Three magazines in the box and a price under four hundred twenty-five dollars: that is the Stoeger STR-9 pitch. It is a striker-fired 9mm with a 4.17-inch barrel, 15+1 capacity and a black finish, aimed at buyers who want a working pistol without a big spend.

A 4.17-inch barrel is the middle of the full-size and compact range. It is long enough for good accuracy and short enough to hold on a belt for a day. Fifteen rounds plus one in the chamber is plenty for home defense or a range session, and having extra magazines on day one saves you from buying spares immediately.

The STR-9 is built in Turkey by the maker of Stoeger's other pistols and has gained a following as a budget option. Expect a plain trigger and plain finish, but good function when you put it through its paces. Run a few hundred rounds of your preferred ammunition and check that it feeds cleanly. Holster choices exist from several makers, but check yours fits before you order.

This pistol is new. It ships to a North Carolina FFL dealer of your choice for the background check and transfer.