[clubsoda22]

Anyone own one? What do you like/dislike about it? Do you carry it? Any idea what the mag capacity for the S9 would be if the ban expired.

If you would, compare to the XD subcompact 9 and glock 26 (that is, if you have any experiance with them).

Any good reviews of the gun online? (link me)

[mrapathy2000]

I dont own a S series though its basicly same as M series with shorter slide and frame. the M series magazine will work in the S series the difference is the base plate which is large on M series and small on S. website says 10 rounds though a trick you can get away with is taking a S40 magazine and closing the feedlips enough so it works with 10 rounds of 40S&W and should hold 12-13 rounds of 9mm. though legal requirement is it must be able to hold and feed 10 rounds of 40S&W still. anyone against feedlip or any mods probably wont mind them after AWB sunset and state law permitting.

the M9 LEO magazine holds 14 rounds. if you find a S&W sigma magazine it will work though requires new notch for mag latch they hold 17rnds 9mm and 15 40S&W.

S9's are rare and if you find one $400-$450 is the going rate for very good to excellent condition.

S40's are availible from cdnninvestments catalog availible at cdnninvestments.com.

imo I think the S series is a little wider than I care for CCW. if you dont mind the width then enjoy. the profile besides width is ok. nothing made to fit the rail.

[clubsoda22]

I heared shooting the 9mm steyrs is like shooting a .22 recoil wise. Might be inclined to go for a S40 if the 9's are so rare, i doubt that i'd have any problems controlling it. I also read that the steyr was designed for the .40.

[sturmruger]

Old S40 Link (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6450&highlight=S40+WOW)

Here is a thread I authored last winter concerning my then New S40. I have close to 1K rounds through my S40 and love it more then ever. I can’t figure out why but I usually shoot the S40 better then my full sized M Series pistols. It must be something with how hit fits in my hand. It has been the most reliable handgun I have ever owned. It has never had any problems feeding anything I shoot out of it. I have shot some Wolf, but the Wolf was awfully dirty. I prefer to shoot the Winchester or the Seller and Belliot .40 S&W over the Wolf. I don’t think the S40 is any wider then a Glock 19, or the XD. It has been an extremely easy gun to carry. I now live in WI so I am not allowed to carry in public, but I do carry at home sometimes. I have a .40 mag that I have been using 9mm in. It is not possible to tell that it has been modified and will feed 9mm and .40 perfectly. When I put the 9mm in this mag I can get a total of 12 rounds, plus the one in the chamber. It is reliable enough for me to use it as my bedside home defense pistol.

[Zundfolge]

I just got an S40 to CCW with (and to go with my M40).

The M40 is a pretty concealable piece since its relatively thin and very smooth and rounded. The S40 should be even better because of the shorter grip and slide.

I've walked around with my S40 in my pants and its more concealable and comfortable them my Makarov ... the only reason I haven't started carrying it full time is because I haven't fired it yet (I won't carry a gun until I get a few hundred rounds through it) I don't expect any problems, but its best to be sure then find out you've got a defective gun when you need it. Plus I'm waiting on some parts form PCRCCW to convert my M40's pancake holster into an IWB.

As for shooting, I expect the S40 to be slightly harsher then my M40, but comparing my M40 to a Glock 23 (which is the same size) the ergonomics of the gun reduce felt recoil down to that of a mild 9mm.

The capacity of the S40 is 10 rounds ... the "AWB" magazines for the M40 are basically S40 mags with an extended baseplate, so I imagine that even after the ban the S40 will have a 10rd capacity.

[clubsoda22]

hmm, i'll see if i can find one around anywhere. Now i'm interested in finding one and taking a look.

[cornbread2]

I have not seen any of the compact Steyr pistols yet.

Do they have the exact same trigger group as the full size pistols and the same lack of a slide mounted firing pin lock?

[aircarver]

Yes and yes. It's basically an M40 sawed off slightly at both ends. :D

Same mech, including no safety on the slide-mounted striker/firing pin.

[cornbread2]

Then the compact is also not as safe as most other modern designs.

While the Steyr is a good reliable good shooting pistol I fail to see that it has such a huge advantage over other designs that would make me wish to carry it over a known safer design.

There is nothing magical about the way they shoot that would justify one carring a pistol that could be unsafe.

There can be NO debate on the safety of the Steyr. Those that know and completly understand it's design know my concern about the safety issue is valid and they would NEVER carry one with a loaded chamber.

Those that don't understand will still carry one.

[aircarver]

Cornbread, I agree with you completely.

The Steyer is NOT safe with one in the chamber, the only thing that restrains the striker/firing pin is the blocking nub in front of the striker finger. On my gun, this is an engagement of .050". If a rap displaces the relationship of the slide to the receiver, or if wear tolerances build up, the finger can jump over the nub and BANG ! Even with all the safties on in the receiver.

I bought mine for CCW. When i analyzed the mechanism, I decided "Nooo Way" I'm still carrying my Mak.
I use the Steyer for a range gun, but only after ditching the 'triangle sights' for '3 dot'.

[sturmruger]

Ah the ongoing Steyr Safety debate. I thought we go done with this last year on TFL. Oh well I am sure we can start it over again. I have carried a Steyr for the last two years without ever fearing for my safety. I wouldn't worry about it. The man that invented the Steyr pistols is an excellant engineer, and built this line of pistol to be ultra safe. :banghead:

[Zundfolge]

It's basically an M40 sawed off slightly at both ends.
That's a very accurate description. I have a molded leather pancake holster for my M40, and my S40 fits in it perfectly (with all the controls and such lining up to where the M40 hits) Only difference is there's a little gap at the muzzle end of the holster.


On my gun, this is an engagement of .050". If a rap displaces the relationship of the slide to the receiver, or if wear tolerances build up, the finger can jump over the nub and BANG !

Okay, let's beat the hell out of this dead horse again. :rolleyes:

If you put a couple million rounds through your Steyr without cleaning and lubing it properly, then yes the tolerances might wear enough to cause a ND, and yes a rap could displace the relationship of the slide to the reciever, but the amount of force required would rip the damn thing apart or crush the gun (maybe if you drop it while skydiving or something). So as long as you don't CCW while skydiving with it you should be fine :p

[Flashpoint]

There can be NO debate on the safety of the Steyr. Those that know and completly understand it's design know my concern about the safety issue is valid and they would NEVER carry one with a loaded chamber.

If you put a couple million rounds through your Steyr without cleaning and lubing it properly, then yes the tolerances might wear enough to cause a ND, and yes a rap could displace the relationship of the slide to the reciever, but the amount of force required would rip the damn thing apart or crush the gun


To each his own. It looks to me as though the thing is over built to insure that there is no wear or play that would cause an AD, but if it makes you uncomfortable by all means carry something else.

[aircarver]

Clubsoda22, new to the piece, asked:
What do you like/dislike about it?

New people are entitled to know about it so they can decide for themselves.

[clubsoda22]

are there any reports of accidents (non negligent) with the steyr out there? Or is it all just hypothetical?

[sturmruger]

So far it is all hypothetical.

[cornbread2]

It has hapened. I have personaly seen it.

I am not the only one.

[hnm201]

Conbread2: "It has hapened. I have personaly seen it. I am not the only one."

Are you referring to an AD with a Steyr M or S series hand gun that resulted from mechanical failure?

Please provide details. Otherwise we'll assume that you're blowing smoke.

[cornbread2]

This thing has been discusssed several times before.

Those that know and understand the design of the Steyr KNOW this is possible because of the lack of a very important safety feature that most ALL modern quality pistols have.

I have no reason to make up BS to post here. The facts are there for anyone to see if they have one of these pistols.

All one has to do is look for themselves.

If one is capable of field striping the Steyr that is.

Apparently some here own these but lack that ability and some here even think it is a DAO. I really can't see how anyone can own and carry a weapon without knowing it's basic design and know the difference between SA and DA.

Such people have no business carring ANY firearm in public.

[cornbread2]

aircarver

I liked the sights on the Steyr. I wish I had some just like them for some of my other pistols.

I know a guy that shoots one in IDPA. His scores improved the first time he shot his Steyr and he claims it is because of the sights.

His pistol has a much better trigger than most. It is as light and as crisp as a good tuned 1911.

If you can find someone that has several of these pistols in stock you can sometimes find one with a good trigger but one like this would really be dangerous for carry with such a small amount of sear engagement and nothing to stop the fall of the striker if something happened with the sear.

CDNN now has the full size pistols for less than $300.

That is a good buy if one wishes to buy one for IDPA or other shooting sports but as you well know you should not carry one with a loaded chamber.

[hnm201]

Cornbread 2,

Why would you answer my inquiry regarding details of the Steyr mechanical failture ADs that you claim to have seen personally or even know of second hand by calling into question the judgement of anyone who choses to ccw a Steyr M or S series?

I am well aware that the Steyr is a striker fired weapon and is not DA or DAO. I've read many threads on THR and TFL regarding the Steyr "safety issues" but I have yet to see anyone claim to have witnessed a Steyr AD caused by mechanical failure (as opposed to a negligent discharge) first hand or to even have second hand knowledge of such.

So, until you can provide some detailed and verifiable information regarding Steyr ADs I'll assume that your post is in fact BS and that you have no business telling anyone what they can and cannot ccw.

[aircarver]

aircarver

I liked the sights on the Steyr. I wish I had some just like them for some of my other pistols.

I know a guy that shoots one in IDPA. His scores improved the first time he shot his Steyr and he claims it is because of the sights.



Cornbread,


I tried to get used to the triangle sights, but found I couldnt interpolate 'how much' equal spacing between the triangle and trapezoids. Further, I couldn't get a handle on whether to put the point of the triangle at center hold, or 6 o'clock hold. The results were a group bigger than I was happy with. (This was bullseye shooting, I suspect i'm too accustomed to interpreting '3 dot') The triangle may well be better for quick aquisition of man-size targets, but that's not how I'm using it.

[Zundfolge]

I liked the sights on the Steyr. I wish I had some just like them for some of my other pistols.

http://www.usasteyr.com/schematics/modelm&spistolschematic.htm

Item #34: Front Sight - Model M & S Pistol 8-39410 $14.20
Item #35: Rear Sight - Model M & S Pistol 8-39411 $15.15

As for the safety issue with the Steyr pistols, this subject has been beat to death, resurrected and beat to death several times over.

I think its overly polemic to state that anyone who would consider CCWing a Steyr pistol is either an idiot who doesn't know anything about firearms design or a reckless moron. :rolleyes:

I belive Twoblink and tetchaje adequately addressed the technical issues (much more so then the opposition) back in the debates that raged on TFL.

But don't take my word for it, read for yourselves (I'm not sure I have these in proper order):
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=144739
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=126530
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=145050
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=138673

I think that all that could be said on this subject has been said in on TFL so lets not descend into another flame war over this here (notice most of the threads I linked ended up locked) ... if you don't feel safe carrying a Steyr with one in the pipe then don't.

I for one feel perfectly comfortable carrying my M40 (size issues aside) ... and once I get a chance to break in the S40 I'll feel fine carrying it too.

Edited for spelling

[matsaleh]

I got a Steyr S40 in Late October and have carried it daily since then. Not a long time to be sure, but I love the gun. It shoots well and is very accurate, and the sights are excellent. The recoil is sharper than my 9mm 6906, but is somehow reminiscent of my Makarov, if that makes any sense (I think the felt recoil of the blowback Mak is more noticeable despite the lower power round).

A very manageable gun, built like a tank, and simple to operate. I like the manual safety as well.

So, I'm obviously an idiot, according to some on this thread.

[sturmruger]

Us Idiots Steyr owning idiots need to stick together. :D

[George Hill]

I am not aware of any actual documented account of mechanical failure resulting in an AD. However I am sure there are several ND's where the guy said he never pulled the trigger.

So far there has been no name calling, and this is a good thing. Let's keep it that way.

[michiganfan]

That thread by Zundfolge on TFL. is excellent and well worth the read for anybody that has a Steyr or thinking of getting one. it certainly made me feel better about carrying one in the pipe.

[cornbread2]

To those that assume I am posting BS you really need to have a close look at your pistol and tell me just what would happen if the sear failed or the tab on the striker broke. I have seen more than one Steyr pistol that would go full auto and one that would fire if you pryed up on the slide. I personaly seen and tested these pistols. Even if I had not seen this I would know better than carry a Steyr with a loaded chamber and anyone that knows what I know would not do so.



Combine a slightly short sear with a little play in the slide to frame fit and you have a very dangerous problem. That is not so hard to comprehend if you understand the design of this pistol.


Most every other modern design and the almost 100 year old 1911 have some sort or device to prevent the fall of the hammer or striker if the sear failed. The Steyr and a few junk striker fired pistols such as the Jennings and Lorcin type pistols are the only ones that lack such a feature. Most modern DA and DAO pistols have an extra safety device such as a firing pin lock even though they are not needed as much as they are on a SA design.


In every single discussion about this all of you claim that the sear can not fail or the tab just CANT break but a few of you do know that IF this happened the pistol WOULD fire.


I can't see why anyone would risk carring such a dangerous piece since there are many other modern designs that are almost imposible to have an AD with. These other pistols shoot just as well or better than the Steyr so there is no excuse to carry any pistol that has even a remote chance of having an AD.

If Steyr would redesign this pistol and add a SLIDE mounted firing pin lock I would carry one and not worry about it but untill then I think more about my safety and those around me than to carry a pistol that is just an accident waiting to happen.

[George Hill]

I'm getting worried here. It's possible that the fuel line in my Subaru could break and fill my engine with gasoline and start a huge fire.

I'm also worried that European Mars Probes might fall back to Earth and hit me.

And I am also worried that this thread has outlived it's usefullness.

Closed before someone crosses the line and gets into trouble.