2012 Steyr AUG A3 (vltor)

[MadAngler1]

Thanks for the technical notes stg77

I wonder why Steyr never revised the gas piston to allow for a suppressed mode. They need a setting to bleed off more gas. It would make sense to do so given the AUG's compact design for cqb situations. Firing a 5.56 short barreled carbine indoors is ghastly loud, which makes a suppressor a nice thing to add.

I didn't realize these barrels were 1/9 twist. I'll lurk around and wait to see if FN bangs out some 1/7 hammer forged barrels.......ah heck, I could still take the plunge.

[JoshNC]

I wonder why Steyr never revised the gas piston to allow for a suppressed mode. They need a setting to bleed off more gas. It would make sense to do so given the AUG's compact design for cqb situations. Firing a 5.56 short barreled carbine indoors is ghastly loud, which makes a suppressor a nice thing to add.

The AUG gas system vents excess gas via the lateral port in the gas cylinder, like many other designs (SIG 550, F2000, and SCAR to name a few). It is the venting of supersonic gas that causes the AUG to be a poor suppressor host. I suppose a special dedicated gas cylinder with a small port and no vent could be designed for suppressor use. In fact the "off" position used for launching rifle grenades could be adapted for this.

A point of trivia: the SCAR gas system is directly adapted from the F2000, which itself was a facsimile of the AUG gas system.

I didn't realize these barrels were 1/9 twist. I'll lurk around and wait to see if FN bangs out some 1/7 hammer forged barrels.......ah heck, I could still take the plunge.

I too am looking forward to 1:7 twist barrels. It is so easy to swap barrels, I would not let the 1:9 twist hold you up in your purchase of an AUG.

It really is an ingenious design when you start looking at its mechanics. And it is so smooth in its operation. I am a huge closet fan and have often thought I could be content with just owning and shooting AUGs. Blasphemy, I know as the M4 series is better in ergos, transitions, and user ability to configure, etc, but the AUG is just THAT good despite its shortcomings as a bullpup.

[jj86gn]

From looking at TOS Pete was on, I would just add two things to the AUG wish list.

Either the A3 SF

or

Import/make an optic similar to the ones on the A2 (which, correct me if I'm wrong, were removable.) I'm not a big fan of the new AUG scope. Looks too balky. Plus this would give the rifle the classic look while maintaining the rail for other options.

If Steyr does this, I'll petition for my PD to add the AUG as another patrol rifle option. I think other PD would too.

Just my 2c.

[threeheadeddog]

I have ran my suppressor on my MSAR. As far as how does it sound? I am quite happy with it. It does not sound as good as an AR but it is what it is. I have heard thought that the extra back pressure could be abusive to the system and I was curious as to others opinions on that.

I will also point out that the weight, though heavy does balance well and is actually easier to shoot one handed than my 9" SBR. Doing manipulations one handed is vastly different but again it is what it is.

Also with my forward rail system, which seems similar in length to the CQC pictured, putting a stubby/handstop on it does put the forward hand in a very similar position to what most people are used to when doing the same with a standard AR. Though the length of pull is different it is a very natural place for AR shooters who wrap there hand around the forend in the gamer-style grip. The standard chicken-choke vert grip on AUG's is, for me, just too close to the body to be comfortable.

Since my experience is with the MSAR and not an actual AUG if anyone objects to my input I will respectfully bow out of this thread.

[SteyrAUG]

Sabre Def. built the barrels.
While Sabre Def. made some very nice barrels, the barrels they provided to Steyr were not of the same quality as FN is now producing.

The SDI barrels were plane jane chrome moly button rifled 1/9 with a compensator. These barrels were not chrome lined. SDI could have made excellent barrels with their CMV steel and then CL them, but they didn't...

The new FN barrels are cold hammer forged on Austrian mandrels straight from Steyr using the FN "machine gun steel". These have the same outer profile/dimensions as the A1 Austrian barrels and have a mannox finish (both of which the SDI barrels don't have).
These are chrome lined and come with the original style "tulip" flash hider instead of the compensator.
The FN barrels also come in 1/9, but will be available in 1/7 either in the future as a replacement barrel or as an option (not known yet). But we do know that FN has made 1/7 AUG barrels. Pete has one...

The SDI A3's and these new A3's are virtually identical in every way, except for the barrel.

Looks like I'll be picking up a few barrels. It's a shame Steyr didn't have SDI make the barrels to the Steyr specification.

[SPARTAN HOPLITE ARMS]

The AUG gas system vents excess gas via the lateral port in the gas cylinder, like many other designs (SIG 550, F2000, and SCAR to name a few). It is the venting of supersonic gas that causes the AUG to be a poor suppressor host. I suppose a special dedicated gas cylinder with a small port and no vent could be designed for suppressor use. In fact the "off" position used for launching rifle grenades could be adapted for this.

A point of trivia: the SCAR gas system is directly adapted from the F2000, which itself was a facsimile of the AUG gas system.




I too am looking forward to 1:7 twist barrels. It is so easy to swap barrels, I would not let the 1:9 twist hold you up in your purchase of an AUG.

It really is an ingenious design when you start looking at its mechanics. And it is so smooth in its operation. I am a huge closet fan and have often thought I could be content with just owning and shooting AUGs. Blasphemy, I know as the M4 series is better in ergos, transitions, and user ability to configure, etc, but the AUG is just THAT good despite its shortcomings as a bullpup.

I agree with you Josh although I definitely prefer to have the 1x7 twist. I may wait but mostly til the vltor receivers start getting assembled. As for the gas system, I coud have sworn Mr. Vickers mentioned, during one of his courses, that FN copied the M1 carbine system for the F2000 and Scar but I'm not sure.

[MountainRaven]

I believe the F2000 is based off the AR-18 and the SCAR is based off the M1 Carbine.

[JoshNC]

I believe the F2000 is based off the AR-18 and the SCAR is based off the M1 Carbine.

As for the gas system, I coud have sworn Mr. Vickers mentioned, during one of his courses, that FN copied the M1 carbine system for the F2000 and Scar but I'm not sure.

The AUG lineage is straight from a former engineer at FN. He posts here from time to time, so I'll let him chime in should he choose.

Also, compare the gas block, gas regulator, and piston of the FS2000 and SCAR. They are essentially identical, as in the gas system from the F2000 was adapted for use with the SCAR. I own both and have directly compared them.

[Mauser KAR98K]

Hope the A3 CQC is around at the beginning of next year. Would love to get one.

[r10tm4k3r]

According to PJ's website, the CQC model should be available at the end of September.

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