Austrian firearms specialists Steyr Arms is debuting the recently released A2 MF (Modular Frame) 9mm pistol at this year’s exhibition, alongside several refreshed variants of the classic 5.56mm AUG assault rifle to meet new requirements from law enforcement and military customers.

The A2 MF 9mm was officially launched at SHOT Show 2019 in Las Vegas and is now making its European debut here in Nuremberg. A company spokesperson explained that many of the changes from the previous generation pistol centre around ergonomics, and ensuring comfort for the shooter.

The A2 MF features up to three interchangeable backstraps on the grip to cater for different hand sizes, as well as two types of side plates (one raised and one flat). The spokesperson explained that there is now a “more aggressive” grip texture to ensure maximum traction for the shooter in all conditions.

Forward slide serrations have also been added to assist with slide manipulation.

The new pistol now also incorporates a MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny Rail on the six o’clock position, allowing for the fitment of torches or lasers without the need for special adaptors or proprietary attachment mechanisms. Much like the A1 series, the new A2 MF retains the high grip angle and low bore axis that Steyr says offers comfort and recoil mitigation.

A flared magwell also helps reduce reloading times for 10 or 17-round capacity magazines, while Steyr’s proprietary trapezoid sights (an alternative to the traditional three-dot system) come as standard and offer a “quick acquisition” combat sighting system. The pistol weighs 1.7lbs (0.8kg) and has an overall length of 7.9”, height of 5.6” and width of 1.3 inches

In addition to the A2 MF, Steyr Arms also exhibited several AUG variants at Enforce Tac including an example chambered for the increasingly popular .300 BLK. One of the only discernible differences on the weapon’s exterior is a larger gas piston, with the spokesperson explaining that the entire gas system has been replaced to fire .300 BLK.

The spokesperson told MONCh that the .300 BLK (7.62x35mm) is now becoming increasingly popular with law enforcement and special forces operators, principally owing to its heavier bullet mass compared with 5.56x45mm. This means that it can transfer more energy into targets for greater “stopping power."

Steyr Arms also exhibited several AUG variants at Enforce Tac including an example chambered for the increasingly popular .300 BLK.

Steyr Arms also displayed a blue-painted AUG A2 variant that had been modified to fire non-lethal training ammunition from Simunition, with the company official explaining that this would be a perfect solution for current AUG operators that wanted to realistically train with the weapon and, unlike blanks, see the effect of their firing.