Steyr M pistol series

The Steyr M is a series of semi-automatic pistols developed by Steyr Mannlicher of Austria for police services and the civilian shooting market.

History and Design

Design work on the Steyr M series began in the early 1990s and was led by Austrian firearm designer and retired police officer Wilhelm Bubits, who had previously helped design the original Glock pistol. After designing the Steyr M, Bubits went on to design the Caracal F, the BB Techs BB6 and the Taurus TS9. Friedrich Aigner, Steyr's chief engineer, was also heavily involved in the design process and held the patents for the Steyr M designs. Aigner also designed the Steyr TMP. The final product, known as the M9, was officially unveiled in the spring of 1999. In addition to 9x19mm, the M-series is also offered in other calibers, such as .40 S&W and .357 SIG (designated the M40 and M357, respectively). .357 SIG models were built until 2014.

There are four total variants of the M class: the M, the S, the C and the L. The M (Medium) is the mid-sized flagship model introduced in 1999, featuring a compact frame and slide size as well as 15 round magazines. The S (Sub-Compact/Small) was the second model, introduced in 2004 and designed with concealed carry in mind. The S models have a shortened barrel, slide, smaller frame and a reduced magazine capacity of 10 rounds. The C (Compact) pairs the S barrel lengths to the M form factor grip, similar to the Beretta Centurion series. In 2013, the L (Large) models were introduced, the L models have a 115 mm (4.5 in) barrel length and ​additional serrations on the front of the longer slides. The L models also have a longer grip that accepts 17 round magazines.

So far, the series has gone through four variations. The original M models were produced from 1999 to 2004 and are considered "first generation" designs. These models have relatively smooth frames and round trigger guards. The "second generation" designs were produced from 2004 until 2010 and are designated the "A1" models. These incorporated improvements such as increased grip texturing, stippling on the finger grooves, a straightened trigger guard and a single-slot accessory rail. In 2010, the "third generation models" are essentially just second generation models with the Steyr logo on the frame, a reversible magazine release button, a roll pin under the rear sight, an improved trigger and magaiznes that come standard with a plus-two round baseplate. These were produced for almost a decade and are the most common variant. In 2019, the "fourth generation" was introduced, now referred to as the A2 MF. These pistols are substantially different, featuring far more aggressive grip texturing, smaller finger grooves, front cocking serrations, a squared trigger guard, a standard Picatinny rail for accessories, and interchangeable backstraps and side plates. All generations of the M series will accept the same magazines.

The Steyr M pistol series and variants can be seen in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors:

Steyr M9

Steyr M9 - 9x19mm

Specifications

(1999 - 2004)

• Type: 9x19mm

• Caliber: 9x19mm

• Weight: 1.6 lbs (0.75 kg)

• Length: 6.9 in (17.6 cm)

• Barrel length: 4.0 in (10.1 cm)

• Capacity: 10, 14, 15

• Fire Modes: Semi-Auto

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Anime

Film Title	Character	Notation	Date
Full Metal Panic!			2002

Steyr M9-A1

Steyr M9-A1 (second generation) - 9x19mm. This is a real blank adapted movie gun.

Steyr M9-A1 (third generation) - 9x19mm. Third-generation models are identified by the Steyr target insignia on the grip.

Specifications

(2004 - 2019)

• Type: Pistol

• Caliber: 9x19mm

• Weight: 1.9 lbs (0.85 kg)

• Length: 6.9 in (17.6 cm)

• Barrel length: 4 in (10.2 cm)

• Capacity: 10, 14, 15, 17

• Fire Modes: Semi-Auto

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Film

Title	Actor	Character	Note	Date
Taxi 4			Seen in weapons cache	2007
Transporter 3		A hitman		2008
Largo Winch	Steven Waddington	Stephan Marcus		2008
Off Limits (Gardiens de l'ordre)	Foued Nassah	Joseph		2010
Off Limits (Gardiens de l'ordre)	Fred Testot	Simon		2010
Off Limits (Gardiens de l'ordre)	Julien Boisselier	Marc		2010
Skyfall	Javier Bardem	Raoul Silva		2012
Taken 2	Liam Neeson	Bryan Mills		2012
Taken 2	Rade Šerbedžija	Murad Hoxha		2012
Safe House	Denzel Washington	Tobin Frost		2012
Cleanskin	Sam Douglas	Harry		2012
Cleanskin	Shivani Ghai	Rena		2012
Taken 3	Liam Neeson	Bryan Mills		2014
KL Special Force	Syamsul Yusof	Asyraff		2018
		Malaysian police officers

Television

Title	Actor	Character	Note	Date
24: Live Another Day	Kiefer Sutherland	Jack Bauer		2014
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier	Daniel Brühl	Baron Helmut Zemo	"Power Broker" (S1E03)	2021
		Madripoor's bounty hunter

Anime

Film Title	Character	Note	Date
Gunslinger Girl: Il Teatrino	Angelica	With flashlight	2008

Video Games

Title	As	Mods	Note	Date
Warface	Steyr M9-A1		w/ tan slide	2013

Steyr M40-A1

Steyr M40-A1 - .40 S&W

Specifications

(2004 - 2018)

• Type: Pistol

• Caliber: .40 S&W

• Weight: lbs ( kg)

• Length: 7.2 in (18.3 cm)

• Barrel length: 4 in (10.2 cm)

• Capacity: 12-round magazine

• Fire Modes:

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Film

Title	Actor	Character	Note	Date
From Paris with Love	Jonathan Rhys Meyers	James Reece		2010

Steyr S9-A1

Steyr S9-A1 - 9x19mm

Specifications

(2004 - 2018)

• Type: Pistol

• Caliber: 9x19mm

• Weight: 1.4 lbs (0.66 kg)

• Length: 6.5 in (16.6 cm)

• Barrel length: 3.6 in (9.1 cm)

• Capacity: 10

• Fire Modes: Semi-Auto

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Television

Title	Actor	Character	Note	Date
24: Live Another Day	Yvonne Strahovski	Kate Morgan		2014

See Also

• Steyr Mannlicher - A list of all firearms manufactured by Steyr Mannlicher.