Test-fire: Steyr ATC Base, ATD Compact and ATD Compact Comp pistols

If you missed the presentation of the new Steyr Arms ATC Rock match pistols, we have summarized the most important facts here. Steyr Arms has been part of a Czech investment fund since 2017, just like the Slovenian firearms manufacturer Arex Defence since 2014. It was therefore a smart move to brand the pistols designed and manufactured by Arex with the globally resonant traditional name Steyr Arms. This means that the Austrian manufacturer, which has existed since 1886, can now expand its product portfolio with many new pistol models in addition to the polymer-framed Steyr M pistol. Be it an all-steel pistol, an aluminum- or polymer-framed handgun for service or sporting applications: Steyr Arms now has something for every customer. Many technical design features of the legendary SIG Sauer P220/P226 series can be found in the ATC/ATD pistol series. Until recently, Arex Defence had its own P226 offshoot in the Zero 1 range. Now, the ATC Base, ATD Compact and ATD Compact Comp models follow.

In detail: The Steyr Arms ATC Base pistol

ATC stands for the country abbreviation AT/Austria and Competition. The model designation ATC Base already makes it clear that, alongside the more expensive Rock models, this is the basic model of the all-steel pistols for sporting use. With a price of just under €2,000, this entry-level model made of shimmering stainless steel must inevitably be measured against the Czech CZ Shadow 2, which is also increasingly approaching the €2,000 mark in terms of price. At least, the Steyr Arms ATC Base has a milled steel frame and a slide made from solid material instead of precision cast main components. The cleanly milled frame is paired with a 5"/127mm long barrel with conventional rifling and correspondingly long slide. There are no elaborate lightening cuts on the slide featuring front and rear gripping grooves, as on the ATC Rock flagships. Only the muzzle section has been slightly fluted and bevelled to create visual accents. In its specs sheet, the manufacturer promises a service life of 50,000 rounds, with 10,000 "rounds" being dry firing. As with the Rock models, the grip beavertail on the simpler Base model can also be exchanged for ergonomic fine-tuning. Interchangeable beavertails can be found in the extensive range of accessories. The magwell made of black anodized aluminum can be easily removed by pressing in a pin inside the grip frame. A 360-degree jet funnel that completely encloses the magazine well is also available as an accessory.

With a total weight of around 1,200 grams when empty, the ATC Base is one of the lightest all-steel match pistols with a 5" barrel length. With its DA/SA trigger characterized by the typical transition from high trigger pull weight and long travel for the first double-action shot to the lighter, shorter-travel single-action follow-up shots in single action, it is also suitable for the IPSC Production/Production Optics Division, and it has already been included in the list of approved firearms by the world governing body. However, we measured a hefty 6,300-g trigger pull weight in double action, and 2,400 grams for the single-action trigger pull, which at least broke cleanly without noticeable creep. Two recoil springs are supplied for do-it-yourself replacement. The grey spring with the lowest weight delivered a reduced double-action trigger pull weight of 5,650 grams, while the single-action trigger broke on average at 2,150 grams. That's better, but unfortunately still not exhilarating. However, that's the only drawback we found with the otherwise well-made and quite appealing ATC Base.

The entry-level model in the ATC series can also be fitted with a single-action trigger from the in-house accessories shop. The DA/SA trigger is combined with an ambidextrous safety lever, allowing the gun to be carried in a holster while cocked and on safe. In addition, the manual safety also has a decocking function. In the "safe on" position, simply push the lever slightly backward with your thumb, and the hammer is safely rested just before the firing pin. The sight base features a fully adjustable LPA micrometer rear sight, which harmonizes well with the undercut, serrated front sight. The sight base also serves as a cover plate for the unavoidable red dot sight interface in the rear section of the slide. An adapter plate for the popular Trijicon RMR and other makes with the same footprint is included; other plates, such as for the enclosed Swedish Aimpoint ACRO, can be ordered. The range of accessories also includes an optional bridge mount that can be attached to the Picatinny/Weaver rail on the frame. This makes it quicker to switch between mechanical and optical sights, although this change does not look as elegant as a slide mount and also clashes with a holster. The black plastic grips are very flat and grippable. They are also available in two other sizes or can be made with a 3D printer: Steyr Arms releases the print data for this. The scope of delivery in the hard case includes two magazines with capacities of 20 and 18 rounds.

Focus on the Steyr Arms ATD Compact

The D in ATD stands for Defense, which already indicates the target audience. It's intended for those seeking a concealed carry gun or those who prefer pure-bred service pistols in a sporting environment. The ATD Compact with black anodized aluminum frame weighs around 850 grams unloaded. The black slide and barrel with conventional rifling have a nitride finish.

New service pistol designs with aluminum frames and double-action triggers have become a rare breed given the flood of striker-fired polymer pistols. CZ has recently made a foray into this sparsely populated market segment with the Shadow Compact and Carry models. However, the subjectively superior feel of metal frames also has practical advantages. If you have a limp wrist, the weight of an all-metal pistol, compared to the lighter polymer version, can provide better reliability.

In addition to the standard version with a 102-mm barrel, the ATD Compact Comp is also available in a version with two integral ports in the slide and barrel. While this feature may slightly reduce muzzle rise, it also intensifies the muzzle flash, especially in low-light conditions. Whether or not you are in favor of this dubious US trend in a defensive pistol is up to you to decide. The conventional version can optionally be fitted with an extended barrel with silencer thread and in-house compensator.

As with the ATC series, the ATD series also offers a wide range of extra accessories such as a 360-degree magwell, encapsulated spring guide rod recoil spring assemblies in various weights, or a single-action trigger assembly. However, six adapter plates are already included as standard, which can be used to mount pretty much any red dot sight on the market into the slide as long as it fits into the 47-mm long cut.

It's just a shame that the adapter plates on this all-metal gun are made of plastic. It remains to be seen whether the threaded bushings inserted by hand can withstand the stresses of continuous use. The DA/SA trigger with its ambidextrous manual safety provides a solid foundation. We liked the design of the safety. If you don't need it, it doesn't interfere with handling; if you need to use it, it is easy to reach.

Arex Defence has rethought the slide stop, which also serves as a decocking mechanism. Pressing it down first releases the slide stop, pressing it further down moves the hammer to the rest position just before the firing pin. To avoid accidentally decocking the hammer after unlocking the slide, the hammer must first be returned to its original position – a clever design.

As with the ATC/ATD series, the magazine release can be reached from both sides at any time. The ATD Compact is also characterized by the interchangeable beavertail, which provides an anchor for the optionally available shoulder stock. 

It should be clear that you can't expect miracles in terms of trigger quality from service pistols. Nevertheless, we find 6,700 grams for the double-action mode and around 3,100 grams for the single-action mode decidedly too high. This detracts from the otherwise well-made pistol. With a price of €1,199 for the standard version and €1,349 for the compensated one, the price is really fair. Not even CZ can compete with that.

Steyr Arms ATD Compact and ATC Base on the shooting range

We started with the ATC Base, which first went into the rest to be tested for accuracy with ten types of ammunition with bullet weights from 95 to 147 grains. The Serbian PPU 115-grain JHP had already proven most accurate in both Steyr Arms ATC Rock pistols, and this was also true for the Base, achieving a best group size of 35mm. However, only three cartridges produced groups under the 50-mm mark. Groups exceeding 100mm demonstrate that individual selection is essential, given the wide range of 9mm Luger ammunition available. In contrast to the Rock models, the ATC Base did not require a break-in phase and worked trouble-free right from the start.

Now it was the turn of the ATD Compact to have to prove its accuracy from the Ransom Rest, also with ten types of ammunition matched to the intended use. At 38mm, the GECO 124-grain UTHP was already match-worthy in the standard ten-shot test at 25 meters. With two different cartridges, one flyer prevented the results from falling below 50mm. The majority of the loads were in the range up to 80mm, which is perfectly acceptable for a service pistol at the 25m distance. There were no malfunctions here either. In practical shooting conditions, we liked the combination of the slide stop and decocking lever. The grips, with their fine but aggressive texture, also proved effective. The gun was easy to control when firing, even with such powerful loads as the Speer Gold Dot 124-grain +P, which delivered a full 560 joules.

Steyr Arms ATD Compact and ATC Base technical specs and prices

New Steyr pistols: Versatile and affordable

The sporty Steyr Arms all-steel ATC Base pistol has a lot to offer for €1,999 with its DA/SA trigger, optics interface and optional upgrade options. The ATD Compact service pistol is just as versatile and expandable at an unbeatable price of €1,199 and scores highly with its aluminum frame, DA/SA trigger and optics interface. Both pistols impressed in terms of workmanship and shooting performance. Only the trigger quality was a shortcoming in the test guns. You should be able to cope with this or consider trigger tuning.

Text: Tino Schmidt and Stefan Perey

Further information on the ATC/ATD series can be found on the Steyr Arms website.