Steyr M40 - Opinions wanted
- Thread starter skunniren
- Start date
Bennett Richards
New member
Just handled one today and I loved it!
Makes the GLOCK look like chopped liver!
Ben
Makes the GLOCK look like chopped liver!
Ben
George Hill
Staff Alumnus
Safety key lock is a wasted effort.
The safety above the trigger is potentially dangerous in a stressed situation.
The sights are nothing more than a gimick and after repeated handling of the gun find they dont really help out shooting at all. They just look different.
The grip angle makes the gun come up in a natural position aiming high. So in a defensive situation you could end up shooting over your targets head.
The Good news is that its a solid gun and the new compact version would make a good option for those who dont like the new Glocks - and still want that type of new pistol.
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I mean, if I went around saying I was an Emperor because some
moistened bint had lobbed a scimitar at me, people would put me away!
The safety above the trigger is potentially dangerous in a stressed situation.
The sights are nothing more than a gimick and after repeated handling of the gun find they dont really help out shooting at all. They just look different.
The grip angle makes the gun come up in a natural position aiming high. So in a defensive situation you could end up shooting over your targets head.
The Good news is that its a solid gun and the new compact version would make a good option for those who dont like the new Glocks - and still want that type of new pistol.
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I mean, if I went around saying I was an Emperor because some
moistened bint had lobbed a scimitar at me, people would put me away!
D Roberson
New member
I just goe mine this past weekend, but I'm very impressed. An outstanding gun. George Hill doesn't mention it, but if you don't like the key lock or the manual safety, don't use them. I don't see why that would be a problem. Also, his view that the gun points high is entirely subjective (as is my view that it points dead on). See for yourself. I like mine so much I may get a second one.
What George Hill should have said is that the triangle sights don't help HIM to shoot better. Even after "repeated handling of the gun", as he claims.
The triangle sights helped me ENORMOUSLY to shoot more acurately and most importantly, to make reaquisition of a target after each shot MUCH quicker.
By all means, however, don't take these injections of personal subjective opinions (neither Mr. Hill's, nor mine) for granted -- try to shoot the pistol yourself.
[This message has been edited by Emin (edited February 08, 2000).]
The triangle sights helped me ENORMOUSLY to shoot more acurately and most importantly, to make reaquisition of a target after each shot MUCH quicker.
By all means, however, don't take these injections of personal subjective opinions (neither Mr. Hill's, nor mine) for granted -- try to shoot the pistol yourself.
[This message has been edited by Emin (edited February 08, 2000).]
As an actual Steyr M series pistol user, I have this to say:
1. Excellent 5 point safety system. The integrated lock beats having a disconnected lock that you can easily misplace or forget. The police have been using the same universal handcuff key for their locks for years and are doing just fine.
2. The sights are the best fixed factory ones I've ever used. The front sight is geared for super fast sight acquisition. Using the top of the triangle for the hot spot produces superb accuracy.
3. The grip angle is the best I've ever had. It's like pointing your finger because the bore axis is so low.
4. The consistent 1/8" trigger pull is excellent.
Well, I have to go to a meeting now so I'll have to stop. But I think your getting the idea that I like the Steyr a lot.
1. Excellent 5 point safety system. The integrated lock beats having a disconnected lock that you can easily misplace or forget. The police have been using the same universal handcuff key for their locks for years and are doing just fine.
2. The sights are the best fixed factory ones I've ever used. The front sight is geared for super fast sight acquisition. Using the top of the triangle for the hot spot produces superb accuracy.
3. The grip angle is the best I've ever had. It's like pointing your finger because the bore axis is so low.
4. The consistent 1/8" trigger pull is excellent.
Well, I have to go to a meeting now so I'll have to stop. But I think your getting the idea that I like the Steyr a lot.
I have one which I've shot 4-5 times. I am still getting used to the sights. Terrific sights when shooting at sillouettes, large 9 ring, great for fast reaquisition and dead on centermass shooting. I still have a problem with shooting for tight groups at distances around 50 feet. I am going to try using the point of the triangle as someone else mentioned and see how I do. Overall I enjoy it very much. They should have designed a better lower end of the grip, like a beveled magazine well to improve quick mag changes.
You new owners:
1) How heavy is the trigger pull? They are advertised to be about 5.5 lbs, but the M9 I checked out seemed a bit heavier, more like 8 lbs. Do you find it crisp and clean in that when you dry fire it your sights remain aligned on the target after you squeeze the trigger.
2) How about recoil? The M40 weighs more than a Glock 23 and probably has a lower bore axis. Does it recoil less than a Glock 23?
3) If you're a new owner, are the ejection ports on new M40s coming with the flaring necessary to correct previously discovered ejection problems?
Thanks for any inputs, as I am real close to ordering one from out of state to be shipped to my FFL.
Mikie
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1) How heavy is the trigger pull? They are advertised to be about 5.5 lbs, but the M9 I checked out seemed a bit heavier, more like 8 lbs. Do you find it crisp and clean in that when you dry fire it your sights remain aligned on the target after you squeeze the trigger.
2) How about recoil? The M40 weighs more than a Glock 23 and probably has a lower bore axis. Does it recoil less than a Glock 23?
3) If you're a new owner, are the ejection ports on new M40s coming with the flaring necessary to correct previously discovered ejection problems?
Thanks for any inputs, as I am real close to ordering one from out of state to be shipped to my FFL.
Mikie
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Mikie,
Answering your questions:
1. I can't really tell the weight of the trigger, but it seems fine to me. As to regards of whether it's "crisp and clean" -- it's crispier than that of Glocks but nowhere near as clean as any conventional trigger in single action.
The little "safety" trigger grinds somewhat against its bigger parent unpleasantly; however, that was a case with my pistol, so you might want to confirm that with other members here.
The bottom line is one simply can't make plastic smoother than metal. For this exact reason, moreover, Steyr M-series is not easy to clean.
I'm able to keep the muzzle very steady while dry-firing my M40. But so am I with my DA/SA Sig, so who knows...
2. Recoil -- well, it recoils about the same as Glock 23.
However, I usually distinguish between recoil and muzzle flip although you may want to consider the latter being a part of the former. I think of them as of two different factors that contribute to quality of shooting (Theoretically, imagine a muzzle flip on a .22 pistol that had bore axis twice as high as on SIGs. The recoil would be minimal still.)
Anyway, the lesser muzzle flip IS an absolute factor that makes M40 a better shooting gun for me. The other one might be better grips on M40, but it's a subjective factor -- you, in fact, may like grips on Glocks better. And yes, M40 does have lower bore axis than Glock 23.
3. The ejection issue -- my pistol was modified by GSI; the brass-flying-everywhere problem dicreased, but brass-scratching-the-slide one remained. As I think of it now, it never was a real trouble for me.
Yet another conclusion -- if not for a few initial mishaps with this model, I simply haven't shot anything better in my life.
Steyr M-series handgun is, by all means, an unusual weapon. I strongly suggest finding and shooting one before attempting to buy it.
[This message has been edited by Emin (edited February 09, 2000).]
Answering your questions:
1. I can't really tell the weight of the trigger, but it seems fine to me. As to regards of whether it's "crisp and clean" -- it's crispier than that of Glocks but nowhere near as clean as any conventional trigger in single action.
The little "safety" trigger grinds somewhat against its bigger parent unpleasantly; however, that was a case with my pistol, so you might want to confirm that with other members here.
The bottom line is one simply can't make plastic smoother than metal. For this exact reason, moreover, Steyr M-series is not easy to clean.
I'm able to keep the muzzle very steady while dry-firing my M40. But so am I with my DA/SA Sig, so who knows...
2. Recoil -- well, it recoils about the same as Glock 23.
However, I usually distinguish between recoil and muzzle flip although you may want to consider the latter being a part of the former. I think of them as of two different factors that contribute to quality of shooting (Theoretically, imagine a muzzle flip on a .22 pistol that had bore axis twice as high as on SIGs. The recoil would be minimal still.)
Anyway, the lesser muzzle flip IS an absolute factor that makes M40 a better shooting gun for me. The other one might be better grips on M40, but it's a subjective factor -- you, in fact, may like grips on Glocks better. And yes, M40 does have lower bore axis than Glock 23.
3. The ejection issue -- my pistol was modified by GSI; the brass-flying-everywhere problem dicreased, but brass-scratching-the-slide one remained. As I think of it now, it never was a real trouble for me.
Yet another conclusion -- if not for a few initial mishaps with this model, I simply haven't shot anything better in my life.
Steyr M-series handgun is, by all means, an unusual weapon. I strongly suggest finding and shooting one before attempting to buy it.
[This message has been edited by Emin (edited February 09, 2000).]
The trigger pull on my Glock 31 and Steyr M40 feel about the same, except the Steyr has a shorter trigger pull and is a bit crisper. It is not as smooth as a single action trigger. But it is quite nice for a double action trigger with three passive safeties in place
If my trigger "is" slightly heavier than 5 lbs, it's still easy to pull the trigger without jerking the sights off target.
I shot a Glock 23 and Steyr M40 side-by-side, along with another person. We both thought that the felt recoil was a bit less in the Steyr. The Steyr has almost no muzzle jump whatsoever because of the lowest bore axis.
A distributor told me that they are out of Steyr pistols right now. They sold faster than expected. The next shipment in, within the month should have the new tapered ejector ports as a standard. Don't buy one unless you get a new one. Then you can save $30 in shipping to GSI to have it done for you. At the very least, tell the ffl dealer to have the port fix done before you buy it.
The Steyr does have a little wider angle of brass ejection than other pistols I've shot, especially my Glock 31. But at least it doesn't make my forehead bleed anymore since I got the ejector port fix.
Overall, my Steyr is holding up great at approximately 2500 rounds now. The slide is a bit duller since I used a Midway metal polish cloth to smooth out a few dings. But it functions flawlessly.
I have noticed one thing. When you rack the slide, make sure you do it forcefully, without riding the slide at all, otherwise the slide may not go into full battery and you will get a light primer strike with the first shot. As long as you do a clean slide rack, no problem.
If my trigger "is" slightly heavier than 5 lbs, it's still easy to pull the trigger without jerking the sights off target.
I shot a Glock 23 and Steyr M40 side-by-side, along with another person. We both thought that the felt recoil was a bit less in the Steyr. The Steyr has almost no muzzle jump whatsoever because of the lowest bore axis.
A distributor told me that they are out of Steyr pistols right now. They sold faster than expected. The next shipment in, within the month should have the new tapered ejector ports as a standard. Don't buy one unless you get a new one. Then you can save $30 in shipping to GSI to have it done for you. At the very least, tell the ffl dealer to have the port fix done before you buy it.
The Steyr does have a little wider angle of brass ejection than other pistols I've shot, especially my Glock 31. But at least it doesn't make my forehead bleed anymore since I got the ejector port fix.
Overall, my Steyr is holding up great at approximately 2500 rounds now. The slide is a bit duller since I used a Midway metal polish cloth to smooth out a few dings. But it functions flawlessly.
I have noticed one thing. When you rack the slide, make sure you do it forcefully, without riding the slide at all, otherwise the slide may not go into full battery and you will get a light primer strike with the first shot. As long as you do a clean slide rack, no problem.
regarding accuracy with the Steyr sights:
Yes, by all means use the top of the front sight for pin-point accuracy. Then you can create one ragged hole with no problem.
If you use the the center of the large triangular front sight for accuracy shooting, you will not be as accurate in general. That huge sight is fantastic for super fast sight acquisition in competition shooting though.
[This message has been edited by petej88 (edited February 09, 2000).]
Yes, by all means use the top of the front sight for pin-point accuracy. Then you can create one ragged hole with no problem.
If you use the the center of the large triangular front sight for accuracy shooting, you will not be as accurate in general. That huge sight is fantastic for super fast sight acquisition in competition shooting though.
[This message has been edited by petej88 (edited February 09, 2000).]
I shot one at a range some time ago. It was one of the worst guns I have ever shot. The extrememly narrow grip wouldn't fit in my hand right and I couldn't aim worth crap with the stupid triangle sights....
It's just a poor Glock wannabe....
(BTW, I'm not an exlusive Glock shooter. I shoot 1911, Sig, S&W revolvers as well.)
[This message has been edited by Eric H (edited February 09, 2000).]
It's just a poor Glock wannabe....
(BTW, I'm not an exlusive Glock shooter. I shoot 1911, Sig, S&W revolvers as well.)
[This message has been edited by Eric H (edited February 09, 2000).]