Stoeger industries, a manufacturer of performance-grade shotguns and personal defense handguns, has upgraded the STR Series of rifles to include the personal defense handgun, the STR-9MC. This micro-compact pistol is ideal for small-framed shooters or those looking for a handgun that works well for different carry positions.
The Stoeger STR-9MC is a 9mm micro-compact striker-fired pistol in a value price bracket. It has all the features found in a full-sized STR-9 but in a package that can be concealed easier.
Stoeger has expanded the STR family to include the micro-compact STR-9MC 9mm pistol. The STR-9MC pistol has all the features of a full-sized pistol with a micro-compact size. (Photo credit: Stoeger)
The STR-9MC Micro Compact has a 3.29-inch barrel and is 6.1-inch overall length. It weighs 18.5 ounces and can be easily carried in an OWB or IWB holster, in a purse, and in other areas. It features a loaded chamber indicator on the top of the receiver that automatically raises when a round is in the chamber, removing the need for any press checks.
The STR-9MC reportedly has an outstanding trigger and multiple sight options, in addition to the snag-free design of the three-dot sight system. In certain models, tritium night sights are available along with different mounting plates for other optics.
The pistol has a black synthetic, nitride-treated slide with an integrated rail for mounting accessories if wanted. The grip features loads of stippling for better purchase in the hand to go along with the slide serrations for easier handling.
The STR-9MC Micro Compact is available in four different variants. The first set of variants comes with two magazines (one extended and one flush fit), and low-profile adjustable sights. The second set of variants has three magazines (one flush, one pinky, and one extended), tritium night sights, and an optic-ready slide.
The basic STR-9MC variants start with an MSRP of $399 while the three-magazine, optics-ready models have an MSRP of $479. The Stoeger STR-9MC pistols, and other STR pistols, can be seen at SHOT Show booth 13238.
American Defense Manufacturing came out to play this Shot Show with many new products. The company is known for its firearms as well as its simple but high-quality scope rings. ADM gives precision shooters what they need and this year is no different. From their titanium scope mount levers to their Delta Series which includes a rotatable red dot mount on top of the scope, ADM is showing that innovation is a big part of the company.
Updated Scope Mount Levers
Titanium
Lightweight is the name of the game these days in both hunting and precision rifle matches. American Defense Manufacturing took note of that and made a titanium scope mount lever. These levers can easily be switched out from your standard levers, therefore only the levers need to be purchased, not the whole scope mount.
The titanium lever assembly is currently retailing for $59.00 on admmfg.com.
American Defense Manufacturing has released a titanium lever. On the left is the new titanium scope mount lever, and on the right is a standard lever. You can see that the titanium lever is thinner and more skeletonized, therefore being made out of titanium isn’t the only thing making it light.
Extra Grip
Another added option to their lever lines is the beefed-up version of their scope mount levers. Both the paddle and the unlocking button are larger and thicker. The paddle also has added ridges for grip. This will aid in unlocking the levers when removing the scope as many will lock their scopes down tight to the Picatinny rail, making it hard to release them.
ADM updated their scope mount levers to have more surface area and ridges for thumbs and fingers. The unlocking button is also larger. This allows even the tightest of levers to come loose without hurting your fingers. The hole in the lever allows for paracord to be passed through if you want to tie off the scope to anything onto the gun.
Red Dot Mounts
Direct Mount
ADM has tapped into the direct mounting of red dots to their scope rings with the Delta Series. Mounting red dots on top of scopes are a lot of shooters’ preference with both a low and high-powered scope. On a low-powered scope, having a red dot can mean that the shooter can easily switch to using the dot for close engagements, and back to the scope for further. The dot on a scope ring on a high power scope can aid in finding the target and lining it up with the dot, and then going back down to the scope with the scope already on target.
Many of the rings with direct mount red dot options will fit 30-34mm tubes. There will also be two different height mounts for red dots to ensure that the shooter can see the dot over taller turrets. The coolest thing though? They made rotatable scope rings for the red dot. Meaning, if you don’t like a 45-degree mount, or a 90, or a 130-degree, that doesn’t matter because now you can rotate the dot to any degree of your choosing due to the mount rotating on the tube.
This is still a newer product so stay tuned on ship dates and pricing.
A direct mount scope ring allows the red dot to sit low and close to the scope. If extra height is needed for larger turret scopes, ADM has a taller ring mount as well.
Iron Sights
A red dot mount that is sky-high has its advantages. One, the ability to now machine a hole to see through the mount to the front iron sight. ADM did that. With their new red dot mount, ADM played with three different hole sizes to see which one is the most efficient when bringing your eye from the dot down to the iron sight. With this hole being placed directly under the dot, the user has the ability to use the iron sights in case their red dot fails during engagements.
The height of the machined hole is in line with Magpul Pro Back Up Iron Sights.
This is also a new product so stay tuned for further details.
A tall red dot mount allows for ADM to machine a hole into the mount. This allows the user to use their backup iron sights without having to rip the mount off to see the front sight. The red dot mount with machined-in hole is designed to be the height of the Magpul Pro rear and front sight. Looking through the opening in the mount you can clearly see the front sight, with or without using the rear sight.
They did it, boys and girls. CZ USA has finally released the highly anticipated Custom A01-SD OR pistol, the next iteration of the hammer-fired Shadow Series. Built around a hammer-forged, CNC-machined frame, this performance-enhanced, optics-ready semi-auto handgun is geared toward competitive shooters and collectors. Equipped with a fixed rear sight mounted on a removable cover plate, the A01-SD OR ships with DPP and RMR adapter plates, allowing users to mount a variety of common optics to the pistol right out of the box. Not to mention, the factory-installed fiber optic front sight allows for intuitive cowitnessing with most mounted optics and offers amazing clarity in darn near any lighting condition.
The all-new CZ A01 SD OR Pistol is a feature-rich competition pistol. (Photo credit: CZ USA)
CZ officially unveiled the pistol at SHOT Show 2023, and as expected, it’s being received with excitement, curiosity, and tons of fanfare from CZ fans and sport shooters nationwide. The design team shifted the pistol’s balance point closer to the shooter’s hand for improved control and reliable accuracy, while the high-strength forged steel frame and 4.9″ bull barrel enhance accuracy and really do a nice job of mitigating all felt recoil for incredible control and lightning-fast follow-up shots. The custom shop A01-SD OR pistol includes a conveniently located manual thumb safety as well for dependable field service and safe handling. Further ergonomic enhancements include a deep beavertail and undercut trigger guard for a natural grip and superior pointability, while raised 25 LPI checkering and durable G10 grips provide a snug, non-slip grip with sweaty or gloved hands. The Custom A01-SD OR also features a drop-safe CZC 85 Combat double-action/single-action trigger with about a crisp 8.5lb. and 3.5-lb. pull, respectively.
Coming with a hefty $2,699 price tag, the A01-SD OR pistol isn’t your everyday pistol or beginner’s CZ. It’s truly a handgun made for professionals looking to ring targets and carry home the gold.
Trailblazer Firearms, a firearms manufacturing company that is best known for the LifeCard folding .22lr pistol, has upgraded its product line to include an ultracompact Folding Rifle, the Pivot. The Pivot Ultracompact Folding Rifle is said to be the finest firearm in the compact, foldable rifle category capable of reaching 150 yards and beyond.
Trailblazer Firearms has upgraded its family of folding firearms to include the 9mm Pivot ultracompact folding rifle. The Pivot has a full length 16″ barrel and an overall length of almost 30″ and weighs five pounds unloaded. (Photo credit: Trailblazer Firearms)
The Pivot folding rifle is chambered in 9mm and folds down, using patented technologies, to just under 21” long, allowing the rifle to be stowed easily in a bag or storage compartment. The Pivot rifle features a full-length 16” threaded barrel plus an extended stock for a fully extended length of just under 30”. With the updated ATF rulings regarding pistol braces, the Pivot offers a discrete and compact rifle that sits outside of those rules.
The patented folding technology employed by Trailblazer Firearms allows the upper receiver to be rotated and locked into the smaller package. While in the folded position, the Pivot will not fire, adding safety to the package. The Pivot is machined from an aluminum upper and lower receiver set and a Picatinny rail for optics. The upper also features an M-LOK slot system for mounting whatever accessories the shooter needs or wants.
Using patented technology, the Pivot rifle folds down to under 21″ so it can be stowed in a backpack or storage compartment. (Photo credit: Trailblazer Firearms)
To round out the features of the Trailblazer Firearms Pivot 9mm rifle, it has a three-position adjustable stock, extra magazine storage in the stock, and utilizes Glock 15-round magazines. With the aluminum, polymer, and steel construction, the Pivot weighs in at five pounds unloaded so it would be an easy stowage weapon, without the legal concerns of an SBR or pistol brace.
The Trailblazer Firearms Pivot 9mm Ultracompact Folding Rifle is in production now and sports an MSPR of $1,795. The Pivot can be seen in person at SHOT Show 2023 in Trailblazer’s booth 41838 or at the Aimpoint booth 13007.
Sharps Bros gives us a product to make the Sig P365 even better looking. This grip module is made from durable aluminum and has beautiful Brazilian cherry grip panels. As many shooters prefer aluminum over polymer on their pistol frame, this is a beautiful way to make that change on your P365 lineup of guns.
The aluminum grip module with cherry grips is a beautiful way to enhance your P365 lineup. This is a direct replacement of the SIG P365X/XL grip module but can fit any 365 slide. (Photo: Sharps Bros)
Specs
Machined from billet 7075-T6 Aluminum with Mil-Spec black anodized finish and Brazilian Cherry grip panels.
Features:
Enhanced trigger-guard geometry with undercut and finger grooves for improved comfort and control.
Ambidextrous gas pedals (both sides). This allows for a thumb ledge and a natural indexing point regardless of dominant hand.
The stock Sig module is 1.1″ wide in the grip, our module is 1.3″ wide allowing for a more robust feel in the hand without compromising concealability.
M1913 Picatinny accessory rail.
Flared magazine well.
Weight: The OEM polymer X/XL grip module weighs approx. 1.4oz. Our grip module with wood panels weighs approx. 4.3 ounces. The extra ~3ounces is hardly (if at all) noticeable while holstered, but while shooting, the few extra ounces helps reduce felt recoil.
Direct replacement of the Sig Sauer OEM standard polymer P365X and P365XL grip module.
Any model P365 slide (P365, P365X, P365XL or P365 X-Macro) is compatible with the Sharps Bros grip module.
Please Note:
Fire Control Unit not included.
This grip module will NOT work with the Manual Safety FCU.
Magazine release assembly not included. Reuse your stock mag release assembly or purchase a new one from Sig.
Make sure to note the specifics of this grip module and what can and cannot work with it, such as that this grip module will not work with a manual safety FCU. Also, note that the mag release assembly is not included. Your original can be used though. (Photo: Sharps Bros)
The Sharps Bros grip module is still coming soon but will retail for around $280.00.
Steph Martz is a Veteran of the full time MNARNG force as a Small Arms Repairer and worked to bolster their marksmanship team. Mainly a technical writer and gunsmith within the Federal world she comes with many armorer classes under her belt such as KAC, Glock, every FN weapon in the book, and Small Arms Weapons Expert (SAWE). So, sorry to bore you with the knowledge that actually make firearms shoot. Currently heavily into the long range world she competes in National Rifle League Hunter and various Gas Gun Precision Series.
If you’re a fan of 22 LR, you likely understand its incredible versatility. 22 LR is fantastic for instructing new shooters, fun for plinking, and useful for hunting varmints. Of course, just like with any ammunition, all 22 LR is not created equally. For shooters preferring suppressed 22 LR, Browning has SUB22, a round meant specifically for use with suppressors. Browning SUB22 is good for everything from shooting cans to hunting varmints, and all at a quieter decibel level.
Browning Sub22 ammunition is suppressor ready 22 LR designed for target shooters and small game hunters. (Photo credit: Browning)
Browning says this brand-new round is made for target shooters and small game hunters who run their 22 LRs with suppressors. The use of Browning SUB22 ammunition improves the overall reliability of semi-automatic pistols more quietly than standard 22 LR, meaning greater hearing protection and less risk of frightening game from an area. SUB22 ammunition features a 45-grain lead round nose bullet the manufacturer reports produces a muzzle velocity of 1060 feet per second.
The new ammunition pairs well with Browning’s new 22LR suppressor-ready Buckmark pistol. (Photo credit: Browning)
Features of Browning SUB22 include:
Black copper-plated bullets to reduce fouling and create a cleaner shooting experience.
45-grain bullet, which is heavier for 22 LR, optimizes cycling by using recoil energy for consistent results.
Designed by Browning to perform below the speed of sound when used in handguns.
Subsonic round meant for use in suppressed pistols.
Meant for target use and hunting small varmints and predators.
100 rounds per box.
Ballistics using a six-inch barrel:
Muzzle velocity of 1060 feet per second, muzzle energy of 100 foot-pounds.
5-yard velocity of 1053 feet per second, 5-yard energy of 98 foot-pounds.
25-yard velocity of 1027 feet per second, 25-yard energy of 94 foot-pounds.
Whatever the purpose, SUB22 is a great option for protecting your hearing and reducing both barrel and suppressor fouling. Browning has a solid reputation for manufacturing quality ammunition and SUB22 promises to be a fantastic subsonic 22LR round.
MSRP for Browning SUB22 is not known at this time but dealers have it listed for around $12.99 per box.
Kat Ainsworth Stevens is a long-time outdoor writer, official OGC (Original Gun Cognoscenti), and author of Handgun Hunting: a Comprehensive Guide to Choosing and Using the Right Firearms for Big and Small Game. Der Teufel Katze has written for a number of industry publications (print and online) and edited some of the others, so chances are you’ve seen or read her work before, somewhere. A woman of eclectic background and habits, Kat has been carrying concealed for over two decades, used to be a farrier, and worked for a long time in emergency veterinary medicine. She prefers big bores, enjoys K9 Search & Rescue, and has a Master’s Degree in Pitiless Snarkastic Delivery.
Rock Island Armory, a company that has been delivering guns that are affordable and solid as a rock for three decades, has another great carry option in the Li380 in .380ACP. The Li380 is a part of the Baby Rock Series of weapons from Rock Island Armory.
While Rock Island Armory is more known for its extensive line of 1911 pistols, this Li380 definitely has some appeal, with some folks calling it a Poor Man’s PPK. The Li380 is an all-metal single-stack pistol with comfortable ergonomics and fixed sights.
Rock Island Armory has updated its family of pistols to include the Lightening 380ACP, or Li380, pistol. Dubbed the Poor Man’s PPK, the pistol is great for those wanting a smaller package with less recoil. (Photo credit: Rock Island Armory)
The Li380, chambered in .380ACP, is a perfect semi-auto self-defense weapon for those that need something a little smaller with less recoil. The Li380 has a 3.55-inch barrel with a load indicator and an overall length of 6.53 inches. With a weight of 3.5 pounds, the size and weight make this pistol as easy to conceal as it is to shoot.
The black anodized finish with polymer grips helps to keep the pistol durable and light. The slide, small metal parts, and frame all have a parkerized finish to ensure the longevity of the parts. The slide sports fixed-mounted sights on a dovetail cut, for ease of getting shots on target. The Li380, or Lightening 380ACP, comes from the factory with an 8-round magazine, meaning the user has an 8+1 round count for carrying.
According to the company, this is a compact powerhouse with stability and dependability you can count on in a concealed carry pistol. The double-action/single-action weapon has an adjustable 4–6-pound trigger pull weight for a clean shot.
The Rock Island Armory Li380 concealed carry pistol is available now with a price tag of $299. The Lightening 380ACP can be seen at SHOT Show at booth 13444.
With the prevalence of red dot sights in the defensive handgun market, gun owners are looking for more ways to protect their optics investment from damage. Until now, there weren’t really options available. Thanks to Radian Weapons, there’s now the Guardian Optic Guard, an aftermarket part designed specifically for the protection of your red dot sight. The Guardian is ruggedly built and made with an eye for detail, and it might be the greatest next addition to your handgunning kit.
The Radian Guardian Optic Guard is designed to protect your red dot sight from damage. (Photo credit: Radian)
Radian states the Guardian Optic Guard is a game-changing pistol product, and it certainly has incredible promise. The first Guardian model to launch is compatible with the popular Glock MOS platform and Trijicon RMR. The guard is machined from 7075 aluminum and 17-4 stainless, the former of which is known for strength and fatigue resistance while the latter is known for fantastic corrosion resistance and hardness. According to the manufacturer, the Guardian is a rock-solid mounting system that offers a level of protection for red dot sights never before offered on the market.
The initial offering in the Guardian line is compatible with the Glock MOS and the Trijicon RMR. (Photo credit: Radian)
This product utilizes Tru-Seal, which uses o-rings to keep the plate snug and watertight against the mounting surface of the slide. The seal keeps out moisture and prevents corrosion in the threads of the guard. Using Tru-Seal also removes the need to use a separate sealing plate. A singular focal plane is used for the optional Stealth backup sights which deliver a clean, unobstructed sight picture. Radian knew what they were doing when they implemented these features.
The mounting system for the Guardian is designed for extreme rigidity and stress resistance. (Photo credit: Radian)
Oversize Torx drive nuts, which deliver double the thread engagement of similarly designed standard plates, are used as part of the Guardian’s Stud-Lock interface. The product is secured by torquing the nuts into place, holding the optic to the rear for a rigid interface that still manages to be lighter than most factory-supplied plates. Because the mounting plate is locked rearward, the slide absorbs the stress of recoil and movement generated by live fire, protecting the screws.
Features of the Radian Guardian Optic Guard include:
Machined from 7075 aluminum and 17-4 stainless steel for impressive durability.
Utilizes Stud-Lock interface for a reliably firm mounting surface.
Optional backup sights designed not to interfere with sight picture of red dot sight.
Tru-Seal system helps maintain a watertight seal to the slide.
Corrosion resistant.
MSRP for the Radian Guardian Optic Guard is set at $159.95.
Derringers have numerous applications including use as snake guns, backup pistols, and target guns. Their diminutive size makes them highly concealable, which is excellent for non-permissive environments, and their design makes them simple to operate. Bond Arms is one of the top derringer manufacturers in the country, and now they’ve expanded their line of high-quality pistols to include the Rawhide series. Rawhide derringers are made for functionality and ruggedness over all; these pistols are made to withstand hard use and keep going.
The Bond Arms Rawhide line of derringers is designed for durability and functionality, all in a high-quality pistol. (Photo credit: Bond Arms)
Bond Arms states the Rawhide line was specifically made for hard use. The derringers are durable and made to last, and all backed by Bond Arms known reputation for dedication to excellence. Rawhide derringers are available chambered in 357 Mag, 38 Special, and .22 LR, meaning you have your pick of big or small calibers. Because this line offers everything from rimfire to magnum cartridges, the derringers are versatile enough to fit a variety of applications. These guns have a 4.5-inch overall length and Bond Arms lists their possible uses as including everyday carry, use as a truck gun, and or use as a camp or ranch gun.
The pictured derringer is chambered in 357 Magnum/38 Special and features a cowboy-style frame, meaning it doesn’t have a trigger guard. (Photo credit: Bond Arms)
The Rawhide guns are made with a cowboy-style frame, so there is no trigger guard, and feature Bond Arm’s Rough & Tumble stainless-steel finished frame. Guns are available with either rosewood or nylon grips depending on the gun owner’s preference, each of which offers sturdiness, durability, and a comfortable feel in the hands. Checkering on both grip options facilitates a firm hold during live fire. As is the derringer design, the Rawhide guns have two barrels that fire one at a time. These guns have a two-shot capacity.
Bond Arms takes care to ensure these are well-made guns. Every part of the Rawhide line is carefully machined to the highest tolerances according to a strict standard for quality. These are single-action guns with fixed sights that perform their best at close range.
The gun is offered with the pictured rosewood grips. (Photo credit: Bond Arms)
Features of the Bond Arms Rawhide derringers include:
22 LR, 38 Special, and 357 Magnum chamberings
2 shot capacity
Cowboy style, so there is no trigger guard
Durable stainless steel frame and barrel
Rough and Tumble finish to reduce glare and resist wear
Rosewood or black nylon checkered grips
Made in Texas
4.5-inch overall length, making them easy to conceal
Compatible with all standard Bond Arms barrels
MSRP for the Bond Arms Roughneck starts at $269.00.
Canik, the Turkey-based firearms manufacturer with a stellar reputation for precision weapons, has expanded its offerings to include a 9mm micro-compact pistol with its Mete MC9. Canik states they have met the demand from consumers to give them the optimal performance level in a pistol.
According to Canik, the Mete MC9 has been through multiple internal and aesthetic changes over the past three years to come to this final product. The semi-auto 9mm Mete MC9 pistol has an overall length of 6.1 inches with a 3.18” barrel. The Mete MC9 has a polymer frame in the micro compact size that weighs just over 21 ounces unloaded.
Canik has updated its offerings to include a micro-compact pistol named the Mete MC9. The polymer frame, optics-ready pistol has a 3.18″ barrel and is available in three different colors. (Photo credit: Canik)
“Being first to market was never the goal for us” said Canik USA National Marketing Director Adam Ruonala. “The MC9 is the perfect example of Canik’s commitment to take our time and do things the right way. We thought this out, we considered every option, we listened to what was really asked for, and we created a platform that meets all of the needs of a relatively new space in the handgun market. The Canik Mete MC9 truly was Prepared Superior.”
With a width of just 1.12 inches and a height of 4.5 inches with a magazine, the pistol fits squarely in the micro-compact group of pistols. The Mete MC9 comes from the factory optics ready in addition to the co-witness capability, featuring a blacked-out rear dot and white front dot sight.
Rounding out the package are two magazines (one 12-round, one 15+1-round), three different backstraps for adjusting grip, an inside the waistband holster, a tool kit with punch, a speed loader, pinky rest, and a cleaning kit. The pistol is available in black, flat dark earth (FDE), and two-tone black/FDE.
The Canik Mete MC9 micro-compact pistol has an MSRP of $439.99. The Mete MC9 pistol can be seen at SHOT Show 2023 at Canik USA’s booth 10527.
