Steyr the Australian experiance

[168GRN HPBT 0]

The following is and interesting article I read in the Australian shooter , it covers a lot of unknown points about the steyr and how bad it sux , the article was written by N Moir snr , Mooroolbank , Victoria -Australia

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While reading the November 2001 issue I was interested to see that you planed to do an article on the F88 in the December 2001 Australian Shooter.

In May 1993, the Army Tech Department asked me. As a marksman, to evaluate the f88 and compare my observations with there estimates of the rifle. Here are the results of my tests.

I fired 25 rounds prone single shot and found the rifle to be accurate. However, the scope had a slight convex effect on the impact point. I considered it to be a goods rifle to used to teach recruits firearms use and easier to handle than, say, an SLR or Lee Enfield type (i.e., the scope made aiming easier and semi-auto sliminated having to learn how to cycle a bolt and keep aim point.)

I then fired 75 rounds standing in auto bursts and not only got them all on, but shot some good groups. However, I was not very impressed with the rifle in this mode.

I made the following two adverse comments on the rifle:

1. I considered the shotgun-type safety very dangerous, in particular for recruits and also while on the move in trucks or AFVs. I suggested it either be modified to a leaver type safety or that the current one have some sort of side over lock.

2. I considered the weight of the trigger pull on the second stage for auto bursts to be excessive ad suggested it be lowered by about 1.5kg. Firing aimed bursts with the weight as it was made any attempt at accurate aiming impossible.

Eight years later, as far as I know nothing has been done regarding my comments and several deaths have come about due to the safety

Form several sources, both retired and current servicemen, the rifle is not popular with the troops. It failed dismally in Somalia and was proven to be deficient in Timor. Several media reports indicated this, in particular when special forces refused to move until they where kitted out with USA rifles, which I assume was the modified M16.

My own view is that the SLR is a superior rifle to either, as are the HK class rifles and even the updated BM-59 Grand. The F88 will be handier in thick brush but my view is in such country robust sub-machine-guns are superior. Other adverse points of the F88 are that it cannot be fired single shot (i.e., whiteout the magazine) and it is prone to magazine jams. In hot weather, due to the design and materials used, the action will not cycle correctly. This is exactly what happened in Somalia and Timor.

To clear the rifle as safe, the barrel has to be completely removed. No doubt there are some others I haven’t noticed.

So, the only real good points are its cheap cost, its ease of teaching recruits and, of course, its ability to e rapidly altered from either left- or right-hand shots.

In summary, I do not consider the F88 a good frontline battle weapon and, as already stated, it dose not have the confidence of the troops. At last report there where only 70,000 in reserve, a pitiful number if any real mobilisation has to occur.

I will refrain myself from bitter comments about two past PM’s who either sold off or gave away our large stocks of Enfield’s and SLR’s followed by the current dill destroying even larger numbers held by the rifle clubs.

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I want my SLR's back

[christophercles 0]

The steyr's in the game arnt f-88's.

[110 0]

That very interesting 168grn HPBT. i never thought the AUG (F88) had such problems. the Austrlians should have kept their FN FAL - is this what you refer to as SLR?

110

[christophercles 0]

we never had the fal....... really, ive used the styer before, and its extremly comfortable to use, and ive never had any trouble with it, but then ive never taken it into a battlefeild. Not not many australian troops do anyway.....

[168GRN HPBT 0]

when i was refering to the game OFP and the steyr , i was refering to the Australian addons i should have made this point more clearly .

The post realy refers to the out-right falure of the weapon in all its to-date conflicts , as the view that the SLR is a better weapon has been around since the F88 was introduced , at the time of introduction an uncle of myne was a SGT in 6RAR his opinion was the same accurate but very unreliable . part of the problem was the 1st batch where made by a New Zealand company , but the completly fucked the whole thing up , the 2nd batch which are a better weapon where made by Tupaware in the US, except for the barrels and the reciver which where made by ADI . the main reason for going to the steyr was to convert to 5.56 nato which i have my doubts about as a rifle cartrige .

[christophercles 0]

We make our own now, so we can make the modifications we want.

[Assault (CAN) 1]

Wait a minute, whats an "SLR", is that an Australian designation?

When you were talking about the "Lee Enfield" you meant the WW1 and 2 bolt action rifle right??

Whats a "BM-59 Grand"? Is that another Aussie thing?

Thanks

Tyler

[MP 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (christophercles @ Jan. 30 2002,02:34)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">we never had the fal....... really, ive used the styer before, and its extremly comfortable to use, and ive never had any trouble with it, but then ive never taken it into a battlefeild. Not not many australian troops do anyway.....<span id='postcolor'>

I agree... I'm currently fireing the Steyr in the Irish reserves and it is the most comfortable weapon I've used to date (fired the FN-SLR, the BAP and the Gustaph). It's not to shabby on the field either. Of course I've only carried on traning excercies but it is a pain in the arse to strip it in the pitch dark in the middle of know where in -10 degrees C with shivering hands as it dose have 53 or so parts...

[MP 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Assault (CAN) @ Jan. 30 2002,04:46)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Wait a minute, whats an "SLR", is that an Australian designation?

When you were talking about the "Lee Enfield" you meant the WW1 and 2 bolt action rifle right??

Whats a "BM-59 Grand"? Is that another Aussie thing?

Thanks

Tyler<span id='postcolor'>

SLR means Self Loading Rifle

[168GRN HPBT 0]

On the Lee Enfield yep the same rifles we used up until the end of Korea mostly MK2 number 3’s and number 4’s, I own a number 4 and I must say they are a great weapon I almost prefer it over my $3100 Remington (I said almost) the SLR you will find a pix here http://www.militarytrophies.com.au/gallery.html

And we do now make our own F88’s I just hope we do make the correct changes i.e. a safety catch that works.

[Assault (CAN) 1]

So basically the SLR is an Australian version of the FAL. Whats a "BM-59 Grand"?

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">SLR means Self Loading Rifle<span id='postcolor'>

LOL, aren't all semi-autos self loading? I guess they came up with that designation when "self-loading" was a feature, LOL.

I have been thinking of getting a Lee-Enfield for some time, what Mk is the best? (ie: most parts available, better quality, etc) They can be had for as little a $300-400 (Canadian) around here. But I guess you get what you pay for when it comes to Lee-Enfields.

Aren't semi-autos banned in Australia for civvie use?

MP, how are the gun laws in Ireland? I would imagine that they would be quite restrictive over in your area.

We can still use semi-autos in Canada, for the time being. Until they are registered and the gov't takes them away, much like what happened in Australia.

Tyler

[168GRN HPBT 0]

In the Lee Enfield MK 2 number 4 is the best of the lot its also the last ver. made longbranch is the Canadian ver. I got my number 4 for $200AUD , As for the BM-59 Grand I think it’s a sub machine gun not sure. As for semi autos I have 1 semi auto hand gun (1911a1 .45) and we can have them we just have to have special licences , and be a member of a gun club .

[christophercles 0]

When i can afford it, im buying a nice new usp

Lee Enfield- http://www.securityarms.com/20010315/galleryfiles/1300/1366.htm

This is the FN FAL- http://www.securityarms.com/20010315/galleryfiles/0400/490.

Yes we have these, but they arnt our main assault rifle.

[168GRN HPBT 0]

hmmm USP . if i had that kind of money i would have 3 more rifles last i cheacked they where around $2500 and thats in Brisbane . what cal .40 9mm 10mm .45 ?

[christophercles 0]

the .45 hopefully, any rifle that would really like to buy is illegal now

[168GRN HPBT 0]

hmmmmm (drool).45 yes i am also in love with my .45

as for rifles i am a bolt action fan i love all the Enfeild types except the MK1's , the only autos i would want would me the M1 GRAND , AUS SLR , or a M14-M21 , realy i am in to old military stuff

[Eidron 0]

The Steyr in the game is the Steyr-Mannlicher AUG 5.56mm.

It has a push-through safety catch, similar to the safety on the British SA80, LSW and L98 weapons, and we never had any probs with those. If the safetys are oiled too much then there is a risk of the safety being knocked off, but that is the owner's responsiblity.

[Mister Frag 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (168GRN HPBT @ Jan. 30 2002,17:28)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">hmmm USP . if i had that kind of money i would have 3 more rifles last i cheacked they where around $2500 and thats in Brisbane . what cal .40 9mm 10mm .45 ?<span id='postcolor'>

$2500? Are you serious?

I hope that's for the SOCOM model, I have two USPs (one compact, one full-size), and they were about US $700 each including tax.

[168GRN HPBT 0]

that was $2500AUD

are you in OZ

here in Australia all guns are expensive because of that fuckwit down in Tasmania that killed 30 ppl with an AR-15

and now we have to pay GST and extra 10% on every thing

[KingBeast 0]

SLR isnt an australian term/designation for whoever was asking. Brits also called it that. FN FAL, L1A1 and SLR all the same weapon arent they?

[Assault (CAN) 1]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">all the same weapon arent they?<span id='postcolor'>

Pretty much, in Canada they were called the C1.

I think FN FAL is the company designation.

Fabrique Nationale : Fusil Automatique Leguere

Or something like that, my French isn't up to par

Tyler

[Dangus 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">MP, how are the gun laws in Ireland? I would imagine that they would be quite restrictive over in your area.<span id='postcolor'>

Same as any of the Euro-socialisms, only really rich snobs can even own the simplest of weapons. Some farmers can have shotguns for work purposes, but if you ever try to defend your life with one you might as well just shoot yourself afterward.

[MP 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">MP, how are the gun laws in Ireland? I would imagine that they would be quite restrictive over in your area.<span id='postcolor'>

All handguns/pistols are illegal. All full automatic rifles are illegal. But semi rifles and shotguns and automatic shotguns are legal. I myself own a .22 cal semi-auto rifle and a 12 gauge shotgun. I paid IRLÅ150 for the rifle (at the time) and €2000 for the shotgun.