I recently acquired another flash-back to the 1980's with a near-NIB 9mm Steyr GB purchased on consignment from Calgary Shooting Centre. The "GB" stands for "Gas Brake" in Austrian, which is the method of operation. The Steyr GB features a fixed Barrel akin to lower-power pistols such as the Makarov and Walther PP and PPK. In order to accommodate the much hotter 9mm NATO round, the action features a Gas-Delayed Blowback operation wherein gas pressure tapped off of the bore enters a cylinder around the front of the Barrel, forcing the Action closed until the Bullet has left the Barrel and pressure has dropped to a safe level. The Steyr GB is a large-frame, single and double-action service-pistol which feeds from a very large (for the time) 18-round double-feed Magazine. It features a folded and welded sheet-steel Lower Receiver with a Polymer Trigger Guard. The Slide is machined from a billet of steel and features a long sight radius which combined with the fixed Barrel results in enhanced Accuracy. Due to the Gas-Delayed Blow-Back operation the Steyr GB is a very soft-shooting handgun. It was considered a shoe-in for the Austrian Pistol Trial of the early 1980's, however a surprise entry from a relatively unknown Bayonet manufacturer named Gaston Glock stole the show. As a result, the Steyr GB never really found the military contracts that it was originally destined to fulfill. In the end, less than 30,000 were manufactured and original guns in good condition now fetch a premium on US Auction sites. Magazines alone fetch $200-$300 depending on condition.
