the m9a1 is sized in between the glock 17 and 19, the s9a1 is sized in between a glock 19 and 26. very accurate and the low bore axis makes muzzle flip almost negligible. they feel and shoot virtually identical.
these pistols were designed as a .40 caliber first so they are very robust. the m series are found in 9mm, .40, and .357 sig. the s series were done in 9 and .40. the original m9 and s9 were slightly different, with different designed grips, no rail, and a safety switch made in the top of the trigger/bottom of the frame. here is a pic showing a m-a1 on the top and s on the bottom, lifted from the steyrclub forum photo thread:
one of the intriguing features are the trapezoid sites. once you use them they are great as you can line them up quick, your eyes seem to flow to the tip of the triangle:
the s series is harder to find and there are supposed to be less than 500 of the s-a1 models in the us. there are no s-357's except for a hybrid one done by an owner. the steyr pistols were the best value on the market. due to a liquidation a few years ago the m-a1's were available from CDNN for 349.99. then last year it went to 349.99 with only 1 mag, and a short while ago they were 379.99 but as of last week they are sold out. reports were that they had an inventory of 10,000 m series pistols. i highly recommend them, steyr's support is outstanding.
i saw this when they were introduced and had to get one:
it is a 5.7x28 upper on an ar lower. about half the cost of a ps90 in a familiar platform. great to shoot with very low recoil and very accurate. magazines and ammo have gotten expensive but what hasn't nowadays? anyway, glad to be a member!
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