Yes, I agree. Hendrik; Thanks for the response.

Realizing that Austria is known for superb "plastic guns" {Glocks!}, nevertheless I've shied away from the Steyrs simply because the ones I've seen looked, well, chincy. I always think; "Man what a nicely made rifle...if they would replace the plastic 'bits' with steel". The steel parts just look really well made to me, but the flimsiness of the plastic parts gives me that queezy feeling. The fact that Hendrik warns us to check for cracks reinforces that feeling. And a "flexible forestock", ditto.

If they were a larger manufacturer, and the rifles gained more popularity, I'd bet that an aftermarket would develop for all the parts that tend to break!

As for Glocks, they have earned the Austrians a superb reputation. As a Glock owner I wholly support that. I haven't been able to bite off a Steyr. Too much to gag down.

taw, if you can, lay down a Steyr next to another maker on the counter and really go over it. Maybe you'll feel the same way I do. I WANT to like them, but...