First Look: Steyr M9-A1 Pistol in OD Green

Responding to overwhelming demand from the U.S. market, Steyr Arms announced the launch of a brand-new model of its M9-A1 pistol, featuring a polymer frame with an OD-green finish.

Steyr has incorporated an OD-green finish on many of its guns over the last 50 years, including the SSG 69 rifle and the AUG. However, the finish hadn't been present in the company's lineup of handguns until the commercial market in the US demanded something different than Steyr's usual offerings.

The M9-A1 pistol is the company's full-size duty pistol chambered in 9 mm and features a 4-inch cold-hammer-forged barrel and a steel slide, which is finished with the company's trademarked Mannox coating. The barrel features six-groove conventional rifling in a right-hand twist. The frame itself is designed to offer shooters a high grip and a low bore axis that ensures a greater amount of control over the gun's recoil, keeping muzzle rise to a minimum. The gun is also designed with a built-in grip angle that promotes natural aiming by users.

The frame, which is constructed from reinforced polymer, features a molded-in Picatinny rail that allows for the mounting of lights or lasers. The outside of the frame also features a stippled texture that provides an ideal grip, even in wet conditions. Inside of the frame, users will find the innovative Steyr Reset Action System trigger, which incorporates an integrated trigger safety, as well as a safety lock. The company's reset requires users to place positive pressure on the trigger, which provides a 5-pound pull, and the striker-fired action provides the ultimate in reliability.

The Steyr M9-A1 measures 6.9 inches in overall length, 5.35 inches in height and a thickness of 1.2 inches. The total magazine capacity of the gun is 17 rounds and the overall weight of the pistol is 1.7 pounds.

The gun ships with a lockable case and a spare 17-round magazine, and the suggested retail price on the pistol is $560.