Whats the deal with Steyr Pistols?

[phantomak47]

I have a cousin that is very interested in Steyr pistols and since I know nothing about steyrs, I was wondering how they rate as a pistol?

Any details about the pistol and specific calibers would be appricated.

any issues, reliability as it would be a defensive pistol.

 

[Flashpoint]

Steyrs are a very well made Austrian pistol. Some have described them as what a Glock should be. The triggers are a kin to a SA, and they have very good ergonomics, for me at least. I have had three of them. I started with a M40 and traded it for a S40 and then bought a S9. All three has functioned 100%. Here is a link to an overview and a forum. You should find all the info you are looking for there. You might do well to use the search engine on this site, Glocktalk, and The Firing Line.

 

[waterhouse]

I've got a couple of them. They aren't my favorite guns (prefer SIGS and 1911s) but I figured I needed some plastic in the collections and CDNN had them for cheap.

They are very well built, completely reliable, and they feel better in my hand than glocks do. I have heard (internet rumors) that this is one of the few pistols that was designed around the .40 and then shrunk down to the 9mm as opposed to the other way around. Probably the thing that sets them apart from other guns it the sights. They have a triangular front sight that is very large, not quite suited for target work but once you get used to them they are very quick. You don't have to think "front sight" because it is pretty much all you see. They have a very interesting safety that is in the trigger guard above the trigger. When your finger goes to pull the trigger you can pretty much automatically swipe it up and off, or you can just choose to not use it.

Cons: hi-caps were pretty hard to find, I don't know if this has changed.

If you are in the market for a plastic gun, I highly reccomend the steyr line.

 

[michiganfan]

I had one in 357 Sig that I sent back twice and it was still ammo picky when I got it back. Loved the ergonomics and ease of breakdown but I got rid of it because it would not go bang every time.

 

[HighVelocity]

Mine jammed repeatedly, broke several small parts and spent as much time on the workbench as it did on the firing line.
Mags are overpriced, factory service is sketchy or not available.

Spend a few extra bucks and get an XD or Glock if you want a plastic pistol.

 

[BluesBear]

I"d rather have one Steyr than a dozen Glocks.

I just ran 150 rounds of cheap 9mm through a friends Steyr last Friday.
The strange triangle sights are very easy to qadapt to and are VERY fast to acquire.

I have noticed on this gun and as well as on his nearly identical .40 model that when it gets very dirty you can get the occasional failure to go into battery. Since the Steyr will attempt to fire out of battery all you will get is a click and a light strike on the primer.
With anything close to normal cleaning this problem goes away so I find it to be a non-issue unless I was planning to be mud-bogging while carrying it.

For me the grip and trigger both feel MUCH better than those on a Glock.

 

[Moonclip]

I wish Steyr would have been more agressive in the handgun market. Their GB pistol was neat though very large. Actually though the only Steyr pistol I'd like right now is a SPP!

 

[spacemanspiff]

i had problems with the m40, didnt matter how clean i got it, it didnt like going into battery, especially with heavier bullets. and since i wasnt going to practice with expensive jhp's i decided to sell it. i think its chamber wasn't properly cut or something along those lines.

also had a m9, that was a fun gun. liked it more than any glock i've picked up. and its sturdier (imho) than any xd i've ever handled.

the triggers werent anything to write home about, as far as i was concerned.

ergonomics were excellent. bore axis does help in attaining that 'natural' shooting grip. sights were fun.

now that i've had a lot more shooting practice, i'd like to try another m9 and see how accurate it can be in my hands.

 

[Grayrider]

How are the new M-A1 models in comparison to the previous guns?

GR

 

[Zundfolge]

I've had an M40 since early 2001 ... has had several thousand round through it with no serious problems (and so few FTFs or FTEs that I don't remember any).

I love the ergonomics, trigger, accuracy and aesthetics of the gun. (I much prefer it to Glocks as well)


I've had an S40 for almost 2 years ... has had about a thousand rounds through it. I like it even better then my M40 and the only reason its not still my primary CCW piece is because I have a smaller Kahr MK9 (although this winter the Steyr goes back in the pants).

 

[mons meg]

My M40 has had exactly ONE stovepipe in 2000 or so rounds, and that was when my wife tried it out at the range, so I suspect a limp wrist issue. Never happened to me. Um....that's it.

Edit: Oh, and I've got the pre-A1, got it about the same time as Z.

 

[Slinger]

like mine

I like my M40. It has a o.k. trigger, compared to my Millennium Pro 145. It is a little funky to aim especially if you are shooting it at the same time you are shooting a 1911 type gun ( IMO the 1911 just points more naturally than my Styer.) I've put about 400 rnd through mine with 1 rnd that failed to fire (cheep UMC bulk ammo?) It is a much better looking gun than a Glock,IMO, but that doesn't mean a thing to you. The sights are really different, nothing wrong with them, just like nothing I have ever used. From what I have seen you can pick them up a bargin prices. I have seen 9mm versions at Gander Mountian for under 300$. I would say it seems to be a dependable weapon. Take a look at SteyrClub.com. Lots of info and fans of the gun there.

 

[crt360]

I picked up an M40 back when CDNN first started selling them. At the time, they were still going for $550 in local gun shops. It's been a solid, accurate, reliable pistol. In a couple of thousand rounds I've had no problems. The funky sights are pretty easy to use once you shoot it a few times. There are (were?) also regular style night sights available for them (some M40/M9 had these as original sights). The grip feels a little small to me, but others really like it. CDNN still lists 10rd mags for $10 and 12rd/40 14rd/9 mags for $30.

When I got it, I had been looking around for a light plastic carry gun. I checked out Walthers, HKs, Glocks, a CZ 100 and the Steyrs. The HKs and Walthers were nice, but not any better a gun for twice as much money. The CZ 100 was almost perfect, but the DAO trigger pull was unbelievably long. If they ever sell the 110 in the US I will buy one. Glocks are Glocks. I'm not saying I'll never own one, but other than their reported reliability and simplicity there's nothing about them that I really care for. I'd take the Steyr over a Glock any day. I wish I had also picked up one of the S models.