Someone posted a question earlier about the rumor that Steyrs would be hard to get a hold of for a while.
 There had been a post on the list with a note from GSI or somewhere that ALLEGEDLY whoever owns Steyr had sold the land where the manufacturing plant is located to BMW & BMW was going to build a new automobile plant there.
 So it would take time for Steyr to relocate it's manufacturing facilities.

 This is the BIG rumor, & I've had two local retailers here in Texas tell me their distributors told them this too.

For what it's worth!

[url]www.gsifirearms.com/index.html[/url]

I guess as a last resort I'll just e-mail GSI [:)]

all I could find so far...


2001-08-01  Cura Investholding acquires Steyr Mannlicher
As per June 22, 2001 the Austrian company Cura Investholding GmbH acquired 100 % shares of Steyr Mannlicher AG & Co KG from Creditanstalt AG. The takeover of the company also involves Steyr Mannlicher's 51 % holding of Suhler Jagd- und Sportwaffen GmbH, Suhl/Germany.

Steyr Mannlicher products are known world-wide for their high quality, precision and innovation. In combination with the new management, these features will ensure its strong market position into the future.

In 2000 Steyr Mannlicher achieved sales of approx. Euro 16 Million and currently employs 135 persons.

Cura Investholding is located in Wiener Neustadt and specialises in reorganisation of medium-sized firms. Owner of Cura Investholding is Wolfgang Fürlinger who is himself a passionate hunter.

The new owner is planning to concentrate on the more profitable range of products in order to meet to market needs. The new marketing strategy will expand Steyr Mannlicher's market position especially in USA. Cooperations on the manufacturing sector, especially with the production plant in Suhl, will reduce production costs whole mainting quality.

The following article is from the September 2001 issue of American Rifleman magazine.

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USPC40

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THX , finally a reliable source!

got this e-mail from GSI today.....




Translated Article from the Upper Austrian News.

Steyr Austria: The gun company Steyr Mannlicher has a new owner, and now belongs to Cura Investment holdings, based in Wiener Neustadt, Austria.  The contracts have been signed between Creditenstaldt Bank (the past owner) and Mr. Wolfgang Furhlinger of Cura Investments.

The complete company will go to Cura (Land and Manufacturing facility).  It was thought until the end, and had been previously reported, that BMW would purchase the Mannlicher acres for the expansion of their engine manufacturing facility, which lies adjacent to the Steyr Mannlicher property.  Creditenstaldt Bank was ready to sell the property separate from the company (Steyr Mannlicher) but apparently BMW and the bank could not agree over the price.

The Upper Austrian born, Wolfgang Furhlinger, is an avid hunter and wants to rebuild Steyr Mannlicher and put them in a more prominent position in the firearms industry.



Even though this transitional phase will impact product deliveries this year, GSI and Steyr Mannlicher feel that this new ownership change will ultimately have a positive impact on the future of GSI and Steyr Mannlicher.

GSI feels very strong about Mr. Furhlingers capabilities to lead Steyr Mannlicher in a positive direction.  We are looking forward to our future relationship with Steyr Mannlicher.


Best regards,


Pete Yates
Sales Manager
GSI,Inc.

I talked to the boys at GSI today, they told me that they are negotiating a new contract with the new owners of Steyr, and anticipate being able to import Steyr firearms again in about 60 days.  After that, should be business as usual.

Does that mean cheap and plentiful AUG's and USR's soon? [;)]

I hope things work out well with these guns.  It is an excellent, if a little over-engineered design.  Bought one of the M-series 9s today just in case.  Wanted one for a while but something else (Glocks, mostly) got in the way.

Now, if they really want to be rolling in the bucks, they'll open up a plant in the US and come out with a post-ban AUG....I really want one, that and a Tavor

[rail]