Steyr M9, anybody own one?

[ColbyBruce]

I was offered one of these in a trade and have little knowledge of them. Any info, including the value, would be appreciated.

 

[putneyswope]

The grip angle takes some getting used to. Helps with the already minimal recoil but also affects point of aim in rapid presentation. Mags aren't the easiest or cheapest to find either. Also has a built in lock if that's a factor for you. Try gunbroker for actual values.

 

[koz5614]

I think it also uses a pretty unusual trapezoidal sighting system.

 

[putneyswope]

Yes, forgot about the funky sights. Also, don't expect a quick sale if/when you decide to sell it. It's a very quirky gun but you may grow to love it.

 

[ColbyBruce]

Thank you, I do remember the different type sights. I have been told the early versions had feeding issues, and I am not sure which variant this person has to trade. I am no fan of high priced magazines either.

 

[Otreb]

They are outstanding pistols, and the sight system might seem weird at first, but they are very fast . I don't like the safety, but the trigger is very good for the typical polymer guns.

 

[drkuhar]

I had the 40. It was very easy to use the trapezoid sights. Gun was well made . It was hard to find mags. Shot well.. if it had been the 9 I would still have it

 

[LVSteve]

The early M40s had feed/extraction issues, the M9 is fine. I have one that was my late wife's. It shoots well and recoil is minimal, all helped by the low bore axis and the grip angle.

The only issues I can think of are that it is a little wide and the recoil spring is pretty stout. My girlfriend cannot rack it very well but she is fine with a Star Super B. I got my mags some years ago so I'm set.

 

[StickShift]

I had a recent production L9-A1 for about six months. The gun was well made and very accurate. The trigger was one of the better examples in striker fired pistols and the sights were very precise when you got used to them.

The Steyrs have a long history of minor problems and reliability issues. Early Steyrs had a poor extractor design that resulted in erratic extraction - they were very picky with rim dimension. I've also heard of issues with the original loaded chamber indicator. Later guns (-A1s) have an improved extractor design that is more reliable, a standard accessory rail, a better grip texture, and a roll pin under the rear sight that keeps the striker under constant tension when the trigger is pulled. This gives a smoother pull. Early guns without the roll pin had inconsistent triggers pulls because the striker could move in the (slightly) oversize bore it sits in.

My L9-A1 was reliable with +P ammo, but often failed to extract spent casings from the chamber with standard pressure ammo lighter than 147 grains. Ejection was consistent when it extracted. Steyr obviously tunes the guns for a long service life with high pressure police and military ammo. A lighter recoil spring would probably improve reliability with practice ammo, but they aren't available. You could modify the factory spring by cutting a coil or two off, but the recoil spring is a flat wire piece captured on a plastic guide rod. I didn't want to mess with the spring and I don't like ammo sensitive guns, so I sold it.

 

[gdogs]

I've got an M40 in the truck in a lock box. It's accurate, comfortable to shoot, and quick on target - if not a little ugly. I prefer the earlier ones with the manual safety over the newer models with the rail. Mags can easily be found at CDNN for no more money than any other pistol mags CDNN SPORTS - MAGAZINES STEYR. If resale is a concern it may not be the way to go as they are a niche pistol with a limited market.
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