Steyr m-40, thoughts,opinions?

Z

ZAZ

Inactive
awhile back I posted a question regarding the Glock 23 v. the sig-pro.. well I have since went to several gun dealers in the area and found the following, a good semi auto .40 new in MD is almost impossible to find, at least for under $600, many manuafacturers wont even send new pistols to the state. Of all the used/new guns I could find (which wasnt many) , I settled on the Steyr M40. This gun fit my hand like a glove, the GLock felt way to small, and the sig 229 just didnt feel right, so I put a deposit on the steyr, I got a used one for $525 with 5 extra clips, the case and cleaning kit. the gun is in mint cond. any thoughts or opinions on this gun?
 
Good gun, mine is due in this week. You may need to get use to the sights. If it is an early gun and the trigger sucks then it has not been sent back to GSI for the mod, this needs to be done. Depending on how much shooting you have done and with what pistols, you may find that the pistol aims high for you when you push it out and bring it up to eye level. It is a matter of muscle memory and you can retrain yourself for the Steyr.
 
ZAZ, I think you'll be real happy with the M40 ... sounds like you got a good deal too (extra mags are always nice).

I love mine and it goes with me pretty much everywhere.

I've got over 1000 rounds through mine with not one single problem and the more I shoot it the more I love the sights (which I thought I might want to change when I first got it).

I have an LEO buddy who carries an G23, he's a serious Glock fanatic and even he is considering one (I think he's just waiting to see if Steyr gets back on their feet after BMW bought the land their factory sat on right out from under them ... may be a few more months before any new Steyrs hit our shores).

As for a comparison to the G23, in my experience it's more accurate, better ergonomics, better trigger, and a darn sight more attractive to boot ;) the only down side is that it's a couple of ounces heavier (but that hasn't bothered me, that may also account for some of it's better handling).


BTW, I bought mine used so it's an early M40 but it has had the Steyr trigger upgrade ... you might check with GSI to see if yours needs it ... it's free and they send you a $35 gift certificate (which the PO on mine hadn't redeemed so I sent it to GSI for an extra mag). http://www.gsifirearms.com
 
;) I can't speak for the M40, but I have owned a Steyr S9 for about 3 weeks, and I love it. Sizewise, I thought it would be along the line of a G26, but it is slightly larger--probably more competitive with the G19, and about 2 oz. heavier.

This gun feels like part of my hand. I feel that it is every bit as well made as a Glock (I own three Glocks); I like the Steyr trigger better, and for just peace of mind, I really like the manual trigger safety--something I wish my Glocks had.

The trapezoid sights are okay; I plan to eventually get night sights. PT Night Sights is the only company I found with sights for the Steyr, and they are in the 3-dot configuration ($85).

I taking mine to the range today--I've already put over 500 rounds through it, and it is perfect. Versus a Glock, this gun seems to have tighter clearances, which is okay with me. The one-handed trigger reset (pulling the slide slightly back while holding the gun) is definitely more difficult than with a Glock. I paid $504 + tax for my Steyr S9.
 
I've got an M40 also, and like it a bunch. also have Glock 19, so I go back and forth on which one I like best. Frankly, I hated the sights at first, then liked them, now I'm back to hating them. I hope the above message about PT Night sights is correct, cause I'll be getting them. Your deal sounds good with the 5 mags. Personally feel that the Steyr is a redesigned Glock with the benefit of hindsight, without the benefit of a huge following.

I do however have to keep my Steyr clean, because after about 200 rounds, it starts getting finicky with anything but full nasty loads, which, of course I dont like to shoot all the time. Also spits brass all over, but so does my Glock.

A while back I think I saw a post that some guy sent his in and they lowered the ejection port and did something with the extractor to improve reliability - I'm kind of interested in what was done and why. If whoever posted that reads this, post the details.
 
Dang Druggie, where did you scrounge up an S9? You almost never see them ... sounds like you got a good price too.

I really wish the S40s would get here (I understand there are some in South America, in fact I think there's a South American TFLer who has one).
 
I bought my Steyr S9 new at Outdoor America Store in Oklahoma City. They had I believe five S9's at that time, and that was three weeks ago. No other dealers in my area had them or could even find them anywhere.:(
 
There are only 200 S9's in the U.S. according to CDNN. I have one that is still NIB. I bought the M40 and I am going to keep it and sell off the S9. I got it from CDNN for $499, plus shipping, plus tax (I am in Texas), plus transfer. $490 delivered.
 
There is an S40, but none of them made it into the US before Steyr started having "issues" (first of all the company changed hands, during that time BMW, who owned the land the Steyr factory was on, decided to sell the land out from under Steyr).

They expect to get Steyr S40s into the US (and complete development on an M45...which I MUST have) sometime in the near(?) future.
 
Excellent choice, my Steyr M40 is the best double action, plastic gun I've ever owned. I've shot mine competitively in IDPA for about a year now and it performs great. The only issues I have with it:
First, every once in a while, for a reasons unknown to me, I will have a light hit on a primer. The firing pin will make a shallow mark and not fire the cartridge. It did this when it was really hot at a match this summer and once again in the fall. Each time another shooter of ours picked up the round and shot it through his Beretta no problem. GSI's gunsmith said it was probably because something got stuck in the hole with the firing pin.

Second, the serrations on the back on the slide are too shallow and rounded. When its 96 degrees and your hands are sweating, its all you can do to clear the gun. I have to use my T-shirt for extra grip and the SO's don't like that.

The thing I love most about it, is the fact that I no longer have to use the slide release when changing magazines. If you slam a fresh, full mag into the gun while its at slide lock, the slide automatically falls.:D
 
As far as hand fit goes, there's very little difference between the M series and S series. Go to the homesite:

www.gsifirearms.com

You'll see that the M model is just about one-half inch larger in height and length than the S model.

My S9 has a full grip--no pinkies hanging off or mag extensions needed. Ergonomically, this gun is more a "natural" in my hand than any other gun I've ever held or shot. I'm surprised Glock got out of the chute before Steyr did.

In my little experience with Steyrs, all I can say is that this is one of those incredibly unknown great little secrets. It's a GREAT GUN.:p
 
I put together a little pic that shows the difference in size

m40s40.gif
 
I hate seeing those ads for discounted M40's, I bought an early one and paid 500. I shot 1100 rounds since new. Initially it would send brass all over, especially right to my forehead, it fired everything but a couple boxes of S+B ammo, the original trigger could be inconsistant and had a heavier pull than a glock.
I just got it back, 2 days since I sent it to GSI for the trigger mod and beveling of the ejector port. I should say that after 3-400 rounds the brass no longer hit my head, that or some loss of sensation has occured in that area. I must say that dry firing the pistol seems to show a much more consistent and light trigger pull. I could not find a way to get to the range today, damn. Maybe tomorrow. The last time at the range I shot a glock 9mm side by side with my steyr, I and I slightly preferred the glock trigger, but I don't think I do anymore. I will post my thoughts hopefully tomorrow.
 
Get the M40. You'll enjoy it. Definitely call GSI and find out if it needs the trigger upgrade.

I was thinking about trading my M9 until I had GSI do the free trigger upgrade and now I am glad I didn't.

I think that I saw on TFL a thread about using a pre-ban S&W Sigma 40 hi-cap mag in the M40. Don't know if I am remembering correctly or if it is just the alcohol. Anyways, I would get it if you had the extra money laying around.

l8r,
22x9 (drinkin' & surfin' again)
 
I recently bought the M9 and my limited experience is very positive.

I had no problems with the unusual sights. But i'm going to put a red-dot sight on it anyway.

The detachable buttstock from BUBITS is a lot of fun too. See the website www.bubits.at
 
thanks for the replies, I just picked up the gun today and the more I hold it the more i like it. Hopefully the unorthodox sights dont cause a problem, I will definitley get in touch with them and find out about the trigger thing, what does the fix do?. when I went back to the dealer they had a couple of new m40 s for $599 if any one is interested I will post their web site address.
ZAZ
 
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