Other than anti-Glockism, why would a gun buyer opt for a Steyr over a Glock? After shooting the Steyr Arms C9-A1 at the Shot Show’s desert demo grounds, I reckon the Steyr has a slight edge on the Glock in terms of combat-style shootability. The Steyr’s lower bore axis makes follow up shots a little bit quicker—although neither gun is what I’d call unruly in the muzzle flip department. The Steyr’s point-of-aim is more natural—although once you get used to the Glock, that’s natural too. The Steyr’s trapezoidal sights are a damn sight better for rapid target acquisition at close quarters than the standard Glock’s—although most people prefer three-dots and you can now order your Steyr so equipped. But it’s Steyr’s new Reset Action System trigger mechanism that makes all the difference. OK, evens the score . . .
It’s not that the go-pedal on Steyr’s M or S series pistols was horrible. But it was nowhere near as crisp, clean and predictable as the show time button on Gaston’s Glocks. Now, it is. Without a side-by-side test, I can’te quite put my finger on the exact difference (so to speak). Suffice it to say, there’s no longer anything in it. Both guns distinguish themselves with a sharp trigger with an extremely quick reset.
And now Steyr Arms is shipping their “Where Have You Been All My Life?” trigger inside the C9-A1. From today’s press release:
The German bridges the gap between a compact carry and full-sized shootability. With its concealable-length slide and barrel of the S-series Steyr pistol, and the hand-filling frame and high capacity of the M-series, the C9-A1 provides the best of both worlds.
In other words, it’s a ‘tweener: big enough to shoot well and hold 17 rounds, small enough to, uh, shoot well and hold 17 rounds. Kidding. Small enough to conceal. Provided you think a gun with a 3.6″ barrel and a big honking handle is concealable. (I’m looking at you Springfield XD-M 3.8 Compact owners. Of which I’m one. So yes, I do.) Oh, and the Steyr’s barrel is cold hammer forged. Take that Glock fans! Oh wait . . .
Anyway, I wouldn’t give you a bum Steyr. And the chances of you buying one are minimal. The Steyr Arms C9-A1 Glocks-in—I mean clocks-in at $649.
Steyr Arms Pistol Specifications
- Model: C9-A1
- Purpose: Self-defense
- Manufacturer: Steyr Mannlicher GmbH Kleinraming, Austria
- Importer: Steyr Arms, Inc.
- Operation: Semiautomatic
- Caliber: 9x19mm Luger
- Slide material: Steel
- Magazine type/capacity: Double-stack steel box/17 rounds
- Barrel: 3.6-inch cold-hammer-forged
- Rifling: Conventional, 6 grooves, RH twist
- Sights: Drift-adjustable three-dot configuration
- Finish: Mannox
- Trigger type: Reset Action System (DAO with integrated safety)
- Pull weight: 5 pounds
- Frame material: Reinforced polymer
- Checkering: Anti-slip stippled texture
- Weight, empty: 1.6 pounds
- Overall length: 6.7 inches
- Height: 5.1 inches
- Width: 1.2 inches
- Included accessories: Owners manual, lockable box, extra magazine