[sturmruger]

Last night I went and picked up my NIB Steyr S40. I ordered it from CDNN Investmants in TX. They had a hell of a price, only $399.

When I first opened the box I was a little shocked to see that the finish on the slide has a dark green color to it. I compared it with my other two Steyr pistols. The slides on my M Series guns is a very dark black. It is strikingly obvious that steyr must have a differant finish on the S Series guns. The only other point of dislike is on the left side of the gun. My other gun say GSI FL on the side. GSI was the old importer of Steyr firearms for the US. It looks like someone melted the frame to delete where it said GSI. It now says "GZS Baldwin, IL" in small letters directly under the melted portion of the old tag. What upset me is the melted lettering doesn't look very profesional. I guess it is a small thing to complain about. Something else that I noticed, I have a Bianchi Minimalist that I use as my main carry holster. My M40 and M9 fit extremly well in this holster. When I went to put the S40 into the holster it was unbelievable tight!!! It felt like the S40 is wider. I inspected all three gun to see if I coudl notice any differances in width. There were not any differance that I could see with the naked eye. It could be that the finish on the S40 is what making it more diffucult to draw. It does not feel as slick or as smooth as the dark black finish on the M Series.

As far as shooting goes it is a real dream. It takes a little getting used not having a full sized grip like the M Series, but after two clips it was shooting extremly well. The one thing that I really like about the Steyr M and S series are the fantastic sites!! Instead of some of the more traditional types (3 dot, post, fiber optic) Steyr uses a very interesting triangular design. The front site is a triangle. This allows very accurate shot placement, it has corresponding rear diangle white sites to go with the front site. I have shot over 175 rounds of Winchester target ammo without any problems.

This gun has really been a great little gun. If anyone is looking for a compact .40 this is definetly the one to get!!!! Especially at that kind of price. If you have any questions feel free to ask.


This is a Pic of all three of my Steyr guns.

http://images.snapfish.com/3366%3A%3A9923232%7Ffp69%3Dot%3E2326%3D%3B88%3D%3A%3A%3A%3Dxroqdf%3E232336%3B7794%3C%3Bot1lsi


Another Comparison picture.


http://images.snapfish.com/3366%3A%3A9923232%7Ffp69%3Dot%3E2326%3D%3B88%3D%3A%3A%3A%3Dxroqdf%3E232336%3B778%3B89ot1lsi


Slides side by side, notice the differant finishes.

http://images.snapfish.com/3366%3A%3A9923232%7Ffp69%3Dot%3E2326%3D%3B88%3D%3A%3A%3A%3Dxroqdf%3E232336%3B77%3A493ot1lsi

Muzzle View

http://images.snapfish.com/3366%3A%3A9923232%7Ffp6%3A%3Dot%3E2326%3D%3B88%3D%3A%3A%3A%3Dxroqdf%3E232336%3B779976ot1lsi

Sideview

http://images.snapfish.com/3366%3A%3A9923232%7Ffp6%3B%3Dot%3E2326%3D%3B88%3D%3A%3A%3A%3Dxroqdf%3E232336%3B77%3A494ot1lsi

Extreme Closeup

http://images.snapfish.com/3366%3A%3A9923232%7Ffp69%3Dot%3E2326%3D%3B88%3D%3A%3A%3A%3Dxroqdf%3E232336%3B77%3A496ot1lsi

Last Shot

http://images.snapfish.com/3366%3A%3A9923232%7Ffp6%3B%3Dot%3E2326%3D%3B88%3D%3A%3A%3A%3Dxroqdf%3E232336%3B7794%3C7ot1lsi

[freedom]

HELP !
you seem a big fan of steyr, well I just got my m40 and about every 25rnds the slide locks up- if there is a spent shell in chamber it will totally lock up and I wont be able to rack the slide, and if empty chamber then the slide will just get very hard to rack. I'm using Rem. umc rounds
any advise will be appreciated

[freedom]

one more thing , do you think it is possible to get a 357sigbarrel for my m40, did you find anybody with parts?
thanks

[Zundfolge]

So do CDNN still have S40s available?

I've wanted one forever and never find them for sale (there's one on Gunbroker for $475 ... and thats the only one I've ever seen for sale).

They don't have S40s listed in their PDF catalog. :(

Also, can you use your M40 magazines in the S40? Based on all the pictures I've seen the M40 mags look like S40 mags with a different baseplate.


Do you know what the "GZS" stands for?

[sturmruger]

Yes the M40 mags do work in the S40. You are correct the only real differance is the base plate. I have used the M40 mags in the S40 several times it seemed to work great.

As far as the .357 Sig barrel. There is a company called Odell's Engineering in Canada that has the .357 Sig barrels for sale. I think they quoted me $125 US. I though that was pretty reasonable. I know there are a few ppl around here that have done this.

If you are interested in the S40 call CDNN and ask for Tracy. Tell him that Norm Walker in Iowa told you to call him. I think they have plenty of S40s available if you are looking for one. I am really happy with CDNN. I ordered the gun, and 1 clip the grand total including the shippinq was only $434!!! The .pdf catalog they currently have have on their web site has been on there since Nov. sometime. It is not the most up to date pricing. Just call them. I have been ordering so much stuff from them lately I had to put their number in my Cellular phonebook.

[Erich]

Sturmruger, thanks for an excellent review and great info!

[tetchaje1]

SturmRuger,
Glad you got your S40. Have you noticed any difference in recoil or accuracy behavior over your M40?

Also, O'Dell never got back to me in regards to getting a 357SIG barrel for my M40. I might need to give them a ring after I save up some nickels and dimes.

[sturmruger]

They both shoot very similarly. There is a little more muzzle rise with the S40, but it really doesn't feel differant in the wrist. I just notice that it takes a little longer to get it back on target if I am shooting quickly.

I am not a good judge of accuracy because I am still kind of a beginner when it comes to handgun shooting. I am planning on doing some 15 yard bench shooting this weekend. I will let you know what kind of accuracy I achieve. I have been thinking about trying the M40 barrel in the S40. I haven't decided if that is a good idea or not. They seem like they would work. I installed it and cycled the action a few times.

What are you thoughts on the differant finishes Tetchaje1 ?? I can't figure out what the deal is why would they change it after they started production.


Has anyone heard of this GZS??? I can't seem to find them.

[tetchaje1]

If it isn't smooth like the standard Steyr Teniferesque finish, my guess would be that it is some kind of parkerizing -- perhaps aftermarket. Maybe these are contract overrun guns that were purchased with a special finish for a given agency or whatever and the deal either fell through or they changed service weapons.

As far as removing the original GSI markings, all I can say is :rolleyes: and :uhoh: at the same time. If they were originally imported by GSI, I would see no reason for any company to need to reimport them and remark them. The only thing that I can think of is that this company wants some free advertizing (unless they were shipped up to Canada for some reason when GSI fell through and reimported into the US... :confused: ).

[Zundfolge]

If they were originally imported by GSI, I would see no reason for any company to need to reimport them and remark them.

I'm thinking that Steyr molded the frames with the GSI markings and still had some pistol frames with the GSI markings on them when they ended their arrangement with GSI, so the new importer had to grind off the old markings and put theirs on.


At any rate, you guys are giving me a serious case of the gottahaves :(

[arinvolvo]

Someone asked previously...GZS stands for Zanders Sporting goods...Why the letters are jumbled I do not know...My brothers M40, like your S40 has GSI melted out and is restamped with the zanders logo...However mine JUST has the znaders logo in the little oval.

http://www.gzanders.com/

They do not list Steyr as one of the brands they carry, but I suspect they have just not updated their site recently.

On another note, I too have the "green" finish on my steyr...it is not really green, but definitely a different shade of "black" than what they were previously using, and also not quite so "slick".

With a thin wipe of CLP it looks black as night...but when it is dry, you are right, it does seem to have a greenish tint. The pictures that are posted make it look a little greener than mine looks...http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=96246

[Kahr carrier]

Nice range report ,It makes me want to go out and buy a Steyr.:D

[Handgun]

A note on finishes and serial numbering after speaking with the gunsmith at GSI ...

Finishes ... Early M-series guns did not have the "poly-coat" finish on the slides. As I recall, it was around serial number 8000 when they started poly-coating. I had a 7XXX range gun without the poly-coat. I had not heard of any S-series guns without the poly-coat until this one. What is the serial number?

Serial numbering ... The 9 mm and the .40 M-series do not duplicate serial numbers. If sn 10000 is a 9 mm there is no .40 with sn 10000, and sn 10001 could be a .40 or a 9 mm. I believe the S-series serial numbers are shared with the M-series in the same manner.

[JackDRipper]

What is the contact information for this Odell's Engineering ? Thanks,
JR

[arinvolvo]

Mine is serial 026xxx. And I do not have what would be considered a "poly coat".

It is more of a dry looking parkerized finish. And by the way, GSI is no longer the importer of Steyr...So I would not look to a GSI representative for the latest info.

[spacemanspiff]

dang. now i really really want that S40....and the M357, and the S9.

[arinvolvo]

Yes, that is true....you DO want one. You WILL buy one...and you WILL buy one soon....

Rumor has it they are about the skyrocket in price. Possibly another switch in importers. I read something about a switch to RWS as the importer...but nothing else to verify that.

[Handgun]

arinvolvo wrote:

Mine is serial 026xxx. And I do not have what would be considered a "poly coat".

It is more of a dry looking parkerized finish. Interesting. The only guns I have seen with this finish are all serial numbered lower then 8000. The finish you describe was on my M9 sn 74xx. My S9 is something like sn 21xxx and has the poly coated slide.

arinvolvo wrote:

And by the way, GSI is no longer the importer of Steyr...So I would not look to a GSI representative for the latest info.Yes, I am well aware of this. I spoke with him last year, not long after they stopped being the importer. He was very helpful and knowledgeable in the guns that GSI imported. As I said, he indicated that Steyr started poly coating the slides after about serial number 8000. He obviously had no knowledge of what would be imported in the future by another importer.

[sturmruger]

My S40 has a serial number in the 24,000 range. I would prefer that it had the same coating as my M series guns, but I can't have everything. One advantage is the poly coat finish is easier to grip when I am trying to pull the slide back.

Steyr Pistols are addicting!! I hope everyong considers adding one to their collection. I think CDNN is still selling them pretty cheap. I hope the price does go through the roof! Then I can prove to my wife that we are not loosing any money with my gun collection.

[arinvolvo]

Where could I find some standard cap mags for my Steyr? I am in the states, so what is the legality of purchasing or owning these mags? ANd how or where would I go about finding them?

Or even better, do any of you have any for sale?

[Zundfolge]

Where could I find some standard cap mags for my Steyr?
Well "standard cap" on the S series is 10 rounds. On the M series its 12 for the M40 and I think 14 on the M9.

At any rate the Steyr M and S series pistols didn't exist before the assault weapon ban therefore unless you are a cop or an FFL its against the law for you to even possess the full capacity mags.


I do understand however that preban Smith & Wesson Sigma magazines will work in these Steyrs (with a tiny amount of dremel work ... but not enough work that they would be illegal).

I've been looking around for an inexpensive 15 round Sigma mag for my M40 to play with :)

[arinvolvo]

Plese let me know of you do get some sigma mags, and if they work...do you have any links as to what dremel work needs to be done? This is definitely something I would be interested in...and If I mod one...I would love to post a tutorial and some pics...WOW..thanks for the info. I am going on the hunt now.

[sturmruger]

My father has a Sigma with a 17 round Mag. If you can get your hand on a Sigma Mag it is very obvious what needs to be done. The magazine catch on the Sigma Mag is on the wrong side for it to work in a Steyr gun. What would be required is cutting a new magazine catch on the correct side of the Sigma Mag. When I looked at it, it seemed like it would be simple enough to do.

[arinvolvo]

Ok sturm..here is what you need to do....Go to your dads house, point out the window and say "look, there's Bill Clinton pissing on an American flag in the backyard!!" When your dad turns to look, grab his Sigma mag, and run away.

Now go to the garage, buddy up the sigma clip with the steyr clip, and outline the catch..Proceed to cut out the outlined portion, (carefully). Now test it in your Steyr...You can start out by firing a couple warning shots over "slick willy's" head...This will serve to not only get rid of Bill, but also check the reliability of the newly modified magazine...

After you are satisfied with the performance of YOUR new magazine...Pack it into a box, and ship it directly to me.:D

[arinvolvo]

Also...Zundfolge...if you find any cheap mags, let me know....I will take a look at the next gun show that is in town.

[tetchaje1]

I have two Sigma 17 round mags for my Steyr M9 (when I get some money I'll go back and buy a bunch of the SIGMA 40 15-rounders and 9mm 17-rounders to complete my hoard... :evil: ).

Sturmruger is right that the modification is extremely simple and legal. The SIGMA mags lock the slide back after the last round, and the informal test that I did with just holding a loaded mag in place while firing proved to have flawless feed and function.

Enjoy. :evil:

[arinvolvo]

what type of price did you pay for those mags?

[Zundfolge]

The only full capacity sigma mags I've seen where in the $70-$100 range :eek:

I'm sure there are good deals out there though.


edit ... found a few on line
This guy says he has 16rd 9mm sigma mags for $50
http://www.pjs-steyraug.com/MAGAZINES.html

and here's a bunch of .40 full cap mags...

here's one for $70
http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=7271364

and one starting at $50 with a "buy now" of $70
http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=7311921

Bidding on this one is at $31 (but with 3 days to go, who knows how high it will get)
http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=7302195


and just to make you sick, here's 2 15 round .40 cal mags for only $19 for the pair!!! (but they are post ban so you gotta be a cop :fire: )
http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=7279926

[Zundfolge]

also found an auction with 2 9mm sigma full caps ... bidding is up to $89 (but this is for two)

http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?ItemNum=3889334

[Handgun]

Anyone have a picture of a Sigma mag inserted in an M9/M40? I assume it extends below the grip.

[tetchaje1]

Handgun,
It does extend below the grip and is somewhat ugly, but then again it is 15-rounds of 40S&W or 17-rounds of 9mm... :evil:

I'll see if I can take a picture in the next couple of days...

[arinvolvo]

Tet, I too would be very interested in seein a picture of the sigma mag inserted into the steyr....about how far do you think it extends out of the bottom? Are we talking an inch, or a few millimeters?

[tetchaje1]

Arinvolvo,
I wasn't very clear in my last post. The magazine sits completely flush in the magwell, but the SIGMA mags have a finger-extension built into them. This finger extension is what extends below the standard Steyr grip. Otherwise, you can see none of the metal of the mag, except for in the back. The full extension past the grip is probably about .5".

http://www.hoosiergunworks.com/images/sw_9mm_sigma.jpg

[sturmruger]

I am just got that auction for the two Sigma high cap mags, I got two 17rnd clips for $89. Not too bad if you ask me.

I am wondering if it would be possible to remove the Sigma finger extender and use a S40 bottom mag plate instead. That would keep it from looking like it was an altered clip. I bet I could get it to look almost stock. I will have those Sigma Clips next week. I will post pics as soon as possible. :neener:

[tetchaje1]

Sturmruger,
I think that your best bet would be to go with the original baseplates of the mag. In order to get 17-rounds into those little tubes, the mag extends all the way down to the bottom of the fingerrest -- you just can't see it from the sides. If you were to put a standard Steyr baseplate on it (I don't think you could anyway considering how the engagement is different for the baseplates) then the extra metal would show where the mag extended past the base of the grip.

You'll see when you get them. It doesn't look that bad -- just a little out of place because the fingerrests extend quite a ways in front of and below the grip. No worries though in house-gun configuration. :cool:

Great price for those mags, BTW. :)

[sturmruger]

The baseplate on the S series mag is differant than the BP on the M series. The M series grip is a larger grip so they need the extra plastic extension on the M series mags to make them fit properly. On the S series the BP does not need to be extended, because the grip is just that much shorter. The metal mag body on the S and M series are exactly the same. The only differance is the BP.

My thought was why not use the slim baseplate from a S40 mag to make a Sigma magazine look like it is stock. The only concern I can think of would be what are legal ramifications of modifying a Sigma Mag that much.

[arinvolvo]

Tet, you are right...I DIDNT understand your post about the length....I can deal with a larger base plate, but not so much with SS glinting from the bottom of my grip.

The oversized baseplate isnt anything that couldnt be handled with a bench grinder and a steady hand.

Just insert the mag, and outline the Steyr grip onto the top of the baseplate....then grind it to the outline.

Also for the other person that mentioned it, the M series baseplate would not be interchangeable, since it is about 1 inch tall..The plastic section extends up into the grip to take up all of the room that our other bullets are SUPPOSED to fill. ;)

[arinvolvo]

Ok, i grabbed a couple of pics off the net, and photoshopped a sigma mag onto the steyr pistol...it dont look bad at all...see for yourself. I will post the stock pic, and then the sigma mag pic.




http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=99956http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=99957

[arinvolvo]

sigma mag

[Zundfolge]

The only concern I can think of would be what are legal ramifications of modifying a Sigma Mag that much.

I'm not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV.

I believe that as long as the mag will still function in a Sigma and you don't increase the capacity, then you can do whatever you want with it.

Usual disclaimers apply.

[arinvolvo]

Zund, I am relatively new to this board, but I have seen a few people's signatures refer to "TFL"...including yours...What is this? If you dont mind sharing.

[arinvolvo]

AHA....I did some sleuthing....never mind that last post...apparently TFL was an online board similar to this one called The Firing Line. Apparently it shut down on the 1st of this year, and many of you migrated to this board.

[tetchaje1]

arinvolvo,
Those photoshop pics of the Sigma mag in the Steyr are pretty good. The finger rest on the Sigma mags extend further in front of the grip, though, as well as being longer on the bottom. Other than that, it is pretty much how they look when inserted into the magwell.

What would be awesome (which you can't do without heavy modifications to the baseplate -- and I don't think it would still work in the Sigma because of clearance issues with its grips (i.e. no longer legal)) would be to turn the baseplate around so that it faces backwards. In this configuration, the fingerrest would sit flush with the back of the grip and it looks pretty good.

FWIW.

[arinvolvo]

Well, as I suggested eariler, is it ok to just grind off the excess baseplate? Just take that pointy finger-rest part and grind it down to a nice curve.

I studied the dimensions a little better, and this is now my artists rendition of what it looks like...I didnt have the baseplate the right size, nor centered correctly. This is probably closer to the real thing...Looks like the steyr is about to "walk away" with that big foot....Notice however that part of the mag has been "cut off" by the pic.


http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=101494

[Zundfolge]

I'm pretty sure you could just dremel off the front part of the baseplate and still be legal.

[tetchaje1]

That is just about exactly what it looks like and yes, you could Dremel off the plastic fingertip thingy and still be legal.

I, for one, don't mind a little ugly to get 17+1... ;)

[arinvolvo]

Exactly what ARE the specifics of magazine alteration?? I have heard a couple people mention, that one thing or another would or would not be LEGAL....How much CAN you modify a magazine and still be legal?

Any links would be helpful.

[tetchaje1]

arinvolvo,
As long as the magazine will still fit and function in the gun it was intended to work in any modifications you make are just fine legally. These include cutting a new mag catch hole (as long as it doesn't interfere with the original mag catch hole), or dremeling off a finger rest.

Things that wouldn't be legal would be bending feed lips, altering the mag body length so that it no longer fits in the original gun, altering the baseplate so much that it will no longer fit the original etc...

[Zundfolge]

arinvolvo, do you have a source for that Massad Ayoob quote in your sig? I'd love to read the rest of the article :)

[arinvolvo]

Zund...If i find it, I will let you know....but I actually found this quote in a different article about the steyr....and the author of THAT article had Quoted Massad...

The article that I am referring to is here:
http://www.pete-357.com/steyr.m.htm

The Massad quote is at the very last sentence of the article...I do believe that massad wrote an article on the M series in one of the major gun magazines...Guns&Ammo, or Combat handguns or something like that.

If I figure it out, I will let you know. And if you figure it out, let me know.

[Big Mike]

Along the lines of the Springfield XD .40/9mm mag solution...will the .40 Steyr mag hold and shoot 9mm reliably? If so, how many 9mm can the .40 hold? Mike

[sturmruger]

Unfortunetly it is only possible to fit 12 rounds of 9mm in the Steyr .40 mags. I did have to modify the lips of the .40 mag, but it was not enough to be able to notice. The mag that I modified will still shoot .40 just fine. I now have an interchangable magazine. :what:

[arinvolvo]

Here is where you can find the article.

American Handgunner: Combat 2000 Annual Vol. 5; Display until April 30, 2000; "The Steyr M: Wicked Cool" by Massad Ayoob.

Customer Service: 619-297-8032

internet email: 74673.3624@compuserve.com

I am going to email the magazine...assuming that is the correct address...See if I can get a print copy, or possibly a scanned copy of the article.

[Big Mike]

Gunsamerica sigma mag source...lots there.Mike

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976240087.htm

[Isaiah4110]

It won't work. Don't bother chasing Sigma mags to work in your Steyr M-Series. The results are unsatisfactory. Several previous posts have said that they will work and implied that the user had actually done it. I don't see how it is possible to get good results. The Sigma (9mm 17-rd) mag is approximately 1mm narrower than the factory M9 mag, so it's a loose, sloppy fit in the mag well. At the point where the magazine catch engages the new slot that has to be cut into the mag, the Sigma is 2 mm narrower. The Sigma mag is tapered much more in the front than the M9. The extra 2 mm prevents positive engagement of the mag catch. If you want to put 4 layers of electrical tape on the side of the mag opposite the catch, it sorta-kinda works. It appears as if it won't fall out of its own accord, but this pushes the mag over too far to reliably engage the slide lock, and probably affects reliable feeding but I haven't even attempted to shoot with it. The mag will simply fall out if all you do is cut a new slot. If anybody else finds something that does work, pass it on. Meanwhile, I'm pretty PO'd at myself for believing the crap that gets passed around as gospel and ruining an otherwise perfectly good $60.00 mag.

[philr]

I have used a 40 Steyr mag in a 9mm Steyr. It held 12 rounds, but it did not feed reliably. The cases fed fine when the slide was cycled by hand, but in actual firing, about 30% of the time, the live round being fed from the mag stovepiped and jammed. Since I wasn't all that eager to increase my 9mm round count by 2, I was unwilling to reshape lips, etc, in order to make it work, and thereby possibly create a feed problem when used in the 40.

[arinvolvo]

Sturm, what exactly has to be done to the 40 mags to use them reliably with the 9? What has to be done to the lip? If you can take some pictures that would be helpful....Now that someone has expressed some concern with the fit of the SIGMA mags, I am reluctant to purchase one...
Increasing the capacity by 2 rounds might be worth it....12+1 is still quite a few rounds.

[philr]

As for the question of Sigma mags in Steyrs... I don't see how cutting the catch notch out would be legal. Although I read back through some earlier posts and see that Sturm claims the notch would be cut on the opposite side, he is mistaken. Both the Sigma and Steyr have mag release buttons on the left side of the gun, which puts the mag notch on the right side. Since I happen to have about every polymer 40 made, and probably too many 9s as well, I pulled out a Sigma mag to compare notch location to the Steyr. Dremel-ing the Sigma notch higher would appear to work (although I haven't measured.. and I saw the earlier post by someone who claimed he had), but you would wind up with a really BIG mag notch, which would no longer hold the mag in proper alignment if used in a Sigma.... which leads back to my doubts expressed in the opening sentence.

[arinvolvo]

Ok...wow...it seems as if there has been a lot of false information passed around here....I wish I could find someone who has tried this and knows for sure.

[arinvolvo]

Apparently the sigma mags DO have the notch on the correct side...But whether or not the placement is right, I do not know...

[sturmruger]

It was allot easier that I thought it would be. I would post some pics but with the naked Eye you really can't tell the differance in the altered mag and the regular .40 mag I have.

The first thing I did was take the 9mm mag and measure it with a caliper to see what the width of the lips is. I can't find my caliper otherwise I would post the measurements. I then checked to see how much wider the .40 cal mag is. I then split the differance. I think the .40 was only 1mm wider so I ended up bringing the lips together about a 1/2 mm. I took the base off of the mag and removed all the guts. I then put the mag in a vise and tapped on the lips with a brass hammer until I had brought them together sufficantly.

I have not had one jam or any feed problems. I got it mixed up and accidently put ten .40 cal cartriges into the altered mag. It still worked just fine. I now have a mag that will hold 10 rounds of .40 and 12 rounds of 9mm. It is my pick. I have night sites on my M9 so I keep that next to my bed with the 12 round clip. I keep the M40 in my car, and carry the S40.

I will try to post some pics if can find my caliper. PM me if you have any more questions.

[twoblink]

My question is, does the S40 seem a bit bulky for ccw, or is the size of it fine?

I own an M40, and would love to have an S40. I'm quite familiar with the gun, and having a ccw that shares magazines with your primary, is gotta be a good thing..

(Hear that HK!!! Magazine compatibility!!)

[Zundfolge]

I've CCW'd with my M40 and the only problem I had is because of grip length.

For a double stack pistol its pretty darn slim, so I imagine the S40 would be awesome to carry.

[sturmruger]

I have carried all of my Steyr guns. The S40 is by far the easiest. The M40 and M9 are both fairly hefty guns to carry every day. I live in Iowa, with all the cold weather we get I can usually dress with enough layers that the full size Styer guns are not a problem. The biggest advantage with the S series is the smaller grip. It fits under my shirt allot better then the M series does. I did carry a Tauras PT-140 for a while because of the great size. I really couldn't shoot it very well because I am not a big fan of the long double action trigger pull. My S40 is very close to the size of PT140, but it is ten times easier to shoot.

I think the S40 should have a little bit shorter barrel, but other then that it seems to be the perfect CCW gun for my carry methods. I do keep my M40 in a holster under my seat in the car. Another big advantage is the fact that I can swap .40 caliber magazines between these two guns. If I ever do get into a pinch I should be well prepared when it comes to ammo.

As far as accuracy goes, I have been having great luck with my the new S40.

[Steyr Hahn]

Gentlemen,

Perhaps I’ve missed something in this thread, however, the jest of what is being proposed here is to modify a “pre-ban” S&W standard capacity magazine to work in a “post ban” Steyr M9 handgun for which nothing but small capacity magazines are available. Several of the gentlemen have inquired about the possibility of running afoul of the “Federal Assault Weapons Ban” by modifying a magazine.

First, the Federal AW ban of September 13 1994 has no affect on any firearm or firearm accessory manufactured before the ban. That means, for the sake of this discussion that there are no Federal laws governing how we may choose to use a “pre-ban” magazine. Some states do, however, have laws that regulate the use and ownership of “pre-ban” standard capacity magazines. But those laws are only applicable to the residents of those states.

So, if your state isn’t one of the repressive ones then you are in fact free to use “pre-ban” magazines in your post ban firearms, modify, repair, and change around to use in anyway you choose.

The Federal AW ban, regarding “post ban” magazines, we may use them in any firearm we choose, repair them, modify them in any way we want, with one exception. We may not modify/change or convert a “post ban” magazine to function with, hold/contain more than 10 cartridges.

18 U.S.C., Chapter 44, section 921(a)(31) defines the term "large capacity ammunition feeding device" as; -2- (A)... a magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device manufactured after the date of enactment of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 that has a capacity of, or that can be readily restored or converted to accept, more than 10 rounds of ammunition; but (B) does not include an attached tubular device designed to accept, and capable of operating only with .22 caliber rimfire ammunition." The date of enactment of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 referred to above is September 13, 1994. Further, Title 18 U.S.C., Chapter 44, section 922(w)(1) provides that "Except as provided in paragraph (2), it shall be unlawful for a person to transfer or possess a large capacity ammunition feeding device" and "(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the possession or transfer of any large capacity ammunition feeding device otherwise lawfully possessed on or before the date of the enactment of this subsection."

[philr]

I think you have indeed missed the boat. And although I am not a lawyer, my layman's understanding is that if you take a mag with a capacity of greater than 10 rounds, and modify it such that its original function cannot be performed (i.e., fit in its designed firearm), then what you have actually done is MANUFACTURED a NEW mag... which puts you directly afoul of the statute you are referencing.

[Zundfolge]

philr is correct ... however the modification to the Sigma mag to make it work in the Steyr does NOT modify the magazine so that it will not work in a Sigma ... you can pop it out of your Steyr and back into the Sigma and it will still work.

[Isaiah4110]

Legality issues aside, why bother? The Steyr "modification" of the Sigma mag may not prevent it from working in the Sigma, BUT IT DOESN'T WORK IN THE STEYR EITHER! I'm not guessing or speculating, I tried this. See my previous post.

[sturmruger]

I spent $90 on two Sigma mags. I just couldn't bring myself to modify them. Next Sept we will all be able to buy the High Capacity mags again so why bother. I did have really good luck putting 9mm cartridges in the .40 mags.

[Steyr Hahn]

philr, & Zundfolge,

I must disagree. You are not manufacturing a "new" "large capacity ammunition feeding device" you have only taken a existing "otherwise lawfully possessed large capacity ammunition feeding device " and modified it to work in another firearm.

If this sort modification were not legal firearms manufacturers like Olympic Arms would not have been doing just that since 1994. They have in fact been supplying Sten mag's with a spacer block welded on with/for their 9mm conversion AR-15 upper receivers. Also for that matter Uzi 45 cal mag's modified in the same way for the 45 ACP uppers.

It sure seems to me that if it were as you believe, welding a 1" thick block to the top back side of a mag which very definitely prevents the mag's from working in the original firearm, the BATF would have had something to say about it. Fact is that many thousands of Sten & Uzi mags have been so modified and sold all over the US of A. This has been going on for the nearly 9 years since the stupid Klinton ban was passed and the BATF has yet to put a stop to it!

It is my observation that if the practice of changing a "otherwise lawfully possessed large capacity ammunition feeding device " to work in a firearm other than the one it was originally manufactured for the Feds would have put a halt to it long ago. The simple fact is the practice continues to this very day, uninterrupted.

[jnb01]

Zanders sporting goods is supposed to be hammering out a new agreement with Steyr to become the new U.S. importer of the M/S Series of pistols.

Also, Diamond Trail Shooter's Supply, www.usasteyr.com is currently the only U.S. based service center for the M/S Series, stocking parts and accessories as well.

It's good to finally see some positive news regarding support for these pistols, though I still have yet to here of Steyr announcing that they've found a permanent home for their factory.

Best, jnb01

[LD]

Zanders is indeed importing Steyrs. I know because I just bought an M40 about two months ago. The gun shop that I purchased it from ordered it for me from Zanders. Subsequently, I called Zanders to check on warranty info and they confirmed that Diamond Trail Shooters Supply is indeed doing any warranty work and parts.

If you need factory magazines, CDNN has them for $25 apiece.

IMHO the Steyr is gem of a weapon as yet undiscovered by the bulk of the shooting crowd.

LD

[Cthulhu]

Legality issues aside, why bother? The Steyr "modification" of the Sigma mag may not prevent it from working in the Sigma, BUT IT DOESN'T WORK IN THE STEYR EITHER! I'm not guessing or speculating, I tried this. See my previous post.

Not so fast. Mine works, but I used a Sigma .40 mag in Steyr M40. Mag dimensions are almost identical. Notch is a seperate one located higher on the mag body than the factory notch. No mods done to the factory catch, so it still works in a Sigma. Holds 15rnds, has worked perfectly for 150rnds, holds open on the last round too. Working on grinding the outside of the baseplate (which won't affect Sigma function either, BTW).