Used Steyr Aug A1

[Idahou]

So there is large batch of used Steyr Aug A1 from Malaysia army and Asutria police avalaible from local dealer and im considering it.

I know, that AR-15 is kinda smarter option, but i just like Aug and for my use it feel better. Plus it would be my first AR so i should not have problem with "mussle memory". And its high quality rifle what fits in my budget

So can you, please, share some experinces with used Aug? What should i check before buying and is there some reason why would you recommend not to buy used aug?

Also i did read about reliabitity issues with NATO mags version but didnt find something conclusive - its a myth or fact?

Thanks

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

I plead ignorance: wouldn't these have to be parts kit + USA-made receiver guns to get past the post-1989 import ban?

Last I heard VLTOR was making receivers for the Steyr USA AUGs, so this could be marked inside the receiver.



VLTOR is an approved manufacturer for both Steyr and DOD, so no quality issues plus you would start with a brand-new receiver. Given the MSRP (and availability right now) on an A3 AUG, I'd say go for it if you want one and have the money.

I believe the A1 took a dedicated AUG magazine, as opposed to the STANAG compatible A3, so you may want to price some of those. I think MagPul makes one that is A1 compatible, but someone else should confirm this.

Also evaluate the scope clarity, since replacement isn't an easy option on the A1.

 

[Idahou]

Sorry, i forgott to mention - im not from USA, CZ actually. Since both, malaysians army (created under licence in Malaysia) and austrias police version came in same time i expect that they were alter to semi-auto via steyr or steyrs parts (its practically our neighbor, but its good point, i have to check who and how made it into semi.
Scope will be propably problem since i guess that would be most aged component in case of police versions

Malaysian army version costs about 890 dolars (+/- same as Norinco AR15), austria police ones 1000 and new A3 2800, mags are about 30 (via brownells which isnt that reliable over here), which is about same as AR-15 mags, so for me point of AR15 mags are mostly from "survial" view (our main army weapon - Bren 805/Bren 2 uses AR15 mags). Dealer confirmed that some of this A1 accepts AR15 mags

I will probably buy that police version, but we are currently in quite a hard lockdown and im waiting for my licence and new batch of "lefty" guns. So maybe in january...

 

[ttarp]

The standard AUG stock takes AUG mags, the NATO stock takes AR15 mags, it doesn't matter if its an A1, A2, A3, or the A3M1 receiver. I'd never heard that the NATO stock had reliability issues, but I don't have any firsthand experience with NATO stocks either.

AUG's are quality rifles, as long as there is no obvious signs of abuse or damage I would have no qualms about buying a used AUG.

And welcome to the forum!

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Sorry, i forgott to mention - im not from USA, CZ actually. Since both, malaysians army (created under licence in Malaysia) and austrias police version came in same time i expect that they were alter to semi-auto via steyr or steyrs parts (its practically our neighbor, but its good point, i have to check who and how made it into semi.
Scope will be propably problem since i guess that would be most aged component in case of police versions

Malaysian army version costs about 890 dolars (+/- same as Norinco AR15), austria police ones 1000 and new A3 2800, mags are about 30 (via brownells which isnt that reliable over here), which is about same as AR-15 mags, so for me point of AR15 mags are mostly from "survial" view (our main army weapon - Bren 805/Bren 2 uses AR15 mags). Dealer confirmed that some of this A1 accepts AR15 mags

I will probably buy that police version, but we are currently in quite a hard lockdown and im waiting for my licence and new batch of "lefty" guns. So maybe in january...

A couple of comments:

First, I'm very impressed you are allowed to own one of these as a civilian anywhere in the EU. I can't even buy one under my particular US state restrictions. Do you need a special category of license to qualify?

Second, is that $890 US dollars? Woah -- that would be a serious bargain here. AUGs sell for quite a bit more here, when you can find one. I haven't checked prices lately, but AUGs are probably double or triple the cost of a typical AR-15 in the States.

 

[1KPerDay]

im waiting for my licence and new batch of "lefty" guns.

Howdy, please explain what you mean by "lefty" guns. "lefty" is slang for "left-handed" in the US. If you shoot from your left shoulder, you'll need to buy the left-handed bolt for your AUG. If you meant something else, never mind.

 

[Idahou]

And welcome to the forum!

Thanks.
I would say that there is some issue with mag release and bolt-hold-open with AR15 mags but i found these bits just in few videos and brief comments, so i guess its nothing big...

...

So far its same category as pistols and revolvers, in few months there will be new cathegory for weapons what was originally built as automatic ones, but its more about byrocracy than restriction. And its not same in all EU, we have quite benevolent acces to guns, but very strict laws about handling (if you just show gun in public, there is SWAT on you in few minutes and so...). Its mostly because just about 3% of population have gun licence and we have low criminality (well, at least in "armer robery" cathegory)

And yes, its US dollars. Well, you have restriction on import, but for us, there is steyr factory just like 350 clicks away

...

Yeah, i mean left handed and i expect they will be more expensive, but still hoping that not much sicne even in asutria police and malaysia army are some left handed shooters for sure. That mentioned batch should be already with left bolt

 

[halfmoonclip]

Have an MSAR AUG; it has always run 100%, and it is amazingly short for a barrel that optimizes the 5.56 round.
The butt-heavy balance takes some getting used to.
Would loved to have a real Steyr, but they were out of reach.
Prices are different in Eurp, we keep hearing that about Walther pistols.
For the OP, glad things are looking up in the Czech Republic. What do you think of the CZ Scorpion?
Moon

 

[Idahou]

So you would like Steyr version just for the "feel" or you think its have some adventage?
Its mostly about logisctic - over here you cant get for example Kel Tec and if, its for high price.
Its not that bright, since we have quite a lot gun incidents (just things like drunk shooting, destruction of property) latelty, probably because pandemic stress and if it will continue, it coulde mean some more restriction. That said, its thrue that some part of geting gun license are kinda joke.
You mean Cz Scorpion Evo 3 or original Scorpion in 7,65 Br?
Evo 3 is great weapon it really feels like proper rifle, shoting is fun and breeze and mags are cheap. But for me, with limited gun budget, isnt 9mm carbine priority.
Didnt shoot the original Scorpion vz.61, my friend (policemen) did and wasnt exactly excited, but its magic is in compact size, there are also new 22Lr version, which could be fun - http://www.csa.co.cz/products

 

[hq]

First, I'm very impressed you are allowed to own one of these as a civilian anywhere in the EU.

In spite of EU firearms directives, actual laws vary by country widely. CZ is one of the most permissive countries, Finland is still hanging there although licensing has become a bit heavier lately. Even full autos of any vintage are still ok as long as you're an approved collector. Semi autos converted from machine guns are now a gray area but my son got himself a genuine AK55 (Hungarian AK47) with a simple deer rifle permit lately.

$(€?)890-1000 for an AUG doesn't sound like a bad deal. Fortunately sales and transfers between EU countries are fairly easy and cheap to arrange so I may have to look into this myself now. Not that I'd need yet another .223/5.56 and AUG looks - IMO - like a pressure washer rather than a rifle, but still...

 

[Idahou]

Yeah, over here in CZ, we are making "gun community" part of "national defence". It sounds logical since we cant mantain large army and due to our location it would be quite pointless, but its mostly just to avoid EU restrictions. But as i said before, there is completly diffrent situations than in US since in overall there is many weapons and we have very low criminality in connection with guns.

Its i US $, i guess same guns will be avalaible in Finland too, dealer said its few hundred guns and i think thats too much for CZ...

 

[FL-NC]

Yes, we had the older first version for training at the SF weapons course. The trigger and scope were awful.

 

[halfmoonclip]

idahou, funny you should ask about both Scorpions, old and new, as I have both as Class III. The .32 is a ball to shoot (and I reload .32s), but here it requires a $200 tax stamp to put the wire stock back on.
The current Scorp is a honey in my estimation; shoots straight, works all the time, cheap mags. It has an OEM stock and a stamp as well.
Of course, neither are select fire here.
Moon

 

[Idahou]

wow, 200$ is almost price of surplus scorpion. I really would say that your restrictions are more like ways how to get money from you...

So im kinda decided to get that Aug, it depends on price of lefty version and... well, level of stupidity in my country since i cant get my licence due to lockdown and we will hit third wave for sure + even after lockdown i will have wait month or two just to get tests for licence.

Anyway i was searching but could not find if there is way how to repari/replace A1 optics. Are they that durable or what? I did my research and looks like there is almost no part what can die on Aug just by age without extreme shooting, but that optic is quite mystery in that sence

 

[DocRock]

wow, 200$ is almost price of surplus scorpion. I really would say that your restrictions are more like ways how to get money from you...

Trust a Czech to call out government BS when he hears it! Nailed it.

 

[Speedo66]

When the NFA laws were put into effect in 1934, $200 was a crap ton of money, nowadays not so much.

I worry about some bureaucrat taking notice and trying to amp it up to a few thou$and.

 

[lemaymiami]

Given our current political climate I'm sure that someone on the "new" administration will point out that raising the fees might just inhibit purchasers... Pray that the fee is written into law and not easy to change.

 

[swg1]

Had one of the few A1 imported in the US, lacking replacement parts, I couldn't bring myself to shoot it a lot so I traded it for a low mile Suzuki SV650 from a buddy -- he still has the rifle. Later I picked up a US built AUG (Not MSAR) to replace it and I've been very happy with it with both original and NATO stocks. The only issue I had with the original was the optic was more than adequate for its intended purpose, but wasn't all that precise for target shooting. I do prefer the 20inch barrel of the original to the 16in of current versions and swapped that out as soon as possible.

 

[benEzra]

AUGs are great rifles.

Here’s an article on AUGs from a U.S. LE perspective:

http://hardwiredtacticalshooting.com/blog/item/31-aug-original-article

and a long thread on AUGs over at Pistol Forum:

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?14062-Let-s-talk-about-the-AUG/

 

[Master Blaster]

As you get older the ability to mount different sighting systems becomes really important on a rifle, if you plan to hit anything at a distance.

You may want to reconsider. Unless you are buying it for cool factor, an AR with a rail is a much better choice.

 

[Idahou]

Thanks for articles and opinions

Im aware of modularity of AR-15 and i see it as huge benefit, but the thing is, over here is diffrent situation than in US. Shooting ranges with 100 or more meter (109 yards) are rare and kinda far and we cant shoot elswhere. Plus its not my last rifle for sure.
So its negative that optic is fixed, but not that big and its also benefit because for price of low end AR15, it already have at least some optic (non-airsoft optics cost here about 200 US dollars.
In current situation is for me better rifle what is universal without additional costs and thats Aug (longer barrel in shorter package, optic, higher build quality compare to low end AR15)
It also have quite a good resale value.
Note that above reassons apply on that used Augs only, i would never buy it for full price (well, not at this moment)
And yes, cool factor is also in play, im man and we just love cool things, dont we?

So yeah, im somehow decided for that Aug (but that doesnt mean its end of disscusion), but its very possible that lefty version will be just too expensive or that i will actually not get my licence untill it will be sold (i really have no clue for how long in stay in stock) since given current situation it looks like i will have chance to get it in may or even later + and if its not enough, there is now new gun laws in play, which means changes in licensing process (mostly in written tests)

 

[czhen]

For some unexplained reasons, I found no appealing over Steyr Augs rifle, proven though.