There is an outstanding thread focused on this gun, but it's also an intimidating 74 pages long.  This is a new thread to supplement, but definitely not replace that good thread.  This is based on my understanding, readings, and opinion.  If I say something in error - please correct.

The current state of Stribog and what the gun is now, is quite good.  It's not quite perfect, and if you buy one, there are a couple of things you should do.  Do that, and in my rather vocal opinion, you have the best SMG class PCC out there that can be had - and at a fraction of the price of most.  Opinions vary, other's will disagree with passion - which makes the internet so fun!

First off, the basics. The gun to get TODAY in 2024.  Is an SP9A3 - roller delayed.   But wait, you aren't done.  There are a couple things you need to do.
1) You need to replace the buffer.  The current buffer is too small, and can potentially even result in some really weird gun lock-up jams from ejected casings going the wrong place.  The fix is about $30 - it's the HBI buffer, which is longer, for a few reasons.  
2) Replace the lock block with a 40degree block.  If your block is marked US, that's the wrong block.  They did that block in desparation while still jamming, and blaming it on weak US ammo.  The only source I know for the right block, which is the 40 degree block (yours is 45 degrees), is IPSC Store out of Estonia of all places.  

Bonus #3)  CURVED MAGS!!  Discard all others.  Yes, the SP9A1 worked with straight mags.  The SP9A1 is a blow-back gun with recoil.  recoil jars magazines.  Jarred magazines feed better.  SP9A3 is smoother and doesn't jar as much.  Especially if you do Items 1 and 2.  The fix is a better mag.  The better mag is the gen 3 curved mags with the longer feed lips.  Run those.


The above items repair several failings, in increasing order of priority:
1) They temper recoil. The claims that SP9A3 roller delay doesn't temper recoil like advertised vs SP9A1 have some truth... in original factory configuration that is.  But replace those two items and recoil softens quite a bit more.  
2) The sharper 40degree roller-block will slow down the bolt-opening, and also give you more lock-time.  That means you can shoot hotter ammo, and it means it softens recoil.  It also means you can run suppressors better, and hotter ammo safer.  Run a suppressed Stribog with hot 124 gr ammo in a factory configured gun, and you're probably damaging that gun - because see the next item.
3) the big one, is these will mitigate damaging your rails.  The high velocity of the faster opening bolt, and the sharper/quick sudden-bolt stopping will cause your roller to get forced down onto to the rail on recoil, and start to damage that.  Doing the above two items, tempers that, and mitigates rail damage.  I've seen the rail damage.  Stop doing that early and it's a non-item.  Do the above two items, and you won't see rail damage.

Other thoughts:
There are aftermarket "lowers" (which aren't the registered "gun") available that allow other magazine usage.  And if you like and have piles of CZ Scorpion or Glock mags - there you go.  But this, along with the "US" marked roller blocks, were done to address jam issues due to Stribog mags.  The issue, was the mags.  The issue has been fixed, by the new current curved mags.  the "curvature" helps, but really, the fix is the feed lips, which they changed to be longer.  And now the gun runs fine.  

Due to the nature of being double-stacked and not having feed ramps (meaning this gun can run HOT ammo now), some hollow-points still won't feed.  I don't know what to say, that can vary from gun to gun, and I haven't figured it out.  Some 147gr ammo with HUGE mouths and very long AOL, run just fine.  Some 115g gr conical tip ammo jams.  Actually.. ALL conical tipped ammo jams - I don't know why - play with it.  The gun was designed to run HOT SMG ball ammo.  And it runs that just fine.  Especially if you do the above.

On a final note, the safety levers kind of suck.  They work, but the upgraded ones are worth it.  Also, the muzzel nut walks off.  The upgraded ones with the integrated rubber O-rings stay in position better.  

I don't have a lot of commentary on the new 10mm and 45 versions.  I look forward to seeing more on them in the main thread.

Have fun!

Good info, thanks for posting. I'm about to pick one up.

I'm ignorant of the Stribogs.  what does it do that a good MP5 clone won't do?

It weighs less

It has modern rail systems

It locks back on the last shot



MP5 is cool.  They are iconic, but dated and  pair nicely with an M1A.   If you like an MP5, run an MP5.  I like MP5.  I've run MP5.  I like Stribog better. I like a modern Stribog with the right parts it it - as noted in OP,  I mean.

Mp5 is 1960s technology.  It's stamped sheet metal steel with complex machined steel components.  Meaning it's complicated, heavy, and expensive - and is designed around iron sights and used as-issed with no accessories added to it.

Stribog is 21st century 2010's design with modern Aluminum housing combined with plastic and steel.  Making it quite light, and caters well to modern mounting systems and add on and modern sighting systems.  It's also simple, with a beautifully simple and cost- effective roler delay design component.

I recently purchased the 10mm Stribog sp10a3.

Does the 9mm group as bad? Or an ammo issue?

Poor accuracy in a Stribog has a few possible sources.

1) loose muzzle device.  - the factory muzzle nut isn't so secure.  Just take it off and see if that helps
2) roller block.  If your 2-piece pinned together block wiggles due to loose pins, then that will cause inconsistent roller delay, and shots won't all have that same behavior.   Related to that, make sure spring and channel are smooth and good - inconsistent pressure on the roller-block from the recoil spring, I imagine will have similar issues
3) all the other factors any other gun might have.

I shoot my 9mm at steel at 200 yards - the gun can shoot.

@lazyengineer
Do all the same factors that you have mentioned apply to the 'G' model?  I have the Extar PCC and Glock mags for it so trying to consoldidate mags.

Would there be any reason to go for the standard model (factory mags)?

Lastly - for suppression, do these prefer a flow through can or any old can?

That seems like a lot of fixes for a brand new gun.

The internals are the same, but nothing wrong with the G model.  No reason to change if that is what you have. Personally I suspect (but haven't tested), the G model will more reliably run a broader spectrum of hollow points, since it feeds them single stack more directly into the chamber, vs the up and sideways route the double stacked do - but that's just my theory - no experience.

I can't comment on supressor aspects, I'm sure others know more.

Absolutely.  In addition Grand Powers's screwing around for years trying to get it right, is also terrible.  If someone thinks that's an unacceptable mess and forget those guys, I consider that a very valid reason to walk away.

And yet, here we are now.  If you want a remarkably great gun at a great price - here we are.  Get the Sp9A3, order those 2 parts for well under $100 all-in - and you will have in my loud-mouth opinion, the best one - and for cheap.

@lazyengineer

Is the "locking block" the same as the "charging block" from ISPC?

Apparently so.  I guess they call it a "charging block"

@lazyengineer you taking money from Grand Power?

[Double]

No but I should be!

Thanks for detailed explanation!  I have a number of other 9mm PCC, all blowback, until I got an AP5 recently.  The roller delayed blowback sure makes a difference.

It seems like for somebody getting their first PCC Stribog would be an economical choice.  They are less expensive than even a clone MP5 and MP5 rail systems cost a lot more than the upgrades you suggested.  The magazines are less expensive too ($39 for MKE mags vs $25 for stribog).  I had very good luck with the AP5 running out of the box but apparently swapping in HK parts to make it run better is also a thing.

The name does seem like something out of Lord of the Rings.  Stribog, the Elves are attacking!  Cast the spell of Grand Power!

This is what caused me to pass one up in favor of the B&T GHM9 and I just picked up an APC9 Pro. The Stribog has a lot going for it and I do like that the company has tried to address some of the various issues but at the same time some of the fixes have seemed to cause other issues. I think the Stribog will get there eventually but by then we’ll probably be talking about the A6 model.

Has anyone ever compared a SPA3 to an MP5 for suppressed use?  Which one is a quieter host or are they about the same?

I bought an A1 during the 'brace ban' as someone was dumping it cheap ($400ish). It had a few upgrades including a HBI brace adapter, buffer and extended charging handle. I figured it was cheap enough that even with the $200 SBR tax, I was still looking good money wise. Then the brace ban went away and I found an abandoned brace for $25 on Gunbroker.

I really wanted an A3, but for the money I paid, I'm happy. Ill keep an eye out for an A3 or AP5. I'm on a buying pause for toys as I'm starting a new business venture and can go 6-9 months before I start getting paid.

I'm not the expert on that one - though I have run a suppressed MP5.  I would say a factory configured MP5 vs a factory configured SP9A3 (45degree block) would rather strongly favor the MP5.  An SP9A3 with the suppressor locking block and the HBI buffer, I suspect will be much closer.  I doubt the SPA3 would ever be "better", it's just a lighter gun.  

I could have sworn I once saw reference to a 35degree Stribog suppressed locking block - but I've never actually seen on in the wild or even for sale, so not sure if that was an experimental development item, or even a misremembering on my part - I can't find reference to such a thing anywhere now when I look - so hate to think I'm starting a rumor on something that doesn't even exist(?).  

In any event, for such a comparison, make sure that there's at least a 40 degree block in there, is my own suggestion.

Thanks for all your info on the stribog. I have been interested in them. I'm also interested in the Angstant Arms MDP9 especially since it takes Glock mags. Wonder how it compares to the stribog.

There is/was one. They used to come up in searches as another store (not IPSCstore) in Estonia used to sell them, but they don’t appear in searches anymore.

Neat!  Not familiar with it, and don't have much to say on it.  Aside from I'm not spending $2500 for one, and I'm kind of played out on AR-platform designs.  Probably a great gun, but one thing I like about Stribog is it's a purpose made gun that didn't start with "Let's first start with the AR15 based receiver design and layout.."  

Not that there's anything wrong with that - in many ways that's a great design starting point, as AR is amazing.  And this way one has common manual of arms.  Even better if you can us AR trigger groups (a BIG "even better", in fact).  Just not what I was personally going after.

Are these mods needed for the latest version that take Glock mags?

Has there been any issue with the Glock mag version feeding JHP?

I didn't realize those MDP9s were going for that much, so those are out. So I am back to looking at the stribog. I am torn on getting the propriety mag version versus the glock or evo lower version. I own an EVO, so I have a ton of mags. I also own a ton of glock mags. I see the model that takes the glock mags is more expensive. Anyone know why that is? I also don't see an option for the one the one that takes evo mags-do you have to buy a third party lower?

I am new to these too, so I can't confirm for sure, but in regards to your first question, from watching youtube videos, especially the one from scootch00 where he did a review on the glock mag version, at one point he compares it to the standard version that take prioprietary mags. In his video he says the uppers are identical in every way. So to me I would take that as yes you will probably need to the the mods on the glock version too.

In regards to the second question, I really have no idea, but again from watching youtube videos, and from what lazyengineer has said, I would think that JHP will feed better from glock mags because they will feed rounds from the staggered single stack glock mag more directly into the chamber, vs the up and sideways route the double stacked do, but again I am speculating as well.

Can't speak to any others, but with the Lingle aluminum, lower and AKV mags, I've had zero issues feeding HP ammo.

So did you just buy the standard version, then bought the lingle lower separately and moved the upper from the original lower to the lingle? I didn't see anyone just selling the upper.

Correct. There's currently no way to buy just an upper. I've even asked a friend that works for Global Ordnance and was told they simply can't/won't offer only uppers. Guess it's just the way Grand Power wants it done.

It's still cheaper than money other options and significantly better than said other options in the end.

Ok. Looked them up. $375 is pretty spendy for that scorpion mag lower. Does it really ship right to you? Currently watching a YouTube video and the guy says that the stribogs upper is the serialized part and lowers are not.

Yes. Lower on these guns is just a basic part.

Thanks for confirming.

Guess at this point l am trying to decide to buy the proprietary mag version or the Glock mag version. The former seems to be a little cheaper for some reason but if l go with the latter l don't have to buy more mags.

If I get one, I plan on running it with 115gr +p+ 9BPLE, and using similarly hot Winchester 115gr fmj for training.

Would I need to change out the locking block?

I don't understand the thought process of the Stribog needing "all these parts" to run. If you buy a new SP9A3 it needs ONE part to ensure it does not beat itself up. The HBI replacement buffer. That's it. It is $31.

You don't need the 40 degree block. I don't use my 40 degree block. That block is just for recoil mitigation and use of +p ammo. It is optional. My Stribog is more accurate with the factory block so I use it. This is not a must have item.

All current Stribogs come with curved mags. Don't buy the old outdated straight mags because they suck. If you get the Glock mag version, use and buy real Glock mags. Not rocket science. No special anything here. No extra "parts" to buy. Buy current, factory mags if you want extra mags. Don't get cute or cheap. A non issue IMO.

As for hollow point ammo... the best performing hollow point ammo for defensive use is Federal HST. The Stribog feeds 124 and 147 HST just fine. Shoots suppressed with it just fine. The fact some off the wall or lesser HP ammo has feeding issues is a 100% non issue IMO. Just feed it ball for everything but defense and feed it the best defensive HP 9mm you can get... Federal HST. If you hand load or don't have access to Federal HST it seems to feed Speer Gold Dot 124 and 147 just fine too. You do not gain terminal effectiveness or accuracy by choosing other defensive  loads. So don't buy or shoot those. A non issue in reality.

As for recoil and suppressor use. I find the 40 degree block softens recoil unsuppressed and suppressed. With it installed I can't tell it from an MP5 clone. Both are on the "soft" side. I use a high back pressure can, the Silencerco Omega 9K and use a 3lug mount. I am SURE a lower back pressure can would be less recoil. I am SURE a larger can than the smallest 9mm can you can use that is hearing  safe would be quieter. My outdated Octane 9 is quieter. But I can shoot without ears outdoors all day, the recoil is still better than any unsuppressed blowback gun, and it shoots under 1" groups at 25 yards, even with a 3lug mounted silencer.

As for what is better about a Stribog than the MP5?

WEIGHT (steel MP5 is just heavier)
TRIGGER (this is a HUGE difference in shape, weight, travel, and crispness)
SAFETY (the Stribog has a plastic low profile safety that has left/right wiggle in the AR15 location/style, but the MP5 has a safety that is too high and too long a sweep. Stribog edges it out and has aftermarket metal safety options)
CHARGING HANDLE (Stribog is swappable to left/right side, has ambi options, and has a folding aftermarket option)
RAILS (Stribog has continuous upper picatinny and MLOK integrated)
MAINTENANCE (The Stribog is just SOOOoooo easy to clean and the roller system is just a single pin)
LRBHO (The Stribog has a last round bolt hold open and MP5 does not. While the little spring is snag prone when cleaning, it is better than not having a LRBHO)
PRICE (You can buy 2 or 3 Stribogs for the price of an SP5 or high end clone. Also, the spare parts are cheaper)

Essentially, the Stribog has modern ergos and features at a lower price and weight.

Not sure why you are comparing to an MP5. The MP5 is an OLD Iconic design. People are buying MP5's because of that not because of the lack of features newer gen firearms come with. The MP5 is just a proven platform that is still used today. That being said the Stribog is a decent firearm for the money.  Lets be real though the mags in the SP9a3 and A1 are still hot garbage to this day.

I want one

I want to sell/trade my form4 scorpion SBR for one but I'm lazy

Buddy has a couple and they shoot good

Looks like the glock version doesn't come with the shorter barrel which is what I want, so now I am back to looking at the mini bog 5" proprietary mag version.  My dealer doesn't have any in stock, but can order me one. He can't order the one with the brace included, so I would have to buy that separately. What SB tactical brace fits on the the mini bog? Is it the same one that fits on the MP5 clones? That one is model SB5T. Can anyone confirm?
Thanks

It is not the same brace as the MP5, but literally any brace ever made for ANY Stribog will fit any other Stribog (regardless of caliber, receiver length, etc), and there are a LOT of them out there now.  It will absolutely NOT be a problem to find one.

Ok. Thanks Kent. Trying to see how much more the brace will cost me to determine if lm going to have my dealer order one for me.

I think I typically see them for about $125 (for the HK style one) but I don't have any current links to share that show that price.

You can just buy the one you want with a brace from wherever you want and have your dealer do the transfer. Probably financially better off too. https://gun.deals/search/apachesolr_search/810091152836

yeah that is probably what I am going to do. I try to support my local FFL as much as I can, but it seems like a hassle trying to find and buy the brace separately. Has anyone bought from gunzonedeals? They are selling the mini bog with brace for $942 with free shipping-thats the lowest I am seeing it, but never bought from them before.

IME, they're GTG.

I had a good experience with them as well.

ok. Thanks guys.

GZD did me right when I bought mine 2 years ago.

Mav3rick,

Are you dead set on that brace or a folding brace in general?

Having tried a bunch of braces, I actually prefer the factory collapsing brace. It is a bit longer, but thinner, when collapsed vs a folder. The factory stock/brace mounts low and I prefer a low mounted optic due to the Stribog excessively high rail over bore (1.7" barrel to rail). The lower stock allowed me to fit a factory low mount Sig Romeo5 and cowitness the factory iron sights and still fit behind the gun. This keeps the POI/POA at 15, 25, and 50 yards with subs all VERY close. An AR height/higher mounted optic of 1.5" has VERY different POIs at those ranges and I hated it for that.

I never thought I would like the factory collapsing brace/stock, but I SBRed mine and left it with factory collapsing option. I fully intended to swap to a different A3 Tactical folder or SB folder or A3 collapsing brace, but decided against it after using the factory collapsing brace. Let me explain why...

After using the factory collapsing brace I have decided the weight helps balance the gun. When collapsed, it stays collapsed and does not need a button or lever to open. The deployed rod wiggle I thought would be the most annoying thing about the collapsing brace is NOT noticeable in use. There is one "perfect" length of pull... which is the ONLY one it offers, so that just simplfied things instead of being a negative compared the the A3 collapsing option with multiple LOP options (which is also a high cheek mount). Also, I thought I would hate the lack of actual cheek area vs a folder, but don't mind it one bit. Somehow the Stribog is MUCH better than AK under folders or MP5 collapsing stocks that built my preconception.

If you buy that HK style folder and are in ANY way not satisfied with it due to it not staying folded all the way, left/right wiggle developing, width for storage, etc. please consider the factory collapsing option. It is hugely underrated.

I have a coworker who decided on the 5" SP9A3S with factory collapsing brace option after trying mine. It really is a heavenly match. In fact, I liked his 5" Stribog so much, I will probably buy a second Stribog in 5" length to do the factory collapsing/Romeo5 low mount combo again, with my SiCo Omega9k for a small bag gun.

Can you post a link or pic of the 'factory' collapsing brace?   All I have seen are the aftermarket braces (folding and collapsing) and a factory folding stock (not brace).   Nothing about a collapsing brace up on Grand Power's website either that I could find.

I tried the collapsible one with the tailhook, and don't 100% like it because the tailhook (which mounts at 90 deg to the rails) sits too close to the grip when collapsed and interferes with my grip hand.  To avoid this, I have to collapse it not fully, but leave it extended about 1.5" when 'collapsed' so my grip hand has enough room.   Of course, there is no stop there, so it won't stay in that position.   I'm working on that.