Steyr - best gun no one can find, or is no one even looking?

[USMCGrunt]

Yeah, that's the problem with the Steyr is the on again / off again production. I got a new M9A1 last winter, one of the latest generations with the roll pin under the rear sight. Really, I like it. It did take a few rounds to break in but it's a great shooter now. It had a few extraction issues but that went away after the first 200 rounds. I also added the 1911 plunger spring inside the extractor spring for good measure.
The grip angle is very Glockish so if you like Glock grips, the Steyr is similar but even more comfortable. Another area where it out-Glocks the Glock is in bore axis. If you like a low bore axis, the Steyr is even lower than the Glock. On the other hand, this means a shorter slide height and isn't as easy to rack the slide as taller designs.
The sights are a love it or hate it affair but I found that after getting used to them, I actually prefer them to the more conventional sights. However, if you like conventional sights, Steyr does offer a tritium replacement sight set if you want to go that route.
Where the Steyr really looses out is in aftermarket support. Anything you want to tack on or replace on a Glock or 1911 is out there all over the place but the same can't be said for the Steyr. Holsters are another area that the Steyr has issues with in that not many are made for this pistol. However, Blade-Tech makes holsters for the M9A1 and that's what I have been using without any problem.
Really, I think it's an excellent pistol with some of the worst marketing around. If Steyr could just get a distributor and hold on to them and actually market this pistol better, I think they would have a winner. Until then it will always remain a real sleeper in the handgun world.

 

[WVsig]

I tried to love them but sold all the ones I had. I see them pop up every now and then but people want to much for them NIB and even used.

 

[Worc]

^^^ Perhaps not $300 but close; my local Cabela's had a bunch of them several years ago for not much more than $300, and the word on the street was that the distributor had gone belly-up and Cabela's bought their remaining inventory.

I'm not sure whether these were the Oregon guns to which you refer, but I recall these guns being the origin for my recollection that the current distributor would not service previous Steyrs.

These were the older models, not the new versions. Steyr USA has changed their position and is now servicing the unauthorized models. It's been a slow process for them setting up the US operation. They seem to be in better shape now than the have in the past.

I agree USMCGrunt that their marketing is their weakest part.

 

[WVsig]

These were the older models, not the new versions. Steyr USA has changed their position and is now servicing the unauthorized models. It's been a slow process for them setting up the US operation. They seem to be in better shape now than the have in the past.

I agree USMCGrunt that their marketing is their weakest part.

Again the history here us off IIRC. Many of these discounted pistols in the $300 to $350 sold by CDNN and others were current version guns at the time. Yes they are not the current version but at they time they were.

Which directly leads to the point I have been trying to drive home. At the sub $350 price point the Steyr is interesting but at the current $500 price point the cons outweight the positives for most people.

Like I said even SAI is a horrible marketing company but to me it is more about their timing. Everyone has a poly striker fired handguns. HK, Sig, SA, S&W, Ruger, Glock etc.... the list goes on and on. When the Steyr first came out they had a shot to become one of few now they are an unknown one of way too many.

 

[Worc]

Again the history here us off IIRC. Many of these discounted pistols in the $300 to $350 sold by CDNN and others were current version guns at the time. Yes they are not the current version but at they time they were.

Which directly leads to the point I have been trying to drive home. At the sub $350 price point the Steyr is interesting but at the current $500 price point the cons outweight the positives for most people.

Like I said even SAI is a horrible marketing company but to me it is more about their timing. Everyone has a poly striker fired handguns. HK, Sig, SA, S&W, Ruger, Glock etc.... the list goes on and on. When the Steyr first came out they had a shot to become one of few now they are an unknown one of way too many.

Yes, the discounted guns were the then current models at the time. It's irrelevant as dmentia999 wants a current production model. That was a good price but, for me less of a deal as they were not being supported in the US. I'd rather pay the additional $100.00 to to $150.00 for the current model with all the updates.

Steyr is committed to the US market more than they have been in the past. They have capital invested here now with their service/importing center. Just like any other company, that does not mean they can't or won't leave.

There is some aftermarket support and holsters available for these current models. I'd say more that what is offered for another gun of mine the, Sphinx SDP.

I think for most people, its far less about a devised risk factor than a lack knowledge on how good these guns really are since they may never have held or shot one. I doubt most people know much about the history of Steyr.

Again, while I place the current Steyr models in the top tier of striker fired models, like any other model it's not an end all, be all gun.

 

[WVsig]

Yes, the discounted guns were the then current models at the time. It's irrelevant as dmentia999 wants a current production model. That was a good price but, for me less of a deal as they were not being supported in the US. I'd rather pay the additional $100.00 to to $150.00 for the current model with all the updates.

Steyr is committed to the US market more than they have been in the past. They have capital invested here now with their service/importing center. Just like any other company, that does not mean they can't or won't leave.

There is some aftermarket support and holsters available for these current models. I'd say more that what is offered for another gun of mine the, Sphinx SDP.

I think for most people, its far less about a devised risk factor than a lack knowledge on how good these guns really are since they may never have held or shot one. I doubt most people know much about the history of Steyr.

Again, while I place the current Steyr models in the top tier of striker fired models, like any other model it's not an end all, be all gun.

Even with support from SAI there is almost no after market support compared to other pistols. Everything you buy for them is harder to get than a Glock, Sig P320, SA XD, HK VP9 etc... Even with their capital investment they don't sell when here. If you walk into 100 gun shops in 100 different towns in this country you will be lucky to find 1 gun on the shelf and I would bet that not many people would be able to tell you anything about them if you asked the guy or gal behind the counter. Honestly I am surprised that they are still in the market.

I really wish they would dump the trapezoid sights. They are a huge turnover for most people. I shot ok with them but saw no need to have a proprietary sight system on any pistol in the stable. They really don't do anything better than any other sight but shoot differently than other setups IMHO.

Again my argument was and still is that at a $300-350 price point those limitations and risks are worth taking a chance you will like the pistol. At $500 no so much because even you admit its not the end all be all of pistols and it does not really out perform everything else on the market.

It is funny you bring up Sphinx. I own 2 of them and would not buy another one. They screwed up in a similar manner to Steyr. They brought a good product to market and then lost momentum because they did not know how to market it and could not get other people to support it. What little aftermarket support that they did have has dwindled. There are too many other good options on the market that do the job as well or better than the Sphinx to buy something that could disappear from the market.

 

[Worc]

Even with support from SAI there is almost no after market support compared to other pistols. Everything you buy for them is harder to get than a Glock, Sig P320, SA XD, HK VP9 etc... Even with their capital investment they don't sell when here. If you walk into 100 gun shops in 100 different towns in this country you will be lucky to find 1 gun on the shelf and I would bet that not many people would be able to tell you anything about them if you asked the guy or gal behind the counter. Honestly I am surprised that they are still in the market.

No doubt they don't have the aftermarket support compared to Glock. It's not one of the strong point of this brand. There are pros and cons for every brand. I see Steyr's in far more than 1 out of a hundred shops. I've been in shops in several states besides my own.

I really wish they would dump the trapezoid sights. They are a huge turnover for most people. I shot ok with them but saw no need to have a proprietary sight system on any pistol in the stable. They really don't do anything better than any other sight but shoot differently than other setups IMHO.

They would likely be better off having a more traditional 3 dot set up or maybe including an extra two dot back sight with the gun. I can go back and forth between the Steyr and my other 3 dot guns without any issues. They are quality made sights.

Again my argument was and still is that at a $300-350 price point those limitations and risks are worth taking a chance you will like the pistol. At $500 no so much because even you admit its not the end all be all of pistols and it does not really out perform everything else on the market.

I get what you are saying, I just don't agree with it. Sure it would be a better deal if the gun was in the $350.00- $400.00. Because of it's strengths, It's well worth the going price of $450.00-$500.00. Besides, we are only talking about a hundred bucks difference, hardly a life savings for anyone. I shoot more that dollars wise with my reloaded on some weekends.
While I don't consider it the end all, be all. I do put in my top tier of striker models only occupied by a few other models. That means I put it well above most striker fired models currently on the market.

It is funny you bring up Sphinx. I own 2 of them and would not buy another one. They screwed up in a similar manner to Steyr. They brought a good product to market and then lost momentum because they did not know how to market it and could not get other people to support it. What little aftermarket support that they did have has dwindled. There are too many other good options on the market that do the job as well or better than the Sphinx to buy something that could disappear from the market

I brought up the Sphinx for the reason that it's also a great gun even though they don't have a huge amount of aftermarket support. It's not either brands best attribute. I don't have a need for it anyways on either brand. Some brands that have huge aftermarket support don't meet my criteria in other aspects. Since nothing is an end all, be all gun of any type. It's compromises that need to be made and each needs to determine what's important to them.

 

[dmentia999]

I understand what you are saying WVsig, but I think I agree with Worc on two points. Since I am talking the newest models, from what feedback I've been able to find, Steyrs have been given a clean bill of health. I hope that's the case as that will make aftermarket support unnecessary. I am not expecting to need accessories, so if I don't have trouble with the gun itself I think the value is there. Of course it would be nice to have the long positive history of Glocks, Sigs, etc., but in the long run if the gun itself has a good rep now, I'll have to decide to take the chance on not needing something fixed or replaced.

I do still want to actually hold one, and perhaps fire one, so that is still a sticking point, but I do plan to go to the Steyr forum as suggested to see if anyone is in my area (NE Illinois). I am also hoping to find a local gun show in SE WI that I hope might have one. Once I've had in one my hand I can weigh all the positives and potential negatives you've all shared...

 

[DubC-Hicks]

When I look at the Steyr, with Steyrs current situation, I see a very unique and good range gun. Something that I buy to have fun with. It wouldn't be my duty weapon, carry weapon, SHTF, or self defense weapon. For those, I want extra parts available if and when my gun goes down for any reason. Right now, Steyr isn't at the point of having replacement parts easily accessible. They're getting better though. And when they do get to that point, I'd put it on par at all levels with any other striker gun.

The gun itself, not talking about company support or aftermarket, is just as good as any other striker gun. The gun lacks nothing, only the company support does.

 

[waveslayer]

Best stock triggers in the industry, ergonomics are great. I bought mine without holding it and I love it

My wife thinks I only have 3 guns

 

[amd6547]

The only thing a Steyr does better than a Glock is not be a Glock.
Perhaps this is enough for some folks to overcome the huge advantage in cheap magazines and widely available parts and huge variety of holsters.
Not me.
I like that I have a subcompact Glock with the same manual of arms as a full size pistol which can share parts and magazines. I like that the Glock has been around so long that a quick search on eBay let's me find a wide variety of used first class holsters at bargain prices.
The Steyr is a "glock" for people who, for whatever reason, can't bring themselves to own a Glock.
Some of my favorite threads, which I've seen repeated several times, start out with "I've always hated Glocks, but....", with the writer going on to explain some accidental exposure resulting in an epiphany and owning more Glocks.

 

[carguychris]

The Steyr is a "glock" for people who, for whatever reason, can't bring themselves to own a Glock.

I dunno; the Steyr has really nice ergonomics, and the trigger is better than almost any plastic pistol other than maybe the VP9 or PPQ. I really like the pistol based solely on its merits. I DO like it better than a Glock.

However, I have not been able to bring myself to buy one, due to the flaky distribution and lack of aftermarket support.

 

[Worc]

The Steyr is a "glock" for people who, for whatever reason, can't bring themselves to own a Glock.

Ergonomics, handling, trigger characteristics, accuracy and quality. To a much lesser extent, looks and uniqueness.

 

[ROCK6]

I picked mine up used a while back. I've found ergonomics excellent and the trigger is vastly better than a stock Glock trigger and it also has an extremely short reset. I know people dislike the stock sights, but they can be changed; however, I've grown to like them.



As a gun enthusiast, if I didn't have one and could find one under $500, I would easily add one to the collection. I have carried it for CCW and don't have any hesitation with reliability or performance. The only saving grace for the Steyr is the Internet. Very little to zero Steyr products will be found in your LGS, yet you can find pretty much anything online as far as accessories and parts are even easier to track down.

Yes, Steyr sucks with marketing, that's the biggest failing of this pistol. Everybody that has fired the Steyr fell in love with the ergonomics. The big turnoff was always local availability...and if you do any research, you'll find that if you do need customer service or a repair, it's a much harder task.

I personally wouldn't hesitate to grab another if I found a good deal, but then I have all my self-defensive needs covered already.

ROCK6