[Pumpkinheaver]

Anyone have one of the newer steyr pistols, the ones with the polymer frame. I saw one for sale today and was wondering how you liked it? Will it work for a lefty?

[synoptic]

I love my steyr. I'm assuming you're talking about the M9 and M40 and that they didn't just come out with something new that i don't know about. I have the M9 (9mm version) and it has been totally reliable so far, I'm at just over 700 rounds with only 1 incident that was due to the cartridge itself, bad primer I think. As far as working for a lefty, I think the only problem you'd have is the mag release, I am pretty sure it isn't ambidextrous (though I've never really thought to look). the manual safety, which I never use anyways, is located inside the trigger guard so either hand can release it and the internal lock is done using two hands and isn't meant to be fast so it shouldn't be a problem either. Something to look for though is the trigger upgrade. Do a search on the board for Styer trigger or something and you'll find where someone (Zundfolge I think) posted pics to tell the old trigger and new trigger apart. Again, I love mine, it is my first handgun and I have no regrets...

[C. H. Luke]

"Will it work for a lefty?"

Am LH and have an M40.........

It's a great gun with an excellent trigger well worth owning.

No problems with it for a Lefty at all.

[arinvolvo]

My brother and I are both lefties, and both own Steyr pistols. Awesome guns, especially for a lefty.

[michiganfan]

Got a 357 Sig and I love the gun

[Flashpoint]

Very nice, well made plastic fantastic. The sites are good, very easy to line up.It is also very easy and comfortabel to carry, though finding holsters are a bit of a pain, you usually have to order one made. Highnoon holsters makes some nice ones at good prices and I think most XD hosters will work for them. I think you will start to see more accessories on the market for them because I'm starting to see more of them in the market. I would recomend the M40 because your not going to find any 15/17 round 9mm mags for them so yu might as well go for the bigger round, if you like the .40, some don't.

[jpatmac]

Sorry to rain on the parade. I have a m357 which has pretty severe reliability issues. I'll be putting it in the shop in the next day or two to see if that straightens things out.

Maybe it's a freak occurance and something can easily be fixed or replaced.

Other than that, I love the features and feel of it. Since I want it for my main ccw weapon, though, reliability is THE most important issue. This gun hasn't been doing well at all in that regard.

Hopefully, your luck will be better than mine.

- j

[Flashpoint]

Sorry to hear about your problelms with your M357.:( Unfortunatly I have head of people having problems with thier M357, but the M9/M40 seem to run like a top.:D How is your Steyr acting up?

[jpatmac]

When it's perfectly clean, it'll work fine.

Shortly after firing, though, my "chamber loaded indicator" thinger will get stuck WAY back. By this, I mean that it'll stick out the back of the receiver way more than it should to indicate there's a log in the furnace.

Usually, when that starts happening, I'll have fairly frequent failures to go into battery. The scary thing is that the gun will ALMOST go into battery. It's not a blatant jam or anything.

This gets scary because I often practice double taps and I've had it happen between the first and second shots. The firing pin will strike when the receiver isn't in battery, and it's not supposed to do that. I've had an incident of "BOOOM, click."

I held the gun pointed on target for around half a minute in case this was a slow cooker, but after seeing the but hadn't gone into battery and ejecting the unfired shell, I found a small indent on the primer, but not enough to set it off. :what:

I remember reading that this gun was wicked safe and that it wouldn't fire without going into battery. Maybe that's the way it's SUPPOSED to be, but mine has attempted to fire out of battery and that scared the crap out of me - especially with .357 sig.

So, no more shooting until a gunsmith gives it the twice-over.

I have no idea what the is causing the problem(s), but at this point I couldn't personally recommend the Steyrs for anyone looking for a self-defense gun.

Glad to hear the others are having better luck than I am, though. Hopefully, mine will get fixed soon and it'll work the way it's supposed to. Like I said, this issue aside, I love the feel and design. I've never had this much trouble with a pistol though. :( Glocks and sigs have spoiled me.

- j

[mrapathy2000]

jpatmac how new is it and what problems?

btw couple websites for steyr info
www.steyr-mannlicher.comsteyr-austria site (http://www.steyr-mannlicher.com/englishversion/index.htm)
steyr USA (http://www.usasteyr.com)

m357 is bit rare model in US. atleast until things get rolling again.

odells engineering in canada has spare parts and barrels as well.

only difference of steyr's from left and right side is the magazine release and the take down lever and lock. magazine release is on left side and should be easy for left handed person to release I wish it was ambi myself due to slight case of right handedness. take down lever and lock are on right side.

[Covey Rise]

Best gun I own!!!!! If I could only keep one pistol it would be the one.

Up to now I have only seen two styer haters, and they where on tfl, total bs guys who where glock lovers, and bashed everything else.

Like I said best gun I own.

[Flashpoint]

My best guess would be extractor not lined up right and hitting the end of the bullet too square on causing it to jam back to far. This may throw the slide into a bind keeping it from going into battery. Please let us know what the problem was when you get it fixed.

[BrentK]

No manufacturer, not even Glock, produces perfect guns 100% of the time, so having an occaisional minor flaw is to be expected. That's what warranties are for. I had a problem with the mag release on my new M40, but this won't prevent me from recommending the gun to others. Since prices on Steyrs are SO much lower than on Glocks (for now), if you happen to get a gun with a flaw and you have to pay shipping one-way for warranty service, you've still spent MUCH less than you would buying a Glock -- and there's no guarantee that you wouldn't need to do the same for the Glock.

About the trigger upgrade, if you buy a gun from WWW.CDNNINVESTMENTS.COM, the gun will already have the upgrade. And at the time you order, that's the best time to load up on mags since the per-mag price is lowered by $5 (and you won't need to pay $10 again for shipping).

[Handgun]

I have a bunch of Steyr pistols and like them a lot. I have had none of the reliability issues noted above with my .357. Nor have my 9 mm had any problems. I have not gotten around to shooting my.40 yet.

[jpatmac]

Mr Apathy -

It's fairly new, but I have put around 600 rounds through it already. At first I chalked the problems up to a break in period, but I don't think that's it anymore.


Covey Rise -

I hope you're not lumping me in with "Steyr haters". I assume you're not. I actually really like the gun, I'm just not impressed with it's reliability yet. Hopefully with a little work here and there it'll become as reliable as others' Steyrs. If that happens, it'll be my main carry gun.

I DO love Glocks, but I like the feel and safety features of the Steyr much better. I have also noticed that the Steyr's design REALLY tames the .357sig cartridge. My girlfriend has less muzzle flip with my m357 than with her Lady Smith revolver shooting .38 target loads! That's saying a lot, imo.


Flashpoint -

re: the extractor... Yeah, that could very likely be it. It definitely has problems with it's chamber loaded indicator. I'm not sure how the chamber loaded thing would directly affect it from going into battery, but I'm not a gunsmith by a long shot. ;) Seems like a couple of things are off a little. Hopefully, it'll be a relatively easy and inexpensive fix in the right person's hands.


Brentk -

I agree that no one makes perfect items. The problem for me is that I own a couple Glocks and a Sig 239 that have never given me even the slightest problem. Out of the box they have been 100% reliable to me.

Sounds like most people get that sort of reliability with their Steyrs. I think that's great. I wish I was among you guys. :(

In GENERAL (and this is by no means scientific), I have heard of more problems with Steyrs than with Glocks or Sigs, for instance. I honestly like the feel of the Steyrs more than either of those brands, but since I'm looking at it for self defense, one thing is more important than anything else - I need it to go BANG everytime I pull the trigger. I get that with my Glocks and with my Sig. I don't get that with my Steyr. That's just my experience, though. Take it with a grain of salt.

You're right about the prices, Brent. OMG, they are really great values for the price. If I can get this issue ironed out and can become a 100% believer in their reliability, I know I'll be getting another one. :D Probably a compact.


Handgun -

Since you are obviously too busy with your other guns, please PM me and I'll give you my address so that you can send me your .40. I'll make sure it has a nice home and gets the attention and love it deserves. ;)



Basically, Pumpkinheaver, most people have had great experiences. I haven't so far, but I haven't given up hope, either.

The gun feels great and shoots great. You really ought to check them out. I think the more you look into them, the more you'll like them.

Good Luck!

- j

[Pumpkinheaver]

Ok most reviews are positive now is the 9mm version worth the asking price of $349.99?

[jpatmac]

Yeah. But no one can answer that but you.

That price sounds like a price from a place like CDNN. Most stores mark them WAY up from there if they even have them at all.

Have you had a chance to see them in person? If you possibly can, I'd recommend doing that.

Take some time and take a close look at the features and feel of the gun.

IMO, the quality of the weapon will have you surprised that they're selling it for a relatively low price.

[snubby]

I've had a less serious, though similar, problem to JPatMac's. I have the M40, and have noticed that a chambered gun tends to go out of battery with only slight pressure on the muzzle (such as when reholstering). It can be returned to battery without much difficulty by a conscious readjustment of the slide. I experimented with it and found that the loaded chamber indicator is the culprit. The indicator works by pressure from a chambered round on the point of the indicator that protrudes from the breech face. When the muzzle is pressed (such as in a press check), the round drops downwards slightly, and the indicator catches it so the round doesn't slide back up as well as it could (esp. when the gun's dirtied after firing). Most loaded chamber indicators on other guns work by protrusion of the extractor sideward, rather than by protrusion of something directly behind the round like with the Steyr guns.
I ended up sanding down my indicator, so it no longer works to show a loaded chamber (I can live with this, but am concerned should I ever wind up in court after a SD incident and have to defend the alteration).

[jpatmac]

Damn, Snubby, that's a great post.

That sounds EXACTLY like my problem. The only difference is that you're good at describing what happened. :p

That indicator was a feature I actually liked about the gun when looking at it, but now I wish it wasn't there. I believe that it is the root of my problems. K.I.S.S. <-- I'm starting to appreciate that more and more.

Sanding it down, eh? Hmmmm... That sounds like an interesting idea. VERY interesting idea, in fact. I'd rather have the indicator not work at all and have a pistol that fires every time the trigger is pulled.

Reading your post again, I'm left thinking "That's EXACTLY what's happening!!!" Great job.

Question, though - since filing it down, have you had any similar problems? Did that fix the problem?

You're absolutely right about it getting dirty and how that affects things. Last time I went shooting, I didn't get through even 80 rounds before that started happening!!!!!

I'm going to let the gunsmith know what you had to say and see if we can figure out a good solution.

Thanks for the post.

:D

[snubby]

jpatmac,
since filing down the indicator tip I haven't had any more problems with it, though I find myself carrying my Steyr less these days due to the (probably unfounded) concern I mentioned above about the potential civil liability lawsuit. Hope this helps.

[jpatmac]

Helps a ton. Thx, man. :D

[arinvolvo]

I have thousands of rounds through my M9, and my brother has put maybe a thousand through his M40. Both run like a top, dirty OR clean.

There may be a bad batch of chamber indicators out there.

I carry my M9, with no qualms. The fit, finish and quality of manufacture is as good if not bettter than glock. In fact they look a little nicer (fit and finish) than glock.

Galco makes holsters. Well, one that I know of. The FLETCH model is a high rise thumbreak style, and it what I carry mine with. There is a link in my signature to a picture of the Steyr and its holster.

The price you mentioned is a good one. I believe I payed 320 for mine. But I have seen them for as much as 600. It is a lot of gun for the money, and worth the gamble if you are concerned with getting a dud. You can always have the indicator replaced. OR like someone else mentioned, file it. And I doubt you would need to file it completely. I would imagine that just a little reshaping of it may correct the problem.

[matthewdanger]

Has anyone tried M40 mags in an M9? Often, using .40 S&W mags for 9mm allows for the addition of extra rounds and is completely legal as long as the magazine still functions in the gun it was originally manufactured for.

[jpatmac]

Good points, Arinvolvo. I'm in total agreement.

[arinvolvo]

I have one M40 mag that I tinkered with to work with my M9....I think it allows 12+1. I cant remember. The feed lips just need to be crimped in a bit, so that the 9mm round sits at the correct height.

Just a little trial and error to get it reliable.

[arinvolvo]

Also, another thing may be to remove the indicator, and sand down the shank of it. sand it down a bit with fine grit paper....and maybe polish it with some rouge. there may be a bur or inconsistency in the machining of the indicator pin, that is causing it to bind up.

[mrapathy2000]

I paid $300 for my First Steyr M40 and got 2 spare mags for $25.00 each. second steyr I paid $380 cause it was special order.

couple years ago these guns sold for $600+ not many bought them. at moment they are selling low cause steyr hit hard times and is working on getting things rolling again.

two rarest steyr pistols in usa are s9 and m357 in that order.

this fall is when things are supposed to get rolling and new products may come out. long rumored steyr m45 in .45acp or 45gap.

dont think the prices will last probably get into $400 range.

[synoptic]

To see the gun in person and fondle it, that's not a bad price at all. I paid $380 before tax on my M9. I could have ordered it from CDNN for a bit cheaper, but this way I got to see it and touch it before buying it. Make sure you like the way it feels before buying it...

[spacemanspiff]

i've set my M40 aside a while back, havent tinkered with it at all. but now that i see others having the same problem with it not going into battery, i may have to see what i can do.
i considered selling it real cheap, but if i can get it functioning good, i'll sell it for NOT-cheap. :D

since i bought my kimber, i havent shot the m9 or m40 hardly. cant justify buying that much ammo. so how do you remove the loaded chamber rod completely? i've disassembled my slide as much as i am comfortable doing so, but couldnt figure out how to get inside of there.
and is filing the face of the indicator simple enough that any yahoo (like myself) could do it?

[Pumpkinheaver]

This thread has made me decide to keep my Kimber(never had a stoppage in over 7,000rounds) for cc. I'll spend the money on an ambi safety and night sights instead of a new steyr. Thank for all the responses guys.

[Cawdor]

There was a recent thread on the Steyr at GlockTalk - Steyr M Pistols' Ejection Problem (http://glocktalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=182549)

It was also discussed extensively at The Firing Line (http://thefiringline.com/forums/index.php).

While many owners do not have any problems with their Steyrs, the problems that others have (myself included) tend to be the same: Failures to extract, failures to go into battery, and a tendency to toss brass on the shooter's head.

[Beav]

To remove the loaded chamber indicator rod you will need to remove the rear sight. You will also need to remove the plastic plug on the back end of the slide. The plastic plug is retained by a spring and pin, depress the pin and pull the plastic plug out (careful as the pin and spring may shoot out). After the plastic piece is removed you should have access to the firing pin assembly as well as the loaded chamber indicators retaining pin. You will need to pop the pin out and the rod will come out provided you have the rear sight removed. Good idea to clean the firing pin assembly while you at it if you one of the people who have been having light primer strikes.

[spacemanspiff]

well i think i'm gonna try that. i have to replace my rear sight anyways, had the part for the last 9 months, just been lazy to put it on.

so i'll need something to tap the rear sight out? my landlord used to be a gunsmith, i'll see if he has something to help me out with.