Disapointed with reality?

[Steve]

Have you ever been disapointed with a rifle which you've maybe admired for years and finally had a go?

Ever since i saw one in my yoof,i always liked the futuristic design of the Steyr AUG and a while back got the chance of having a go with one.Sadly i wish i hadnt because it shattered all the mental build up i had from 30+ years.

It was awful to hold and really really really clunky.Maybe a self loader is better,but i really was disapointed in this straight pull example.

[Tower75]

I've heard that their triggers are naff too.

The Australian army apparently hate theirs.

[ovenpaa]

I had a look at one at FRS a few years ago and remember I was not impressed at the time but my taste in rifles has changed since then. It would still not be high up in my list of things to put in the cabinet.

One I did like was an Italian AR rep in .22LR – the one I looked at was sub 300 quid and I do wish I had said yes at the time.

[Dangermouse]

I have a colleague who owns one and he raves about his, so much so that I almost ignored all that I have heard and went for one. The only reason I have not is that I am not convinced that you could fire them weak handed, so no good for practical rifle,

DM

[kennyc]

having had the opportunity to use one in straight pull a few times, I would agree that the trigger is terrible, although a trigger tamer improves it considerably, there is also an annoying "twang" from alongside your ear, from all the bits vibrating in the stock. However they are pretty accurate, and great fun at 600 yrds and I like a challenge, too many of the rifles I get to shoot are soulless and too "easy" to hit the target with, its nice to try something different.

SteyrAUG.jpg

[Rifleman798]

Agreed that the triggers are absolute pants on the Straight pull. However the Mil spec is a deadly accurate piece of Kit. Have shot alongside the Aussies/New Zealand and also the Sultan of Oman Armed forces shooting team. The Omani's had match grade barrels and some quality ammo which may have helped a little. I saw some impressive groups shot and was happy to put some rounds down range also.

[Sandgroper]

I used one for 5 years in the RAAF. As a military rifle (and a bullpup) I really found it was very, very good. The main problem was the weakness of the cocking handle - I broke mine and was issued a left handled one and found that I shot better left handed!

As for the trigger, it is the mechanism for changing from SA to FA. Normal squeeze SA, big big squeeze FA. Not having shot the "civi" UK version, I would put any problems with the trigger being a leftover from the military version.

I've heard that their triggers are naff too.

The Australian army apparently hate theirs.

Considering, that we (RAAF) got ours in 1992 (about 18 months after the Army) and it's almost 2012 and it has been taken to East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan without any major problems or redesigns - it can't be all that bad.

Would I take it to War - Yes, most definitely.

[Sim G]

Problem with Bullpup triggers is that the linkage is far too long to get a decent pull. Obviously the length is necessary for the design and there is very little you can do with it....

[Scotsgun]

Never shot the straight pull but the mill spec is no worse than other bullpups. What i really disliked was the optics mounted in the carry handle - poor eye relief, cramped neck, etc.......
What i really found i liked was the transparent mags. Never as confidence inspiring as a steel one, but being able to see at a glance how many rounds you're carrying and have to use

Oh and the balance on the LSW model is awful.

[dave_303]

I used one in Switzerland (SLR format) I didn't mind it, fairly accurate, but it's abit awkward to hold and eye relief wasn't brilliant, moreover it didn't impress me to remember it well. When I used the StG 90 I fell in love with it and the memory of using the AUG faded,