Opinions on steyr .357 sig

[Girodin]

Holster and aftermarket support is of course limited and with the loss of the US AUG I doubt it will be improving anytime soon.

Quality holsters are available. You may not be able to go down to the LGS and pick up some cheapo holster but I wouldn't/don't do that with my glocks anyways. The same holsters I get for my other guns are available for the steyr. In sum, you may have to order something but I already think that is what you have to do to get a real nice holster.

Given that they are importing the Steyr A1 series pistols again I would suspect that the parts and support will be on the up swing. As an example I would cite the availability of the new 17 round 9mm mags for the M9/M9A1, and at a recently reduced price, the same price I frequently see glock mags selling for.

It will be interesting to see if this gun can get some better marketing this time around. I saw it was on the cover of one of the gun mags last time I was at wal mart.

 

[rellascout]

Given that they are importing the Steyr A1 series pistols again I would suspect that the parts and support will be on the up swing. As an example I would cite the availability of the new 17 round 9mm mags for the M9/M9A1, and at a recently reduced price, the same price I frequently see glock mags selling for.

It will be interesting to see if this gun can get some better marketing this time around. I saw it was on the cover of one of the gun mags last time I was at wal mart.

You do know that this is the 3rd time they are bringing this pistol into the states. This is the exact same thing everyone was claiming when the A1 pistols were first brought in. Within a year they were being blown out at CDNN for under $350 again. The M series and S series sold for $299.

The pistol IMHO is not going to sell well in the crowded poly market. The M&P, Glock, XD, Kahr & others are too well entrenched. Like I always say the missed their window of opportunity.

As for the holster support yes you can order one but there are 100s of makers for Glock M&P etc... but only a handful for Steyr. That is the truth.

 

[Storm]

IMHO I would not offer more than $350. Its not worth more than that with the current state of Steyr.

I agree 100% with that. $300 to $350 tops.

The thing is that with prices all over the place it's really hard to get a grip on value especially when you have a gun that is coming off of a big sell-off. The market value for these guns will settle out at some point with less variance.

 

[Girodin]

You do know that this is the 3rd time they are bringing this pistol into the states. This is the exact same thing everyone was claiming when the A1 pistols were first brought in. Within a year they were being blown out at CDNN for under $350 again. The M series and S series sold for $299.

Yes. What part of that negates what I said? I said I imagine there will be an upswing in support with this newest effort to import, and right now there is. Don't be so fast to critique that you don't bother to read what was actually said. I never commented as to how it would be sustained etc. However, once I have a dozen mags, and a little cache of the basic spare parts, what more do I really need? What the steyr lacks is a huge after market like glock. Seeing as with the exception of sights all of my glocks are stock that doesn't really count against it too much in my book. The one thing I wish was more readily available was a threaded barrel. It runs about 2-3x the price for a M9A1 than for one for my G19. The lack of after market is less convenient though and might mean a bit of prudence and or more effort is required in obtaining the basic parts one wants.

As for the holster support yes you can order one but there are 100s of makers for Glock M&P etc... but only a handful for Steyr. That is the truth.

True enough, but I don't need hundreds of holsters for a gun. I don't even need dozens. I typical need one good one perhaps two or three of various styles at the most. There are good holsters, as many as anyone would reasonably need, available for the Steyr. That is the truth.

The pistol IMHO is not going to sell well in the crowded poly market. The M&P, Glock, XD, Kahr & others are too well entrenched. Like I always say the missed their window of opportunity.

I do not purport to know how viable it will be in the market. If they do like the did before it is safe to say that it would be unexpected it would do much better. It is certainly possible that better marketing could lead to a different result.

The XD design flopped when it was first imported. It later became a popular and prevalent design. Of course there was a change in the company backing it. The XD was marketed vary well and sold at a competitive price point. I do not know how this newest effort to push the steyr will go. Commercial success has a lot more to it than just a good design.

What I do know is that I own multiple glocks, a kahr, a sig, a CZ, I've shot a number of XDs on many occasions and I really like the Steyr compared to them. For $350-$400 a steyr is a very good buy IMHO. Around $400 is the price range I see them selling at now. It does not have the after market support that some of its competitors do but one can find everything they need for it without much effort. I tend to order springs, holsters, mags, etc online so whether I have to do it for a glock or steyr there is not much difference.

In sum, as some one who owns a Steyr and a number of other 9mm handguns I've been happy with mine and I'd gladly buy another Steyr (in fact I'm considering a NIB M40A1 right now).

 

[rellascout]

Honestly I really enjoy talking to Steyr diehards.

I read your post I just did not have on my rose colored glasses. I read what you said but the point which should be noted is that this has happened 3 times. I would hope a gun I am purchasing will be supported for more than a year. Steyr has never been able to stay in the market. The company has been bought twice in the last 10 years IIRC. They have had 4 different importers. They have failed 4 times already only someone with Rose colored glasses can be so optimistic that somehow this time will be different.

I owned 4 different Steyr pistols. I owned a M9, S9, S40 and a M40. The S40s frame suffered damage and had to be replaced. It was my favorite of the group. I used to carry it. After the frame was damaged it took over 9 months to get a new pistol. The others worked pretty well with the exception on the M9 whose drop down safety/lock located in the top of the trigger guard area of the frame would engage itself. This was a known and common issue. Later versions of the MA1 came without this feature as a result of the complaints. They were good polymers with good triggers and neat sights but in the end 2 out of the 4 I owned had issues. I sold them all after the rumors about the MA1s were no longer being imported surfaced.

You are one 100% that you do not need more than 1 or 2 good holsters but you do need more than 1 or 2 choices for those good holsters. There are simply not that many choices for Steyr. Can you name 6 companies selling non generic Steyr Holsters? Off the top of my head I can only think of High Noon & Kramer for S line only.

You are right the HS2000 did not sell well when it was brought to market but what it did have when it became the XD is a real marketing company. Springfield is nothing but a marketing company. Steyr has a piss poor record here in the US. They have never understood the US market. They have not been able to market the AUG which at one time was the best of it kind. Comparing SA to Steyr is comparing a High School basketball team to the Miami Heat. One is world class the other is a bunch of kids.

Steyr has never been able to market this pistol. They could not market it when the polymer market was wide open. The other part you are missing is that price drove the success of other polymers. Glock, XD XD & he M&P line. HK & Kahr are the only polymer lines that have held high price points and even Kahr has had to offer lower priced pistols. Sig is selling sub $450 poly guns. Glock under $500 OTD. M&P under $500 OTD XD under $500 OTD.

Steyr is listing these as $657 MSRP IIRC. My guess is that it will sell for right around $550 to $575. Are you telling me you are going to pay more for a Steyr. Even if you do do you believe that enough other people will to sustain Steyr M pistol Rev5? Are you honestly telling me that you think it is going to compete with what is already out there and established?

So what do you do when your frame is damaged like my S40 was. The company does not have the parts the materials or a replacement for the gun if something goes wrong. They do not even have frames or barrels to replace the major parts. My S40 required more than a parts kit to make right. In fact i required a new frame which they did not have. I could not even buy one if I wanted to.

Back to the OP and unsupported pistol that sold recently for $350 OTD is not worth more than $350 used especially when it has ZERO collector value.

 

[Girodin]

Honestly I really enjoy talking to Steyr diehards.

Are you referring to me? I'd hardly consider myself a die hard. I do own one and I have been very happy with it. I also own sigs, colts, rugers, glocks, and a number of others. Based on my experience with all of the above I would buy another steyr. Is that what makes me a die hard or is it simply the fact I do not concur with all of your opinions?

You are one 100% that you do not need more than 1 or 2 good holsters but you do need more than 1 or 2 choices for those good holsters.

That would only be true if those 1 or 2 choices didn't fill one's needs for some reason. They may or may not. The vast majority of my holsters and mag pouches (particularly the ones that really get used) is from two companies that I've been happy with.

Can you name 6 companies selling non generic Steyr Holsters? Off the top of my head I can only think of High Noon & Kramer for S line only.

Just off the top of my head, FIST, Raven Concealment Systems, Fobus, Galaco, the nylon number on Steyr's website, Cross breed, and likely all of the makers of custom holsters. Perhaps there are more but those are the one's I can think of having seen off the top of my head.

You are right the HS2000 did not sell well when it was brought to market but what it did have when it became the XD is a real marketing company. Springfield is nothing but a marketing company. Steyr has a piss poor record here in the US.

I mostly agree. As I stated if they do more of the same then I'd imagine their results will be more of the same. Whether or not they will take a different approach is not something I have knowledge concerning. My point is not that steyr is SA. Or that the HS2000 means that the M series will succeed rather my point is simply that marketing is a bigger factor than the quality of the product.

The other part you are missing is that price drove the success of other polymers.

I'm not missing that at all. If the choice is between a G19 and a perhaps slightly better steyr for a few hundred more the steyr will be a tough sale. I think steyr intially saw them selves as a competitor for HK but lacked the HK brand to sell a polymer framed gun for $600+. I concur that price point will be a key factor in pushing a product in crowded field, particularly when one lack brand recognition. I think steyr could be successful. I think it is fair to say they have some hurdles. They may not be able to overcome them. I don't see them supplanting glock but being economically viable does not require having the largest market share per se. You mentioned Kahr I'd venture that they have a relatively small market share compared to XDs M&Ps and glocks.

They have not been able to market the AUG which at one time was the best of it kind. Comparing SA to Steyr is comparing a High School basketball team to the Miami Heat. One is world class the other is a bunch of kids.

I'd agree steyr is not on par with springfield for pushing new products. The same way kel tec isn't with ruger. You'll note that I noted commercial success takes more than a good design.

Their future success really is neither here nor there for me in terms of buying a used $350 gun today. One can get mags, springs, etc.

If I had a major failure on a pistol I paid $350 I might well just buy a new pistol. Like a number of guns out there etc. I do not think frame failures are particularly prevalent, I must admit yours is the only one I've heard of with a steyr. The outside chance of a frame failure would not cause me to not buy a gun I wanted, particularly a really inexpensive one. Had I been the one to experience that I might feel differently I suppose.

They do not even have . . . barrels to replace the major parts.

It took me all of 15 second online to find a .357 sig barrel in case the OP is truly worried about that. http://www.steyrarms.com/store/index.php/accessories/steyr-m-series-pistol-357sig-barrel.html

 

[rellascout]

I hear you. Good to see parts are available. I really wish them luck. If they can get them back in the US under $500 I might pick one up again but they will have to show sustainability before I could consider them again. Just too many other good options which you know will be around.

Are they bringing the S A1 over? Last time they did not.

 

[Girodin]

Are they bringing the S A1 over? Last time they did not.

According to the following Steyr press release, yes.

We are pleased to announce that Steyr Arms will again import the Steyr MA-1 and SA-1 (emphasis added) line of pistols starting in August [2010]. SAI will import additional quantities of both models in both a 9mm version as well as a .40 S&W. The MA-1 and the SA-1 were two of Steyr's best selling models, but the fall of the dollar versus the euro over the last several years caused the price point to escalate far too high to import. Internationally, the pistols sell for 610 Euro or over $800 at a 1.4 exchange rate. However, SAI felt the price point needed to be much lower to truly compete in the US market. Due to a bulk buying agreement with Austria and the recent rise of the dollar against the Euro, it became much more economical to import some additional pistols into the USA. Starting in August, SAI will be re-releasing both the MA-1 and SA-1 versions at a suggested retail price of $649. We are very excited to be able to offer these items again to the Steyr fanatics out there. Thank you for all of the emails and feedback over the last two years encouraging us to bring back the pistol! For more information about the pistol series, see your local Steyr retailer or call us at 205-655-8299.

http://www.steyrarms.com/news/items...-steyr-arms-to-import-pistol-again/?tx_ttnews[backPid]=1&cHash=fafc0c0973

 

[Coal Dragger]

Well the .357 SIG round is a great choice, the Steyr pistol on the other hand not so much. Not because it is a bad pistol, but because it is made by a company that has zero concept of customer service, and is imported by an importer that more or less has their hands tied on what they can offer if something goes wrong. I have had several experiences with Steyr customer "service" if it can even be called that, and was never impressed. I finally traded off the last Steyr I owned a few days ago because of this.

 

[Giterboosted]

I still like the steyr a lot, but he way this thread is going I may be going with the M&P, simply for the security of the company backing, they look almost the same, probably shoot similar, and are both .357, which is what I'm looking for, but I just don't know

 

[Storm]

It took me all of 15 second online to find a .357 sig barrel in case the OP is truly worried about that. http://www.steyrarms.com/store/index...ig-barrel.html

Steyr selling barrels is a very recent development. For years they wouldn't let a barrel go without the gun. That to me is a very good sign. The M/S is modular and not offering barrels negated one of the best aspects of the gun.

As to Steyr diehards, go to the Steyr Club forum and you will find that the diehards are extremely critical as to how the brand has been marketed in the US.

 

[Snowdog]

I would LOVE a .357sig barrel for my M40. I wouldn't pay $250 for one, especially as that's nearly what I paid for my complete M40. If they were to cut that price in half, it would be something I'd consider.

 

[Giterboosted]

Well now that weve discussed what the steyr is approximately worth, if they want too muc then is it feseable to pay 200$ more for a brand new m&p?

 

[Storm]

Well now that weve discussed what the steyr is approximately worth, if they want too muc then is it feseable to pay 200$ more for a brand new m&p?

I would say so. With the Smith you will have a fine pistol and one of the best warranties and customer service in the industry. Accessories won't be an issue and you won't pay $250 for that extra barrel if you choose to go that way.

 

[Girodin]

I would LOVE a .357sig barrel for my M40. I wouldn't pay $250 for one, especially as that's nearly what I paid for my complete M40. If they were to cut that price in half, it would be something I'd consider.

Yeah its steep. One can probably find a whole gun for that. That actually is more than what I paid for my M9.

The M&P line gets a lot of praise from shooters whose opinions I respect. I doubt you would be unhappy with an M&P.

 

[Giterboosted]

Well inusually like to buy face to face rather than over the Internet, but lately I haven't been able to find the model I'd like (.357 sig, night sights, possibly compact, no mag safety) I think a place in a nearby bigger town has them, it's a law enforcement store, if they don't have it they can get it, at this point I'm thinking on the S&W simply for the warranty availability and parts if the need arises, however the only thing I'm not crazy about is the trigger on the m&p, anyone have any suggestions to replace that kinda two piece design?

 

[Giterboosted]

In a complete change of direction, I've run up on a deal where for about 200$ more than sn m&p I can get a lightly used H&K p2000sk v3 with 6 extra mags in .357 sig, also it's local, which I like, it's also an individual instead of a company which I like, does this seem like a better deal? It's probably the way I'm going

 

[rellascout]

In a complete change of direction, I've run up on a deal where for about 200$ more than sn m&p I can get a lightly used H&K p2000sk v3 with 6 extra mags in .357 sig, also it's local, which I like, it's also an individual instead of a company which I like, does this seem like a better deal? It's probably the way I'm going

What is the total OTD on the S&W and then what is it for the HK?

 

[smirnoff a]

I purchased one in 40 cal a while back with intention of converting it to 357 sig, but after unsuccessful attempt to find a barrel, i sold it for the same price I paid for it new. The only issue it had was when the magazine was fully loaded, it sometimes would not champer a round, so I had to keep 10 rounds in my mags. However, every round out of approximately 500-600 fired flawlessly.

 

[Giterboosted]

Otd for the m&p would be about 550$ that's on "clearance" at my local place, otd with my buddy is 750$ so literally 200$ diff for five extra clips and a holster, I'm thinking it's simply a better deal for the h&k, and if I can make a good plea to my wife I may get both because I simply don't have anything to spend the money on, I've literally never in my life had that situation

 

[RX-178]

I've never been a huge fan. Never been a huge fan of Glocks either though.

I can't get used to the trapezoidal sights, and the trigger pull felt... kinda mushy, kinda long. Not heavy though, so I guess they'd be accurate enough. For the price point, I guess there really isn't anything really /BAD/ about them.

 

[breacher]

if you are set on buying a pistol in 357 sig perhaps you might set a few shillings aside for ammo. if you don't reload you will put a hurtin' on your wallet shooting that caliber with any frequency

not a big fan of H&K pistols. I think they are way overpriced. but based on that your buddy is still giving you a pretty fair deal with all those mags and a holster included.

just comes down to which pistol feels better to you. btw, factory caliber conversion barrels can be had from S&W for the M&P's for fairly cheap.