Steyr L9-A1

[sonnyroofy]

I was thinking of treating myself to a full size 9mm next month and right now the Steyr L9-A1 is at the top of my list. LGS can get them for less than they are priced on Buds but I am tempted to cheap out and get the PW Arms gray market M9-A1 instead. It will be used primarily as a nightstand gun / range toy so I am ok with limited holster availability. Anyone want to talk me out of spending top dollar for half an inch of barrel & some extra slide serrations?

[FUNDAMENTALS]

I have had Steyr M9 for over 10 years. I have believed the ergonomic grip
was the best on the market at the time. It had the lowest bore axis and
the recoil was easy to handle, especially for women shooters.The sights
are outstanding. For me it has been a accurate and reliable semi-auto. Always
Remember the Location of the Safety in Front of the Trigger and how it works.
Pick the one that fits your needs the best. Have fun.

[Brick]

I like the design and the low bore axis. But haven't found much in the way of holsters and accessories. What are you using?

[FUNDAMENTALS]

Check and see if GALCO still has the FL416 Holster. That is what I have been
using for several years. BTW it has a snap saftey strap that goes over the
the rear of the slide.

[sonnyroofy]

I am fine with only a trigger safety on a duty size pistol, actually one of the reasons I favor the Steyr. The L9 has a 4.5" barrel and comes with two 17rd mags for $460, the M9 is basically the same but with a 4 inch barrel and typically the gray market version has two or three 15 round mags for $399 with used examples around $300. I am really on the fence...

[wanneroo]

From all I have seen, the Steyr seems to be a great, under appreciated pistol that probably falls in the category with the Walther's, CZ's and FN's. Pistols that are perfectly adequate, reliable, more accurate than many other brands, but they just don't have the marketing budgets or big paid junkets with free gifts for gun writers and hence don't have the name recognition and acceptance with the public.

[Lycanthrope]

I have a Bladetech for my M40 and love it. They did away with the front safety on the new versions.......it's a shame, because it's a nice option.

Lycanneedsmoreaftermarketthrope

[bortle]

Safe queen or tool? $160 will buy a lot of ammo.

[Pizza Bob]

Be aware that the gray market M's are the old style trigger linkage and as such will not have as good a trigger pull as current production. If you look at the pictures in your OP, the top pic is new production as indicated by the pin through the slide just under & behind the rear sight. The bottom pic of the gray market gun has no such thru-pin. The older guns had a loaded chamber indicator (LCI) in the form of a pin that protruded from the rear of the slide. New production does not as the change in trigger linkage used that space. There is still a hole in the barrel hood so you can visually check.

Steyr had some extractor issues and I'm not sure whether they have completely solved that yet or not. They sent me a new extractor which fixed my problems 100% I understand that they will stand behind the import guns, but that was anecdotal, not from Steyr. With a new gun - no worries. I used mine for SSP in IDPA and Production in USPSA using a Blade Tech holster and mag pouches. I love the trapezoidal sights.

Good luck with whichever you decide upon.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

[warpath9809]

The L9-A1 is on my list. Steyr makes some fine pistols that are very ergonomic and good solid shooters.