Steyr M9A1 no loaded chamber indicator?
- Thread starter Bg2xbq
- Start date
Can you post a picture of your pistol? Or give me the 3 letter date code and the serial number with X's for the last two digits?
The M9A1 and M40A1 pistols that I have seen in Canada all have a loaded chamber indicator which is basically a long, spring-loaded, rod that runs from the breachface to the back of the slide. On the breachface side it looks like a little cone that sticks out (see below). When a round is chambered it causes a little protrusion to stick out the back of the slide that the shooter can see and feel.
This is on the 2004-2008 models of the M9A1 and M40A1 pistols. This part can be removed, but there will still be a hole in the breach face and hole in the back of the slide.
1999-2003 = Steyr M pistols
2004-2008 = Steyr MA1 pistols
2010-present = redesigned MA1 pistols
The new pistols have a totally different serial number range. The new ones have a 7 digit serial number starting with a 2 or a 3. The old (2004-2008) ones have a 6 digit number, probably starting with a 0. The new ones all have "W" as the middle letter in the three letter date code. The old A1's all have "O" as the middle letter.
The redesigned ones, from what I understand, have ditched the loaded chamber indicator. They also have a redesigned trigger and extractor, and I believe the grip is a bit different as well. To my knowledge, these newer 7-digit serial number guns have not been imported to Canada as of yet. If you have one, let know. A redesigned gun will also have a left-to-right rollpin beneath the rear sight.
The other possibility is that maybe you have one of the old 1999-2003 "M" guns. They are a different colour. Sort of blue/black instead of gray.
The M9A1 and M40A1 pistols that I have seen in Canada all have a loaded chamber indicator which is basically a long, spring-loaded, rod that runs from the breachface to the back of the slide. On the breachface side it looks like a little cone that sticks out (see below). When a round is chambered it causes a little protrusion to stick out the back of the slide that the shooter can see and feel.
This is on the 2004-2008 models of the M9A1 and M40A1 pistols. This part can be removed, but there will still be a hole in the breach face and hole in the back of the slide.
1999-2003 = Steyr M pistols
2004-2008 = Steyr MA1 pistols
2010-present = redesigned MA1 pistols
The new pistols have a totally different serial number range. The new ones have a 7 digit serial number starting with a 2 or a 3. The old (2004-2008) ones have a 6 digit number, probably starting with a 0. The new ones all have "W" as the middle letter in the three letter date code. The old A1's all have "O" as the middle letter.
The redesigned ones, from what I understand, have ditched the loaded chamber indicator. They also have a redesigned trigger and extractor, and I believe the grip is a bit different as well. To my knowledge, these newer 7-digit serial number guns have not been imported to Canada as of yet. If you have one, let know. A redesigned gun will also have a left-to-right rollpin beneath the rear sight.
The other possibility is that maybe you have one of the old 1999-2003 "M" guns. They are a different colour. Sort of blue/black instead of gray.
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Tks a lot for reply!
My one has a SN: 0###XX, and here are the pictures.
My one has a SN: 0###XX, and here are the pictures.
Can you post a picture of your pistol? Or give me the 3 letter date code and the serial number with X's for the last two digits?
The M9A1 and M40A1 pistols that I have seen in Canada all have a loaded chamber indicator which is basically a long, spring-loaded, rod that runs from the breachface to the back of the slide. On the breachface side it looks like a little cone that sticks out (see below). When a round is chambered it causes a little protrusion to stick out the back of the slide that the shooter can see and feel.
This is on the 2004-2008 models of the M9A1 and M40A1 pistols. This part can be removed, but there will still be a hole in the breach face and hole in the back of the slide.
1999-2003 = Steyr M pistols
2004-2008 = Steyr MA1 pistols
2010-present = redesigned MA1 pistols
The new pistols have a totally different serial number range. The new ones have a 7 digit serial number starting with a 2 or a 3. The old (2004-2008) ones have a 5 digit number, probably starting with a 0. The new ones all have "W" as the middle letter in the three letter date code. The old A1's all have "O" as the middle letter.
The redesigned ones, from what I understand, have ditched the loaded chamber indicator. They also have a redesigned trigger and extractor, and I believe the grip is a bit different as well. To my knowledge, these newer 7-digit serial number guns have not been imported to Canada as of yet. If you have one, let know. A redesigned gun will also have a left-to-right rollpin beneath the rear sight.
The other possibility is that maybe you have one of the old 1999-2003 "M" guns. They are a different colour. Sort of blue/black instead of gray.
Yah, definitely no loaded chamber indicator on that one. What is the three letter date code then, if you don't mind? It definitely is not one of the newer guns. I think it must be an early A1 or something. You can get right down to the month it was built with the date code.
This one that I used to own is typical of the ones in Canada. It is an "LOH" (February, 06):
The A1's with the serial numbers starting with 0 that I have seen have looked like this: There is a hole at the back for the loaded chamber indicator, and there is that cone-shaped thing on the breachface. As some others are saying, the loaded chamber indicator system on those pistols is not the best. It can mark up the brass and it also seems to negatively effect reliable extraction. I believe Steyr has since dropped this sytem. They should just use an extractor-based loaded chamber indicator like almost everyone else.
On the right:
It is probably an earlier A1. I'm not too sure.
This one that I used to own is typical of the ones in Canada. It is an "LOH" (February, 06):
The A1's with the serial numbers starting with 0 that I have seen have looked like this: There is a hole at the back for the loaded chamber indicator, and there is that cone-shaped thing on the breachface. As some others are saying, the loaded chamber indicator system on those pistols is not the best. It can mark up the brass and it also seems to negatively effect reliable extraction. I believe Steyr has since dropped this sytem. They should just use an extractor-based loaded chamber indicator like almost everyone else.
On the right:
It is probably an earlier A1. I'm not too sure.
So, what is the conclusion here?
I guess some of the 2004-2008 guns have the loaded chamber indicator, and some do not.
It is a 'Canadian' model if it has an extended barrel which is serial numbered to the frame - which it seems that it does. The guns have to have extended barrels to be imported to Canada at all.
As I was mentioning before, I think this is why there are none of the redesigned pistols (2010-) in Canada. Steyr would have to make some for the Canadian market and, currently at least, somewhere between none and almost none Steyr products are being imported to this country. What you see for sale among the sight sponsors and in the EE is just a sifting through of what has been imported in the past.
I guess some of the 2004-2008 guns have the loaded chamber indicator, and some do not.
It is a 'Canadian' model if it has an extended barrel which is serial numbered to the frame - which it seems that it does. The guns have to have extended barrels to be imported to Canada at all.
As I was mentioning before, I think this is why there are none of the redesigned pistols (2010-) in Canada. Steyr would have to make some for the Canadian market and, currently at least, somewhere between none and almost none Steyr products are being imported to this country. What you see for sale among the sight sponsors and in the EE is just a sifting through of what has been imported in the past.
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