0
Stribog SP9A1 Review: A Work Horse Pistol Caliber Carbine
Pistol Caliber Carbines (PCC) are some of the most popular firearms on the market, starting their rise in prominence in the early 2010s. Offerings from CZ, Palmetto State Armory, B&T, HK, and many others all compete for market space.
Grand Power’s Stribog may seem like just another offering, but in my opinion, it is more than that. It sits at a nice confluence of price and features. It’s become one of the most popular of those PCCs, with a large following and an active community across social media.
Now that’s a good-looking firearm.
Produced in Slovakia by Grand Power and imported by Global Ordnance, the Stribog has gained a reputation for accuracy, versatility, and value. Today, we will examine the Grand Power Stribog and explain why this Slovakian beauty belongs in your arsenal.
What We Like About The SP9A1
Everything. Is that a valid answer? The Stribog is simply an excellent firearm. It is compact, reliable, looks fantastic, and suppresses well. A ton of rail space allows for lots of customization, and it’s more accurate than I am. I could keep going and going, but you get the picture.
My Stribog gets a ton of range time.
Flaws and Potential Deal Breakers
Everything isn’t actually a valid answer. I have a few gripes. First is the factory safety selector. It dug into my hand, so I replaced it with one from HB Industries.
Second, I didn’t like the fact that the factory lower didn’t have interchangeable pistol grips. The pistol grip that came with the Stribog is really good, but I also like to mess with stuff, and I prefer being able to change to different grips. Since it is the 2020s, I should be able to change it if I want to.
Finally, I wish Grand Power decided to use Scorpion magazines instead of proprietary ones. I own other firearms that use Scorpion magazines, and cross-compatibility is very useful.
How We Tested
Reliability
I have owned my Stribog since 2020; my round count since I first brought it home is over 2,000 rounds. During this time, I have experienced one total failure: a stove pipe when shooting suppressed. I consider my Stribog to be completely reliable and would use it to defend my life and the lives of my loved ones if necessary.
My sister and I have had a blast having shooting competitions using the Stribog.
Ammo Used
The variety and types of ammo I have fired from my Stribog include 115, 124, & 147-grain FMJ, both suppressed and unsuppressed. I’ve also put plenty of JHP rounds, such as 124-grain Hornady Black, 124-grain Hornady Critical Defense, 124 Federal HST, and 147-grain Federal HST, through it successfully.
The Stribog suppresses very well. I use a CGS Mod9 with mine.
Accuracy
The Grand Power Stribog SP9A1 is a tack driver. Whether you’re shooting at 15 to 25 yards at your indoor range or 50 to 100 yards at your outdoor range, the Stribog is up to the task.
I’ll take that grouping any day.
Specifications
| Caliber | 9mm |
| Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Action | Direct Blowback |
| Mag Type | Proprietary |
| Barrel Length | 8 inches |
| Twist | 1:10 |
| Overall Length | 14.74” without brace or stock attached |
| Weight | 4.54 pounds without stock or stabilizing brace |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely accurate
- High-quality construction
- Light recoil
- Great value
Cons
- Proprietary magazines
- You can’t replace the pistol grip
Features
Rail System
The Stribog SP9A1 has a Picatinny accessory rail on the top and bottom of the handguard. The sides of the handguard feature M-Lok slots, which allow the shooter to customize their Stribog to their individual preferences. You’ll also find integrated backup sights.
The Stribog looks good in nature.
Controls
The magazine release and safety are both ambidextrous. Still, when in the fire position, the safety dug into my hand, so I replaced the factory safety with one from HB Industries.
There are also aftermarket options to make the charging handle ambidextrous.
Lightweight and Durable
Made with high-quality aluminum, it pairs durability with a lightweight form factor to make a neat, compact package.
Individuals of all sizes should have no problem shooting the Stribog.
Accessories & Aftermarket Support
The Grand Power Stribog enjoys decent aftermarket support, with many smaller companies producing products for it. A few even produce replacement lowers that allow the Stribog to accept Scorpion-style or Colt-style magazines.
Searching pages dedicated to the Grand Power Stribog on popular social media sites will help you find many of the companies that make accessories, add-ons, and upgrades for it.
Why not grab one of each?
Stribog magazines have gone through several iterations. The curved translucent polymer magazines are among the most popular, and a new black polymer model is also being released.
Last Words
The Stribog continues to prove itself a versatile, accurate, and reliable pistol caliber carbine that provides a unique shooting experience for both novice and experienced shooters. It features a durable and well-made construction and several useful features, such as a Picatinny rail system and ambidextrous controls.
One last look at the Stribog.
If you’re looking for a top-performing PCC that provides an enjoyable shooting experience, it is definitely worth considering a Stribog.
