ACCURACYRESULTS| STOEGERSTR-9
Bullet Muzzle Standard Avg.
9mm Luger Weight (gr.) Velocity (fps) Deviation (fps) Group (in.)
Federal Hydra-Shok Deep 135 1,019 11 2.4
Hornady American Gunner XTP 124 1,170 6 2.4
Hornady Critical Defense FTX 115 1,138 8 1.9
Sig Sauer V-Crown JHP 124 1,170 7 2.0
Winchester Defender 147 917 13 2.1
Notes: Accuracy results are the averages of four five-shot groups at 25 yards from a sandbag rest. Velocities are aver-
ages of 10 shots measured with an Oehler Model 35P set 12 feet from the muzzle. Abbreviation: JHP, jacketed hollowpointThe pistol also proved reliable
overall. There were two malfunc-
tions—stovepipes—early in the test,
but nothing else. The feed ramp is
smooth, and the gun ran through the
series of bench and off hand shoot-
ing tests without any other prob-
lems. Both of the stovepipe jams oc-
curred early in the break-in process,
and once you put this gun through
the paces and clean and lubricate it
properly, it should work just fine.
The STR-9 is a lot of gun for the
money. The interior of the gun
is free from unfinished machine
marks, and the slide-to-frame fit
is good. All the provided metal
magazines dropped free from the
pistol when the release button was
pressed, and the 15-round metal
magazines themselves appear well
built and include numbered ports
that provide visual reference
regarding the number of rounds
remaining.
In addition to the trio of maga-
zines and backstrap insert modules
that come with this version of the
gun, there’s also a basic speedloader
to help top off those 15-round mags.
Stoeger currently offers a Kydex
holster for the STR-9, and compa-
nies like Clinger are also selling
STR-9-specific holsters. Each STR-9
pistol is covered by a five-year manu-
facturer’s warranty, too.
Stoeger is entering uncharted ter-
ritory for the brand with the STR-9,
but it’s obvious this gun was well
thought out and engineered. It man-
ages to maintain a reasonable price
and yet still performs and functions
the way most shooters demand.
Time will tell whether or not these
Turkish-made striker guns become
best-sellers, but based on my experi-ence with this gun, it offers a lot for
the money, which should come as no
shock to fans of the Stoeger brand.
Who knows? If the STR-9 takes
hold as it could, you might be seeing
the Stoeger name more and more
frequently in the pages of this maga-
zine. So how long before we see a
compact carry version?<
The STR-9 is no slouch in the accuracy department, and it shot well with a
variety of loads. There were two stovepipes early in testing, but after that, its
operation was flawless.