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The Steyr USR

The Steyr USR is in reality an Steyr AUG A2 which is modified to BATF regulationsdefinition of a sporting firearm.

USR or AUG?

1. What differences are there between an AUG and a USR?

What you gain:

- A2 style optics and optics housing (removable optics that allow for use of thepicatinny rail).

- A2 cocking handle that folds and does not wear out the finish on the receiver.

- Parts fully interchange with the AUG, and it uses the same magazines andaccessories.

- 20" ADI made heavy barrel with target crown.

- Basically a post-ban A2 for less than half the cost.

- Updated roller bolt carrier and updated firing pin system.

- Least expensive of the AUG style systems currently going for about $2500 NIB (asof mid 2002)

What you don't get:

- No quick release barrel change knob (can be easily added)

- Barrel is not threaded for flash suppressors or bayonet lugs.

http://www.steyr-aug.com/usr5.jpghttp://www.steyr-aug.com/usr4.jpghttp://www.steyr-aug.com/usr3.jpghttp://www.steyr-aug.com/usr2.jpghttp://www.steyr-aug.com/usr1.jpg

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- Use of AUG barrels requires modifications to the barrel to be in compliance withBATF regulations (9mm barrel also requires removal of threads).

- USR thumbhole stocks must be used to be in compliance with BATF.

- Not nearly as collectible as AUG's (debatable since there are only 3000 USR's andno more will be brought in)

So there you have it. Whether or not a USR is for you is a decision only you canmake based on how important certain attributes are to you. At the very least, if youchoose to start with a USR, rest assured that there is a large market for these guns.The accessories you acquire can also be used with other AUG's should you chooseto get an AUG later. If you decide the USR/AUG family is not for, or decide toreplace it with a pre-ban AUG, it will still sell for nearly what you paid for it, if not moredepending on the circumstances. Being less expensive, it will probably be easier tofind a buyer for one as well. If you are C3 type of person, the USR is an inexpensive

platform for use with your registered hammer pack so that you don't burn up amatching numbers pre-ban AUG should you decide to have a little C3 fun.

The Genesis of the Steyr AUG

In 1997, Steyr discovering the resurgence in the sales of lightweight SportingFirearms set about manufacturing the Steyr USR - (Universal Sporting Rifle). Manyof the barrels were made in Australia while the rest of the firearm was manufacturedin Austria.

However there is more to the story - there is folk lore behind the importation of theSteyr USR!!!!

The genesis of the Steyr USR (Universal Sporting Rifle) was in 1997. In 1989 theSteyr AUG was banned from further importation into the United States under theAssault Weapon Ban. In this ban 30-40 firearms were identified for their "militaryfeatures" and "criminal background." Thus firearms such as a the infamous Mac -10and street sweeper were named Assault Weapons. Included on this list was the SteyrAUG. Even though only one been traced to a crime between 1980 to 1990 it was

named an illegal assault weapon barring future importation.

Thus almost a decade later the Steyr AUG was to return to America in a differentform. In 1996-1997 firearms manufacturers throughout the world rediscovered theAmerican firearms markets desire for effective light weight sporting rifles. In 1997lawfully following the 89 AWB EO and the 1994 Crime Bill, Steyr worked with GSI toimport a legal variant of the Steyr AUG. The new rifle named the Universal SportingRifle began its BATF importation application process. Little did GSI and Steyr know asinister forces were in act in the White House and the US Congress.

Steyr's solution is a simple one: Remove the un-sporting features of the Steyr AUG

so that it is in compliance with the 1994 Crime Bill.

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The battle over sporting firearms began in 1996 with political pressure from the officeof Barbara Boxer. Being closely associated with the political anti-gun lobby VPC(Violence Prevention Center) she began to attack the importation of foreign madesporting firearms.

It didn't take long for her anti-gun colleague Diane Fenstein to become involved andfocus on IMI for their importation of the Israeli made sporting firearms.

While Congress was busy at work banning Israeli firearms importation, little did anyone know but President Clinton was planning to use an executive order expandingthe 1989 AWB and limiting the definition of sporting firearms. Soon any rifle thatcould accept a detachable magazine of more than 10 rounds would be banned.

The question was when to announce and enforce this executive order. As the orderwas being authored advance word of this greater gun ban was leaked by the BATF tofirearms manufacturers. The race was on. Importers raced to get their firearms

imported before the announcement. Clinton discovering this, rushed to prepare hisexecutive order and he believed that he had one week to beat the firearms push.During this time 3000 rifles made by Steyr Mannlicher were entering customs, therifle was named the STEYR USR. In discovering this Bill Clinton jumped from hisdesk yelling "I was deceived." Fortunately 3000 Steyr USR's made it into the countryand civilian hands before the ban. Perhaps the President was deceived. No one canaccount for the delay.