Nice little gun show down in Tucson, AZ today. One vendor had 2 or 3 MA-1's, so I of course had to grab one.
It's got that same M feel, that's for sure. The ergonomics are definitely there, and although it *looks* a little more "blocky" and that it might not be quite as comfortable, nothing could be further from the truth. She feels very good in the hand.
The "grippier" surface treatment is better compared to the M & S, but still not that great, in my opinion. I would still feel the need for the grip-tape treatment, an inner-tube wrap, or a Hogue.
I was also quite amazed how much lighter the MA feels compared to the M. The instant I picked it up, the lighter weight was apparent. Luckily, there was an "old Skool" M right next to the MA, so I was able to confirm the weight with side-by-side comparison. The MA is only 24 grams lighter according to Steyr (766g vs. 780g.) but I noticed it right away - possibly the MA is better balanced, so the reduced weight feels like more than it really is.
The looks of the MA are growing on me, too. Especially now seeing one up-close. I'm a BIG fan of the M & S pistols from a pure aesthetics standpoint, and wasn't really blown away by the looks of the MA in photos. But seeing one in person has made me come around a bit. I still prefer the M & S, but the MA does look like a very natural, modern progression of the M-series. I'm liking it more.
I was pretty psyched to see some Steyr products at the show. There were several M9s, a few S9s, and at least one M40. Nope, no S40s to be seen anywhere
.
My only disappointment was the one mag seller who had all the Steyr magazines. He wanted - get this - $30 for 10 round M & S mags, and $45 for M9 14 rounders! When I explained that I would love to pick some up but his prices were well more than double the cost I could find them elsewhere, he treated me like I was wasting his time. Perhaps I was only wasting my OWN time with this guy.... He chose the wrong guy to try to take for a sucker.
And I bought NO GUNS, although some of the 1911's were all too tempting. My wife did get herself a really great concealment purse/handbag; butter-soft leather, with the velcro closure on the edge opening into a hidden center for handgun stashing - much like what Galco makes, but at 1/3 the price. I wish men could cary a purse - this thing is sweet.
Looking forward to more/larger gun shows closer to my area (Phoenix). There's generally one Crossroads gun show per month here, and one in Tucson.
It's got that same M feel, that's for sure. The ergonomics are definitely there, and although it *looks* a little more "blocky" and that it might not be quite as comfortable, nothing could be further from the truth. She feels very good in the hand.
The "grippier" surface treatment is better compared to the M & S, but still not that great, in my opinion. I would still feel the need for the grip-tape treatment, an inner-tube wrap, or a Hogue.
I was also quite amazed how much lighter the MA feels compared to the M. The instant I picked it up, the lighter weight was apparent. Luckily, there was an "old Skool" M right next to the MA, so I was able to confirm the weight with side-by-side comparison. The MA is only 24 grams lighter according to Steyr (766g vs. 780g.) but I noticed it right away - possibly the MA is better balanced, so the reduced weight feels like more than it really is.
The looks of the MA are growing on me, too. Especially now seeing one up-close. I'm a BIG fan of the M & S pistols from a pure aesthetics standpoint, and wasn't really blown away by the looks of the MA in photos. But seeing one in person has made me come around a bit. I still prefer the M & S, but the MA does look like a very natural, modern progression of the M-series. I'm liking it more.
I was pretty psyched to see some Steyr products at the show. There were several M9s, a few S9s, and at least one M40. Nope, no S40s to be seen anywhere
.My only disappointment was the one mag seller who had all the Steyr magazines. He wanted - get this - $30 for 10 round M & S mags, and $45 for M9 14 rounders! When I explained that I would love to pick some up but his prices were well more than double the cost I could find them elsewhere, he treated me like I was wasting his time. Perhaps I was only wasting my OWN time with this guy.... He chose the wrong guy to try to take for a sucker.
And I bought NO GUNS, although some of the 1911's were all too tempting.
My wife did get herself a really great concealment purse/handbag; butter-soft leather, with the velcro closure on the edge opening into a hidden center for handgun stashing - much like what Galco makes, but at 1/3 the price. I wish men could cary a purse - this thing is sweet. Looking forward to more/larger gun shows closer to my area (Phoenix). There's generally one Crossroads gun show per month here, and one in Tucson.
