Steyr GB

Glock Glockler · June 1, 2003, 10:15 AM

What's the deal with this gun? I've heard it was actually an extremely accurate and reliable gun, but Steyr allowed some of the production to be outsourced by Rorak, which resulted in inferior quality and a black eye for the gun.

Was it, or could it have been good? As a big fan of the HK P7, I'm interested in gas pistols, and was wondering if a quailty idea might actually have been overlooked.

Navy joe · June 1, 2003, 03:56 PM

I saw one recently, it's still for sale. Seems that life and Steyr passed it by after it lost out to Glock in the Austrian army pistol trials. Neat design.

surfinUSA · June 1, 2003, 08:16 PM

IIRC correctly Peter Kokalis did a review on this gun for soldier of fortune years ago when it first came out. He had a lot of functioning problems and could not get through a single mag without a jam.

Jeff OTMG · June 1, 2003, 08:46 PM

Steyr did not outsource parts for the gun. Steyr licensed Rojak to produce it here and they did such a piss poor job that Steyr imported it themselves. It is a great gun and I have had no reliability problems with mine. They did dissappear when Glock won the Austrian military contract, the U.S. market was not enough to keep it in production.

June 1, 2003, 09:10 PM

First, the connection between Rogak and Steyr was never clear, and likely completely unofficial. Rogak (who's ex-wife I'm friends with) came upon the early GB design and decided to produce it. His rendition was different in a number of regards, and didn't have the tolerances in the gas system to work. About the time that it became widely known that his gun was junk, Steyr used its patent rights to sue the Robak P18 out of existance, which I doubt would work if there was a production agreement in the first place.

The pistol that Steyr finally produced usually worked very well, and had a certain following in some Spec. Ops. circles, partially because it wasn't ammo sensitive, due to the gas system. While the initial design was never radically changed, the typical commercial gun sold in the US was improved over the versions used in the Austrian and US pistol trials. The late commercial versions even had a very good DA and SA trigger.

I haven't shot mine much, but it certainly hasn't jammed. There isn't alot of reason to jam, the bullets are fed right into the pipe, no feed ramp employed. The same story as some of the other great feeders, Beretta 92, P5, P7, etc.

The GB was never marketed well and was a little expensive, but was still priced less than the Sig at that time. Given it's rather short production, and the occasionally finicky pistol market, it really wouldn't be correct to write it off as a material failure. The thing worked, was beautifully made, tremendously accurate and very tough.

I think there were too many wondernines in the mid eighties for people to jump at a huge, stamped steel, gas delayed DA/SA that was a little pricier than some. Steyr didn't do much to promote its good points, especially with the IPSC crowd who were discovering the comp version of the gun.

It's a great design and capable of much greater accuracy than any production combat gun that went for $500 in the late '80s.

mons meg · June 2, 2003, 12:06 AM

Got any pics, Handy?

June 2, 2003, 12:17 AM

Nope. I've got to get a camera AND some range time.

I'd like to do up the big glossy T&E, but my house and yard have other ideas for my time.

Look for it though. P9S too.

Flashpoint · June 2, 2003, 12:48 AM

Quote:

The GB was never marketed well and was a little expensive, but was still priced less than the Sig at that time.

It seems that even today Steyr would do good to better their marketing dept.

**Dr.Rob** · June 2, 2003, 01:31 AM

I have a buddy with a Steyr GB, I don't recall it jamming much, but with certain sorts of "dirty" ammo (ammo with a lot of residue) it would LOCK shut after the last round, To the point that you could NOT cycle the slide, the only solution was to let it cool off for a bit.

Strangest malfunction I've ever seen.

Still a very accurate and neat pistol.

Trebor · June 2, 2003, 06:48 AM

Dr Rob,

I've seen a P7M8 do the same thing at LFI 2. The shooter had to get a second gun out of her gun to finish. It must have something to do with the gas system since that is the common aspect with both guns.

Trebor

Jeff OTMG · June 3, 2003, 01:22 AM

My GB was $355 in 1984 or 85.

June 3, 2003, 01:32 AM

Good price. MSRP by '86 was over $500.

Grump · June 3, 2003, 09:41 PM

Loved the GB I shot, and liked only the SIG P-226 better. Both were/are revolverlike in their "ready" condition.

The GB's reputation for stellar accuracy with just about any ammo was true for the specimen I played with.

Strong as an Ox, too. The owner tried to induce case failure with overloads of Bulleseye powder and 90-grain bullets, but gave up in the high 1500 fps range. Ran like a champ, it did!

DA trigger pull was a bit heavy but uncommonly smooth. I especially liked the potential durability of the steel frame. Definitely a full-size duty pistol.

thunderjet · June 3, 2003, 10:47 PM

I think it is great having a double stack mag 18 + 1 , you always have to treat this gun as loaded as it seems strange to fire that many times without reloading. The thing that makes the this pistol accurate is that the barrel is locked solid to the frame.
the pistol can be fired single or double action, and has a hammer
decock.
TJ

willyjixx · June 4, 2003, 12:00 AM

pardon my ignorance but what is the "new" polymer steyrs model number?

Jeff OTMG · June 4, 2003, 01:19 AM

New Steyr handguns are S-9, S-40, M-9, and M-40. I think that there is an M-357 now as well, though I have not seen one. There will not be an S-357. We will not get the XS series either. There could be an M-45 or L-45 in the future, maybe 3 years.

June 4, 2003, 11:40 AM

Could we please not drag this thread down by talking about those guns?

Jeff OTMG · June 5, 2003, 12:29 AM

Not in the same class are they?

Trebor · June 5, 2003, 01:43 AM

Does anyone have a pointer to any good threads on the GB either here or at TFL? I can't search because "GB" is only two letters and when I put "Steyr" in all I get is those new plastics guns. (Ugh)

Trebor

June 5, 2003, 01:52 AM

Try typing GB*. The asterisk is a wild card, so you'll get some junk, but all junk beginning with a G and a B.

arinvolvo · June 5, 2003, 04:54 AM

dude · June 5, 2003, 05:13 AM

the P7 is NOT gas operated.......or a 'gas pistol'

June 5, 2003, 12:26 PM

Dude,

If NCG calls their setup a "gas gun" and all gas delayed blowback guns use gas pressure to fuction, how is the P7 NOT a "gas pistol"?

Agreed that it is not "gas operated".

dude · June 5, 2003, 12:35 PM

I don't know what or who NGC is............. but to me a 'gas pistol' is a paintball gun!

Yes, the P7 uses gas for dampening in a few ways. However it will still function fine with the systems disabeled/non-operational so it is in no way gas operated. (it will also function w/o the extractor, but that is another story)

June 5, 2003, 12:41 PM

If the gas system is removed or blocked, the GB and P7 will rupture cases, jam, and batter itself to pieces. The gas delay is a necessary component as the slide and spring are both too light for straight blowback.

And plenty of pistols will work without extractors. Only recoil guns need them.

June 1, 2003, 10:15 AM	#1
Glock Glockler Member Join Date: December 24, 2002 Location: Southern NH Posts: 1,271	Steyr GB What's the deal with this gun? I've heard it was actually an extremely accurate and reliable gun, but Steyr allowed some of the production to be outsourced by Rorak, which resulted in inferior quality and a black eye for the gun. Was it, or could it have been good? As a big fan of the HK P7, I'm interested in gas pistols, and was wondering if a quailty idea might actually have been overlooked. __________________ http://planetcaveman.wordpress.com/

June 1, 2003, 03:56 PM	#2
Navy joe Member Join Date: December 24, 2002 Location: VA Posts: 2,363	I saw one recently, it's still for sale. Seems that life and Steyr passed it by after it lost out to Glock in the Austrian army pistol trials. Neat design. __________________ FY47012 , Shut up and shoot. USPSA, NRA, VCDL

June 1, 2003, 08:16 PM	#3
surfinUSA Member Join Date: April 24, 2003 Location: By the ocean Posts: 460	IIRC correctly Peter Kokalis did a review on this gun for soldier of fortune years ago when it first came out. He had a lot of functioning problems and could not get through a single mag without a jam. __________________ Catch a wave and you're sitting on top of the world.

June 2, 2003, 01:31 AM	#9
Dr.Rob Moderator Join Date: December 23, 2002 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 6,739	I have a buddy with a Steyr GB, I don't recall it jamming much, but with certain sorts of "dirty" ammo (ammo with a lot of residue) it would LOCK shut after the last round, To the point that you could NOT cycle the slide, the only solution was to let it cool off for a bit. Strangest malfunction I've ever seen. Still a very accurate and neat pistol. __________________ Former TFL Moderator. "Guess you broke into the WRONG rec room!" ;)

June 3, 2003, 09:41 PM	#13
Grump Member Join Date: May 22, 2003 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 1,259	Loved the GB I shot, and liked only the SIG P-226 better. Both were/are revolverlike in their "ready" condition. The GB's reputation for stellar accuracy with just about any ammo was true for the specimen I played with. Strong as an Ox, too. The owner tried to induce case failure with overloads of Bulleseye powder and 90-grain bullets, but gave up in the high 1500 fps range. Ran like a champ, it did! DA trigger pull was a bit heavy but uncommonly smooth. I especially liked the potential durability of the steel frame. Definitely a full-size duty pistol. __________________ Putting it print just don't make it so.

June 1, 2003, 08:46 PM	#4
Jeff OTMG Member Join Date: December 25, 2002 Location: Austin, Tx. and OKC, Ok. Posts: 842	Steyr did not outsource parts for the gun. Steyr licensed Rojak to produce it here and they did such a piss poor job that Steyr imported it themselves. It is a great gun and I have had no reliability problems with mine. They did dissappear when Glock won the Austrian military contract, the U.S. market was not enough to keep it in production.

June 1, 2003, 09:10 PM	#5
Handy Guest Posts: n/a	First, the connection between Rogak and Steyr was never clear, and likely completely unofficial. Rogak (who's ex-wife I'm friends with) came upon the early GB design and decided to produce it. His rendition was different in a number of regards, and didn't have the tolerances in the gas system to work. About the time that it became widely known that his gun was junk, Steyr used its patent rights to sue the Robak P18 out of existance, which I doubt would work if there was a production agreement in the first place. The pistol that Steyr finally produced usually worked very well, and had a certain following in some Spec. Ops. circles, partially because it wasn't ammo sensitive, due to the gas system. While the initial design was never radically changed, the typical commercial gun sold in the US was improved over the versions used in the Austrian and US pistol trials. The late commercial versions even had a very good DA and SA trigger. I haven't shot mine much, but it certainly hasn't jammed. There isn't alot of reason to jam, the bullets are fed right into the pipe, no feed ramp employed. The same story as some of the other great feeders, Beretta 92, P5, P7, etc. The GB was never marketed well and was a little expensive, but was still priced less than the Sig at that time. Given it's rather short production, and the occasionally finicky pistol market, it really wouldn't be correct to write it off as a material failure. The thing worked, was beautifully made, tremendously accurate and very tough. I think there were too many wondernines in the mid eighties for people to jump at a huge, stamped steel, gas delayed DA/SA that was a little pricier than some. Steyr didn't do much to promote its good points, especially with the IPSC crowd who were discovering the comp version of the gun. It's a great design and capable of much greater accuracy than any production combat gun that went for $500 in the late '80s.

June 2, 2003, 12:06 AM	#6
mons meg Member Join Date: December 24, 2002 Location: Logan County, OK Posts: 728	Got any pics, Handy?

June 2, 2003, 12:17 AM	#7
Handy Guest Posts: n/a	Nope. I've got to get a camera AND some range time. I'd like to do up the big glossy T&E, but my house and yard have other ideas for my time. Look for it though. P9S too.

June 2, 2003, 06:48 AM	#10
Trebor Member Join Date: February 15, 2003 Posts: 4,036	Dr Rob, I've seen a P7M8 do the same thing at LFI 2. The shooter had to get a second gun out of her gun to finish. It must have something to do with the gas system since that is the common aspect with both guns. Trebor

June 3, 2003, 01:22 AM	#11
Jeff OTMG Member Join Date: December 25, 2002 Location: Austin, Tx. and OKC, Ok. Posts: 842	My GB was $355 in 1984 or 85.

June 3, 2003, 01:32 AM	#12
Handy Guest Posts: n/a	Good price. MSRP by '86 was over $500.

June 3, 2003, 10:47 PM	#14
thunderjet Member Join Date: June 3, 2003 Location: mich Posts: 2	the gb I think it is great having a double stack mag 18 + 1 , you always have to treat this gun as loaded as it seems strange to fire that many times without reloading. The thing that makes the this pistol accurate is that the barrel is locked solid to the frame. the pistol can be fired single or double action, and has a hammer decock. TJ

June 4, 2003, 12:00 AM	#15
willyjixx Member Join Date: June 3, 2003 Posts: 509	pardon my ignorance but what is the "new" polymer steyrs model number?

June 4, 2003, 01:19 AM	#16
Jeff OTMG Member Join Date: December 25, 2002 Location: Austin, Tx. and OKC, Ok. Posts: 842	New Steyr handguns are S-9, S-40, M-9, and M-40. I think that there is an M-357 now as well, though I have not seen one. There will not be an S-357. We will not get the XS series either. There could be an M-45 or L-45 in the future, maybe 3 years.

June 4, 2003, 11:40 AM	#17
Handy Guest Posts: n/a	Could we please not drag this thread down by talking about those guns?

June 5, 2003, 12:29 AM	#18
Jeff OTMG Member Join Date: December 25, 2002 Location: Austin, Tx. and OKC, Ok. Posts: 842	Not in the same class are they?

June 5, 2003, 01:43 AM	#19
Trebor Member Join Date: February 15, 2003 Posts: 4,036	Does anyone have a pointer to any good threads on the GB either here or at TFL? I can't search because "GB" is only two letters and when I put "Steyr" in all I get is those new plastics guns. (Ugh) Trebor

June 5, 2003, 01:52 AM	#20
Handy Guest Posts: n/a	Try typing GB*. The asterisk is a wild card, so you'll get some junk, but all junk beginning with a G and a B.

June 5, 2003, 04:54 AM	#21
arinvolvo Member Join Date: February 5, 2003 Location: VIVA!! Posts: 1,524	__________________ _______________ "To squander or compromise this most basic of rights is to render life forfeit; to have it held hostage to the whims of others." -gburner, THR member

June 5, 2003, 05:13 AM	#22
dude Member Join Date: January 10, 2003 Location: Oregon's Outback Posts: 765	the P7 is NOT gas operated.......or a 'gas pistol'

June 5, 2003, 12:26 PM	#23
Handy Guest Posts: n/a	Dude, If NCG calls their setup a "gas gun" and all gas delayed blowback guns use gas pressure to fuction, how is the P7 NOT a "gas pistol"? Agreed that it is not "gas operated".

June 5, 2003, 12:35 PM	#24
dude Member Join Date: January 10, 2003 Location: Oregon's Outback Posts: 765	I don't know what or who NGC is............. but to me a 'gas pistol' is a paintball gun! Yes, the P7 uses gas for dampening in a few ways. However it will still function fine with the systems disabeled/non-operational so it is in no way gas operated. (it will also function w/o the extractor, but that is another story)

June 5, 2003, 12:41 PM	#25
Handy Guest Posts: n/a	If the gas system is removed or blocked, the GB and P7 will rupture cases, jam, and batter itself to pieces. The gas delay is a necessary component as the slide and spring are both too light for straight blowback. And plenty of pistols will work without extractors. Only recoil guns need them.

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