The discussion centers on the Steyr AUG A3 M2, a modern iteration of the Austrian service rifle that also serves in Australian forces. This particular rifle is not the NATO variant and uses traditional Steyr “waffle” magazines, which are noted for reliability and remain in production despite the availability of P-Mag and metal magazine configurations. The standout feature of this example is its chambering in .300 Blackout, giving the familiar AUG platform a different ballistic profile. The hosts reference the AUG’s pop-culture presence and emphasize that this configuration maintains the classic bullpup layout and quick-change barrel system while introducing the .300 Blackout twist.
The A3 M2 Mod 2 variant introduces several changes over earlier AUG models. The top rail is extended forward and cut back slightly at the rear, providing more usable space for optics, magnifiers, and accessories. Earlier setups were limited to compact magnifiers like the G43, but the new rail allows red dots to be mounted farther forward and offers better placement options for lights. The adjustable gas block is enlarged compared to original variants, and the folding vertical foregrip is cut to clear the gas block when folded. The enlarged gas system improves function when shooting suppressed. The bullpup design keeps weight and balance close to the shooter while maintaining a full 16-inch barrel and compact overall length, even with a suppressor installed.
The AUG A3 M2 retains the platform’s well-known quick-change barrel system. Barrel removal involves pressing a side button, twisting the barrel, and pulling it free, allowing rapid swaps, including to light machine gun–style configurations historically associated with the design. The trigger pack and barrel can be removed in seconds, highlighting the rifle’s modularity. The Mod 2 trigger pack includes red springs that were optional on earlier versions but now come installed from the factory. These springs increase power and reliability within the polymer trigger module. The hosts note that the AUG trigger system is mechanically very different from AR-15 triggers, underscoring the uniqueness of the bullpup’s internal layout and fire-control design.
Attention turns to the AUG’s polymer trigger pack and hammer. Initial skepticism about a polymer hammer is addressed by data indicating service lives in the 30,000 to 50,000 round range before replacement is needed. The design has been proven in Austrian and Australian service, including the STG77 lineage and later F90-style evolutions. The rifle is reported to perform especially well in snow and cold environments, where some other bullpup designs struggle. Polymer components may help mitigate freezing issues in extreme conditions. Despite its modernized appearance, the A3 M2 preserves the core aesthetic and functional concepts of the original STG77 adopted in 1977, while benefiting from updated materials and incremental refinements.
The .300 Blackout AUG A3 M2 ships with a dedicated .300 Blackout Steyr magazine. This magazine retains a waffle-style look but incorporates a side window similar to designs seen from Magpul, allowing visual confirmation of remaining rounds. The hosts compare it to older AUG magazines and note that, while they personally appreciate the flexibility of P-Mags in other setups, these Steyr magazines have proven reliable. They also test an AC Unity magazine originally intended for 5.56 NATO. Although the 5.56 AUG magazine pattern can sometimes feed .300 Blackout, the AC Unity mag produced frequent malfunctions in this configuration. Variations in .300 Blackout ammunition, including loads based on 5.56 cases with .308 projectiles and differing overall lengths, further complicate reliability. The recommendation is to stick with Steyr’s .300 Blackout-specific magazines for this rifle.
The hosts note that the AUG A3 M2 in .300 Blackout can effectively become a dual-caliber system by adding a 5.56 barrel, allowing the same rifle to run both cartridges with appropriate barrels and magazines. On the .300 Blackout barrel, they mount a HUXWRX Flow 762 suppressor. This flow-through design reduces back pressure, minimizing the need for a dedicated suppressed gas setting. Combined with the enlarged adjustable gas block, the rifle runs smoothly and is described as very pleasant to shoot when suppressed. The configuration showcases how the bullpup layout, quick-change barrel system, and modern suppressor technology can be combined on the Steyr AUG A3 M2 platform for compact, suppressed .300 Blackout performance.
Loading...