Gentlefolk; Newbie here -what is the relationship between Caracal and Steyr? Never heard of Caracal before I saw postings about the recall. Thx!
The two pistols were designed by the same man - very similar ergonomics, but very different designs. Steyr is located in Austria, while Caracal is located in the UAE. Stateside, the two official US offices share a building and I believe the same armorer who handles all Steyr repairs also does the same for Caracal.
Ah...thx. Where does Caracal sit in the weapon pantheon? I gather they are upper-end price? Boutique brand or are they being used by any LEO or military orgs?
Here ya go, Pier* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caracal_pistol Enjoy the read, Bro! :thumbsup: Wulf <-- still watchin' the latest pakguns.com Cat-FAIL Thread opcorn:
Question for you, Wulf. Read the Wiki post - do you have an opinion on why a company in the UAE was chosen to manufacture the Caracal? Does not really seem to be a place for a burgeoning arms industry. I would think that there were plenty of established company choices available in Europe, the US, or South America. UAE just seems to be a puzzling choice - eh? Oh, and what do I have to accomplish, (# of posts ?)to move out of Junior Steyroid status? Thanks in advance for your comments! Tuica
Hiya tui* I'm flattered that you think that I'm much of an asset to this Club because I am some kind of know-all kind of individual about the commings and goings of the global firearms industry. But, I'm really not. <shrug> All that I could imagine in my lit'l podunk world is, if I really wished to know the answers to a question like that, perhaps I should "follow the $". I'm sorry not to be of more help in your conundrum, but we are sure to have Club Bros that can aid you in your endeavor to know so. So, let's ask 'em. Guys, why was a company in the UAE chosen to manufacture the Caracal, when there were other manufacturing facilities in the world already in place? Plz advise. Thanx in advance. :thumbsup: Hope this helps. Take care, Bro. Wulf <-- opcorn:
The Arab world hasn't had their own high quality arms manufacturer - they mostly use old Soviet stuff, or buy modern stuff at a premium, or use shoddy copies of modern stuff. Caracal was established to provide the Arab world with their own high quality arms manufacturing company to supply military and law enforcement in the area. They enlisted Bubits to design their pistol, I presume because of his impressive resume and to lend an air of "legitimacy" to the project. The UAE was chosen because it is a hub for high quality, precision manufacturing in the area (read: first world standards). At least, that's my best recollection of the explanations I've heard from Caracal and Bubits back when he was posting here.
Wulf, Syntax - Thanks for both of your replies. I figured that the reasons for the Caracal being manufactured in the UAE was as you stated, Syntax. Time will certainly tell how that experiment plays out, but would like to at least examine/shoot/own a Caracal at some point. Weather improving here in western Oregon, so may get to shoot my new M40-A1 (and first Steyr), soon as I get a day off from work. Thanks again...Cheers.
In a free world market, I am all about competition... that's what keeps prices down (Unless they are artificially manipulated) I am impressed with they Steyr lines of firearms. But, I personally would not buy a product from the UAE. Would I buy an Israeli Desert Eagle, or a IWI Tavor. Probably would if I was in the market. Sorry it's a GEO political THANG.
The UAE is thinking long term for a life after their oil reserves are depleted. My impression is that they want to be the Singapore of the middle east. Frankly, their long term potential will always be limited by their population's and neighbor's hostility to Israel. UAE, like Israel, lives in a very crappy neighborhood with neighbors that want to conquer it and enslave the people. Israel, UAE and the even the US have alot in common. If we had a Secretary of State that wasn't owned by the Saudi family and thought long term, that SOS would focus on building the relationship between Israel and UAE, and not waste time with the Palestinians. The combination of Israel and UAE would greatly benefit both countries, which is why "our friends, the Saudi's" won't allow it to happen. While the Palestinians were celebrating 9/11, UAE was gearing up to support us. We have an air base in the UAE, unlike "our friends, the Saudi's" who told us to leave two years after 9/11. The UAE are good people and we shouldn't blame them for the actions of others in the region.
