Why does Glock get all the spotlight when it comes to Austrian guns? I happen to think Steyr has many cool models and wish they got the same attention. Anyone know why Glock is a household name in the U.S. while I'm fairly certain Steyr remains relatively unknown.
Austrian guns manufacturer.
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wildehond
Member
I think it was more Glock's radical design and materials, for the time that made the media take notice. Also the "ceramic" gun in "Die Hard".
Glocks had alot of things going for them:
1. They were made extemely popular when they first hit America in no small part due to rap music and Hollywood.
2. Police forces adopted them because they had a high capacity, were light, and weren't too expensive.
3. They were a neat black polymer gun back when polymer framed guns weren't filling 90% of handgun cases around America.
1. They were made extemely popular when they first hit America in no small part due to rap music and Hollywood.
2. Police forces adopted them because they had a high capacity, were light, and weren't too expensive.
3. They were a neat black polymer gun back when polymer framed guns weren't filling 90% of handgun cases around America.
The_Armed_Therapist
Member
Isn't Steyr's handgun line a "side project" for them? I think most of their income is from rifles.
Steyr seems to be unable to get reliable distribution in the U.S. Every time a new model is imported it quickly ends up being sold by CDNN at closeout prices. Maybe if they set up their own U.S. subsidiary to handle distribution and advertising they might be able to create better name recognition.
TimboKhan
Member
I don't know if MAKster is right or not, but I know I certainly agree with him. The lack of advertising for Steyr pistols is such that I actually had to make an effort to figure out if they were even still being made not so long ago.
Listen, I have shot a couple of Steyr pistols (and in fact the first .40 I ever shot was a Steyr), and I am kind of mystified why they don't have a bigger fanbase. My one complaint with them is the weird trapezoidal sight, but other than that it seems to me like they should be filling a niche for people who don't want to jump on the Glock/XD/M&P bandwagon and for people who just appreciate owning something different.
Listen, I have shot a couple of Steyr pistols (and in fact the first .40 I ever shot was a Steyr), and I am kind of mystified why they don't have a bigger fanbase. My one complaint with them is the weird trapezoidal sight, but other than that it seems to me like they should be filling a niche for people who don't want to jump on the Glock/XD/M&P bandwagon and for people who just appreciate owning something different.
I've never shot one but after looking at them I think they look a bit nicer than some of the glocks I've seen. Plus I doubt many people have a steyr handgun.
Levan9X19
Member
Glock have a strong reputation, while Steyr pistols have no such thing. Also Steyr made many wrong decisions while entering US market.
ISSC M-22 another Austrian handgun is a junk (sorry but I really think so).
Rifles are produced bu Steyr are well known in Europe, former Soviet Union states and are very popular.
ISSC M-22 another Austrian handgun is a junk (sorry but I really think so).
Rifles are produced bu Steyr are well known in Europe, former Soviet Union states and are very popular.
I have two glocks that have thousands of rounds through them with less than 3 ftf's total between them. I doubt any two steyr owners, or any single steyr owner with 2 guns, could honestly claim that record.
Stone Cold DEAD ON reliability has EVERYTHING to do with why glocks out sell most other brands.
I love my 1911's, and revolver, and big bore .50ae, etc etc but when if I ever have to knowingly enter a dance with guns, it'll be with a glock. And most glock owners feel the same way.
Stone Cold DEAD ON reliability has EVERYTHING to do with why glocks out sell most other brands.
I love my 1911's, and revolver, and big bore .50ae, etc etc but when if I ever have to knowingly enter a dance with guns, it'll be with a glock. And most glock owners feel the same way.
Glock goes out of their way to make sure their pistols are adopted by police and military forces by offering horrifyingly cheap deals and lucrative trade-in options and such.
It's reasonable to say that Steyr's pistols seem to be a side project, and furthermore, they don't appear to actually care about the American market for their firearms in general.
It's reasonable to say that Steyr's pistols seem to be a side project, and furthermore, they don't appear to actually care about the American market for their firearms in general.
Fishslayer
Member
When Glocks were introduced they immediately caused an uproar as "plastic pistols that can't be detected by airport metal detectors!"
Total BS of course, but you just can't buy publicity like that. EVERYBODY knew what a Glock was. Name recognition is everything.
Then brilliant marketing selling dirt cheap to LEA which made them desired by civilians who think that they must be "best" because the cops are using them.
Glocks are OK, just not my bag. The fanboiz tho, (some, not all) can be some really annoying jackwagons.
Any gun that markets itself as "perfect" is bound to have a following of people who also believe that they are "perfect" for owning one.When Glocks were introduced they immediately caused an uproar as "plastic pistols that can't be detected by airport metal detectors!"
Total BS of course, but you just can't buy publicity like that. EVERYBODY knew what a Glock was. Name recognition is everything.
Then brilliant marketing selling dirt cheap to LEA which made them desired by civilians who think that they must be "best" because the cops are using them.
Glocks are OK, just not my bag. The fanboiz tho, (some, not all) can be some really annoying jackwagons.
LJ-MosinFreak-Buck
Member
I own a Glock, but more because it was at a steal than anything. Bought it from a bud for less than $200 dollars, LNIB. Only reason I have one. I'm a believer in them now, but never will I be a fanboi for them.
Fishslayer
Member
If I could get a G19 for <$200 I'd probably throw out my shoulder reaching for my wallet. Tried one once & was actually surprised how well I shot with it. The ergos of the block seem to work really well for me.
Quiet
Member
It all started when the Austrian Military adopted the Glock 17 over the Steyr GB.
From there on, Steyr could not recover.
Around 2000-2001, Steyr was about to go bankrupt and sold off several firearm designs and machinery/tooling in order to stay in business.
Due to economic reasons, Steyr can't seem to get a foothold into the US market.
From there on, Steyr could not recover.
Around 2000-2001, Steyr was about to go bankrupt and sold off several firearm designs and machinery/tooling in order to stay in business.
Due to economic reasons, Steyr can't seem to get a foothold into the US market.
JRH6856
Member
Personally, both the GB and M series pistols just look odd. If I were looking at guns in a shop I'd probably be looking at something else.
OTOH, I've always liked the AUG.
OTOH, I've always liked the AUG.
LJ-MosinFreak-Buck
Member
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LJ-MosinFreak-Buck
Member
Fishslayer, if I could get all of my firearms that way, I would never have to worry about being able to afford this habit/addiction/disease.
JustinJ
Member
The Sabre fiasco was a shame. I keep hoping they find somebody else to make an american AUG. If they did that, and maybe lowered the price point so they sell better, a little name recognition certainly couldn't hurt.
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