is pushed forward until it clicks.
Stoeger 9mm Handgun Features
Like the Glock 19, the STR-9C has a polymer frame, but the Stoeger handgun only has one true finger groove. Molded into the front strap of the frame, it undercuts the trigger guard for a comfortable solid grip. The STR-9 frame also has three molded-in Picatinny rail slots.
The backstrap is replaceable with any of the three included adaptors: small, medium and large. The magazine release is reversible for left-handed shooters. The slide release is not reversible, but I found that it was easily reached and disengaged, although I would like to see a bit of an upper shelf on it for more leverage during rapid reloads.
The STR-9C has a steel nitride, hardened matte black finished slide with front and rear wide grasping grooves. My sample model’s slide was cut for optics, and four optics adaptor plates are included. There is a loaded chamber indicator that protrudes above the slide when there is a round in the chamber for the models that do not have the optics cut. For those who have a pistol with an optics cut, a square chamber viewing port is located on the chamber hood that allows you to see a cartridge case in the chamber.
White three-dot fixed sights were mounted on the STR-9C, which worked well enough in the shooting test, including low-light conditions. STRs can also be ordered with three-dot tritium sights. The trigger is equipped with a Glock-style central drop-safety lever. The pull measured 5 pounds, 1.6 ounces after a short take-up, which is standard for a striker-fired pistol.
Two magazines are included, each holding 13 rounds and made of stainless steel for quick and smooth ejection. One mag comes with a flush polymer base, while the other has a slightly extended base to give those with larger hands additional support for the pinky finger. My medium-sized hands fit the frame with either magazine. The magazine well is slightly beveled for smoother reloads. A magazine loading tool is also included.
The Stoeger STR-9 may fit in some 9mm holsters you already have on hand. It was tight in my DeSantis open-top outside-the-waistband (OWB) intended for a Glock but fit perfectly in a Versacarry Trooper OWB with thumb-break retention strap for a Smith & Wesson 9mm M&P M2.0 Compact.
Shooting the Stoeger STR-9 Compact
I headed to the range with a box of Federal 9mm Gold Medal 147-grain action pistol ammunition. This load is designed for steel and paper targets and features a flat-nose FMJ reduced-lead design, reducing the chance of ricochet when fired on steel targets. The load is relatively mild and starts out at 900 feet per second, deliver 264 foot-pounds of energy. In addition, I had a box of Federal Personal Defense 135-grain 9mm Hydra-Shok Deep Cover ammo, which sends its 135-grain Hydra-Shok bullet downrange at 1,060 feet per second, delivering 337 foot-pounds of energy.
As expected, the STR-9 functioned flawlessly with both loads. (I have never had a problem with a handgun manufactured in Turkey.) The STR-9C’s 24 ounces handled the relatively low recoil of both the Federal test loads which made the STR-9C comfortable to shoot. But don’t let the low recoil of the Hydra-Shok Deep load fool you. It produced significant damage to a 25-pound clay test block just a few weeks ago.
Accuracy turned out to be more than adequate considering the lighting conditions inside our barn-turned-shooting range. My friend and I took turns shooting on two different silhouette targets: an Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission Qualification Target and a B-27E PROS Silhouette. From 21 feet with a two-hand grip, my first group of 10 rounds formed a group centered low and to the left of the X-ring. Aside from the called flyer, the group of 9 measured 2.5 inches. Aiming at the solid black head with six rounds of the Hydra-Shok Deep from the same distance, the group again measured 2.5 inches.
My final group was rapid fired with the Hydra-Shok Deep ammo, aiming for the scoring block at the top right-hand corner of the target. Since this portion of the target paper is manilla colored, my sights stood out fairly well. This group landed in a four-shot cluster that measured 2.5 inches, with one flyer that again opened the group up to 3.5 inches.
Why the Stoeger STR-9C Stands Out
The Stoeger STR-9C is a fine pistol built from a significantly improved design that would be ideal for many seeking an affordable, accurate and reliable carry pistol. The STR-9C as tested has an MSRP of $399. By way of comparison, a Glock 19 Gen 5 MOS (Modular Optics System) without an optic mounted cost $629.99 from my local gun shop. Until January 15, Stoeger is also offering a $75 rebate on its STR series pistols.
I have total confidence in the quality of Turkish firearms. I would happily carry the Stoeger STR-9C as a defensive handgun. Though affordable, it is certainly not a budget gun that cuts corners. If you’re looking for more “oomph” downrange, Stoeger also has several .40 S&W and .45 ACP versions of the STR-9 series available.
Sources
Stoeger: StoegerIndustries.com
Versacarry: Versacarry.com
Federal Ammunition: FederalPremium.com
