Test: New Steyr Arms ATC Rock 9mm match pistols

The first contact with the new Steyr pistols took place behind closed doors at Enforce Tac 2024 due to long and good contacts. A lot more water was under the bridge before the first models reached us and now went on sale. Steyr is entering the hotly contested pistol market with no fewer than five models. This quintet aroused so much desire in advance that one or two readers were already asking when a test report would finally be published.

The new pistol lineup is divided into the ATD (Austria Defence) and ATC (Austria Competition) series. The first series consists of the two service pistols, the ATD Compact and ATD Compact Comp, with lightweight aluminum frame, DA/SA triggers, and a 4" barrel. The second series consists of the all-steel sport pistols ATC Base with DA/SA trigger and 5" barrel and ATC Rock with single-action trigger and a choice of 5" or 6" barrel length. We are focusing here on the two ATC Rock competition pistols, but the test report on the other models will follow in any case – we promise!

The trail of the Steyr ATC Rock leads to Slovenia

No great secret is made of the fact that the new pistols are manufactured by Arex Defense in Slovenia. This is because both Arex Defense (since 2017) and Steyr Arms (since 2024) are now part of the Czech RBSC Investment Group. The French hunting rifle manufacturer Verney-Carron has also been part of the group for a few years now. This creates the typical synergies of a large corporation and it is a clever marketing move to use the more prestigious name of Steyr, which was founded in 1886, compared to Arex.

Steyr ATC Rock pistols: based on proven technology

If you take a look at the Steyr ATC Rock pistols, you may recognise the design. They have certain similarities in their lines with the Arex WForce1, which we already tested. In terms of technology and appearance, the WForce1 showed a certain proximity to the famous P22X pistol family from SIG Sauer. A signature that is also recognizable in the new Steyr pistols. There are two reasons for this: firstly, Arex produced its own P226 clone, the Zero 1, which has since disappeared from the product portfolio, and was thus able to gain a lot of experience with this design. Secondly, decision-makers who once held the reins at SIG Sauer in Eckernförde were also involved in the design of the new Steyr pistols. It is therefore hardly surprising that they also incorporated the wealth of experience of this established milestone in pistol technology into the new Steyr pistols. The Steyr Arms ATC Rock pistols are therefore based on a Browning-Petter-SIG system with an open cam track and an angular chamber block locking the barrel directly to the ejection port in the slide. The 5" (127 mm) and 6" (152 mm) long barrels are efficiently hammer-forged. In its spec sheet, the manufacturer promises a service life of 50,000 rounds, with 10,000 "rounds" being dry firing. Another design detail that has been adopted from the P22X series for the new Steyr pistols is the internal extractor, which is rarely found on modern handguns today. Disassembly of the pistols revealed not only the impeccable workmanship but also the extremely tight tolerances between the slide and frame. According to the manufacturer, these two main components are manufactured to "zero tolerance." Each individual pistol is then tested for functionality and adjusted if necessary. This approach certainly has a custom feel to it.

Distinctive & versatile: customizability of the Steyr Arms ATC Rock pistols in detail

The elaborately skeletonized slides with the distinctive lightning cuts in the front area are striking design features of the Rock match pistols, as are the orange-colored grips. In keeping with the times, the fully adjustable LPA micrometer sights can be replaced with an adapter plate for red dot sights. An adapter plate for the popular Trijicon RMR and other red dot sights with identical footprint is included in the scope of delivery. Other adapter plates, such as for the Aimpoint ACRO with enclosed design, can be ordered. If you want to swap the front sight with the red fiber-optic type, you can use the retrofit versions for the SIG Sauer P226/320, Springfield XDM or FN 509. The thumb safety is located on both sides of the grip and is easy to operate. This also applies to the magazine release, which can be operated from the left or right at any time.

The ATC Rock models also offer many ergonomic customization options. The grip beavertail can be replaced with optional inserts of different lengths. Those who find it uncomfortable or who fear the "hammer bite" in the hand fork can make modifications according to their individual preferences. The straight and, at 8 mm, relatively wide trigger blade is connected to the trigger mechanism with a hollow pin. The trigger blade with the small prong at the end can be easily replaced by driving out the pin. This allows the distance from the back of the grip to the trigger to be changed by up to 6 mm. This can be quite significant if, for example, the first joint of your trigger finger doesn't quite reach the trigger. We measured a trigger pull weight of around 1,650 grams for the 5" version and around 1,750 grams for the long slide variant. Thanks to the clean, crystal-clear characteristics, the pull weight feel subjectively lighter and is easy to work with.

The trigger pull weight can still be adjusted up or down to a small extent using the interchangeable hammer springs supplied. Replacing these coil springs is the easiest way to change the trigger pull weight, but not without side effects. This is because with low hammer spring weights, which produce the desired lighter trigger pull, the striking energy also decreases. With hard primers, especially the lead-free versions, this may no longer be sufficient to provide the initial ignition. Sufficient trial and error is therefore required here. To conclude the chapter on the trigger, it should also be mentioned that trigger overtravel can be adjusted too. The magwell made of black anodized aluminum can be easily removed by pressing in a pin inside the grip. A 360-degree jet funnel and variants in other colors are also available as accessories. The scope of delivery in the hard case also includes three magazines, two of which have a capacity for 20 rounds and one has a capacity for 18 rounds. The Steyr Arms ATC Rock pistols will probably not be offered in other alternative calibers such as .40 Smith & Wesson or .45 Auto. However, it is possible that entire 9mm interchangeable systems with 5" and 6" barrel lengths will be available, which could save the somewhat inconvenient mounting and dismounting of mechanical or optical sights. Incidentally, the shorter magwell complies with the box dimension rule (225 mm length x 150 mm height x 45 mm width) of the IPSC Standard Division, at least when using the 18-round magazine.

Steyr Arms ATC, many accessories & open source concept

When handling the two all-steel pistols alternately, the 6" version seems much heavier and, above all, more front-heavy than the actual 60-gram difference in weight would suggest. For those who can't get enough of front-heaviness, Steyr also offers an optional, extra-heavy in-house spring guide rod made of tungsten. As far as we know, Steyr is breaking new ground with the grips for a production gun. This is because Steyr releases the 3D print data so that you can make them yourself according to your own specifications and modifications. If this is too much for you, you can simply order two other sizes from the product catalog. Incidentally, the 3D print data is also available for some  red dot sight adapter plates, a step that can truly be described as customer-orientated. The extensive range of accessories, which is still being expanded, includes a bridge mount for red dots, which is attached to the Picatinny/Weaver rail of the frame and enables a quick change between mechanical and optical sights. Interchangeable barrels with muzzle thread and a compensator are also available for the 5" and 6" versions. A stock, which is attached to the interchangeable beavertail endpiece, is also set to follow soon. For all those who love dynamic disciplines, the catalog already includes a sport holster for the young gun family. This means that there are not only many customization options for the gun, but also for the accessories.

Match pistols in 5 and 6 inch: With the sporty pistols from the new ATC Rock series from Steyr Arms on the shooting range

Whether both guns also rock on the shooting range was now to be seen. But not as easy as expected, because a SIG Sauer P226 adapter for the Ransom Rest had to be modified beforehand in the area of hammer spring housing and the ambidextrous magazine catch. The standard and long slide versions of the Steyr Arms ATC Rock were tested for accuracy with ten types of ammunition, eight factory and two handloads, with bullet weights from 115 to 147 grains. First, the 5" Rock was placed in the rest's chuck. The best result was delivered by the Serbian PPU 115-grain JHP with 28 mm. Seven of the ten loads produced groups in the range up to 50 mm, a very good result. Then we put the 6" Rock in the rest. The Serbian PPU 115-grain JHP also tasted the best and undercut the top result of the 5" version with 25 mm by another three millimeters. The longslide still achieved values below the 50 mm mark with five out of ten tests, which can be categorized as relevant for sporting use. Unfortunately, both models repeatedly experienced feeding problems with the soft PPU 115-grain JHP and the GECO 124-grain UTHP. In addition, the slide stop rarely or never worked. The reason was quickly found: the slide did not fully reach its rearmost position, so that the base of the cartridge had no chance to climb up the breech face. The manufacturer was confronted with this and we were informed that the close-fitting match guns require a break-in of 300 to 500 rounds. Unfortunately, there was no mention of this in the instruction manual, which we had studied extensively beforehand. In addition, the match pistols should be supplied with two additional recoil springs that allow them to be adjusted for different types of ammunition. However, these encapsulated dual springs, which are colored yellow and grey depending on the spring weight, were missing from our test guns, but were quickly sent to us. We then went back to the shooting range with excitement and with the lighter recoil spring and the completed break-in, both guns now functioned without any problems and the slide was also securely held back after the last cartridge. All's well that ends well!

Steyr ATC Rock technical specifications and price 

Steyr Arms ATC Rock with 5- and 6-inch: conclusion

The new Steyr ATC Rock pistols made a brilliant debut. The level of workmanship, trigger quality and shooting performance are all excellent. The models come standard with a generous array of accessories, including spare magazines and various slide and hammer springs. In addition, there are individual customization options for fine-tuning the ergonomics and a wide range of accessories is already available. So anyone looking for a match gun away from the 1911 or CZ 75 platforms will find a real alternative here. At €2,499 for the 5" version and €2,599 for the 6" longslide version, the prices can certainly be described as fair.

Text: Tino Schmidt and Stefan Perey

Further information on the new pistol series from Steyr Arms can be found on the manufacturer's website.