OK, my M40A1 is here. The good, ergonomics is much better than the M40. It points nicer, there is a lanyard loop on the back making it military suitable. Fit and finish is equal to the original. The extractor plunger is rounded rather than the beveled version. Same piano hinge box, but the big warning sticker on the back says to call Steyr USA if you don't receive the (2) padlocks to lock the box. Also to call if you don't get the keys to lock the gun. The instruction manual is a very nice paperback book in multi languages, not the cheezy one like the M9 and M40 had. 2 magazines are in the foam fitted spaces in the box. The bad.................... My Safairland M40 holster will not work with this gun, the bore axis is higher do to the new dust cover having a picatinny rail for a tac light. I guess it's custom leather until something is available. The Even better........... My distributor lists the gun as coming with 10 round magazines, I opened the box and low and behold the magazines are 12 rounds. I ordered the last 2 12 rounders they had is stock on the ASSumtion that I was going to receive 10 rounders. The M40A1 seems to be a heavier weapon than the M40. It may not be a great choice for the CCW. The M40A1 is definatly designed as a duty weapon. Range reports to follw at a later date.
Re: M40A1 arrives....The Good...The bad.......The even bette Are you SURE the bore axis is actually higher? The bore axis is the measurement of where the barrel sits relative to the HAND, not necessarily the dust cover. Knowing that the mechanicals of the new pistols are the same, it also looks as if the thumb-web portion of the grip is nearly identical also; up high, nice and tight to the slide. This is the real bore axis measurement. It is obvious that the dust cover is larger on the new guns. But I'm pretty sure it just "hangs lower", which really has no effect on the true bore axis of the gun. The real question is, where is the HAND placed on the new grip. Compare the new to the old M40, and see how far the slide is above your thumb web. That'll tell the real story. As far as holsters - I think it was a given from the beginning that rigs for the old pistols would not fit the new ones. That larger dust cover & reshaped trigger guard seem to make it impossible.
madecov. I am glad to hear that you also received the higher capacity magazines with your pistol, nice touch for Steyr to do that for those buying the new A1 models, providing two of the high cap mags must have cut into profit a bit, but definitely the right thing to do for customer satisfaction. Steve
The 12 round magazines are LEO stamped. The Instruction booklet uses photo's of the old M series. It is really a nice gun.
The full capacity magazines doesn't cost an more to produce than the 10 rounders. Same number and type of parts. Price is supply and demand based or what the market will bear. Remember before the ban sunset, CDNN had the civilian 10 rounders for $20 and the LEO 12 and 14 rounders for $10?
Mags Interesting point you make regarding manufacturing cost maybe being the same. Do you think that may also be true with the P99 mags as the ten rounders look so considerably physically different than the high cap 15 and 16 rounders, more plastic and less metal in the P99 ten rounders, springs likely different as well? By the way, my M9A1 has the same marking on the slide as madecov's "SMI USA, West Point, MS". Steve
I find the change in the extractor plunger of particular interest as far as differences between the M-series and the MA1. I wonder what the purpose in the change of the extractor plunger was and what advantage that change will have over the old design? Can anyone make an educated guess or state for a firm fact why this would have been done? In addition, why doesn't Steyr have more information about the stress testing of the MA1...I can't find any performance testing data anywhere on the net. I like to make informed decisions when purchasing my firearms and simple specs and 360 degree photos just don't cut it.
My educated guess as to the extracotr plunger is that a rounded-nose is a more reliable design. The old plunger relied on bevelled edges. If the proper bevel was not in contact with the extractor, or if the plunger itself changed orientation or rotated, it seems this may have caused extraction problems. With rounded nose, there is 1) less friction. 2) less worry about improper installation and/or a shift in the orientation during use, 4) possibly less wear on the contact surfaces (s), and 3) more reliable operation. Seems like a very good little upgrade to me. One that should lead to more reliable extraction. I've never had any extraction issues, but I will still probably buy the new extractor assembly when it becomes available. It just seems like a more reliable and durable design overall, IMHO.
so the question now is will we be able to replace our bevelled extractors w/ new rounded ones?? Assuming they are interchangeable then will we know if we order a subassemblyG off the parts list wether it is the new or old style?
Having a rounded plunger makes it a lot easier to re assemble. There are no orientation issues on reassembly. It will also make manufacturing assembly easier as there is no need to make alignment a critical issue. Possibly since now there is less contact of the plunger to the extractor, the extractor will move easier with less friction. This should make extraction a bit easier on the gun. Once Steyr has in house parts and service I'll bet you can get an extractor and plunger for the M. While I have not had time to really play with the gun yet I have observed that the bore axis is still the same. It appears the gun has a higher axis but in actuality the light rail is below the same axis. Additionaly the gun seems to fit deeper in the web of the hand slightly. I have very small hands and short fingers. Thie A1 fits my hand as well as if not better than the M. Do to seating a bit deeper in the web of the hand it also seems to point a bit better for me. Since I have to "loan" the gun to a holster maker to make a duty holster for it I won't get to shoot it for about 2-3 weeks. After I break her in then I'll have the slide chromed by Tripp (just makes the gun look really sharp)
