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Penguin
03-05-2011, 07:04 PM
So I made the mistake of going to the gun store today. I was looking around and remebered why it took me so long to get around to getting an FAL. Curiosity got the better of me though and I finially looked at an AUG. I am passingly familier with them but had never handeled one at all before. I was well impressed. So now I want to know more about them. I doubt I will got one but I am mulling the idea over.

The one at the store was OD and had the little 1.5 power or so scope. It also had what looked like a 10 round mag. I was impressed with how light the rifle felt. Also it is one of those cases where the sights just line up right. It felt like a comfortable rifle. I don't like the fact that it is 5.56, I don't care for the round. I also didn't like the price tag $2099, OWCH! So I doubt I will get one, I can think of other things I would rather spend that kind of money on.

So I have done a little digging and, have some questions. So here is a brief run down of what I think I know. Let me know if any of this is wrong. It looks like 16" is the standard barrel length. That would have been my guess looking at this one on what it comes with. From what I have read today it looks like they are crome lined which I think is a huge plus. It also looks like they can be swaped out quickly too a? Also it looks like you can get them in 20" which is what I would prefer. Can you get them that way or do you have to order a new barrel seperatly? Can you get them with a bayonet lug?

Also I have heard that some have a rail instead of that sight. I don't know that I care that much. I am not a huge fan of a million rails but I can see where it would be nice to put a red dot on it. The scope seems decent. How well does it work in low light?

I liked the clear mag that let you check to see how much ammo you have left easily. How much are spare mags? Are they 32 round mags. I seem to recall that but then it looks like they come in 10, 20, 30 and, 42 round capacaties. I would guess that if they are 30 round mags most AR mag pouches would work? How hard is it to find mag pouches for the mags?

How relible are the rifles? Are the trigers as bad as I hear? Any thing else I should know?

Penguin
03-05-2011, 07:06 PM
Oh yeah came up with some other questions. I seem to recall that one of the two companies stoped making theirs right? I seem to also recall they come in two different versions, one takes M-16 mags the other takes special mags right?

AKTexas
03-05-2011, 07:07 PM
If you don't like the 5.56,get and RFB from KelTec.Uses FAL mags.Price tag is a bit high but less than the Aug.

FunkyPertwee
03-05-2011, 07:10 PM
the MSAR AUG clones go for $999 when there on sale usually at CDNN. The version that takes M16 mags cost around $1400 when on sale.

I'd like a 16" OD green railed model that takes AR mags.

AUG mags are bigger than AR mags, trigger should feel similar to a glock, and if its not reliable, MSAR will make it reliable.

Sorry, I don't know much about the Styer made ones. Oh, and the barrels are quick change.

Oh yeah, and MSAR offers the E4 model in 7.62x39, 5.45, and 6.8 as well as regular 5.56

Penguin
03-05-2011, 07:12 PM
If you don't like the 5.56,get and RFB from KelTec.Uses FAL mags.Price tag is a bit high but less than the Aug.

I would like to look at the RFB but I am as of yet to even see one. I have been looking too.I wonder if you can mod one to take inch instad of metric FAL mags. I would guess that you could.

FunkyPertwee
03-05-2011, 07:13 PM
Styer stopped making the AUG A3, MSAR makes the STG-556 that uses AUG mags, and the STG-E4 that takes AR mags. They are usually $999 and $1400 respectively, when on sale.

Penguin
03-05-2011, 07:14 PM
Yet another question I came up with sorry. It looked like you can change them from right to left hand right? How hard is it to do that? Does the gun come with all the stuff to do that or would you have to order more parts. Any idea what barrels for those things cost?

Penguin
03-05-2011, 07:16 PM
Styer stopped making the AUG A3, MSAR makes the STG-556 that uses AUG mags, and the STG-E4 that takes AR mags. They are usually $999 and $1400 respectively, when on sale.

I wonder why the gun store wants so much for one. At 2100 I can't see me buying one. At $1400 or less I might do it especially around $1000. I may have to look around see if I can't find one cheaper.

imanaknut
03-05-2011, 07:16 PM
$2100 for a true Steyr AUG is a steal!!!!!!

But there were three main versions, and variations exist, but you can bank on the following:

Black receiver must have a 16 inch barrel. Make sure serial numbers match, there were black fakes using cut down 20 inch barrels.

Green receivers were all 20 inch barrels, and came in two versions, the A1 with fixed scope/carry handle and A2 with removable scope/carry handle.

Gray receivers were all post-Bush ban rifles mark USR and had an extra piece of plastic to make a sort of Bush-hole stock, and had a heavy non-threaded barrel.

Check here: http://www.steyr-aug.com/buy_a_new_aug.htm for some great info to help you make sure you get what you paid for.

Later, Steyr licensed a US company to make another version that really didn't sell well, but was still a nice version of the original. I believe it was called an A3.

Penguin
03-05-2011, 07:21 PM
$2100 for a true Steyr AUG is a steal!!!!!!

But there were three main versions, and variations exist, but you can bank on the following:

Black receiver must have a 16 inch barrel. Make sure serial numbers match, there were black fakes using cut down 20 inch barrels.

Green receivers were all 20 inch barrels, and came in two versions, the A1 with fixed scope/carry handle and A2 with removable scope/carry handle.

Gray receivers were all post-Bush ban rifles mark USR and had an extra piece of plastic to make a sort of Bush-hole stock, and had a heavy non-threaded barrel.

Thanks for the info. I don't know who made this one, I should have looked. Maybe that is why it is so much. It has the green reciver which is what I think I would want that or the tan. I doubt the barrel was 20" though, I was guessing 16" but, it is a guess I should have asked. I don't know if you could remove the scope or not. That would be a nice feature. That way you can keep it (kind of liked it) but change it out later if you want. Thanks for the info.

imanaknut
03-05-2011, 07:31 PM
It does pay to learn as much as you can about these before spending big dollars because although the knock-offs were nice rifles, they would not command the prices that a true pre-ban Steyr AUG commands.

You might also search Gunbroker for "aug" and see the new versions versus the original.

FunkyPertwee
03-05-2011, 07:38 PM
For $2100, it was just an overpriced MSAR.

The prices I listed are usually only available a couple times a year. Shops and everywhere else jack up the price because production is low.

Penguin
03-05-2011, 07:46 PM
It does pay to learn as much as you can about these before spending big dollars because although the knock-offs were nice rifles, they would not command the prices that a true pre-ban Steyr AUG commands.

You might also search Gunbroker for "aug" and see the new versions versus the original.

That is why I am playing a million questions first. Other than the fact that the Styer isn't imported or made any more what makes it worth so much more now that the ban has expired? Is it just a colocters premium price for the orginal real deal or what? Are they better made than the other?


For $2100, it was just an overpriced MSAR.

The prices I listed are usually only available a couple times a year. Shops and everywhere else jack up the price because production is low.

Good to know thanks.

Another good quesiton on one of the web sites I was looking it looked like you could get it in other calibers as well, the 6.8 7.62x39 and 5.45. Does any one know anything about that? Are those rifles rechambered in that caliber ir is it something you can convert the rifle to do by changing out the barrel and say bolt? If so this rifle is looking really good when I don't like 5.56 but had the option to change calibers latter if I desired.

FunkyPertwee
03-05-2011, 07:52 PM
I believe that the caliber can be changed by swapping bolt and barrel and mags.

To change from right to left hand ejection you need a kit that includes a new bolt (I think) and some other stuff.

I've wanted an MSAR for quite a while. I have a Bushmaster bullpup already, and the other day I compared a FN FS2000 and a MSAR STG-556 16" side by side. The MSAR felt much better. It was light, slim, and seemed to follow the KISS principal. The FS 2000 was bulky and appeared to have an over complex ejection method. I was able to figure out all of the controls and the order of operations on the STG-556 based on my experience with other battle rifles. The FS 2000 I was lost. It felt like a robot gun from Halo or something. I was sold on the MASR (again).

Now I just need to sell some other toys, get a job, and start saving up. :D

Penguin
03-05-2011, 07:57 PM
I beleive that the caliber can be changed by swapping bolt and barrel and mags.

To change from right to left hand ejection you need a kit that includes a new bolt (I think) and some other stuff.

I've wanted an MSAR for quite a while. I have a Bushmaster bullpup already, and the other day I compared a FN FS2000 and a MSAR STG-556 16" side by side. The MSAR felt much better. It was light, slim, and seemed to follow the KISS principal. The FS 200 was buly and appeared to have an over complex ejection method. I was able to figure out all of the controls and the order of operations on the STG-556 based on my experience with other battle rifles. The FS 2000 I was lost. It felt like a robot gun from Halo or something. I was sold on the MASR (again).

Now I just need to sell some other toys, get a job, and start saving up. :D

I have looked at the FS2000 not impressed at all. I thought mag changes were a pain and the gun did not feel right in the least. The only thing I liked was you could shoot it off either shoulder with out messing with it. Other than that I hated it. I also didn't like how you couldn't check to see if it was chambered. At least I couldn't tell how. I can only imagine how much fun clearing a jam from one would be.

imanaknut
03-05-2011, 08:38 PM
The reason the original Steyr AUG and USR command so much is that with the Bush-ban in 1989, there is no expiration, so there will be no more original AUGs, and once william jefferson clinton found out that the USR existed, he had it added to the "banned by name" list, so no more of those can be imported.

The new current generation ones must meet the sporting purpose clause of the second amendment, meaning they must be made with a certain amount of US parts. I believe all three of the recent examples were in fact US made, leaving the original banned ones as the only imported versions available, and in very limited quantities.




I believe the different calibers were nothing more than someone's dreams. The Steyrs only came in as 5.56x45 with a couple very rare in 9mm.

FunkyPertwee
03-05-2011, 08:42 PM
MSAR offers the STG-E4 in different calibers.

imanaknut
03-05-2011, 08:50 PM
MSAR offers the STG-E4 in different calibers.

Thank you, didn't know that. Now I can say I learned something today!!!! :thumbsup:

Schuetzenman
03-05-2011, 10:26 PM
Penguin,
http://www.msarinc.com/stg-556-E4.html follow these links to read up on the MSAR rifles.

Personally, I've handled the MSAR and did not get wow'ed by it. I don't like the waffle pattern Aug mags that cost 2X what a quality M16 mag costs. I don't like the mag release on the stock. For me it was clunky to reach and the mag didn't eject and drop freen when depressed. Last point I'm not certain of but I think it does not have a last round hold open feature.

FunkyPertwee
03-05-2011, 10:42 PM
Penguin,
http://www.msarinc.com/stg-556-E4.html follow these links to read up on the MSAR rifles.

Personally, I've handled the MSAR and did not get wow'ed by it. I don't like the waffle pattern Aug mags that cost 2X what a quality M16 mag costs. I don't like the mag release on the stock. For me it was clunky to reach and the mag didn't eject and drop freen when depressed. Last point I'm not certain of but I think it does not have a last round hold open feature.

The E4 version uses M16 mags so no problem there. They do in fact have a last round hold open. Also, the charging handle can be pushed into a detent when pulled to the rear, so that it holds the bolt open manually like an HK roller lock style weapon.

STG-556 = AUG mags = $999 when on sale
STG-E4 = M16 mags = $1399 when on sale

I've always had a thing for bullpups and really want the STG-E4. I wish the price would come down like it has with Sig-556. It should be no more than $999 for an E4, but oh well. Maybe they'll eventually come down like the Sig.

Penguin
03-05-2011, 11:16 PM
Thanks for the info so far. So If I am getting this right only the version that takes M-16 mags can switch callibers a?

FunkyPertwee
03-05-2011, 11:27 PM
Thanks for the info so far. So If I am getting this right only the version that takes M-16 mags can switch callibers a?

I don't know.

The E4 in 5.56 takes M16 mags. The E4 is also available in different calibers. But I don't know if an E4 can change calibers.

I think so, but I don't know. I've only drooled over them, don't own one. Because the AUG, and the MSAR clones as well, have the quick change upper (forward really) assembly, and because the bolt is meant to change somewhat quickly for right to left hand ejection conversion, and also because every caliber E4 uses the M16/AR mag in that caliber, I would think they should be able to change.

However, once you buy all the parts for the conversion, you may as well spend another $200 or so on a spare stock (receiver) and just have a whole different gun.

Crash
03-05-2011, 11:44 PM
I have an MSAR E-4 and I'm a leftie, all you need for the conversion is a new bolt. Put the new bolt in and put the ejection port shield on the other side and you're good to go.
They did have an issue with the mag releases not working that well so they had a recall, it took them a couple of weeks to do the work and get the stock back to me. I have no complaints with mine. It came with the see thru mags and I was told that an AR drum mag will work in it but I haven't tried it. The MSAR also comes with either optics or rail, I chose the optics and bought a top rail for it as well. It also comes with a bunch of rails that you can add if you want. I just added one for a light that has a pressure switch taped to the front grip.

FunkyPertwee
03-05-2011, 11:49 PM
Now that I'm all hot for an E4 again, I read on another forum that CDNN had a sale on 20" E4 models for $1299. Cheapest I've seen yet.

AKTexas
03-06-2011, 06:15 PM
I would like to look at the RFB but I am as of yet to even see one. I have been looking too.I wonder if you can mod one to take inch instad of metric FAL mags. I would guess that you could.

I do not know much about that.I just like the idea of cheap mags.

Schuetzenman
03-06-2011, 07:28 PM
Your observation that the E4 is over priced is IMO correct. Make it match the other version in price and it might be worth looking at.

kimberkid
03-09-2011, 08:57 PM
I just looked on GunBroker and they have AUG A3's listed between $1950 and $2100

I've owned an A1, Special Receiver and still have my A2. The AUG has always had a last round bolt hold open ... they've had a NATO stock for at about 20 years thats accepts AR/M16 mags. There's also a bayo lug available for the 16" & 20" pre-ban barrels ... the A2 and USR have the detachable scope which can be replaced with a rail ... and none have ever been recovered at a crime scene. One of the draw backs is accessories are expensive but on the upside, it will always hold its value over a clone.

I don't know alot about the A3 except that its US compliant and compatible with all the earlier versions ... stocks barrels trigger packs etc.

For pre-ban guns there were 3,000 black 16" guns, 6,000 Green 20" guns and 1250 Special Receivers (stripped) imported before the 89 ban ... then 3,000 gray USR's with 18" barrels got under the wire in 97 before Clinton stopped all the "Bush-hole" guns. If you remember there were real (but neutered) Norinco MAK-90's & HK 41's and SR9's also coming prior to that.

This is my A2 that I've been shooting and picking up accessories for since '98 ... still need another bayo lug for my 20" barrel if anyone has one!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v40/kimberkid/Toys/Steyr_AUG_A2.jpg

I know even less about the MSAR's other than they had some problems in the beginning but had good customer service to back them up ...

FunkyPertwee
03-09-2011, 10:27 PM
Nice rifle KimberKid! :thumbsup:

I would hate to really use something that costs that much, knowing how few were imported. I'm sure I'd baby it.

Penguin
03-09-2011, 10:54 PM
Looksl ike a nice gun kimberkid.

I went back to the gun store tonight. The one they have is an MSAR STG-556. It has a 16" barrel. I like it but not the price and not the 16" barrel. I think I will keep looking see if I can't find a 20" one cheaper some time.

Texas Soldado
01-20-2012, 02:29 PM
Ratworx sells accessories for the AUG & MSAR. A left-hand bolt conversion is $125.
They used to sell bolts and barrels for 6.8, although I don't think I have ever seen 7.62x39.

Keep in mind if you get a 'collectible' Steyr AUG and pay 3K for it, are you ever really going to want to take it out and shoot it? get dings from the ejected brass on it?

If you want one to shoot MSAR is the best bet, if you want an investment... you could get a Steyr but gold bullion is probably a better bet.... more of a market to sell gold than a uber expensive rifle.

imanaknut
01-20-2012, 03:10 PM
Glad you brought this up Tex! Funny you should because today I saw my first MSAR in 7.62x39, and according to the seller, there were 200 made, but unsold ones were returned to Microtech and broken down into parts. Talk about a rare rifle!!!