Steyr Owners, Chime in Please

[Zaydok Allen]

Greetings friends and neighbors,

I find myself suddenly intrigued by the new Steyr L9-A1. That is the long slide 4.5" pistol newly added to Steyr's lineup, for those unfamiliar.

All my semi's are .45 cal. I find myself wanting a little variety in my collection. When panics happen, it is nice to have a variety of calibers, so as ammo becomes available, you can still shoot. This would primarily be a range toy.

So, for those of you who own Steyr pistols, please share your experience. Things I'd like to hear about are:

accuracy, fit and finish, ergonomics, reliability, value, customer service experiences, availability of after market parts, durability and lifespan of the guns, trigger quality, need for modification, how the low bore axis makes the recoil impulse feel, anything else in between, good, bad, or ugly.

Thanks all.

 

[jerkface11]

I had an m40 it was the least accurate handgun I've ever owned. No one could shoot a decent group with it.

 

[Fishbed77]

While I can't speak to the L9-A1 (since it's a new model), my cousin has a 1st-gen M40 (basically the same pistol with a shorter slide/barrel, and chambered in .40S&W). It's his go-to home defense pistol, and he prefers it to his Glocks.

Fit & finish is good. Better than Glock or S&W M&P. Not as good as a Walther P99 or PPQ. Ergonomics are best left to the user to decide. It's a chunky pistol, but feels better in the hand than a Glock. Light years from the Walther designs, though. Trigger quality is very Glock-ish. It's not a target pistol, so don't expect a target trigger or target accuracy. Expect service pistol accuracy similar to a Glock or S&W M&P.

The gun has been reliable for my cousin. Parts and accessories for the older models are out there. You won't find them in local gun stores, but you'll find them on the internet.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Guess there aren't that many owners out there.

 

[thess02]

I own an M40 and think it is a high quality pistol. Mine is the original design with the manual safety. It is very accurate and quite reliable.

 

[Fat Boy]

I don't own one but I can report that the local Cabelas has a 9mm (m9?) that is priced at $449. And it has been there at least a year without selling.

That seems pretty weird to me- I have read that these are generally good quality guns and that one fits the hand well. Just can't understand why it hasn't sold in all this time.

 

[silicosys4]

I have an m40,
accuracy is good, I can consistently keep 10 rounds inside of 3"-4" rested at 25 yards
Fit and finish is good , on par with the h&k usp I have. Design is superior to the glock imo. From what I am to understand the steyr was designed by a glock engineer who left early on because of disagreements in the glock design. He went on to design what he thought the glock should have been and came up with the steyr.
His changes include a modular skeletal steel subframe within but not imbedded inside the polymer frame that includes the frame rails, instead of the glock design of smaller frame rails imbedded within the polymer of the frame itself.
The slide rails are also angled to to promote a tighter slide to frame fit.
The sights take some getting used to. Look them up if they are the triangular sights to see if you like them. I like them but if you have to use any elevation the target rapidly becomes obscured, so they need to hit with a 6'oclock hold
Reliability has been great but the gun does have a slightly tight chamber that would not feed reliably for me with my cast reloads until I started sizing my bullets to .401. I hadn't had a problem with my P229 previously with loading cast bullets as dropped without sizing. After that, no problems. It also has standard rifling so is lead friendly. The chamber is also fully supported.
Magazines tend to be cheap and high quality for factory mags. I paid $10 for the last 12 rd mag I got for it, dusty bargain bin find....still an m9 mag in there too, lol. Beautiful bluing on the mags btw.
Recoil does seem to be less that say, my sig p229 .40. Much less muzzle flip for sure.
Overall it's a comfortable pistol to shoot.
Ergonomics on mine are excellent, but I have an older gen1 m40 so the grip will most likely be different. I will say mine is great for smaller hands.
Trigger quality is pretty good, feels just like a glock 19 i have but lighter, less squishy, crisper, and more comfortable. People say it feels like a single action, but I wouldn't go that far. It still has some sponge, give, and creep.
Customer service could be spotty but from what I heard they found a reliable distributor in the US so that should be resolved.
I can't speak for durability, but from what I see of the design I imagine its on par with a glock. More moving parts though. I like the modular subframe and control group a lot.
The rail on mine is proprietary so hopefully the one you are looking at has something standard.

They make great range guns. I shoot mine more than any of my other .40's.

http://oldnoobloveguns.blogspot.com/2009/09/gun-review-steyr-m40a1.html?zx=dfe7aabcce62e463

http://www.shootingillustrated.com/mobile/article.php?id=4761

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2011/01/yankee-gun-nuts/obscure-object-of-desire-steyr-m9-and-m40/

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-663913.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steyr_M

 

[Girodin]

I've got a couple steyrs. I'll go into more detail later and address the various points you asked specifically about. The short answer is that I really like mine and think that on a balance it compares very favorably with the other guns i own.

 

[Pilot]

I bought a Steyr M9 when CDNN was blowing them out at a great price. I wanted the smaller S9 for CCW, but they had sold out of them. In general, I liked the pistol. The ergos and bore axis were great. The trigger was OK, but I am not a polymer fan, and the trigger felt a bit spongy, and plasticky to me. I am sure it would have become better with more break in, and just me getting used to it. It was reasonably accurate, on par with my Sig P228, but not as good my CZ's, or BHP's.

I liked the Steyr, but I had several other pistols I liked better that filled that niche so I sold it. If it had been the smaller S9, I would have probably kept it.

 

[Snowdog]

I bought my M40 from CDNN as well, for around $299 around 10 years ago. It's an awesome pistol.
I'm looking at the 9mm Steyrs too.

 

[CPshooter]

Luckily, the L9-A1 is the improved version of the pistol with a much better trigger pull. In around 2011-2012 they changed the design and put a roll pin under the sight to change the way the load is distributed on a certain part in the trigger group, resulting in a significantly improved trigger pull. In fact, it's very impressive and probably as good or better than the PPQ trigger. Only dry fired one myself. I've been tempted to buy one to satisfy that low bore axis 9mm itch that Glock failed to scratch, but I like my USP 9mm and W. German P226 9mm so much and shoot them so well that I have no real desire to risk not liking the Steyr. If I want a low bore axis and supreme accuracy, I'll shoot my P7M8. The Steyr just doesn't have a place in my collection right now.

Another reason I've held off on giving Steyr a try is that they don't exactly have a good track record for reliability/quality control. I have seen enough complaints of poor ejection, stovepiping, etc. to turn me away. Not saying the newer pistols have these same issues, but I don't want to buy one and find out the hard way. Had enough of that with my Glocks to scar me for life.

That being said, the L9-A1 still looks like a nice pistol. I say go for it if you want it.

 

[bannockburn]

I have an M9 that was purchased new about 7 years ago. Fit and finish were excellent, on par with a comparable Glock. What I liked about this pistol was the ergonomics and how well the grip frame fit my hand. I also was interested in the unique trapezoidal sights as well as the manual safety in the trigger guard. Accuracy is decent though the sights do take awhile to become accustomed to. Overall I'm happy with my M9 though I think size wise the S9 is a slightly better fit for someone like myself with smaller hands.

 

[Inazone]

I bought a Steyr M9 at Cabela's last year, one left from a batch imported by PW Arms prior to Steyr America taking over. As such, it is a sort of mix of the previous generation M9 and current M9-A1. During a break-in period of ~300 rounds I did experience a few FTFs and FTEs, but the only issue I can recall since then is a couple of stovepipes when shooting WWB 115grn FMJ. I personally prefer 124grn myself, and with everything from Fiocchi to Aguila to American Eagle, reliability has been just fine.

A couple months ago, I switched from a Beretta PX4 subcompact to the M9 as my carry gun, and will be using it at an upcoming steel shoot. I really like the trapezoidal sights, although some people shoot well with them and others can't even hit paper at 10 yards. If I decide to do more steel shoots come next spring, I may consider an L9-A1.

 

[ROCK6]

I've had mine almost 10 years now. I still like it, never hand any issues; accuracy is quite good but even better for rapid drills. The trapezoid sights are odd to get use to but quite functional once you figure them out.

I do like the look of the long-slide version, it looks more like a full-size service pistol.

Best feature is the trigger reset; very short and fast. I think for the price, they are pretty decent. Marketing sucks, but Steyr is pretty decent with service (at least in my case).



ROCK6

 

[Zaydok Allen]

The bore axis looks really low on those pistols. How does that translate to percieved recoil?

 

[Girodin]

I have guns from Colt, CZ, Glock, H&K, Kahr, Ruger, Sig, S&W, and a number of others. I use my steyr as my carry gun.

I often describe my steyr to those unfamiliar with them as either 1) like a glock but better (Before people become irate I will go into what I think its strengths and weakness vis-a-vis a glock are) 2) A glock for people who don't like glocks.

I really like the steyr grip. I have also found that a lot of people who bemoan the glock grip like the steyr's. To my mind the M guns grip is a bit slippery and could benefit from some texture. This is something that is common to a lot of factory polymer guns. The shape, angle, and feel in hand (excluding the smoothness) are great. The MA1 guns have more texture to address that shortcoming on the M guns.

I like the trigger, for a striker fired gun. I like it better than the factory triggers on my glocks. Its not a tuned 1911 trigger but its very usable and better than much of whats out there on similar type guns.

The low bore axis is one of the shining features of the Steyr. It makes controlling the gun much easier and provides for a very soft shooting gun. Often newer shooters like my steyr the best. I almost lost my steyr to my mom after she shot it (and she is not super in to guns). She commented about the lack of [felt] recoil and how easy it was to shoot. I believe that the bore axis makes managing recoil and muzzle rise easier than some of the others I have.

It seemingly has a good build quality. It appears well made. Fit and finish is good. I have never had any issues.

Reliability. I have had exactly as many failures as I had with my previous carry glock (I have multiple glocks). In shooting thousands of rounds each of them has choked once. Each was in the same way. Each was when I was training and doing some more demanding drills that required, moving quickly, thinking and shooting. I think in both instances I failed to fully seat the magazine on reloads. In other words I believe both times to have been problems with me not the gun. I find it reliable enough to carry. I'm not sure what more could be said for reliability than that.

I like the trap sights. Some people love 'em. Others don't. For the type of shooting I do with the steyr I like them well enough. They can be replaced.

Now it does have cons. The major con vis a vis glocks or the like is the aftermarket support. There are more options for everything when it comes to say a glock. The only thing about the steyr I wish was more readily available was spare parts, springs, etc. The gun doesn't need a lot and one can get a good holster, mags, and other vital items easily enough. They wont be at the LGS though. However, most of what I buy even for my glocks is bought online anyways.

I do with my M9 had a normal rail. But that's what the MA1 was for.

My only regrets concerning Steyrs is that I didn't buy that S9.

 

[loulittle]

Older Steyr

For those interested in the history of semiautomatic pistols, the Steyr 1908 is a must have. Mine was made over 100 years ago and reliability is great; its accuracy is good enough for its intended use (personal protection).

 

[Dark shark]

I have a M9 that I really like. With some practice you can adjust to the triangular sight used and once done, the pistol is very accurate. The ergonomics are excellent and it handles better than my Glocks. Good handgun.

 

[StrutStopper]

Its been very long since I've fired my M9. Got it from CDNN way back for $250. I do remember having some FTEs with certain ammo. Felt recoil is very mild and I don't recall the trigger being bad at all. Trap sights are pretty unique and take a little getting used to.

 

[agent89]

I own an M40. It's a great gun. I also have three Glocks. I think it is as good as the glock and perhaps better in some respects. Trigger is better I believe, and the fit and finish is every bit as good or better.
And it looks bad ass!! Great curb appeal!

 

[Fencer]

I have an M9 and I do like it very much. It sits great in the hand and it allows for very fast strings of shots with little muzzle rise. It carrys well, about like a Glock 19 and has been very reliable. I replaced the sights with night sights.

The trigger is good for a striker fired weapon, and I think it has the best and most intuitive safety system out there since the 1911. I wish I could retrofit all my striker fired pistols with it. The grip is a bit slick, but I got a rubber sleeve for a Glock and that helped a lot. Stippling if of course always and option as well.

I can't speak to customer service because it has never broken or had a problem.

There are not a lot of aftermarket parts out there, which is a bit of a letdown. You can get a grip plug, mags, holsters and steel guide rods, but not much else.

All in all I think it has been a good value and for a striker fired gun I think it has a good feel. I like it overall better than my Walther P99, HK USP, or Glock. It is well described as sort of a refined Glock, or a one for people who don't like Glocks.

 

[ScarLata]

Steyr L9-A1. My next pistol!

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Cool man

 

[madFive]

I used to have an M40-A1. Loved the ergonomics, and the trigger was one of the best I've ever seen on a striker-fired.

But firing it wasn't as good. Had a weird rattling feel when fired, like the tolerances were just too loose. And I never could get used to those weird triangular sights. Seemed accurate enough, but just too much of a learning curve when going to the Steyr from any other gun.

Also, that huge square muzzle on it meant finding holsters for it was a huge pain.

I sold mine a few years ago and switched to a Beretta PX4-Sub 9 for carry, and couldn’t be happier with that decision.

 

[Snowdog]

I'm always hoping Steyr will either introduce a 10mm or a .45acp (that I would convert to a .460 Rowland).

What a find trail pistol that would be.