[The Mighty Beagle]

I am looking for the easiest-to-shoot, easiest recoiling auto out there. Many posters have spoken of the shootability of the M series and its low muzzle flip, etc., and I decided I might take the plunge ... but first, could someone tell me ....

1. Reliability - is the gun as reliable as a Glock, Beretta, and Sig? I want to CCW and use for home defense .... Are certain calibers more feed-reliable in this model?

2. Trigger update - Was probably going to order from Davidson's - does anyone know if the guns they are selling are upgraded, or are they so cheap because they haven't been? Would CDNN's guns be updated?

3. .40 to .357 Sig Convertible - Would this work with a barrel swap, and which gun would I buy? Who has barrels?

4. Accuracy - how accurate is yours? I would prefer 2" to 3" at 25 yards, and have read the .40 isn't quite that accurate.

If it sounds like I don't know which caliber I want yet, that's true. I want to shoot as cheaply as possible, so 9mm is probably what I'll get. Also I figure the 9 will have the least problems as I've had trouble with the .40's I've owned. I've done several searches but need more in-depth experiences to help me decide, since I don't feel like I can sell this gun around here if I don't like it.

Thanks!

[Zundfolge]

1. My M40 has been perfectly reliable. Never had a feed problem (only FTF I've ever had was because of bad ammo)

2. the best way to tell if your Steyr has the upgraded trigger is to look at the side of trigger. There is a pin in it that appears to guide the trigger safety.

On the original triggers this pin was about a quarter of the distance from the bottom of the trigger to the top of the trigger. On the upgraded trigger it's about halfway up the trigger.

here's a picture of the early trigger
http://www.remtek.com/arms/steyr/msseries/safeties/safe1.jpg

and here is the upgraded trigger
http://www.steyr-mannlicher.com/Pistolen/images/Sicherung01gr.jpg

The ones CDNN has are more then likely upgraded triggers ... there aren't many non-upgraded ones left out there (mine was, but the previous owner sent it in for the free trigger upgrade).

There is some discussion as to whether the early trigger was faulty or not, but the updated trigger is lighter and smoother. If you find an early trigger I have no idea if you can still get the upgrade for free (so I would avoid an early trigger pistol unless you get it real cheap).

3. AFAIK The .40 and .357sig are convertable ... good luck finding a barrel though and the M357s are hard to find.

4. I find that my M40 is much more accurate then a Glock 23. The grip angle and overall ergonomics make followup shots even more accurate and the trigger feels better then the Glock.



I have an M40, and if I had it to do over again, I might get the M9 just because 9mm ammo is cheaper so I could shoot more. Power wise, there is some hot loaded 9mm +p+ out there that is every bit as hot as .40 and the Steyr will handle it.

[The Mighty Beagle]

Thanks Zund for an extremely helpful reply.

I plan on getting the 9 as I doubt I will like the .40 recoil. Not that it's bad, it's just that I have my heart set on actually being able to do double-taps, which I never have been able to do with any speed whatsoever. I've heard the M9 has little muzzle flip, so I guess I won't mess with a good thing by going up to .40. The .40's I've had have been unreasonably snappy kickers, which is totally subjective I guess.

[Zundfolge]

The interesting thing about the M40 is that many say the recoil feels like a 9mm.

Of course that would make the 9mm version even easier to shoot :)

[Handgun]

All of the CDNN and Davidsons guns should have the new trigger. The trigger was changed at about serial number 8000.

[Gary G23]

I currently own a M357 and used to own an M40. The 357 is 100% reliable and the 40 was about 98% reliable.

[mrapathy2000]

.40S&W is a semi versatile caliber. you can get heavy recoiling 180grainers or soft and 9mm like 135grainer rounds which hardly recoil. the steyr M40 was ENGINEERED to shoot .40S&W and .357sig. some folks say shooting 9mm in it is like firing a co2 powered bb/pellet clone. doesnt feal like your shooting a 9mm accept the loud noise.

I would take a 135-165grain jhp in .40S&W over 115-124gr 9mm any day. recoil is truely nothing compared to 180 grains. 180 grains doesnt even recoil much in steyr and follow up shots are pretty easy.

[emc]

I would consider the M series Steyrs to be excellent pistols. I briefly owned an M40, which put ten rounds into a ragged hole at ten yards when shooting off-hand, using Sellier & Bellot 180 grain bullets. This is just excellent, and recoil was moderate. Why did I sell it? While recoil wasn't bad, in my hand, the recoil of each shot caused the overhanging portion of the grip to smack the bone at the base of the thumb. Since there's no protection for that joint on the thumb, it was reeeallllyyy uncomfortable after about five shots. Plenty of other shooters haven't had the same problem. If it weren't for that, I would have kept it, and purchased the M9, as well.

FWIW,

emc

[The Mighty Beagle]

Thanks to all who responded, very helpful information gentlemen.

Unfortunately, when I finally found a Steyr pistol to look at at a local pawn shop, the gun didn't fit me at all. The problem EMC described was there for me too, and the gun wasn't comfortable at all even to hold. I could tell the thumb-knuckle-rap would kill my enthusiasm, and the grip was also a little on the thin side as well.

Guess I'm the one person out there the Steyr ISN'T ergonomic for. Just glad I found one to handle before ordering. But thanks so much for your helpful advice. You live, you learn.