Happened upon this deal at local Cabela's; they were clearing out these Stoeger STR-9/Burris FastFire 3 packages for $299. The FF3 sells for about $170-200 so I figure I could pay $100 for a (potentially) very functional handgun. And Stoeger was offering a $50 rebate, which I only found out about later. Anyway, I got it and the short answer is the pistol is a great deal. Ergonomically superior to the Glock but almost identical internally (and so far, functionally). Trigger is a very nice 5.5ish lbs. The wall is soft/creepy but it's smooth and very shootable. Sights are dovetailed and are steel with 3 white dots. Magazines are steel, made in Italy (I suspect by Mec-Gar, which is good) and hold 15 rounds (2 fewer than the full size G17 with a similar grip length).

Sights are regulated for a center/combat hold, but were on for windage. Recoil/muzzle flip is a little more than the Glock 17, but you have to shoot them back-to-back to tell. This one is (obviously) cut for optics and comes with steel adapter plates. I used the Burris for another pistol that needed a replacement for a broken RMR so I can't speak to that on this gun yet.

​Backstraps are interchangeable. the checkering on the backstrap is aggressive and good; the texturing elsewhere on the grip is OK but I could use more. Talon grips will help assuming they offer a set. Reliability was 100% for the first couple hundred rounds of 9mm ball. I didn't try any JHP yet. Overall seems like a solid buy, particularly considering the very low price. I've been pleasantly surprised so far.

Video for any interested:

https://youtu.be/_Jisqg32sbY

0:01 Intro and unboxing
2:05 Stoeger STR-9 trigger is very good for the money
2:57 STR-9 trigger weight test compared to Glock 17 Gen 3
4:19 field stripping procedure for Stoeger STR-9, comparison to Glock internals
6:56 Putting the Stoeger STR-9 on the scale, along with Glock 17 and 19 weights
8:48 STR-9 3-dot sights paint not perfect
9:30 grip length comparison STR-9, Glock 17, Glock 19
10:55 Comparing slide and barrel length with Stoeger and Glocks
12:02 First shots on paper 7 yards, combat hold/center hold STR-9
13:20 Shooting steel with Stoeger STR-9 18 yards
14:12 rear sight and slide edges are sharp
15:40 STR-9 ergos are superior to Glock Gen 3, discussion of backstraps
16:30 texturing/stippling on STR-9 could be improved
16:56 STR-9 ambidextrous/swappable magazine catch
17:46 more shooting from different angle
18:52 Stoeger STR-9 more felt recoil than Glock 17 or 19
19:56 weighing STR-9 and Glock slide assemblies
21:15 Back-to-back shooting and recoil comparision Glock 17 and Stoeger STR-9
22:29 Conclusions, excellent value for the money (so far)

Solid review, straightforward and realistic. I like it. I like the way you discuss real-world things like the stippling - or lack thereof - and sharp edges, and how that affects the handling of the pistol.

I also love the side-by-side comparison to its real-life competitors. Guns that would actually fall into the size/capacity/price point for a comparable model...like a used Glock.

Well done.

Thank you!

I agree, very nice review. Makes me want to snag one if I found that same deal. I could live with the cons you felt it had. Thank you for doing it, wish more reviews were like yours.

I have a non optical STR Compact and have run about 300 flawless rounds through it.
Bummer: Cant use Glock mags.
I bought it for my travel gun so if the airlines lose or steal it, no real loss.
Is it a Glock? Nope. Will its long term durability be a factor? Only time will tell. I will consider it carry ready at 500 rounds. So far, so good.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
I have a non optical STR Compact and have run about 300 flawless rounds through it.
Bummer: Cant use Glock mags.
I bought it for my travel gun so if the airlines lose or steal it, no real loss.
Is it a Glock? Nope. Will its long term durability be a factor? Only time will tell. I will consider it carry ready at 500 rounds. So far, so good.

Travel gun/truck gun. Good idea!

I want to put night sights on mine. But have been unable to figure out who makes a compatible sight. The Stoeger website has them (very overpriced) but they are perpetually sold out.

Nice review! Definitely seems like a viable option, especially for somebody on a budget. Steel sights and being already optics ready is a big plus over the more expensive Glock. I'd be interested to hear how these hold up over time and use.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
I want to put night sights on mine. But have been unable to figure out who makes a compatible sight. The Stoeger website has them (very overpriced) but they are perpetually sold out.

I wondered if they're S&W M&P sized dovetails... this reddit thread says one guy mounted M&P sights on his but then later says a gunsmith had to fit them. https://www.reddit.com/r/handg...vetail_compatiblity/

I'll take some measurements and see if I can figure anything out. I've also sent an email to Dawson Precision to see if they happen to know.

Front dovetail is approx. .049” deep/tall, .168” top width, .196” bottom width if it helps. I can’t measure the rear depth without removing the sight, but the bottom width is about .252”. Top width is weird because it has a shelf milled for the rear portion of the sight.

I happen to have a set of OEM S&W M&P EZ sights I took off to put on a set of express sights. I will try to compare them to the STR sights and see if they may match. I will be interested to see what Dawson has to say.

Yeah let us know what you find out. Dawson says they don't know as they haven't had one in the shop yet. They say ask Stoeger LOL

I tried the sights from the M&P EZ. No joy! Sight bases are far too wide to fit the guns dovetail, both front and rear. Height seems ok.
So I followed Dawsons advice and emailed Stoeger. If they respond, I will update!

Thank you. Looking forward to the reply.

IIRC, they are compatible with Glock sights. It's a heckuva value, for sure. I also have the MC9, and having had them all...I can tell you it's the best in that class of pistol right now. (awaiting HK's offering, LOL)

quote:

Originally posted by VictorLouis:
IIRC, they are compatible with Glock sights.

Nope, these are dovetailed (Glock front sights are staked/screwed from below). And the rear dovetail is definitely not Glock sized/profile. That STR-9MC looks interesting.

I stand corrected. HOwever, I did get the standard plastic 'box' rear sight onto my MC to replace the big adjustable there for import points. However it seats just deep enough that the some of the slide intrudes into the notch.

quote:

Originally posted by VictorLouis:
I stand corrected. HOwever, I did get the standard plastic 'box' rear sight onto my MC to replace the big adjustable there for import points. However it seats just deep enough that the some of the slide intrudes into the notch.

Interesting. Got a pic?

quote:

I also have the MC9, and having had them all...I can tell you it's the best in that class of pistol right now. (awaiting HK's offering, LOL)

You mean the STR-9MC? The MC9 is the Canik micro 9, part of the Mete lineup.

The micro 9MC Stoeger seems like a decent-enough pistol; it has a relatively nice trigger for the type. We've had a few through the shop and it does seem that the Turks are quite capable of making some above-average quality handguns, even if I don't think much of more than some of Stoeger's shotgun offerings.

Received a reply today from Stoeger concerning aftermarket night sight for the STR models. Actually responding was a dude from the BenelliUSA Tech. Dept.
And I quote:
"Thank you for your inquiry. The dove tail cuts are proprietary to Stoeger. There are no other compatible sights in the aftermarket venue".
So... Buy from Stoeger off ($130 ) their website or make do!