Armory Sponsor
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - American Aug (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 1/13/2008 8:23:25 AM EDT
| What american aug is the better of the 2 |
From what I hear there is going to be 3 US made AUG style rifles this year. Yes you read it right, 3. 1. Microtechs STG 556 clone 2. TPD AXR somewhat clone 3. Steyr Arms, Austria, A3 Original AUG Yes that is correct, Factory style US made Steyr AUG Is it rumors or is it real? Time will tell. A few sources report its true. Who knows, maybe that is why Microtech dropped their prices. Factory A3 real AUG will be nice for the current AUG clone competition, it will keep all of them on their toes. Will be an interesting 2008 Shot Show!!! |
|
I don't see USA Steyr AUG A3s for civilian purchase. I happen to know Steyr pretty well and have followed their company for years. The one thing I have learned is that they move SLOW in Austria. We'll be lucky to get their SA1 hanguns shipping in decent numbers into the USA so that they aren't sold out after two minutes of touching U.S. soil. Heck, right now the biggest news going for Steyr is their Mannox finish. I could see A3s for LEO purchase here in the USA though easily in 2008, but because of US Import restrictions I don't see civilian sale as they would have to build a factory here and nobody has heard anything about that in the Steyr fan community. IF...IF A3 became available I'd sell my STG 556 and purchase one in a heart beat. |
I hear you but you need to check with your sources a little closer. As of Dec. 10, 2007 the US Sanctions were lifted from Steyr, as of now they can import AUG A3s & A2s for Law Enforcement. Steyr has a new owner that is highly committed to turning the company around to be in the profit margin once again. Building and marketing the AUG over here will give them the much needed exposure. How else do you think they would turn around the company. Steyr hasn't done nothing in the past 5 years. They did move slow but I honestly think things will be different now. For now Steyr building a factory wouldn't be practical, if all this is true look for Steyr to announce a merger with an existing US established firearms company. No, I don't think its MSAR or TPD. In reality to speed production up all they would have to manufacture here is the barrel and the receiver. That can easily be done in 4-6 months. The receiver taking the longest. How ever they can even import the receiver as a casting by only being 70% finished then its not classified as a firearm. Very legal to do. (Are you taking notes Steyr) Once they got the receiver in they would finish the machining and install the trunion, etc. Plenty of barrel companies here and even a few have the same Barrel Hammer Forging machine. Steyr would be able to offer an 100% original style AUG to the civilian market. They could import the complete stock kit, hammer pack, finished trunions and gas blocks and the remaining small parts to bring it to the market quickly and cut cost. This is their last chance, I don't think they will blow it unless they run into unforseen roadblocks. As any other company with great news of a new product Steyr is being hush, hush about it. Time will tell. Silent Type, check with your Steyr connections and see what kind of vibs you get from them. Please do let us know. New US made original style AUG A3 & AUG A2 would be very nice to have. I certainly would buy a few of each  PS: On another note its kind of strange that all the sudden Microtech slashed the STG 556 prices by $300 to the same level that Steyr Arms had their American made AUGs prices advertised for a couple of years ago. Do you remember Impact Arms AUG web site ad prices 
|
| I'll have to see a US made genuine Steyr to believe it. The same rumor was going around this time last year and nothing happened. If they don't have a major announcement at SHOT in a couple of weeks then I wouldn't hold my breath. By next year's SHOT we may not be able to buy ANY AUG if the elections are a disaster. |
|
I spoke with Steyr at SHOT and that is exactly what they told me they were going to do. It would not take that much to ramp up for production here in the states. MSAR did it in a year from scratch...what makes you think Steyr couldn't with all their $$$, knowledge and ability, especially now that some of the import restrictions have been lifted. Expect an BIG announcement at SHOT this year... A3s for everyone! |
It won't be an original AUG if it is made in the US, will be an US AUG like the rest. Correct? Although, I would say that is HIGHLY unlikely to happen, Steyr has said this for years. I would like to see it though, see what they can come up with to compete with TPD's Billet 7075 receiver and our new rail system to debut at SHOT SHOW. |
|
I'll email Herr Bauer over at Steyr and see if I can confirm the rumors, but I doubt even if they were going to do it they'd let me know at this point. Maybe though. I'll bet though we'll see LEO sales for sure though in 2008 of the AUG A3. They are going to have a HUGE booth (#24055-20' x 40') at SHOT 08' though so I'm sure we'll see some A3s on display along with their complete SA1 line and of course MA1 pistol and various rifles. Franz Holzschuh the new owner of Steyr is a well known rich Austrian hunter and has been bringing Steyr up to speed business wise here in the USA. They are expanding their importation and working on an Armorer program. The Mannox finish though is the most recent announcement I've heard of besides that and of course the SA1 pistols. That whole Condi Rice DOS bull really didn't help things, but they're coming back strong in 2008 so anything is possible. Keep your fingers crossed, but don't bet the house just yet. |
Kent, if you read my 1st post carefully you will see that I wrote "Factory style US made Steyr AUG" I didn't say 100% original AUG. What all this means it will be built 100% like the original and all parts will innerchange with the originals. Yes, "Old" Steyr has said that for years but remember they are under new ownership now. Word is that they will do what it takes to turn the company around. Shot Show just a few weeks away, its not a long time away. |
I agree with you, it has come up every year except last year. Steyr did not even show up at the Shot Show. Steyr Mannlicher was sold 8 months ago and the new owners are commited to change things. I am giving them 1 more chance. We have nothing to lose. |
|
I've been hearing rumors about Steyr relaunching the AUG to the US market since I started really following firearms in about 2000, if it happens great, if not oh well. I have a GSI Import A1 that I loved but I have to say, I think my STG-556 is every bit its equal, if not more. (I'm sure the same can be said for the AXR given what I have read about it, but havn't seen one yet, looking forward to seeing them at the SHOT show) So if Steyr launches the AUG A3 (or A2 for that matter), at this point what does it change? I mean, more choices is always a good thing, but I would be much, much more excited about this if it happened four years ago, after then ban had sunsetted and TPD and Microtech had set up shop. That being said, I will likely still buy one if they offer a factory A2 set up, the A3 rail system looks heavy and awkward to me. |
The A3 doesn't look awkward to me.  Looks like the future to me. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePg-mjysPRY The above is video of the A3. |
My bad... kent |
|
Its not awkward to me either!! I had a chance a couple of years ago to handle them at the Shot Show and they are awesome. It will be very nice to have 3 choices  How many AR 15 style rifles are out there. |
|
i also find it hard to believe, new owners or not, that a company would sit out the new golden years of firearms sales in the US, only to decide to make the investment in new machinery and start making them for the US market just as we sit on the verge of a completely democrat-controlled government. the US firearms market hinges on our next election. that seems like HUGE gamble to me. |
Some times it takes new owners with the desire to turn the company around to make it happen. If they do indeed merge with an existing company they will not have to invest in new equipment. I might eat my words BUT I don't think the Dems. will mess with new or old bans on firearms. Bill Clinton and other high official Dems said that was the biggest mistake they made. I don't think they will risk it again, do you? new firearms is a good thing!! |
i personally do not believe we will be seeing any new gun control either. i believe we are living through the second amendment renaissance right now, that the heller case will be a win, and that for the first time ever we will be fighting on offense. that said, nobody is asking ME for my input regarding their business plans.  |
|
Exactly. Folks don't seem to grasp that it is an ENTIRELY different world than it was when the first AWB was passed. For instance, look at the Zumbo affair. In a matter of days, his entire professional life was just about destroyed over a blog post, all thanks to the internet. That, my friends, is power. Slick Willie admitted that the first AWB cost them control of Congress. Do you think anyone in Congress wants to get "Zumbo'ed?" Yeah, we can't get them fired, but we can shut down their offices with phone calls, faxes, and emails. They also know that, eventually, they have to get re-elected. Chuckie Schumer might be willing to push it anyway, but most of them are more concerned with staying on the gravy train. I think the politicians have finally realized that they opened Pandora's Box by ignoring the internet until it was far, far too late to do anything about it. When the first AWB was proposed, it took six weeks for the word of the bill's introduction to spread. Today, the bulk of the nation would be well aware of it in six hours, tops. |
| Don't fool yourself that Hillary would be "afraid" to push more gun control. The 94 ban was Bill's baby and she would pull out all the stops to get that reenacted and made permanent to solidify his/her legacy. And don't forget the enormous power the President has via EO which requires nothing more than a signature. Mr. Bill gave us wonderful EO's such as no more China made weapons and ammo, no more US military surplus ammo to be sold to US citizens, huge amounts of valuable surplus arms now destroyed instead of being made available to the public via the CMP. The list goes on and on. If we get a democrat in office next year and most especially if that is Hillary Clinton then you better believe that we will pay the price. |
The point is that Bill made a mistake and they will not make it again. I don't think the 94 ban was Bills baby. They will remain quite. Look around at gun sales lately, you can't give away most so called 'assault rifles" Just my2cents worth. |
|
To each his own. In a little historical perspective having Hillary in office and going on "faith" that she will do nothing to destroy our rights is like believing Neville Chamberlain back in 1938. "My good friends, for the second time in our history, a British Prime Minister has returned from Germany bringing peace with honour. I believe it is peace for our time" Others, such as myself, are 100% in agreement with what Winston Churchill had to say. "We have suffered a total and unmitigated defeat...you will find that in a period of time which may be measured by years, but may be measured by months... We are in the presence of a disaster of the first magnitude...we have sustained a defeat without a war, the consequences of which will travel far with us along our road..." |
|
Herr Holzschuh is considered one of the more enterprising Austrian business men having been intelligent enough to bring Starbucks to Austria, but I don't think he will partner with or purchase an American firearms company simply to bring the United States one rifle (AUG series) again. My guess is that at best he would consider bringing a type of USR that could fit under the import restrictions and sell LEO AUGs in the United States similiar to HK's SL8. Perhaps, I could see someone purchasing the license to make Steyr AUGs here, but I doubt it. However, Steyr has come across roadblocks before with the US Government and has not been treated so kindly by this current administration. After trying to comply with the original Bush import ban they were screwed yet again by the Clinton administration when the USR was banned for import. Add to that the heavy handed way that Condi Rice dealt with the Iranian HS50 sales and even though that all happened under old management I can see why they wouldn't feel comfortable dealing with the BATFE and US Government again on the sale of AUG firearms. Perhaps, if enough people signed a petition where they felt confident that the reward would be worth the risk they would do it though. |
Silent Type, you need to get your facts right before you post info that is not 100% correct. Steyr was bought by 3 Austrian business men and yes Herr Holzschuh is one of them. He along with one other are silent partners and are not running the company. One of the new owners of Steyr, a gentleman named Mr. Reichmeyr is the new guy heading this one up. Like I said, maybe it will happen, maybe it won't. We shall see. There is a lot of smoke being blown out there by reputable sources. If Steyr drops the ball now, they won't get a 2nd chance. |
|
You can email or phone Jack Riddle over at SAI. You can email Oliver Bauer over in Austria. They have no plans to sell Steyr AUGs to civilians here in the USA. Herr Holzschuh is the owner of Steyr Mannlicher and he is the one credited with the whole deal to purchase it. It is beyond question that his influence has lead to radical changes that have lead to a restructure of the US market in terms of parts supply, service, and pistols like the newer SA1. You can give that credit to whoever else you want, but that doesn't change the fact that no new Steyr AUGs are coming outside of LEO purchases. The BIG things this year for Steyr will be the sale of the SA1 in 9mm, .357 SIG, and of course .40 S&W. They are also pushing hard their new Mannox finish that will be used in all their hunting and leo/mil lines. Outside of that and hearing a lot "I have no idea" from the SAI guys from Georgia you're not going to get any news out of them at SHOT 08'. Maybe if we see them start to be consistent in the importation of their pistols I'll start to feel more confident of their interest to perhaps bring an AUG back to the USA. Right now you can't find an SA1 brand new unless you're really lucky, because they are as rare as hen's teeth. You can't even find brand new MA1 pistols outside of a few places that purchased old stock from SAI. |
I don't like that the microtech parts are not interchangable with the original AUG or that they have very specific magazines. Not going with the AR-15 mag or the original AUG mag was a HUGE mistake on their part, in my opinion. I'm waiting for the unreleased one. Matt |
| I would love to see a Genuine US Styer Aug. But don't fool yourselves, if the democraps get in the whitehouse, there will be another ban. If you would just look at some of the legislation they were trying to push through congress even during the current Bush Admin....its scary, so much as to prevent the sale of any new sem-auto rifles, and even prevent the sale & trade of the stuff that already exists. I will be surprised, and happy if we see Styer with a big old both at the shotshow, announcing the new US Aug, but if I were Styer, I would sit back and see who wins the next election before I spend tons of money on a project that might be doomed in less than a year because anti-gun idiots get control of the whitehouse. Thats just my 2 cents worth. |
+1, the crap that McCarthy is trying to put through is messed up. Other legislation like a criminal using your gun in a crime earns you prison. That is so f-d up. If Hell-ary gets in we can kiss "assault weapons" good by and if Obama gets office he is going for the ban on any and all semi auto guns (no, not rifles... GUNS) |
Cato, i have a question for you. I own a select-fire Aug A1 with 9x19 conversion kit. Obviously, the optic is not zeroed for both barrels so I'd like to change my receiver to an A3 so i can swap optics to suit the barrel. Is it possible to buy just the receiver in Austria or anywhere else? I am not in the US; import/export won't be a problem, just availability. |
I thought I was up on Steyr AUGs but this is the first time I have seen this picture of the newest Steyr AUG commando. Its a beautiful refined AUG!!! Not as bulky looking as the AUG A3. New scope assembly & new flashider and check nut. . Its seems that Steyr did their home work on this one. I love the placement of the rails, there is no chance of a side rail snagging on something during close quarters combat. It also seems that they have added a front quick disconnect sling swivel. What about the matching green colored receiver guys, if they would have done the barrel and gas block in green it would be too awesome!! How long will it be before Microtech and TPD offer that in there line up? I would love to see Steyr build these here in the States, it would be a winner. Steyr AUGs already have an established proven track record in the Military and Police and civilian market. Thanks for the PIC Cato!! |
|
I doubt that we will see a civilian version as the Austrian Special Forces (Jagdkommando) co-developed (and patented) it. They are going into Chad to protect the refugees from Sudan, needed an updated weapons platform and judged the A3 out because of its weight and unbalancedness. As they were satisfied (by and large ) with the Steyr StG77 (AUG), they decided to go with a 16" barrel as the 14" made too many problems durability-wise on full auto fire. Steyr listened, tweaked a few things, added a bolt catch to the weapon as well as a lowered, fixed 3x optic on top of which an Aimpoint (preferably the T-1 Micro) and on its side the Oerlikon laser-light module is mounted.  Some nice Jagdkommando pics (with the older Stg77 version):  
|
|
You guys are forgetting a very big reason Steyr HAS to move production over here. The Dollar / Euro exchange rate. Last year the factory wholesale price on the M_A1 pistols was around $389 (IIRC), list $550. At today's exchange rate it would have to be $505 / $715. Who's going to pay HK prices for a Steyr? Not me, and I love em. Steyr has been shipping new production guns everywhere in the world except the USA for the last 4-5 months. Right when the Dollar started to tank. ETA: This also means Kent can sell a lot overseas. 
|
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - American Aug (Page 1 of 2)
Armory Sponsor