Welcome to the Brotherhood
Hey Steyr Bro,
Welcome to the elite group of intelligent people who know enough to buy a Seyr Pistol over a lesser pistol with greater marketing. Steyr parts and service seem to be running better with each passing month and word within the industry is that Steyr is going for a BIG marketing push in 06'.
Although there are some slight difference between the A1 and M-series (small but important differences), they share a GREAT deal in common. The A1 is really just a next generation M with some improvements in the extractor and, of course, frame. That said, follow the cleaning tutorial and clean your pistol before shooting it for the first time.
IMPORTANT: Select quality ammunition for your pistol! I can't tell you how many posts we've had about malfunctions that have been traced back to bad ammunition. Avoid WOLF pistol ammo at all costs (Steyr pistols hate it) and if you fire it or reloads you'll have a problem at some point. The Steyr can shoot most anything, but some pistol ammunition will leave your pistol very dirty after each round fired and that coupled with the tight tolerances of the pistol will lead to malfunctions after so many rounds without cleaning. I like CCI Blazer brass for target practice and alot of people swear by WWB. I carry Spear Gold Dot for protection and my Steyr loves that stuff, but its expensive.
ALSO IMPORTANT: Steyr pistols shoot better when the shooter avoids certain poor grips know as "LIMP WRISTING". IDPA Steyr has authored an excellent article on proper grip for the Steyr and also has some great drills. Read those articles, IDPA is into competition in a MAJOR way and is surgical with his Steyr (seriously he could remove your appendix with it better than most HMOs).
Anyways, check out our threads on accessories for holsters, mags, lights, ect. as well. Accessories for the A1 are not as common as Glock, but they are coming out pretty fast.
GOOD LUCK & SAFE SHOOTING.
