Styer GB?

hknut · December 24, 2005, 11:45 PM

Just curious about the prototype dates on the Styer GB? I know the gun came to the market in this country in the late 70's early 80's. I'm justtrying to figure how long it takes to go from proto to production? Any help you can provide would be a great help.

HK Original combat plastic!

Steven Mace · December 24, 2005, 11:55 PM

hknut, you can find some Steyr GB history here:

http://remtek.com/arms/steyr/gb/gb.htm

http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg71-e.htm

Hope this helps!

Steve Mace

James K · December 26, 2005, 10:01 PM

Hi, hknut,

It depends on what you mean by "prototype to prodcution." It also depends on what you mean by "prototype."

If the prototype is merely a slight change to an existing mode, it could take a few months. If it is an entirely new gun, then a prototype could be just a handmade "proof of concept" that might take years to develop into a working firearm.

A lot depends on financial backing and resources. If the developer is a big company (say S&W), and puts together an experienced design team, working with a top notch model shop, work can be done in weeks that would take a home shop workman years.

Even if a POC can be developed in a short time, and working models made, time will be eaten up in testing and debugging. In the case of the Steyr GB, it looks like Rogak (inadvertently or not) did a lot of their debugging for them, proving at least what would NOT work.

Praise from gunwriters is probably the easiest part. Most of those guys will say wonderful things about any POS they get to try for free, and many praised the Rogak as a miracle weapon. (Mine won't even fire - the mainspring is too weak.)

Why did the Steyr GB fail? Partly because of the Rogak fiasco. But mainly, IMHO, because it is simply one BIIIIGGG pistol for a medium cartridge. Not powerful enough for hunting, too heavy for belt carry in any normal situation, too big for concealed carry, not accurate enough or with the proper sights for target work, it simply had no place in the scheme of things. It seems to have been made just to prove that the system would work, and to build egos, without any real reference to an intended use or a real market.

Jim

hknut · December 28, 2005, 05:47 PM

Steve and Jim, thank you for the help.

Bacon · January 10, 2006, 10:09 PM

The Steyr GB was developed to be the Austrian Army's new sidearm. One of the early "Wonder 9's" to come out of europe. However a company known as Glock put a damper on it's bright future. In other words, the GB was beat out by Glock.

Handy · January 11, 2006, 08:13 AM

I have one of the last series of GBs. An excellent and accurate gun. It has one of the best DA/SA trigger systems I've run across and is really no bigger or heavier than a Beretta.

The gun is also beautifully made with steel used everywhere but the grips and trigger guard.

Handy · January 12, 2006, 11:32 AM

Checking some things out, I found the weight on the GB: 29.5 oz. That means it is lighter than a BHP, 5 oz. lighter than a Beretta and little different in weight than a .40 P226.

December 24, 2005, 11:45 PM	#1
hknut Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2005 Location: Olympia, Wa. Posts: 535	Styer GB? Just curious about the prototype dates on the Styer GB? I know the gun came to the market in this country in the late 70's early 80's. I'm justtrying to figure how long it takes to go from proto to production? Any help you can provide would be a great help. HK Original combat plastic!

December 24, 2005, 11:55 PM	#2
Steven Mace Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 1999 Location: Clifton, Colorado USA Posts: 724	hknut, you can find some Steyr GB history here: http://remtek.com/arms/steyr/gb/gb.htm http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg71-e.htm Hope this helps! Steve Mace __________________ After today, its all historical

January 10, 2006, 10:09 PM	#5
Bacon Member Join Date: March 13, 2005 Location: Wrong Side Of The Tracks, SC Posts: 63	The Steyr GB was developed to be the Austrian Army's new sidearm. One of the early "Wonder 9's" to come out of europe. However a company known as Glock put a damper on it's bright future. In other words, the GB was beat out by Glock. __________________ Skill Not Luck

December 26, 2005, 10:01 PM	#3
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Hi, hknut, It depends on what you mean by "prototype to prodcution." It also depends on what you mean by "prototype." If the prototype is merely a slight change to an existing mode, it could take a few months. If it is an entirely new gun, then a prototype could be just a handmade "proof of concept" that might take years to develop into a working firearm. A lot depends on financial backing and resources. If the developer is a big company (say S&W), and puts together an experienced design team, working with a top notch model shop, work can be done in weeks that would take a home shop workman years. Even if a POC can be developed in a short time, and working models made, time will be eaten up in testing and debugging. In the case of the Steyr GB, it looks like Rogak (inadvertently or not) did a lot of their debugging for them, proving at least what would NOT work. Praise from gunwriters is probably the easiest part. Most of those guys will say wonderful things about any POS they get to try for free, and many praised the Rogak as a miracle weapon. (Mine won't even fire - the mainspring is too weak.) Why did the Steyr GB fail? Partly because of the Rogak fiasco. But mainly, IMHO, because it is simply one BIIIIGGG pistol for a medium cartridge. Not powerful enough for hunting, too heavy for belt carry in any normal situation, too big for concealed carry, not accurate enough or with the proper sights for target work, it simply had no place in the scheme of things. It seems to have been made just to prove that the system would work, and to build egos, without any real reference to an intended use or a real market. Jim

December 28, 2005, 05:47 PM	#4
hknut Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2005 Location: Olympia, Wa. Posts: 535	Steve and Jim, thank you for the help.

January 11, 2006, 08:13 AM	#6
Handy Junior member Join Date: August 31, 2001 Posts: 8,785	I have one of the last series of GBs. An excellent and accurate gun. It has one of the best DA/SA trigger systems I've run across and is really no bigger or heavier than a Beretta. The gun is also beautifully made with steel used everywhere but the grips and trigger guard.

January 12, 2006, 11:32 AM	#7
Handy Junior member Join Date: August 31, 2001 Posts: 8,785	Checking some things out, I found the weight on the GB: 29.5 oz. That means it is lighter than a BHP, 5 oz. lighter than a Beretta and little different in weight than a .40 P226.