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Posted: 8/6/2016 9:51:21 AM EDT
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Ive deiced on buying an Aug over an X95, due to accuracy issues that have come up with the X95.
I had an MSAR, but never fired it and unloaded it new in 2013 because I was always afraid Id have trouble with it. Ive been thinking of a steyr gun ever since. I really dont understand the differences between the A3, M1, and A3M1. Im not really interested in an OEM optic. I have about 40 STANAG mags. It also appears that NATO versions have gotten close to 1850/1900.00 Theres a few on GB in the 1750.00 range, with 4 mags, and pmag AUS mags are now 15-20 bucks. I guess my question is - NATO or AUG mags and which rail variant? |
| And I like the NATO model with AR mags since I have seven AR's, a Tavor, and a PLR16...all use AR mags. However, this is still a preferential issue and isn't a black/white, right/wrong scenario. You'll get various opinions on this, but it comes down to what fits your situation in terms of magazine preference, AUG setup preference, rail/optic preference, personal magazine inventory, etc., etc. In this political environment of unknown potential regulations and other BS, I would personally like to stay in one huge magazine inventory category for my 5.56 weapons, but that's me and not a formula that should be forced on others in different circumstances. |
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Well you say A3,
But every one I see listed is A3 M1. I have no idea what that even means. The only drawback to mags, is 'shtf' Id like all my mags in my mag bag to fit my 556 guns. and I have many. Then again, PMAG Aug mags are only 15 bucks. Aug mags seem to have gotten quite high for OEM ones. |
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Well you say A3, But every one I see listed is A3 M1. I have no idea what that even means. The only drawback to mags, is 'shtf' Id like all my mags in my mag bag to fit my 556 guns. and I have many. Then again, PMAG Aug mags are only 15 bucks. Aug mags seem to have gotten quite high for OEM ones. A3 was the model put out before the A3 M1. The A3 has a long rail that cannot be changed out or removed for a shorter rail or AUG optic. The M1 versions have removable (by 4 screws I believe) upper sections so you could have a very short rail, a slightly longer rail or a 3x optic or a 1.5x optic. The M1 is basically more modular for what options you have to mount an optic or use a Steyr optic. Downside is that even the biggest Steyr rail section for the M1 is shorter than the A3 rail. You also have the option have getting whatever model you want and then just picking up a stock for the other mag setup. I bought a standard AUG mag gun and love AUG mags but for a rainy day I saved up and purchased a NATO stock too. Can change out a few parts on the stock and can go to whatever mag setup I would prefer to use. AUG PMAGs are pretty nice, I have tried a couple out and they work great in my standard AUG. They mags are nice and snug and feed great. |
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The A3 SA production has stopped since the A3 M1 was released. There are only two options for M1 rails - short and long.
I've only found one optic that works with the short rail, the cmore sights. The long rail is at the A3 military rail height, meaning that the optic mount will need to be adjusted to your preference to compensate to the slightly taller height over the comb of the stock. |
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The A3 SA production has stopped since the A3 M1 was released. There are only two options for M1 rails - short and long. I've only found one optic that works with the short rail, the cmore sights. The long rail is at the A3 military rail height, meaning that the optic mount will need to be adjusted to your preference to compensate to the slightly taller height over the comb of the stock. so the slightly raised rail is the short rail? Im confused. I guess I should look for SKU? I am planning on an elcan 3x or something like it. Maybe a PA 3x. |
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AUG mags are cheap, plentiful, and worrying about some incredible scenario where you'll have the AUG, but no mags, and also at the same time AR mags are laying around plentifully (but no AR's laying around with them) - is getting a bit silly. As to being able to survive that non-scenario (whereby you'll be standing out quite nicely carrying around a very attractive and easily remembered AUG), you'll need to make compromises on stock and function (i.e. no LH capability, only 1 trigger transfer bar, and in general "AUG's that have problems, have NATO stocks".) Buy 3 30's and 2 40's and you're set for life. Triple that, and sleep well. There was a time where people once had a couple mags per gun and that was it, and everything worked just fine.
As to optics, I wouldn't write off the integrated 3X too quick - it's actually a pretty great scope. As to model, others have explained that one. Unless there's a crazy sale for an A3, get the A3M1 as that is the current model, to which all new production items will be compatible. If you're dead set on a rail, get the long rail. You can get both actually, as the rail and integrated scope can be swapped out at home. |
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AUG mags are cheap, plentiful, and worrying about some incredible scenario where you'll have the AUG, but no mags, and also at the same time AR mags are laying around plentifully (but no AR's laying around with them) - is getting a bit silly. As to being able to survive that non-scenario (whereby you'll be standing out quite nicely carrying around a very attractive and easily remembered AUG), you'll need to make compromises on stock and function (i.e. no LH capability, only 1 trigger transfer bar, and in general "AUG's that have problems, have NATO stocks".) Buy 3 30's and 2 40's and you're set for life. Triple that, and sleep well. There was a time where people once had a couple mags per gun and that was it, and everything worked just fine. As to optics, I wouldn't write off the integrated 3X too quick - it's actually a pretty great scope. As to model, others have explained that one. Unless there's a crazy sale for an A3, get the A3M1 as that is the current model, to which all new production items will be compatible. If you're dead set on a rail, get the long rail. You can get both actually, as the rail and integrated scope can be swapped out at home. le, just a short time ago I would have agreed totally with you about "some incredible scenario" being completely tin foil hat, anal paranoia. And to be honest, you have to consider the "incredible scenario" doesn't have to be SHTF zombie attacks, ISIS invasion, or cartel hoodlums run amuck. It can be as simple as governmental regulation banning all of our options...which then could result in a backlash described as an "incredible scenario"...LOL!  But seriously, there is some applicable logic to complete magazine interchangeability, but like I said, this is not a one-size-fits-all scenario. People are different, situations are different, and just plain preferences are different. AUG mags are very good. Lots of AR mags are very good. Choices are good.
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Is Pjs the best place to get an AUG? How are his prices compared to other vendors? He doesnt list prices on his website, which is why I ask. He is by far the best place to buy an AUG. Why don't you ask him what his prices are? With Pete you not only get an AUG, but you get it exactly how you want it, and he can answer any questions you may have. No other vendor can set the gun up how you want it, nor do they have decades of experience with the AUG. |
A3
M1 (actually A3M1) 
The older A3 also had some aftermarket rails brought out by 2020, Gear Head Works & Steyr had a higher rail. Also the CQC rail system. Manticore Arms also had the Talon scope mount. The M1 is still pretty new & does not have as many choices yet. But Steyr pretty much covered the bases with factory options. The receivers between the two are almost the same except for the very top front. This also prevents the different rails from mating up to the two different receiver types. M1 
A3 
After owning multiple 556 rifles I really got tired of having a different mag for each. Especially if you like to keep any kind of chest rigs, carriers, pouches... etc loaded it gets tiresome changing them out or trying to set up matching pairs. So I went with a NATO stock. I saw no downside to it. You can always get the NATO stock later or standard AUG mag stock later as well. I felt like it would be better for me to stock up on more AR mags than trying to accumulate yet another stockpile of different mags. The older A3 is hard to find now new. There are the older receivers by Sabre defense & the newer ones by VLTOR. No difference between those two other than very slight machining marks. VLTOR also does the newer M1 receivers as well. |
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He is by far the best place to buy an AUG. Why don't you ask him what his prices are? With Pete you not only get an AUG, but you get it exactly how you want it, and he can answer any questions you may have. No other vendor can set the gun up how you want it, nor do they have decades of experience with the AUG. Quoted:
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Is Pjs the best place to get an AUG? How are his prices compared to other vendors? He doesnt list prices on his website, which is why I ask. He is by far the best place to buy an AUG. Why don't you ask him what his prices are? With Pete you not only get an AUG, but you get it exactly how you want it, and he can answer any questions you may have. No other vendor can set the gun up how you want it, nor do they have decades of experience with the AUG. Cool I emailed him a few days ago and never got a reply. I will call on Monday, looking to get the 20" model with 3x optic. |
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I have the original A3 and love it. I just upgraded it with gear head works flex mount and charging handle, major improvements.
The longer rail of the A3 lets me run an ACOG with micro troy back up sights. I bought the Tavor due to all the hype and was let down. To me it feels like the Tavor was released before the Aug. Just feels like a Gen 1 product, maybe that is why the X95 was released so soon after and has so many substantial changes. I just put my Tavor up for consignment, I might buy the X95 if they figure out the accuracy issues. In the meantime, I will be rocking the Aug which I will never sell due to watching too many 80s action movies. |
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I have the original A3 and love it. I just upgraded it with gear head works flex mount and charging handle, major improvements. The longer rail of the A3 lets me run an ACOG with micro troy back up sights. I bought the Tavor due to all the hype and was let down. To me it feels like the Tavor was released before the Aug. Just feels like a Gen 1 product, maybe that is why the X95 was released so soon after and has so many substantial changes. I just put my Tavor up for consignment, I might buy the X95 if they figure out the accuracy issues. In the meantime, I will be rocking the Aug which I will never sell due to watching too many 80s action movies. Looks like I did many of the same things you did. I've owned several Steyr Augs over the last 20 years and currently have an A3. I also added the GHW Flex Swivel and charging handle. They are the best aftermarket items I've ever added to a weapon. I purchased one of the Tavors when they were first released and had high hopes for it. The low mounted top rail and crappy trigger turned me off quick and I sold it for a big loss, just to get rid of it. For the OP, I went with the original Steyr Aug A3 and added a Nato stock. I now have the best of both worlds and can switch back and forth at will between OEM and AR15 magazines. The benefit for me of the Nato stock is the ability to use 60rd MagPul Pmags, Surefire 60 and 100rd magazines, X Products 50rd mags, and Chinese 120rd drum mags. Back in the early 1990's I had a Steyr Aug A1 and a Beta C 100 rd magazine. While it did fit, it was very uncomfortable to use because of the double drum that your shooting arm had to reach around to grab the pistol grip. All of the single drum magazines that I have for the Nato stock work out very well. |
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I'm good with that. I like it just the way it is. Quoted:
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There were 4 or so different versions of the A3 rail. You got whatever Austria shipped. Funny I just checked my A3 & also have the shorter rail like yours. Never noticed that before. |
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He may be Mr AUG but his communication is not great. Never had so many problems trying to spend $1700.. Edit, meant to quote the comments about Pete at pjaug I never ended up buying one (still have a 3X Aug on my short list though), but Pete was pretty good about answering my questions via email in a timely manner. |
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Have you tried picking up the phone? Quoted:
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He may be Mr AUG but his communication is not great. Never had so many problems trying to spend $1700.. Edit, meant to quote the comments about Pete at pjaug Have you tried picking up the phone? Pete is a ... Renaissance man. He answers the phone promptly. Don't expect timely responses to Tweets |
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Pete is a ... Renaissance man. He answers the phone promptly. Don't expect timely responses to Tweets Quoted:
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He may be Mr AUG but his communication is not great. Never had so many problems trying to spend $1700.. Edit, meant to quote the comments about Pete at pjaug Have you tried picking up the phone? Pete is a ... Renaissance man. He answers the phone promptly. Don't expect timely responses to Tweets If you're going to offer a means of communication, then you need to monitor and respond promptly to it. Otherwise, it should be noted that replies may take 72+ hours or it should be an announcement only list/twitter feed/etc. |
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If you're going to offer a means of communication, then you need to monitor and respond promptly to it. Otherwise, it should be noted that replies may take 72+ hours or it should be an announcement only list/twitter feed/etc. Quoted:
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He may be Mr AUG but his communication is not great. Never had so many problems trying to spend $1700.. Edit, meant to quote the comments about Pete at pjaug Have you tried picking up the phone? Pete is a ... Renaissance man. He answers the phone promptly. Don't expect timely responses to Tweets If you're going to offer a means of communication, then you need to monitor and respond promptly to it. Otherwise, it should be noted that replies may take 72+ hours or it should be an announcement only list/twitter feed/etc. This instant gratification world is ridiculous. I'd say a few days for a reply isn't out of line. Or you can save yourself the trouble, do something that seems to be very rare these days, and pick up the phone. How many email inquiries do you think small dealers get regarding their products and how many end up in sales? The phone calls are going to be more serious because they're usually offering payment in the same call. The guy has been in business for decades selling one line of niche products and he's still around, so clearly he has some very satisfied customers, including me. |
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I totally agree with suggestions given by "lazyengineer" on page 1.
Buy original AUG mags and original integrated scope and you will have the BEST and FACTORY OPTIMIZED set up. But some people just have to have different scopes, red dots, and various doodads, and cheaper NATO mags instead of the indestructible 30 and 42 round AUG mags that work and work and work. They have to mess with cocking levers, triggers, etc. put on devices devised in somebody's garage that have never been properly tested, that may or may not work and may fail at the wrong time. I think that drum mags are slow, difficult to load, prone to malfunction and you gain nothing compared to having several loaded 42 round AUG mags (easy to load with ammo, insert and remove, 100% reliable). So if you want to have a Frankenstein AUG with all sorts of weird aftermarket mods, go for it, have fun. You will gain little and OEM set up will be more reliable. On one of my newer AUGs, I had the removable AUG Austrian military scope fall off twice, because bolts going into receiver have loosened up with fire, despite tightening the bolts after the first time. I will have to Lock Tite them. So I prefer the original fixed integrated factory scope, it just works and no worries. My suggestion is: KEEP it SIMPLE. |
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I totally agree with suggestions given by "lazyengineer" on page 1. Buy original AUG mags and original integrated scope and you will have the BEST and FACTORY OPTIMIZED set up. But some people just have to have different scopes, red dots, and various doodads, and cheaper NATO mags instead of the indestructible 30 and 42 round AUG mags that work and work and work. They have to mess with cocking levers, triggers, etc. put on devices devised in somebody's garage that have never been properly tested, that may or may not work and may fail at the wrong time. I think that drum mags are slow, difficult to load, prone to malfunction and you gain nothing compared to having several loaded 42 round AUG mags (easy to load with ammo, insert and remove, 100% reliable). So if you want to have a Frankenstein AUG with all sorts of weird aftermarket mods, go for it, have fun. You will gain little and OEM set up will be more reliable. On one of my newer AUGs, I had the removable AUG Austrian military scope fall off twice, because bolts going into receiver have loosened up with fire, despite tightening the bolts after the first time. I will have to Lock Tite them. So I prefer the original fixed integrated factory scope, it just works and no worries. My suggestion is: KEEP it SIMPLE. Well...aren't we the party pooper here...LOL! |
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Quoted: I totally agree with suggestions given by "lazyengineer" on page 1. Buy original AUG mags and original integrated scope and you will have the BEST and FACTORY OPTIMIZED set up. But some people just have to have different scopes, red dots, and various doodads, and cheaper NATO mags instead of the indestructible 30 and 42 round AUG mags that work and work and work. They have to mess with cocking levers, triggers, etc. put on devices devised in somebody's garage that have never been properly tested, that may or may not work and may fail at the wrong time. I think that drum mags are slow, difficult to load, prone to malfunction and you gain nothing compared to having several loaded 42 round AUG mags (easy to load with ammo, insert and remove, 100% reliable). So if you want to have a Frankenstein AUG with all sorts of weird aftermarket mods, go for it, have fun. You will gain little and OEM set up will be more reliable. On one of my newer AUGs, I had the removable AUG Austrian military scope fall off twice, because bolts going into receiver have loosened up with fire, despite tightening the bolts after the first time. I will have to Lock Tite them. So I prefer the original fixed integrated factory scope, it just works and no worries. My suggestion is: KEEP it SIMPLE. |
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