Various options for modern Steyr pistols
Work on the new weapon began in the mid-90s of the last century and already in 1999 the company introduced the M9 pistol chambered for 9x19 and 9x21. A little later, a variant of this weapon appeared already for ammunition .40 S&W - M40, and on its basis, by replacing the barrel, it was possible to make an M357 chambered for .357SIG. In parallel with the development of weapons for other cartridges, the company also created a compact weapon model designed for concealed carry, namely the Steyr S pistol, which was offered for 9x19 and .40S & W cartridges.
For all variants of M pistols, the barrel length is 101 millimeter with a total length of 176 millimeters. The weight of the gun BLNUMX is 9 grams without ammunition. It feeds this gun from stores with a capacity of 747, 10, 14 and 15 cartridges. The M17 pistols have a mass of 40 grams, and the M767 have 357 grams and use magazines with a capacity of 778 or 10 cartridges.
Dimensions and weight of compact pistols S are the same regardless of the munition used. The length of the barrel of the gun is equal to 91 millimeters with a total length of weapons 168 millimeters. The height of the gun is 117 millimeters, and its thickness is 30 millimeters. Weight without patrons 725 grams. Standard stores for this weapon have an 10 capacity of ammunition, but you can use more capacious ones, however, they will protrude outside the grip of the weapon.
In the 2014 year, the Steyr company had its weapons, during which ergonomics were improved, as well as the "durability" of the pistol when it was used in adverse conditions. In the design of the weapon, little has changed; visually, the gun before the upgrade and after can be distinguished by the handle, the seat for attaching various accessories and the shape of the safety clip. The main differences are not so noticeable and relate mainly to the processing of working surfaces of weapons and their coating.
In the process of modernization, the company expanded the range of pistols, in which the models of pistols C and L appeared. The model of pistol C occupies an intermediate place between S and M, in fact it is a pistol with a shortened barrel, but having a full-sized handle to hold. The model of the pistol L is positioned as a sport, differs from the model M by a longer barrel.
In the name of the weapon, the upgrade was reflected in the form of the addition of the A1 designation to any of the pistol variants.
Characteristics of pistols at this time more diverse, let's start with the most compact - S.
S pistols are available in three weapon variants S9-A1 and S40-A1. The first designation hides the models of pistols chambered for 9x19 and 9x21, the second designation, as you might guess, is assigned to the pistol version for .40S & W ammunition. The S9-A1 pistols have the following characteristics. Barrel length 92 millimeters with a pistol length of 166,5 millimeters. The height from the pistol grip to the rear sight is 123 millimeters. Thickness - 30 mm. The weight of the weapon without cartridges is 664 grams. The standard magazine is a magazine with a capacity of 10 rounds, but, as in the previous version, you can use more capacious magazines with a capacity of 14, 15 and 17 rounds, resigning to the fact that the magazine will stick out from the handle of the weapon.
The S40-A1 pistol has a slightly longer barrel - 96 millimeters. Accordingly, the total length of the weapon increased, which became equal to 170 millimeters. The height is the same as that of the nine-millimeter model - 123 millimeters. Weight increased slightly to 678 grams. The pistol is fed from magazines with a capacity of 10 rounds, but magazines with a capacity of 12 rounds .40S & W can also be used. There is no information that there is a version of this weapon chambered for .357SIG, but there is a kit for adapting the pistol to this cartridge. The kit includes a barrel and a return spring with a guide. With this adaptation, the shutter mirror and magazine will not have to be changed, since the .357SIG cartridge is based on the .40S & W.
As mentioned earlier, with the modernization of the pistol model C appeared, which took an intermediate place between the models S and M. This pistol, as well as the pistols S, is presented only in three versions with two designations. The С9-А1 model is offered in the version for 9x19 and 9x21 cartridges. It is worth noting that the option for ammunition 9x21 is available not only for Italy, but for everyone. The barrel length of the nine-millimeter weapon versions is equal to 92 of a millimeter, while the total length of the pistol is equal to 170 of millimeters. Height gun 132 millimeter, thickness 30 millimeters. Mass weapons without cartridges 766 grams. It feeds a pistol from magazines with a capacity of 15 or 17 cartridges, which can be “trimmed” to the capacity of 10 cartridges in accordance with local legislation.
The version of the C40-A1 pistol, chambered for .40S & W, has a barrel length of 96 millimeters with a total weapon length of 175 millimeters. The height of the pistol is 132 millimeters. The mass of the pistol is 780 grams, excluding ammunition. The pistol is fed from magazines with a capacity of 10 or 12 rounds. There is also a kit for this variant of the weapon that allows it to be adapted for use with .357SIG cartridges.
In general, the niche of models with the designation C is not entirely clear, since the pistols S clearly cannot be attributed to the so-called subcompacts.
Model M after modernization was immediately presented by four models of weapons chambered for 9x19, 9x21, .40S & W and .357SIG. Subsequently, the model of a pistol chambered for .357SIG was replaced with a set that allows the use of these cartridges in weapons chambered for .40S & W, and the pistol can be ordered immediately adapted for these ammunition.
Pistols M9-A1 and M40-A1 differ in numbers only in weight and magazine capacity, the rest of their parameters are identical. So the barrel length of the weapon is 102 millimeters with a total pistol length of 176 millimeters. The height of the pistol is 136 millimeters, and the thickness is still the same 30 millimeters. The weight of the nine-millimeter weapon options is 766 grams without cartridges. The .40S & W version weighs 776 grams. Nine-millimeter pistols are fed from magazines with a capacity of 10, 14, 15 and 17 rounds. In the version chambered for .40S & W cartridges, power is supplied from magazines with a capacity of 10 or 12 rounds.
And finally, completing the tedious part of the material about Steyr pistols, the pistol variants marked with the letter L. These pistols are presented only in versions for 9x19 and .40S & W cartridges, but conversely there are kits for converting from one caliber to another. The manufacturer endowed the L9-A1 version of the weapon with a barrel length of 115 millimeters, the same barrel length for a pistol chambered for .40S & W. The length of both pistol variants is also the same and equal to 188,5 millimeters. The nine-millimeter pistol is 142 millimeters high, while its larger caliber version has a slightly lower height of 136 millimeters. Both pistols are 30 millimeters thick. The weight of the nine-millimeter pistol is 817 grams without cartridges. Food is provided from stores with a capacity of 17 rounds. The magazine can be "trimmed" to 10 rounds to meet the requirements for civilian weapons in individual countries. The pistol chambered for .40S & W has a mass of 838 grams and is powered by a magazine with a capacity of 12 rounds, the capacity of which can also be shredded.
It should be noted that within the framework of one weapon option, the transition between all the proposed ammunition can be carried out by replacing individual nodes. So the M9-A1 pistol, after replacing the magazine, barrel, casing and return spring, becomes the M40-A1 full-fledged, so in principle, within one weapon variant, division according to ammunition is rather arbitrary.
Appearance and ergonomics pistols
The appearance of modern Steyr pistols is quite interesting, and it is very difficult to confuse this weapon with something of the monotonous mass currently on the market. First of all, an unusual handle of a weapon catches the eye, which, despite its unusual appearance, turns out to be quite comfortable. But it should be noted that it is convenient only for those who have an average palm size, for people with large palms the thickness of the handle will be insufficient, and the gun does not have interchangeable linings that would at least partially compensate for this disadvantage.
The second thing that catches the eye is the lack of a safety switch, which is already the norm for modern pistols. The only thing that saves from an accidental shot is the automatic safety key on the trigger and the relatively heavy stroke of the trigger. You can also mention the lock located near the lever for disassembling weapons. This lock, in theory, should exclude the possibility of using weapons by children or in the event of a theft of a pistol. In fact, the device of this lock is so simple that you can open it using stationery without a special key.
Sights gun consist of an unregulated rear sight and front sight, which are mounted on the cover-bolt in dovetail mounts. The manufacturer itself offers a choice of several options sights, which can replace the standard. Conversely, it is already possible to purchase weapons from many dealers with completely replaced ones and a front sight.
If we talk about personal impressions, then this is one of the few pistols with which it was possible to meet in person. He left a very positive impression, especially in the process of shooting. Apparently, the low-set barrel of the pistol plays a significant role, since it feels like there are no weapons left on the aiming line when fired. In fact, the weapon certainly deviates from the line of sight, but very quickly returns to the starting point, which is facilitated by the pistol handle and the location of the barrel.
Steyr pistol design
The basis for the Steyr pistols, now on the market, was the automation system with a short barrel stroke. The barrel is locked when the tide is above the chamber in the window for ejection of spent cartridges. The system is not new, used in many other models of weapons from different manufacturers, has established itself as optimal for short-barreled weapons, for fairly accurate shooting at distances up to 50 meters.
Shock trigger udnikovy with dovzvodom when you press the trigger. It is the dovzvod that determines the force of pressing on the trigger when shooting, which to some extent affects the accuracy, but ensures relative safety and the possibility of carrying a pistol with a cartridge in the chamber, which in turn makes it ready for immediate use immediately after removal. Another Austrian introduced a fashion for this trigger mechanism, and judging by the products of other companies, such a trigger is really justified and reliable with proper quality.
In general, in the design of Steyr pistols at the moment you can not find something unusual, all the solutions are familiar and already tested by time.
Conclusion
Recently, the company Steyr is often criticized, and the criticism is directed precisely to the fact that the arms company does not represent new products. Is it worth criticizing the fact that by creating a successful model of weapons the company continues to modernize and improve it, instead of creating dozens of other models that still do not know how to show themselves in operation. In addition, the company does not deal only with short-barreled weapons, from time to time it is possible to see new items from it, which, although they do not create noise around themselves, are always distinguished by quality and reliability.
If you go back to the Steyr pistols, they are not widely used because of a slightly higher cost than similar weapons from other manufacturers. Nevertheless, these pistols are quite actively used by law enforcement agencies of Austria, Germany, Georgia, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey and the UK. These pistols received deservedly approving reviews in the US and European civilian markets.
It is very doubtful that the designers of Steyr do not conduct at the moment the development of a new weapon, because previously the designers of this company considered quite interesting solutions in the field of firearms. Most likely, that managers simply soberly look at things and are in no hurry to fill the market with their products, which would be inferior to the currently produced samples according to their characteristics. Even one mistake with a single weapon model can significantly affect the company's reputation, which in the future will be very difficult to restore. Moreover, if not the most successful weapon model enters the market, then it is followed by even less successful ones, which finally kills consumer confidence in the company, an example of which may be Remington, which still cannot take the lost place.
So Steyr for the fact that at the moment they offer, in fact, only one gun, is not worth scolding. Rather, it is even a plus for the company, since it is easier to monitor the quality of the products produced, and the consumer does not need to worry about the problem of choice if he stopped at the Steyr pistols.
Source: steyrarms.com