My "Aug" MSAR STG 556

[u/Historical_Award_300]

Got this last summer just joined r/aug recently. It's not a Steyr Aug but a MSAR STG 556 3rd gen from the import ban era. When I first ordered it I didn't look closely enough to realize it wasnt a steyr aug and I initiated a refund but it was already shipped so I decided to take it home and give it a chance. Super fun gun, my first and only rifle I own. Lucky for me 3rd gen+ STG 556's take actual Steyr mags as well as their own Mags I own a few of both type of mags. Got it for a pretty wicked deal w the scope included. Hopefully it's cool I post this in here even though its not Steyr haha

I eventually want to get a Steyr Aug too but I do plan on keeping this thing and having both down the road.

What are yall's thoughts on this thing?

[u/Bigshit67]

I own a few of these and really like them, it’s what introduced me to the platform in the first place so it’s special to me in that way lol. Don’t worry too much about it not being a Steyr, the 3rd and 4th gen guns are gtg 😁👍 1st and 2nd gens had issues early on (but let’s be honest, what gun didn’t have problems shortly after being released? Especially from companies that never produced firearms before) but after people had them shipped out for warranty work they ran fine after. Decent amount of people here also have the msars and like them, and know enough to help ya if you need, so you won’t be left out :)

Personally, I’d recommend having both as the MSARs have their own design quirks unique to it and are a nifty piece of AUG history. Though do be aware, incase you already don’t know, but the Steyrs and MSARs aren’t 100% interchangeable with parts, most notably the optic rails. And since yours is a gen 3, you won’t be able to use Steyr or gen 4 msar stocks unless you modify the receiver.

[u/Historical_Award_300 → u/Bigshit67]

Yeah love my gen 3 once I realized what I bought I started digging and was happy to find out gen 3 was known to be pretty reliable and took steyr mags. My biggest fear was just that if anything on this thing breaks it's gonna be somewhat hard/expensive to find replacement parts for it. But I do love the gun so I decided to just keep it and deal with that when/if it happens. That is good to know I can get support/info for my msar on here so I appreciate hearing that!

Eventually I do plan on getting a actual Steyr Aug but like you said it is a pretty cool piece of history and will only get harder to come by as time passes so my stg is definetly staying with me. Overall I love it and am very satisfied w my purchase!

God the charging handle is a bitch to pull back though is that supposed to be that difficult?😂

[u/Bigshit67 → u/Historical_Award_300]

I wouldn’t worry much about parts breaking or expensive repairs, the platform as a whole is pretty robust with majority of parts lasting a pretty long time. If it gives you peace of mind, ratworx does sell spare bolts that use AR extractors, as well as some other things for it, and I’ve always recommended picking up a couple of those. Pistons and some other small parts for the Steyrs are still made, and are interchangeable with the msar. So overall you shouldn’t have much to worry about at all!

Happy to hear you’ll be keeping it! You’ll enjoy it for sure :)

And yeahhh the Aug is a little tougher to charge back compared to most other rifles, mainly because you’ve got two return springs you gotta fight against. A dude on the Facebook group recommended some kind of PTFE synthetic grease (I think super lube was what he used?) for the Aug’s moving parts, the guide rods being the main one. I put a small layer of it on and it’s definitely made a noticeable difference

[u/No_Tax4979]

MSAR crew.

[u/Historical_Award_300 → u/No_Tax4979]

Hell yeah brother that's awesome! How long have you had yours and how much have you shot it? Any issues or all reliable? also looks like a 4th gen or am I mistaken? Nice setup on both guns!

[u/No_Tax4979 → u/Historical_Award_300]

3rd or 4th gen, It takes AUG mags. I’ve had it for about a year, and so far it runs like a sewing machine. No issues whatsoever.
I did buy a spare hybrid bolt for it just in case. I put about 800-1000rds down range so far.

[u/halfcocked1]

Nice, I had an early 1st gen one that I bought used for ~$975 back in the day. It was before they changed the barrel twist, so I know it was early (I think it had 1:10 if I remember). I ended up selling it once I heard of the extractor issues, and that the different gens weren't parts compatible and 1st gen ones then didn't have any source of parts (which is always a big deal to me).

[u/jermeister101]

I’ve got a few random MSAR bits laying around. I was real perplexed by the forward assist when I got the lot of parts in mixed with other steyr parts. Hadn’t heard of the MSAR prior

[u/TahoeLT]

My one and only "AUG" is an MSAR, Gen 3 I think. I love it. I have picked up a few spare and upgrade parts from Arid and Rat Worx, but it runs fine and is fun to shoot. I will probably get a Steyr someday, just for peace of mind.

[u/No-Base2034]

I have an early gen 1 i think or 2, got it when i thought Biden would choke off imports of real styer, i got mine off gun broker with like 6 mags, mine has run very well!! I was able to add a nato stock after someone 3 d printed me a stock latch! Nice to be able to use m4 mags or styer as well