Steyr 1912 info?

V

Venom1956

New member
One got traded @ my favorite gun shop.

Its so different i promptly fell in love with it. it had 1914 marked on the slide but I didn't know enough about it to decide one way or the other. its got a bit of rust here and there but its not horribly pitted in any spot i could see. Such a neat gun. The owner of the store was off and the fill ins couldn't give me much info about it. I completely forgot to check if it was 9mm Steyr or Luger! Hes asking about 350 but for me i'm sure he can do better.

Something to look into or pass? I'd also like some general info if I ever stumble across another.
 
Prices have gone up big time on the Steyr Hahn. 9mm Luger carries a premium. Chilean Contract guns are most numerous with Romanian Contract and Austrian military much less so. Prices are based on the foregoing and more so condition.

My current Steyr Hahn is a Romanian Contract gun that cosmetically was abysmal. When I picked it up from my FFL it went right to my smith who blasted away all of the pitting (which was very light but a ton of it) and Molycoated it a deep olive drab. Sounds weird but it works. In its condition the gun had zero collector value so I turned it into a shooter. I ended up selling my Chilean Contract gun which cosmetically was excellent. Both guns are outstanding internally.

In 9mm Steyr they are excellent shooters and very accurate and reliable. Loading from the top with stripper clips is no big deal saving one from having to acquire mags. 9mm Steyr ammo can be an issue but it is out there. Assuming good original condition with original finish I would be all over one for $350. I would pay a great deal more for my refinished one but my smith did one heck of a job.

Here is a photo of my Hammer. I'd add that it has a rotating barrel system not unlike what we see today on the Beretta PX4.
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/546/2rpi.jpg
 
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I have been looking at a pair of these pistols in 9mm steyr. Can anyone tell me if it can be de cocked safely?
 
STEYR 9MM 1912 MODEL 1911 go $1500 or above now days on GB.

Mine:
636249d1390744795-glimpse-my-little-collection-holey-grail-2.jpg
 
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"Can anyone tell me if it can be de cocked safely?"
Safety is relative today to back then; it was typically carried empty with the hammer down. I don't think there is a hammer block, but I think the hammer is rebounding, so...half safe (maybe)

:D

TCB
 
Thank you for the responses.

Yes I have Mr Enfield. I have watched the video previously but it does not show or say if it can be de cocked.
 
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I would check to see if it had a full length firing pin.
If it does, it is not safe to lower the hammer on a live round.

I don't see the need in the first place. It has a thumb safety in the correct location, check to see if it is worn or misfitted. Otherwise, run it in Condition 3. I bet the Austrians did.
 
With all the modern weapons out there that are reliable and safer for an inexperienced hand-gunner I would not carry 2 Steyr Hahn's for self defense...silly.
 
The Steyr-Hahn (Steyr-Hammer model) is a good gun, rugged and reliable. It can be loaded without clips, but of course is slower that way. It can be de-cocked the same way an American 1911 can be - if empty, just pull the trigger. If loaded, hold the hammer and pull the trigger, easing the hammer down.

The firing pin is not a true inertia type, contained fully in the firing pin tunnel, but it is too short to set off a round by striking a lowered hammer. Several attempts to do so marked the primer but did not fire it; still, I would keep the chamber empty until ready to fire or carry cocked and locked.

Guns converted by the Germans to 9mm P often have round coil recoil springs, replacing the original flat coil type which have been known to break.

Jim
 
Thank you Peg and James.

Great info James I didnt want to try and decock it and lose a thumb.

I live in Australia so we aren't allowed to carry pistols or any weapons for defence.

The steyrs will only be used at the range.
 
FWIW, most sources indicate that the Model 1911 and Model 1912 are the same, and they are for all practical purposes, but the 1911 has its front sight made as part of the slide, while the Model 1912 sight is drift adjustable.

Jim
 
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