Any last comments on the Steyr M-40?

[Hokkmike]

I want you to know I did use the search function here to research this topic, but I wanted to get any last minute fresh opinions. Let me preface my question by saying that I have really enjoyed the well thought out insightful answers that most people post. THR seems to be one of the better e-environments on the web. Kudos to the moderators.

So here is the question. Tomorrow I am going to go to my gun club, North Mountain Sporsman Association (check out their website) and seriously consider a trade of my WASR-10 AK for a Steyr M-40. (this is not the NEW M-40 - A1 - but rather mfg'ed in Dec. 2000) I have had done all the research I can, and while innuendos and rumors of problems with the M-40 exist, I can find no hard data that says that these are bad guns. To the contrary, most direct advice I have received is to the effect that they are lesser known, highly underrated, quality semi auto pistol.

I tried the 40 S&W caliber out and really like it as an effective compromise between the 9 and .45

I even wrote to Steyr, not expecting objectivety, and they only reference "fixable" problems with trigger pull.

If you can add anything to the debate please feel free to do so. I will, of course, shoot it, field strip it, and have look at it - but your opinion is much appreciated.

Can you offer any comments on the pistol, GOOD or BAD?

 

[JHansenAK47]

You might want to check out cdnn they have them for around 350 (m-a1)s and they have spare mags for 30$
All the complaints I found when looking up the steyrs were on the first production pistols

 

[dleong]

I've had an M40 for a number of years now--in fact, I just put about 150 rounds through it last night at the club.

I like mine, a lot. It's engineered brilliantly and built like a tank--detail-strip one and you'll see what I mean. Note that the front and rear slide rails are part of the beefy metal insert that houses all of the moving parts in the frame.

The "trapezoidal" sights seemed funky to me initially, but after a little practice, I noticed that sight acquisition was actually easier and a tad quicker with them.

Recoil with my 155 gr. subsonic 'wimp' handloads is tolerable--though I did try shooting commercial 180 gr. ammo through it and found the recoil somewhat jarring. Accuracy is exceptional, at least with my handloads: slowfired offhand at 20 yards, my M40 will usually register all shots within a 2" to 3" circle around the bull.

And as a handloader, I also like the fact that the M40 has an adequately-supported chamber.

A few minor quibbles, though: the trigger isn't exactly the most refined, being a little on the heavy side (around 4.5 lbs. on mine) with a slightly mushy break. Also, there doesn't appear to be a consistent ejection pattern, as the spent shells are as likely to be thrown forward as back. I spend more time looking for brass ejected from my M40 than I do with my other handguns.

All in all, I'm extremely satisfied with my M40!

 

[rlwood29]

Second on the CDNN tip, I just got one myself. At $349.00 NIB, it is already going for a “used gun” price. You can find almost anything you might want to know about Steyr’s here http://www.steyrclub.com

According to the Steyr club folks, it is possible that if the M 40 was an early model, the trigger weight could be heavier and there could be an issue with the extractor, both I believe that SAI will take care of if indeed this is a problem with the specific firearm. But seems to me that unless you figure your AK is worth less then say $300, I would think you would be better off going with CDNN.

 

[Mortech]

I love my M357 , I've had no problems with mine what os ever .

 

[Gustav]

The one I handled had a good fit and feel it was as if they modernized a Glock and added a few more features into the design such as the trigger safety system and ergo grip and simplified takedown.
It may take some getting used to at first but they grow on you.

My main concern would be parts being available 5 or 10 years or more down the line if or when something breaks that and not having a long proven track record.

 

[JHansenAK47]

Steyr actually designed the pistol to compete with the glock. You should check out steyrs website (steyrarms.com) and read the "NO AUSTRIAN WEAPONS FOUND WITH TERRORISTS!" at the bottom of the page. Wonder if that is why CDNN has got all those steyr guns on sale. If you ask me if steyr wants to compete with glock and the XDs they need to beat them on price with a quality product. I got to hand it to them they are trying new things.(trapezoid sights and that safety they had mounted in the trigger guard)