Newbie with Questions

6606 Views 30 Replies 12 Participants Last post by srfl, Sep 12, 2005

G

Discussion Starter · Jun 6, 2005

Hello everyone,
I'd like to introduce myself first, My name is Eric and I live in the Tampa Bay area. I'm a new, but very avid and active, "gun nut". I hit the range 2-3 times a week currently.

I stopped by the local shop with a good friend of mine and we were checking out what they had in stock. I looked a Ruger P94 and commented how they wished it was a .40 vs. 9mm. The sales man said "we have this Steyr in .40, do you want to see that?". I quickly scoffed his idea and assumed it was just another Glock Clone. I little while later curiosity overwhelmed me and I asked to see it. I was immediately surprised at how solid and comfortable it was. I asked a lot of questions and was impressed more.

I did a little research online and found this place, as well as a bunch of review that showed Steyr being everything Glock is, and more. Does everything Glock does, but better.

The one in the store was an original M-40, my friend says I should hold out for the a1. I wanted to know just how "bad" was the original model. My friend has a Glock in .40 that we've both fired and the Steyr trigger is day and night better. I even like the safety. The shop wanted $349 for it, and it looked like it had never been fired.

What do you guys think?

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IDPASteyr

· #2 · Jun 7, 2005

I'd get it. The A1 series won't be readily available for some time and will cost about $200 more than the M40 you saw. Realize that the Steyr M series is currently out of production and is essentially and "orphan" at this time. I beleive this situation will improve. I bought my M when it was a true orphan in 2001 with no parts support, warranty support and no US support at all. It has given me over 85,000 rounds of reliable service.

Regarding the Steyr 40 over the Glock, I won't rehash the entire issue of unsupported chambers, but will say the Steyr is much safer in 40 than the Glock. The reason the trigger is better than the Glock is all the suport for the trigger system is steel rather than polymer, which eliminates frame flex. Do your research, understand the current limitations, then buy the Steyr.

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Flashpoint

· #3 · Jun 7, 2005

I wouldn't bother about waiting on the A1 version. The only difference will be grip texture and a rail. Unless you just really wanting to hang a light on it, get the M40. My first was a M40, I carried it for about 2 years and then traded it for a S40. I would hesitate to go back to the M40 if I had to.

BTW If you like the trigger, you would really like it after a little fluff and buff.

G

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jun 7, 2005

besides the only differences in the "new" is a standard light rail (in '99 there was no standard and lots of manufacturers had their own) textured groip area, no manual safety, and some superficial changes such as a more squared off trigger guard.

buy the gun and give us a range report.
we recomend cleaning and extractor removal/scrub before the first range trip, but lots of people don't and have no issues.

Auburn

· #5 · Jun 7, 2005

Buy it....you'll love it. I'm looking for a M40 to match my M9. They're getting scarce.

madecov

· #6 · Jun 7, 2005

I have an M40 also. I wish the A series available as I like the idea of a tac light for duty use. BUT, I have enough confidence in the M40 that I went ahead and purchased a duty holster and as soon as the department can get it together and schedule a qualification itWILL be my duty weapon.

The Steyr is way and above most other striker fired polymer handguns. Think of it as the evolution that Glock could have done if they wanted to. Glock is happy just making the same thing in several calibers and sizes, there are no real changes or improvements in it.

ministerofdeath

· #7 · Jun 7, 2005

Hmmm, Good Question!

I have an M-40 right now and find it is for me easy to fire and just a comfortable beautiful pistol. It is accurate as hell and the limited recoil provides for out-of-this world accurate follow-up shots. However, you'll find the M-40 is picky about ammunition and likes to shoot the best and does require a little more cleaning than a Glock. The trapezoid sights take getting use to for some, but can easily be swapped out for traditional three-post sights or night sights. In short, those who really know firearms and aren't taken in by marketing, but make their decisions based on performance data and engineering specs buy Steyrs. The M-series was and remains way ahead of its time.

As for the MA1 series...I don't own one and haven't been able to find one to purchase yet unfortunatly. A fellow member of our site will be posting the highlights of a review of the MA1's performance soon (hopefully this week) and I"m looking forward to see what improvement really have been made outside of strictly exterior changes. However, I have heard nothing but good things from members on this site who own the MA1 in .40, but I only trust word of mouth so far when it comes to 100s of dollars.

Basically, you wont go wrong purchasing the M-40 and you'll have a wealth of experience from the members of this site to draw on. We're kind of an elite group of gun owners here because he own an elite firearm. Keep doing your research and make you decision based on your personal needs and I'm sure you'll end up with the right Steyr for you.

Safe Shooting.

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G

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jun 7, 2005

As soon as I can scrape the cash up, and if they still have it, it's mine. I've tossed around the idea of trading my Mark II target in, but I can't shoot anything as cheap as I can that.

G

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jun 8, 2005

is it safe to assume that one produced in '02 will be past most of the teething issues?

hihoslva

· #10 · Jun 8, 2005

Both my M9 and S9 will release the slide if I insert a magazine and slam it home. Generally, a magazine inserted with only a little force does not cause the slide to close. But if I give it a decent whack, the slide will come forward.

Frankly, I kinda like it. And yes, safe gun practices are always top priority. I have loaded my Steyrs literally hundreds of times this way (smack the mag in and allowing the slide to release on its own) without any issue.

And for the record, my Walther P22 and my wife's Firestorm .380 will both do the SAME thing if the magazine is slammed home with a decent amount of force.

Matches

· #11 · Jun 8, 2005

Go for it. It sounds like you have already made up you mind an just need somebody to validate your choice.

Matches

ministerofdeath

· #12 · Jun 8, 2005

As long as the Steyr M-40 has a serial number in the 10,000 series or better it should be tip-top condition and ready to sing. However, alot of these Steyrs have been laying around for awhile so I suggest giving it a serious cleaning before your first range trip using the Cleaning tutorials on this site.

Safe Shooting.

hihoslva

· #13 · Jun 9, 2005

Whoops.....

Ignore my post above - it was intended for a different thread, and I can't seem to delete this one........dunno how I posted it here. Accident.

As far the M - I see no reason to wait for the new series. They are more expensive, and really don't provide any benefits other than the rail. Functionally, they are the same; as far as I know, all moving parts - including the slide - are identical to the "old" guns. Only difference is the new polymer frame, and lack of a manual safety (and personally, I LIKE having the safety).

G

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jun 9, 2005

As long as the Steyr M-40 has a serial number in the 10,000 series or better it should be tip-top condition and ready to sing.

Not totally true. I believe that after the early design changes, Steyr went back and retrofitted all the pistols they still had in inventory. My M40 is in the 2600 (not 26000) serial number range (manufactured in early 1999), and has the new style trigger and ejection port cuts. It also has run 100% since the day I got it.

ministerofdeath

· #15 · Jun 10, 2005

Not trying to start some kind of war, but I don't see how people who do not own a Steyr MA1 series can really say that the only difference between it and the M-series is the rail and manual safety. That may be right...it may however be wrong. I see it repeated over and over that the only difference between the M and the MA1 is the rail and manual safety, but I haven't seen that backed up by anything concrete yet.

Alabama

· #16 · Jun 10, 2005

I'm with hihoslva in liking the manual safety; it was one of the reasons I bought this gun. Unique, functional and well-designed, I'm glad to know there's a further step there for me and my clumsy ass before lead starts flying.

Oh, and I'm with you on your other point, h, regardless of what thread it's on :wink:

hihoslva

· #17 · Jun 10, 2005

ministerofdeath said:
Not trying to start some kind of war, but I don't see how people who do not own a Steyr MA1 series can really say that the only difference between it and the M-series is the rail and manual safety. That may be right...it may however be wrong. I see it repeated over and over that the only difference between the M and the MA1 is the rail and manual safety, but I haven't seen that backed up by anything concrete yet.

It is the truth. All of the internals, slide, barrel, etc. are carryover parts from the M series.

Over the coming weeks, I will try to confirm this 100% by bringing my M9 to a shop or gunshow and doing a quick breakdown & comparison. But I'm 99% sure this is the case; that the only real difference is the new polymer frame.

Like when a car maker comes out with an "updated" model of car. Often, the look is different, but all of the mechanicals are exactly the same.

Matches

· #18 · Jun 10, 2005

Ministerofdeath has a valid point. I've read and heard that those are the only differences, but I have not seen or heard about some enduser (regular Joe) doing a side by side comparison. I guess going to school in Missouri has left me with some of that "Show Me" attitude. I look forward to someone on this board doing the comparison.

Matches

uncle_walty

· #19 · Jun 11, 2005

I wouldn't be surprised if there were subtle changes to the extractor and ejection port dimensions. Also the trigger assembly is probably slightly different without the manual safety.

There are subtle differences between the slide and frame of the various M models. I was suprised that the trigger safety on my S9 sticks out a little further than on my M9 or M357. You can see that difference in the CDNN catalog pictures of the different models. I just thought it was a bad crop job until I got my S9.

hiramabiff

· #20 · Sep 10, 2005

unsupported chamber isnt clear to me until this pix!

which caused this..

… check the link at: http://greent.com/40Page/general/kb.htm

... in my newbie opinion basically the barrel serves as a second layer or back-up/support in case a cartridge/load is weak or damaged. If there will be much space [unsupported] between the cartridge and the side of the barrel, ignition or complete explosion or kB will likely to occur, a complete explosion cycle, which could be minimized if chamber is tighter or well supported.

The M40 is known to have a well supported barrel overall. :wink:

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