Steyr-Hahn Model 1912

Thanks for the question. Yes, I've had several. I only shot one, it was in the original 9x23, and unfortunately, no longer have any of them. The only thing that I remember about shooting it was that the ammunition I was using was really tearing it up. I shot less than a hundred rounds of that ammunion through it because the ammo was really doing damage. The recoil wasn't particularly strong, but I had never shot another Steyr so I had nothing but pretty standard stuff as a comparison. The strippers weren't as much of a problem as I expected. There was nothing particularly remarkable or memorable about the grip or feel of shooting it. But it was obviously being damaged by the ammunition I was using. There are a couple examples coming up at auction. One is being offered by Kramer Auctions in about three weeks. But if you're really interested in the technological aspect of firearms, Rock Island is offering a Steyr in a group with a 1910 Glisenti (which is really amazingly well built) and a 1910 Mauser. Can't say much based on a few photos, but all of them look like they'd made great additions to any collection. Keep us posted if you get one!

drk1 said:

Thanks for the question. Yes, I've had several. I only shot one, it was in the original 9x23, and unfortunately, no longer have any of them. The only thing that I remember about shooting it was that the ammunition I was using was really tearing it up. I shot less than a hundred rounds of that ammunion

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Details on tearing it up please??? Thanks..

TO OP

A real nice quick read fun site on those 1912s

http://www.hungariae.com/Stey12.htm

BreechFace said:

Yeah, they are slightly "homely" looking but to me they are fascinating, I appreciate the design and implementation.

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Oh they are have nice come hither look.. And you really have lots of nice options in both history and caliber. There are several on gunbroker right now.. Any idea what you are leaning towards or just best operational one you can find.??

BreechFace said:

For this, even though I like WWII items, I have a desire of staying with the 9x23 and in my mind it would fill the purpose of it's use in the war strictly from a technology piece. I've seen the ones on gunbroker and are interested but am still not sure on the route I would like to go. Part of me still desires to have a WWII era Steyr with the "dirty birds" but at the same time I don't like the rechambering of it from the original design as my desires are to capture the technology during the war.

And part of me likes the indecisiveness of these decisions because it causes me to stew over them and research more and more. Like a "fine wine," and all of that.

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ha ha ha.. Well your logic is sound and these are good decisions to have to make and fun researching them. And the way you are thinking who knows you may have to get 2 or 3 different ones..

I do like the Chilean crested ones myself.. But getting one with WW II German markings would be pretty boss.

I've never owned or fired a Steyr Hahn. One thing I do remember about them clearly is an article in "Guns & Ammo" magazine back in the 1980's, written by a man named Robert Shimek. He remarked that the safety catch on the Steyr Hahn was located where the thumb of his right hand pushed it up while firing. He found this when he tried to fire another shot and could not pull the trigger. When he pushed the safety catch down, with his finger OFF the trigger, the gun fired instantly. He found this very concerning, and felt than anyone with a Steyr Hahn should be aware of if. I have been trying do this too (and I hope people here are not sick of me telling this story).

Shimek's article was part of a series "Guns & Ammo" was doing at that time. Some of the articles were collected in this special edition: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Guns-Ammos...842210?hash=item34304fe6e2:g:4~sAAOSw-6xfVsus

I don't know if the Steyr Hahn article was in this. I will try to dig up my copy and find out.

PS of 01/08/2021 - the Steyr Hahn article is not in this collection. It is still a good thing to own, though, because it has take-down instructions for every gun in it, with clear photos of the way to do it.

Ha this is getting out of hand... Nice little Youtubes showing some of the 1912 variations..



And hey call me impressed with this one.. And Breechface you have to get the helmet Also
this does show Monac's engaging safety issue possible.

Monac said:

I've never owned or fired a Steyr Hahn. One thing I do remember about them clearly is an article in "Guns & Ammo" magazine back in the 1980's, written by a man named Robert Shimek. He remarked that the safety catch on the Steyr Hahn was located where the thumb of his right hand pushed it up while firing. He found this when he tried to fire another shot and could not pull the trigger. When he pushed the safety catch down, with his finger OFF the trigger, the gun fired instantly. He found this very concerning, and felt than anyone with a Steyr Hahn should be aware of if. I have been trying do this too (and I hope people here are not sick of me telling this story).

Shimek's article was part of a series "Guns & Ammo" was doing at that time. Some of the articles were collected in this special edition: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Guns-Ammos...842210?hash=item34304fe6e2:g:4~sAAOSw-6xfVsus

I don't know if the Steyr Hahn article was in this. I will try to dig up my copy and find out.

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I had one that did the same thing.

tark said:

I had one that did the same thing.

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So is the fault of the gun, in that the recoil just engages the safety or does the shooter do it because of the recoil.. It looked like it was the shooters that tripped it from the video???

indy1919a4 said:

So is the fault of the gun, in that the recoil just engages the safety or does the shooter do it because of the recoil.. It looked like it was the shooters that tripped it from the video???

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I am not sure how to answer that. It is a result of the placement of the safety catch, and it's interaction with the thumb of most right-handed shooters. I don't know if lefties would have a problem, and maybe a righty could train himself to put his thumb where this would not happen. Hard to remember at all time, I would think, especially if they shoot a variety of pistols.

I have a Norinco copy of a Russian Margolin 22 target pistol. The Chinese put a safety catch in exactly the same place as on the Steyr Hahn, and it has exactly the same problem.

I should have said that Shimek pointed out that the correct procedure for when this happens is to move the safety catch fully to SAFE before moving back down to FIRE. Then the gun does NOT go off by itself.

Monac said:

I am not sure how to answer that. It is a result of the placement of the safety catch, and it's interaction with the thumb of most right-handed shooters. I don't know if lefties would have a problem, and maybe a righty could train himself to put his thumb where this would not happen. Hard to remember at all time, I would think, especially if they shoot a variety of pistols.

I have a Norinco copy of a Russian Margolin 22 target pistol. The Chinese put a safety catch in exactly the same place as on the Steyr Hahn, and it has exactly the same problem.

I should have said that Shimek pointed out that the correct procedure for when this happens is to move the safety catch fully to SAFE before moving back down to FIRE. Then the gun does NOT go off by itself.

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I really think the only thing we can do is wait for Breechface to run his course and get a couple then we get him a few boxes of ammo. Meet at a range somewhere in the middle and test the buggers out of it. To do my part I will bring a cool gun and let others shoot it.

I pray to God the world stabilizes enough that this kinda goofy crap can happen again with out major head scratching and worry.