What role are you looking for the AUG type rifle to fill? If a compact package with lots of firepower is in the cards, then it can be a good choice for you. If you are looking for a long-term sustainable rifle platform, then you should be aware that NONE of the three companies (TPD, MSAR, or Steyr) are building rifles at the present time. This is cause for concern, as it has cornered this deisgn into more of a novelty at the present time.
Contrary to popular belief, MSAR is not making any new rifles. They keep cannibalizing old rifles and putting them into the marketplace in different configurations to try and get them sold. Previous employees of MSAR say that the owner, Tony Marfione, did not pay his barel vendor, and that there probably won't be any more barrels unless someone else steps up to make them. One needs to examine the history of Microtech knives to draw a reasonable expectation for the company and its owner.
TPD is no more, and the story is that he was getting components from Steyr when suddenly Steyr took their heads out of the rears and decided to put the A3on the American market. They cut off TPD and the rest is history.
Steyr claims they will make more AUGs for the American market, but they are going to need to manufacture enough components stateside (or find a partner to do so) in order to get around 922(r). I don't doubt that they will make this happen; the question is "when?"
If you really intend to purchase one, purchase the AUG. I purchased an MSAR and never had any problems with it, but the lack of long-term sustainability combined with other factors made me abandon the platform. Those aforementioned employees of MSAR have some interesting information, the kind of stuff that makes you want to turn the other way:
-Specifications Changed: Gas block is in a different location, so you can't use Steyr barrels. Trigger packs are incompatable. Bolt interchangeability is questionable (potential headspacing issues from dimensional differences).
-HPT without MPI: MSAR barrels were proof tested by mutiple proof loads. The barrels were spec'd for Magnetic Particle Inspection from the barrel maker, but MSAR did not conduct MPI testing after pounding barrels with proof loads. The owner was quoted as saying "If it'll take 3 proof loads, it's fine." I believe that proof firing is worthless without MPI to follow it, but not everyone agrees.
-Horrible Barrel Honing Practices: MSAR barrels were honed with a hand drill by one person; one hand holding the drill, and the other trying to keep the barrel from flopping around. Improperly honed barrels may result in stuck casings.
-Warranty: MSAR has a warranty, but if they've screwed over their vendors, then you are going to have a tough time getting your rifle fixed. Ratworx is supposedly suppoting the MSAR rifles, but I had a bad experience with them and won't spend one yellow quarter with them ever again.
So...if you want an AUG, buy the Steyr. At least you can get your hands on the parts to keep it running. Even during the darkest days of the ban, Pete Athens had parts to keep the AUGs ticking. Just be prepared to fork out the cash!
