Glock Vs Steyr

[Nickodemus]

GLOCK vs. STEYR
I was a little bit inspired by the GLOCK vs. SIG thread, and wanted to try and get the collective comparison more between Apples and Apples.

I will tell you all right now; I do not own any Glocks. For the money I always decided to spend a little less or a little more money and go with something else that I felt better suited my taste. I might pick up an inexpensive G17 sometime when the opportunity knocks, because I did acquire some nice magazines for one.

I hope your inherently different views will compare them against different measures.

I own a Steyr S40. I like it very much. My only complaint is that the grip surface is too smooth. It is small and holds 10+1 .40S&W. I have never had it malfunction after at least 1200 rounds. I shoot targets well with it. The recoil is comfortable. I like the placement of the safety mechanism. I bought 5 magazines when I got it. The sights are effective but different.

I do not think Steyr has a mailing address in America anymore, so I am a little worried about part availability. So far everything is fine, but I am sure I will want to replace the barrel eventually. I almost bought the .357sig conversion barrel when it was more commonly available, but decided not to.

I had taken some time to shoot a Glock that was the exact comparable model; I think it was the G23. Both of the pistols where a little smaller then full size, a little bigger then sub-compact size and chambered in .40 S&W. We stacked them flat to compare the profile, the size and shape were very close.

I liked shooting the Steyr better, and did better with it also. I am biased though because I own the Steyr and had practiced with it.

I had heard that a Glock designer had made improvements to the Glock design based off consumer requests. They decided not to implement the improvements because it would be expensive and complicated to rebuild their manufacturing, and they did so well selling what they had. The designer turned to the only other company that he knew could work with the synthetics from their AUG, and that was Steyr. Can anyone tell me more about this and support or discredit it. Maybe Glock eventually helped muscle Steyr out of America? Maybe Steyr still has a presence here?

Here is my S40:

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

I have owned three Glocks, but never a Steyr. That said, I have always loved the look of the Steyr pistols, and when I used to work in a gun shop I liked the feel of the Steyr better too. Never shot one, but would like to get one. I think its ergonomics are far superior to that of the Glocks. Sounds like the reliability is about the same. I don't know of any torture tests for the Steyr. Would like to know how they would perform. Also, would like to know if the metal finish is as rugged as the Glock's.

 

[Big Dave]

Wilhelm Bubits designed the Steyr pistol and he did work for Glock before that. Glock was not interested in his recommended design improvements, so he took them to Steyr.

 

[gudel]

I think the Steyr pistol is one ugly son of inbred.

 

[10-Ring]

I have recently shot one of the new Steyrs and really liked it. The grip is surprisingly comfy & points naturally. The trigger is short, light & predictable. All & all, I like it.
That said...I don't thing the Steyr has the history that Glock has and because of that, I would still go w/ the Glock 1st

 

[jlh26oo]

I think the Steyr pistol is one ugly son of inbred.

I agree. I've yet to shoot one, but that's something that actually attracts me believe it or not. Something that ugly HAD to be designed with NOTHING but ergonomics in mind. Just like I thought GLOCK was ugly (still kind of do) until I started shooting them; whole different kind of beauty.

I'd consider a Steyr if I could get one WITHOUT an internal lock and external manual safety. As it is, EITHER one of those are dealbreakers.

 

[jlh26oo]

They decided not to implement the improvements because it would be expensive and complicated to rebuild their manufacturing, and they did so well selling what they had.

I wonder if retooling for 3rd gen frames was cost-free?

Seriously though, I think it's true. Recently read that in a rag myself.

 

[Nickodemus]

Steyr did make a new pistol after the M and S series and it sells for a heafty price, but I haven't seen one in person.

Anyone know if you can even get ahold of them for service in America if you did get one of the new ones?

 

[SouthpawShootr]

Try here:

Steyr Arms, INC.
5977 Steeplechase Blvd.
Cumming, Ga. 30040
Phone number 770-888-4201
-----------------------------------------
Office info:

Steyr Arms, INC.
P.O.Box 2609
Cumming, GA 30028
Email: [email protected]

www.steyrarms.com. Website is kind of lame, but they share that attribute with Glock. Steyr is here. Let's hope they do well.

Also, browse around the Clubhouse: www.steyrclub.com

A dealer at the last gunshow had one of the new fullsize guns (M9A1, I think it's called) and one of the new compact S-series also in 9mm. Both were under $500.

 

[Nickodemus]

Thanks for that research.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

I have 2 Steyrs and try to keep abreast of what's going on. They can impress the hell out of me by getting decent stocks of mags in. I need full-caps for my S9.

 

[Dollar An Hour]

I bought my M9-A1 for the way it feels in hand - terrific ergos. Some people call Steyr the thinking man's Glock. I don't think you'd go wrong either way.

Steyr's customer service is said to be excellent now. Very quick turnaround for folks that have had to ship their weapons off to Georgia.

I still will likely pick up a G19 before too long, it's the benchmark of reliability and has nice balance IMHO. Glock's finish seems more durable to me than Steyr's finish.

I don't think it's a stretch to say that out of 100 new G19's you'd have less problems than you would with 100 new M9-A1's. Some problems I've seen mentioned more than once on the Steyr forum include minor stuff like slide not staying back at the end of the mag (mine has done this a few times), brass hitting the shooter (seems more common with 9mms than .40s), and scariest of all going full auto.

 

[nomadboi]

check Steyrclub.com for tons of info on these... branched off from the Glocktalk steyr area a few years back. Great tutorials and info.

I've got the M40 and love it. Granted, I also just handled the new S&W M&P, and if I had the money I'd be all over that too...

 

[taliv]

i've had a couple S9s. excellent pistols. hate to say it, but i love them as much as my SIGs.

cheaper too

upsides have mostly been mentioned... point easy, single-action, etc
only downside to the steyrs is the mags SUCK to load. very annoying to load

 

[bobaloo]

I've had the S9 for a few years now, it's a great pistol. I carry it with the 10 round mag that fits flush, and carry two of the M9 14 round mags for refills.

Two big advantages for me over the Glock...

1. It has an actual safety. I'm an old fart and like to have a real safety on a handgun (or a rifle for that matter). It's unusual, in that it's inside the trigger guard, but very natural and easy to operate.

2. It has a significantly smaller grip that the Glock. I have small hands, and my two daughters are both 5' tall. None of us can comfortably handle a Glock, but the Steyr fits very well.

The sights are unusual, but once you figure them out they're fast and easy to use. It's been 100 percent reliable, probably 5K rounds through it so far. Seems to be an excellent little gun, well built and shoots well. The only downside is that it's thick, like a Glock, so not the best gun for concealed carry (from a person who normally carries a 1911 or a Hipower).

 

[Slinger]

I think the Steyr pistol is one ugly son of inbred

And the Glock is a Beauty Queen?

I think it has all the style and grace of a Snickers bar.

 

[Kor]

Well, I own 1 Steyr(M9) and 3 Glocks(23, 27, 35):

- Steyr plusses are the grip feel and low bore axis(both a smidge better than the Glock); the manual safety and the trigger lock are advantages for some, I don't use either so it's a wash for me.

- Even-Up: Both guns are Tenifer finished metal on polymer, field-stripping and routine cleaning are easily accomplished with both guns, and the recoil feels pretty much the same(I often shoot 9mm in my .40 Glocks using a conversion barrel, so it's a valid basis for comparison).

- Steyr downsides are the sights(quick to pick up, but too unconventional for me and a lot of other shooters to use reflexively after years of using Patridge-type sights on all our other guns), and parts availability(I called Steyr Arms about a year ago to order some "just-in-case" parts like trigger springs, they offered to do a free armorer's checkup if I shipped them my gun but they would not sell me any parts whatsoever at that time; that policy MIGHT have changed since).

- Major Glock advantage: post-purchase support, especially in terms of holsters, sights, spare parts, and other accessories. Only custom holstermakers offer Steyr holsters(and not all of them, at that) - the only other option if you actually want to CCW a Steyr is a generic-fit nylon holster. By comparison, holsters for Glocks are thick on the ground. Also, you'll have to buy a new "-A1" Steyr if you ever want to mount a light on the gun for home-defense.

- Another point for Glock: ease of detail-stripping and parts replacement. You can learn how to do it by either taking an 8-hour Glock Armorer's Course(best) or watching a 2-hour video(okay) or buying a book(works for some).

- Minor point for Glock: higher magazine capacity than Steyr in the same size(G19/23/31) and caliber, Glock magazines are lower priced, more readily available, and more resistant to corrosion.

 

[Rotorflyr]

I'm going to address the points made by Kor

Steyr plusses are the grip feel and low bore axis(both a smidge better than the Glock); the manual safety and the trigger lock are advantages for some

Like he said, if YOU don't use them the safety and trigger lock aren't a big deal

- Even-Up: Both guns are Tenifer finished metal on polymer, field-stripping and routine cleaning are easily accomplished with both guns, and the recoil feels pretty much the same(I often shoot 9mm in my .40 Glocks using a conversion barrel, so it's a valid basis for comparison).

As I understand it, the Steyr may need to be cleaned more often then the Bl....umm Glock

- Steyr downsides are the sights(quick to pick up, but too unconventional for me and a lot of other shooters to use reflexively after years of using Patridge-type sights on all our other guns), and parts availability

Sights being a downside may be true for some, but not others, as I understand it parts support has improved, but as they are really just getting back into the US market, support (as in shipping you extra parts) may not be quick but is expected to improve and their service (as in sending the gun in for work) is supposedly excellent

- Major Glock advantage: post-purchase support, especially in terms of holsters, sights, spare parts, and other accessories. Only custom holstermakers offer Steyr holsters(and not all of them, at that) - the only other option if you actually want to CCW a Steyr is a generic-fit nylon holster. Also, you'll have to buy a new "-A1" Steyr if you ever want to mount a light on the gun for home-defense.

More and more holster makers are supporting the Steyr (and not all "custom" makers offer holsters for all S&W's either), you also don't have to by an A-1 to mount a light, but you would have to buy an adapter to mount (most) lights on the older versions. There is also the option of using a light that mounts to the trigger guard.

- Another point for Glock: ease of detail-stripping and parts replacement. You can learn how to do it by either taking an 8-hour Glock Armorer's Course(best) or watching a 2-hour video(okay) or buying a book(works for some).

Not sure about this, but as I understand it, it's not that hard to detail strip the Steyr either

- Minor point for Glock: higher magazine capacity than Steyr in the same size(G19/23/31) and caliber, Glock magazines are lower priced, more readily available, and more resistant to corrosion.

Yep this is a minor point, high cap mags for civilian ccw are over rated (imo), unless you rarely train with your weapon, in which case it might help you. Also some states restrict mag cap anyway, so it may be irrelevant to some. Can't say anything about corrosion resistance, but I wouldn't worry about it unless you tend to leave your mags in buckets of water or out in the rain all the time.


By the way, if your interested in Steyrs check out
www.steyrclub.com

Oh and for the record, I don't own a Steyr, but they are on my wish list.

 

[TonyT]

A frind of mine purchased a 9mm Steyr when CDNN was seling them at bargain prices. He really enjoyed ashooting it and has also purchased one for his son.

 

[GunNut]

Does anyone have pictures of a M9-A1 and a Glock 17/19 that compares sizes?

What I'm really interested is the slide thickness and height of the front of the barrel.

I may have to work on getting one to compare to my Glock's, as I did with the XD45.

Steve

 

[Rotorflyr]

GunNut,
Check out SteyrClub, iirc there are some pics there comparing the size of the two.

 

[infrangible]

I have a M40 and haven't had any problems with it what so ever. I love it. It shoots great, acquiring targets seems faster with the trapazoid sights. The ergonomics I think are a bit better than the glock. That being said, I don't believe that one is better than the other over all. The glock is tried and true, has a huge amount of accesories/holsters, and is easy for even a novice to shoot. They both come apart easily. I have had both guns in as many pieces as I could get them in, and the inner workings are pretty much the same. The Steyr has a metal frame incased in plastic, while the glock has metal rails pressed into the plastic frame(Although I have never heard of this being a problem either way). The Steyr pistols were first developed as a .40 SW, and then the 9mm versions were developed. I think that the steyr is a little beefier under the slide. They have a very well supported chamber as well.
The glock, at least the ones that were around when the M40 came out, had unsupported chambers(at least on the .40 models). I am not sure as to the current status of the glock chambers. The Steyr requires a bit more lube than a glock, but not much. maybe five drops instead of three
I guess it's really up to personal preference. Do you want a gun with a manual saftey, and lock built in? do you like the ergonomics of wither one more than the other, sight preferences....all depends on the shooter.