Striker-fire choices: Make mine Steyr.

Steyr has repeatedly shot itself in the foot in their marketing of guns in this country in just about any way that they could. While Steyr enthusiasts have begged for a .45 version some point out that the .45 is a uniquely American round. Well, so is the .40 upon which the guns were first built around. Many had hoped that the new L would be the .45 or 10mm but the long slide version came about. While I appreciate long slides I think that this fell far from the mark. Steyr just doesn't seem to get the US market. Add to that the CDNN sell off (which had little to none to do with the pistol itself and more to do with a re-org in Austria) and the brand has suffered badly and needlessly.

The trapezoid sights haven't helped either but they can easily be replaced. When I see a used Steyrs here locally they often have their original sights replaced by three dot night sights. I don't mind the trap sights at all and find them excellent for quick acquisition. I do find that the grip angle causes me to naturally point high, but I have learned to compensate. The extremely low bore axis results in an extremely low perceived recoil and greatly lessened muzzle flip.

Then, the gun is very modular. I currently own an M9 in 9mm and an M40A1 in 40. With an extra barrel in .357 SIG I pretty much have six or seven different guns if I mix and match. But, that brings to mind another failing of Steyr. They have negated the marketing and practical advantages of the modularity of their pistols by refusing to offer factory items such as spare barrels. It almost took me an act of Congress to get a spare .357 barrel for my .40. And, their .40 and .357 mags are stamped as such separately despite being identical.

Steyr, other than creating what I believe to be an excellent pistol, has made all the wrong moves in marketing it in the US. If you want to understand some of the frustration go to the Steyr Club forum.

And for the record, I find both the earlier and later versions to be very attractive weapons. To each their own.
 
Que said:
Steyr has repeatedly shot itself in the foot in their marketing of guns in this country in just about any way that they could.... Steyr just doesn't seem to get the US market.... Steyr, other than creating what I believe to be an excellent pistol, has made all the wrong moves in marketing it in the US.
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Yep, can't forget that for a short while the Steyr pistols weren't even being imported IIRC. Can ya imagine the following and popularity Steyr COULD have if they marketed a fraction of how Glock does?
 
I bought the M40 and M9 from CDNN, when they had a surplus of them. Think I paid $349 each. Was prior to 2004, cause there were no 10+ rd magazines available.
I was still a relatively new shooter, and was only adequate with those two handguns. I would like to try a M9 again, see how well I can shoot with it now that I have learned so much more about trigger control.

I never had any gripes about the M9, but the M40 was finicky about ammo. It would not always fully chamber rounds heavier than 165 grs. And the rear sights are fragile.

Eventually, after buying a Kimber TLE, I took my Steyrs (as well as two other first handguns of mine, a AA Arms AP9 and a AP9mini) to a gunshop and they bought them from me. I got $150 each on the AA Arms, and $300 each for the Steyrs. I bought a Ruger MKII from the shop, so I walked out with a new 22 pistol and over $600 in cash.

If I see a Steyr M9 used for a decent price I will probably get one.
 
So I actually got to hold a full size model tonight, here is my take on it:

It's fugly
The reset is short, but it's hard to notice
The trigger was mushy, gritty and I didn't like it
The grip angle was awesome and very comfortable
It's very "blocky" at the front
Huge gap between the slide and frame at the front
Did I mention it's ugly?

Basically, I want to shoot one before I pass judgement. The one I held was preowned but came with trijicon night sights. I may pick it up. It's certainly interesting.
 
I like it! :D

I've always thought the Steyr trapazoidal sights were neat. I haven't tried them personally but I think they would be effect combat sights.
 
I have two, and S1 and an L1. Much better feel than my Glock with better triggers. I like the trapezoidal sights but they are different and take some practice. I have never had a malfunction in either with a thousand rounds + in each. Several of aftermarket holsters to pick from but you won't find them at Academy. I highly recommend Steyr pistols, at least the new ones.
 
So I actually got to hold a full size model tonight, here is my take on it:

It's fugly
The reset is short, but it's hard to notice
The trigger was mushy, gritty and I didn't like it
The grip angle was awesome and very comfortable
It's very "blocky" at the front
Huge gap between the slide and frame at the front
Did I mention it's ugly?

Basically, I want to shoot one before I pass judgement. The one I held was preowned but came with trijicon night sights. I may pick it up. It's certainly interesting.
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Gritty and mushy are not normal terms used to describe the triggers on the recent Steyr's (__-A1's). Could be why it's in the case as used or maybe needs a good cleaning. Full size meaning the L9-A1?

I like the looks of the current Steyr's. They have a unique and futuristic look to them. No doubt some may be turned off though.
 
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So I actually got to hold a full size model tonight, here is my take on it:

It's fugly
The reset is short, but it's hard to notice
The trigger was mushy, gritty and I didn't like it
The grip angle was awesome and very comfortable
It's very "blocky" at the front
Huge gap between the slide and frame at the front
Did I mention it's ugly?

Basically, I want to shoot one before I pass judgement. The one I held was preowned but came with trijicon night sights. I may pick it up. It's certainly interesting.
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"I want to shoot one before I pass judgement."
:rolleyes: Pls let us know your another new judgment review by then.
 
:eek: Just got the Steyr C9-A1....on a nice sale at a military base in town.
Like Cyanide said luv at first grip. Shot 200 (115g) Wbox 9 thru it after taking it home and giving it a good cleaning then re-lube. Also took apart and cleaned the mags before as well. Those trapazoid sights are awesome as well....dont even get me started on the trigger...excellent...maybe 4 pounds.
Rented the glock 19, xdm 9, m&p 9 and SR9C...the trigger and sights makes imho the winner...all awesome guns though.:) wife sure luvs her G43, sweet Talon rubber grip tape on both pistols

Any s/n 307xxxx build date owners SWF - May 14 have any issues?
 
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I almost took my M9 out of the safe to take to the range yesterday. I can't remember the last time I shot it. After reading through this thread, I may just make sure it's lubed and shoot it a bit. It was my first semi-auto handgun. Got it for $250 thru CDNN. When I got it, the only place I had to shoot was a fixed 25 yard range. It would be nice to see how well I can shoot it at 10 yards and see if it likes my reloads.
 
The Steyr is my favorite striker fired polymer hands down ( now that the Caracal is dead). I would choose it over my PPQ, VP9, FNS9. I still haven't shot a P320 though. I hated the sights at first, but now I'm frustrated when shooting a pistol with regular sights. I am fastest on the plate rack with these sights. I have run 1800 rounds through my M9-A1 without issue. It has one of the best triggers, second only to the PPQ IMO. The low bore axis makes it a great fast shooter.
Here's mine.
57b5affd573ee38dc12fbdb5c34a6bb6.jpg
 
LockedBreech said:
Great write-up as usual Cyanide.
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A very belated thank you!

Worc said:
Also, to the OP, have you tried an FN FNS yet? I think it is the most underrated striker out there.
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Worc, I presently have an FNS-9 on layaway. Though I don't really I think I am going to be carrying it much, if ever, as I made the mistake of putting it back to back with a Glock 19. I forgot just how small the 19 is considering what it brings to the table, which is why I recently purchased another one (LNIB Gen 4 w/N.S.).

I prefer pistols around the same size, which is why my current collection has been severely thinned out, leaving only the aforementioned Glock, my P250C, CZ 100 and P-07, SR9C (may sell soon), and full-size PX4 D (relegated to HD/truck gun after wearing it IWB as EDC all last month).

Yes, I even sold my beloved Steyr's off, but to the same friend who turned me on to them ($$$ talks and he wanted them pretty bad!).
 
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