Steyr S40 WOW

[sturmruger]

Last night I went and picked up my NIB Steyr S40. I ordered it from CDNN Investmants in TX. They had a hell of a price, only $399.

When I first opened the box I was a little shocked to see that the finish on the slide has a dark green color to it. I compared it with my other two Steyr pistols. The slides on my M Series guns is a very dark black. It is strikingly obvious that steyr must have a differant finish on the S Series guns. The only other point of dislike is on the left side of the gun. My other gun say GSI FL on the side. GSI was the old importer of Steyr firearms for the US. It looks like someone melted the frame to delete where it said GSI. It now says "GZS Baldwin, IL" in small letters directly under the melted portion of the old tag. What upset me is the melted lettering doesn't look very profesional. I guess it is a small thing to complain about. Something else that I noticed, I have a Bianchi Minimalist that I use as my main carry holster. My M40 and M9 fit extremly well in this holster. When I went to put the S40 into the holster it was unbelievable tight!!! It felt like the S40 is wider. I inspected all three gun to see if I coudl notice any differances in width. There were not any differance that I could see with the naked eye. It could be that the finish on the S40 is what making it more diffucult to draw. It does not feel as slick or as smooth as the dark black finish on the M Series.

As far as shooting goes it is a real dream. It takes a little getting used not having a full sized grip like the M Series, but after two clips it was shooting extremly well. The one thing that I really like about the Steyr M and S series are the fantastic sites!! Instead of some of the more traditional types (3 dot, post, fiber optic) Steyr uses a very interesting triangular design. The front site is a triangle. This allows very accurate shot placement, it has corresponding rear diangle white sites to go with the front site. I have shot over 175 rounds of Winchester target ammo without any problems.

This gun has really been a great little gun. If anyone is looking for a compact .40 this is definetly the one to get!!!! Especially at that kind of price. If you have any questions feel free to ask.


This is a Pic of all three of my Steyr guns.

Another Comparison picture.

Slides side by side, notice the differant finishes.

Muzzle View

Sideview

Extreme Closeup

Last Shot

 

[freedom]

HELP !
you seem a big fan of steyr, well I just got my m40 and about every 25rnds the slide locks up- if there is a spent shell in chamber it will totally lock up and I wont be able to rack the slide, and if empty chamber then the slide will just get very hard to rack. I'm using Rem. umc rounds
any advise will be appreciated

 

[freedom]

one more thing , do you think it is possible to get a 357sigbarrel for my m40, did you find anybody with parts?
thanks

 

[Zundfolge]

So do CDNN still have S40s available?

I've wanted one forever and never find them for sale (there's one on Gunbroker for $475 ... and thats the only one I've ever seen for sale).

They don't have S40s listed in their PDF catalog.

Also, can you use your M40 magazines in the S40? Based on all the pictures I've seen the M40 mags look like S40 mags with a different baseplate.


Do you know what the "GZS" stands for?

 

[sturmruger]

Magazines and Misc

Yes the M40 mags do work in the S40. You are correct the only real differance is the base plate. I have used the M40 mags in the S40 several times it seemed to work great.

As far as the .357 Sig barrel. There is a company called Odell's Engineering in Canada that has the .357 Sig barrels for sale. I think they quoted me $125 US. I though that was pretty reasonable. I know there are a few ppl around here that have done this.

If you are interested in the S40 call CDNN and ask for Tracy. Tell him that Norm Walker in Iowa told you to call him. I think they have plenty of S40s available if you are looking for one. I am really happy with CDNN. I ordered the gun, and 1 clip the grand total including the shippinq was only $434!!! The .pdf catalog they currently have have on their web site has been on there since Nov. sometime. It is not the most up to date pricing. Just call them. I have been ordering so much stuff from them lately I had to put their number in my Cellular phonebook.

 

[Erich]

Sturmruger, thanks for an excellent review and great info!

 

[tetchaje1]

SturmRuger,
Glad you got your S40. Have you noticed any difference in recoil or accuracy behavior over your M40?

Also, O'Dell never got back to me in regards to getting a 357SIG barrel for my M40. I might need to give them a ring after I save up some nickels and dimes.

 

[sturmruger]

S40 VS M40

They both shoot very similarly. There is a little more muzzle rise with the S40, but it really doesn't feel differant in the wrist. I just notice that it takes a little longer to get it back on target if I am shooting quickly.

I am not a good judge of accuracy because I am still kind of a beginner when it comes to handgun shooting. I am planning on doing some 15 yard bench shooting this weekend. I will let you know what kind of accuracy I achieve. I have been thinking about trying the M40 barrel in the S40. I haven't decided if that is a good idea or not. They seem like they would work. I installed it and cycled the action a few times.

What are you thoughts on the differant finishes Tetchaje1 ?? I can't figure out what the deal is why would they change it after they started production.


Has anyone heard of this GZS??? I can't seem to find them.

 

[tetchaje1]

If it isn't smooth like the standard Steyr Teniferesque finish, my guess would be that it is some kind of parkerizing -- perhaps aftermarket. Maybe these are contract overrun guns that were purchased with a special finish for a given agency or whatever and the deal either fell through or they changed service weapons.

As far as removing the original GSI markings, all I can say is and at the same time. If they were originally imported by GSI, I would see no reason for any company to need to reimport them and remark them. The only thing that I can think of is that this company wants some free advertizing (unless they were shipped up to Canada for some reason when GSI fell through and reimported into the US... ).

 

[Zundfolge]

If they were originally imported by GSI, I would see no reason for any company to need to reimport them and remark them.

I'm thinking that Steyr molded the frames with the GSI markings and still had some pistol frames with the GSI markings on them when they ended their arrangement with GSI, so the new importer had to grind off the old markings and put theirs on.


At any rate, you guys are giving me a serious case of the gottahaves

 

[arinvolvo]

Someone asked previously...GZS stands for Zanders Sporting goods...Why the letters are jumbled I do not know...My brothers M40, like your S40 has GSI melted out and is restamped with the zanders logo...However mine JUST has the znaders logo in the little oval.

http://www.gzanders.com/

They do not list Steyr as one of the brands they carry, but I suspect they have just not updated their site recently.

On another note, I too have the "green" finish on my steyr...it is not really green, but definitely a different shade of "black" than what they were previously using, and also not quite so "slick".

With a thin wipe of CLP it looks black as night...but when it is dry, you are right, it does seem to have a greenish tint. The pictures that are posted make it look a little greener than mine looks...

 

[Kahr carrier]

Nice range report ,It makes me want to go out and buy a Steyr.

 

[Handgun]

A note on finishes and serial numbering after speaking with the gunsmith at GSI ...

Finishes ... Early M-series guns did not have the "poly-coat" finish on the slides. As I recall, it was around serial number 8000 when they started poly-coating. I had a 7XXX range gun without the poly-coat. I had not heard of any S-series guns without the poly-coat until this one. What is the serial number?

Serial numbering ... The 9 mm and the .40 M-series do not duplicate serial numbers. If sn 10000 is a 9 mm there is no .40 with sn 10000, and sn 10001 could be a .40 or a 9 mm. I believe the S-series serial numbers are shared with the M-series in the same manner.

 

[JackDRipper]

What is the contact information for this Odell's Engineering ? Thanks,
JR

 

[arinvolvo]

Mine is serial 026xxx. And I do not have what would be considered a "poly coat".

It is more of a dry looking parkerized finish. And by the way, GSI is no longer the importer of Steyr...So I would not look to a GSI representative for the latest info.

 

[spacemanspiff]

dang. now i really really want that S40....and the M357, and the S9.

 

[arinvolvo]

Yes, that is true....you DO want one. You WILL buy one...and you WILL buy one soon....

Rumor has it they are about the skyrocket in price. Possibly another switch in importers. I read something about a switch to RWS as the importer...but nothing else to verify that.

 

[Handgun]

arinvolvo wrote:

Mine is serial 026xxx. And I do not have what would be considered a "poly coat".

It is more of a dry looking parkerized finish.

Interesting. The only guns I have seen with this finish are all serial numbered lower then 8000. The finish you describe was on my M9 sn 74xx. My S9 is something like sn 21xxx and has the poly coated slide.

arinvolvo wrote:

And by the way, GSI is no longer the importer of Steyr...So I would not look to a GSI representative for the latest info.

Yes, I am well aware of this. I spoke with him last year, not long after they stopped being the importer. He was very helpful and knowledgeable in the guns that GSI imported. As I said, he indicated that Steyr started poly coating the slides after about serial number 8000. He obviously had no knowledge of what would be imported in the future by another importer.

 

[sturmruger]

Serial Number

My S40 has a serial number in the 24,000 range. I would prefer that it had the same coating as my M series guns, but I can't have everything. One advantage is the poly coat finish is easier to grip when I am trying to pull the slide back.

Steyr Pistols are addicting!! I hope everyong considers adding one to their collection. I think CDNN is still selling them pretty cheap. I hope the price does go through the roof! Then I can prove to my wife that we are not loosing any money with my gun collection.

 

[arinvolvo]

Where could I find some standard cap mags for my Steyr? I am in the states, so what is the legality of purchasing or owning these mags? ANd how or where would I go about finding them?

Or even better, do any of you have any for sale?

 

[Zundfolge]

Where could I find some standard cap mags for my Steyr?

Well "standard cap" on the S series is 10 rounds. On the M series its 12 for the M40 and I think 14 on the M9.

At any rate the Steyr M and S series pistols didn't exist before the assault weapon ban therefore unless you are a cop or an FFL its against the law for you to even possess the full capacity mags.


I do understand however that preban Smith & Wesson Sigma magazines will work in these Steyrs (with a tiny amount of dremel work ... but not enough work that they would be illegal).

I've been looking around for an inexpensive 15 round Sigma mag for my M40 to play with

 

[arinvolvo]

Plese let me know of you do get some sigma mags, and if they work...do you have any links as to what dremel work needs to be done? This is definitely something I would be interested in...and If I mod one...I would love to post a tutorial and some pics...WOW..thanks for the info. I am going on the hunt now.

 

[sturmruger]

Sigma Mags

My father has a Sigma with a 17 round Mag. If you can get your hand on a Sigma Mag it is very obvious what needs to be done. The magazine catch on the Sigma Mag is on the wrong side for it to work in a Steyr gun. What would be required is cutting a new magazine catch on the correct side of the Sigma Mag. When I looked at it, it seemed like it would be simple enough to do.

 

[arinvolvo]

Ok sturm..here is what you need to do....Go to your dads house, point out the window and say "look, there's Bill Clinton pissing on an American flag in the backyard!!" When your dad turns to look, grab his Sigma mag, and run away.

Now go to the garage, buddy up the sigma clip with the steyr clip, and outline the catch..Proceed to cut out the outlined portion, (carefully). Now test it in your Steyr...You can start out by firing a couple warning shots over "slick willy's" head...This will serve to not only get rid of Bill, but also check the reliability of the newly modified magazine...

After you are satisfied with the performance of YOUR new magazine...Pack it into a box, and ship it directly to me.

 

[arinvolvo]

Also...Zundfolge...if you find any cheap mags, let me know....I will take a look at the next gun show that is in town.