An observation on the Steyr MA1 pistols

I have been doing as much reserch on this weapon as I can. The M9 is an older weapon, with the M9-A1 being new construction, but I think that they are very very similar from outward appearance from the pictures I have seen.

You have already proven that mods have been done to one or both of these weapons with the night sights. I would believe that the triangular sights on the M9 were probably taken from the A1 when the night sights were added. Hell, they are all dove tail construction, so it stands to reason the new sights will fit the old weapon.
I think, but I'm not sure, that the M9 should not have the intergrated Picatinny rail mount system that the A1 has, so in that case, if both guns have the rail mount, then maybe the Frame, of the one marked M9, is actually an A1 frame, with an M9 slide, or some other after market slide. <shrug>

M-Series vs. the M-A1.

The M-A1 is just an updated version of the M-series hence the "M" before the A1 in the designation. Just like when the auto industry puts out a new car over the last years model not every part of the car is going to be different and most of the car is going to be the same in most cases. HOWEVER, there have been some good improvements, which are solid steps forward. For instance, the M-A1 has the improved ejection plunger, better grip texture, grip plug standard, and a proper light rail attachment point (all things in the past many have posted in this website that they wanted).

Is the M-A1 a giant leap forward over the M-series? Nope. It is a great pistol in its own right though, but you still can't go wrong with the original M-series. If Steyr Arms wanted to save themselves some money, which means they saved us some money by using up old stock M-series slides thats a good thing in my book.