NRA Gun Of The Week: Stoeger STR-9C Optic Ready

by
posted on September 2, 2022
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

The Stoeger Industries STR-9 line of striker-fired pistols offers a value-packed option for handgunners who want a well-built pistol for an affordable price. The compact model is sized appropriately for concealment while providing features that contribute to a positive user experience. Watch the video above to see Stoeger's optic-ready STR9C on the range with NRA staff.

Stoeger STR-9C pistol gun sights optic


Stoeger began showing up with its STR-9 pistol in 2019, and nearly every year since, the company has added updates to the increasingly popular lineup of striker-fired semi-automatic pistols.The line of imported guns is now fully featured with competition ready, full-size models to subcompact and optic-ready versions of each. The STR-9C, as seen here, is the company's compact version sporting a 3.8" barrel and comes with an optic-ready slide with recessed machining and adapter plates for many of today's top-performing red-dot optics.

right side str9c gun pistol black semi-automatic


The STR-9C Optic Ready is truly a compact gun. Its overall length measures at just over 6.5"-long and it weighs almost 24 ounces unloaded. With a fully loaded magazine and one in the chamber, you'll expect to squeeze 14 rounds of 9 mm Luger inside, and for those living in restricted areas Stoeger has compliant models, too.

Man outdoors cold winter gear shooting pistol stoeger str-9c


It’s important to note that the gun is best suited for right-handed shooting, with its left-side, fenced-in slide stop lever and magazine release button. For sighting the gun without optics, there is a dovetailed rear sight that contains a square-notch window cut between two white dots. A third white dot is found on the gun’s front sight post, which is also dovetailed into the carbon steel slide, near the muzzle.

Specifications:
Importer: Stoeger Industries
Action Type: recoil-operated, semi-automatic, centerfire pistol
Chambering: 9 mm Luger
Barrel: 3.8"
Slide: steel
Frame: compact; black polymer
Sights: drift-adjustable, three-dot
Magazine: 13-round detachable box
Overall Length: 6.9"
Weight: 23.9 ozs.
MSRP: $399

Latest

Building an AR-15 lower receiver
Building an AR-15 lower receiver

Review: Assembling an AR-15 Lower Receiver

Building a high-quality AR-15 starts with selecting appropriate components.

Suppressors Deregulated in South Dakota

In a move anticipating a further reduction of restrictions, South Dakota has removed the law requiring the Federal stamp.

The Pursuit Of Increased Muzzle Velocity Comes With A Price

The quest to make our firearms’ projectiles move downrange at ever higher velocities cuts across multiple shooting pursuits and predates anyone alive today.

Review: Springfield Armory Hellcat .380 Pistol

Springfield Armory just released its popular Hellcat double-stack, striker-fired pistol in .380 ACP, and it might be an ideal option for armed citizens looking for a soft-shooting handgun for concealed carry.

New for 2026: Langdon Tactical Technology Beretta Cheetah Pistol

Beretta's .32 ACP Cheetah gets the Langdon Tactical upgrade package.

The Armed Citizen® Feb. 16, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.