Quoted:
Why didn't it move faster? Understanding the history behind the AUG would explain it pretty clearly.
The semi auto US market AUG was sold in the USA since 1981 when Steyr in Secaucus NJ imported them. The A1 importer then moved to Interarms and soon thereafter to Gun South, where it stayed for quite a time.
Then in 1989 George Bush issued an executive order that stopped importation of many guns including the AUG A1, A2, 9MM, and SR.
Up to that point there were about 8000 AUG's. For an eight year period, Steyr was sending AUG's to the USA. The price of the AUG in 1984 *on sale* was $569. Thirty round mags were $14.95. In that same time period an HK 91 was $450 and the AR15 even substantially cheaper.
Every AUG imported in the 80's was sold. 8,000 guns at a pretty high price in the 80's was pretty good.
In 1997 Steyr was able to send in one shipment of 3000 USR's. It was one shipment only because Bill Clinton stopped further importation.
Every single USR brought into the USA was sold.
A few importers brought in A2 receivers and many parts kits. All of those were sold as well. Barrels, stocks, bolts, etc, all sold.
The receivers were banned from import as were barrels thanks to George W Bush.
In 2008 Steyr was able to bring back the AUG via Sabre Defence. The first AUG's were sold from January 2009 until October 2010. 3,000 AUG's were manufactured by Sabre Defence until the ATF raided SDI for arms trafficking. All the parts for the AUG were seized by the ATF and later sold. Every single AUG produced during that time was sold.
Seeing a pattern here?
Someone purchased the AUG parts seized by the ATF. That person was Pete Athens.
In August 2012 Steyr began manufacturing and selling the AUG once again. The parts that were seized and the person who bought them are the reason why the AUG came back so quickly in 2012.
Since August 2012 until today about 5000 AUG's have been produced and sold by Steyr.
As of the first of the year, Steyr has been in a new manufacturing facility which will allow increased production of all models of the AUG.
So you ask why didn't the AUG move faster?
I don't see what the issue is. The AUG has been moving as fast as possible. The US government has done nearly everything in their power to make sure that the AUG is not sold to its citizens.
Steyr on the other hand has been doing EVERYTHING in its power to give the US citizens the AUG and every part, color, and option requested.
The Steyr AUG is a high quality fine weapon. Those who know, know. Those who don't, well they buy the latest kool aid flavor. No problem for me... more AUG's for me.