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SHOP NOWThis episode of Class of Arms focuses on the Steyr AUG A3 M2 configured in .300 Blackout. The discussion covers Mod 2 design changes, trigger pack durability, magazine performance, and pairing with a HUXWRX Flow 762 suppressor.
This video was originally published on YouTube and is no longer available for streaming.
The full transcript and product details are available below.
The video centers on the Steyr AUG, highlighting its pop-culture appearance and long-standing role as an Austrian service rifle, as well as its adoption by Australian forces. The rifle shown is not the NATO variant and uses traditional Steyr “waffle” magazines, which are described as extremely reliable and still in production despite the availability of P-Mag and metal magazine variants. The featured rifle is a Steyr AUG A3 M2 chambered in .300 Blackout, which is presented as the key twist on the classic platform. The hosts note that the barrel has been changed for the .300 Blackout chambering and mention that they experimented with different magazines, setting up a later discussion of what worked and what did not during testing.
Attention shifts to the specific Mod 2 updates on the AUG A3 M2. The top rail is extended forward and cut further back compared to earlier AUGs, providing more usable space for optics, magnifiers, and accessories. Previous setups were limited to short magnifiers like the G43 due to restricted rail length. The new rail allows red dots to be mounted farther forward and offers better placement for lights, as demonstrated by the light mounted near the front. An enlarged adjustable gas block is another Mod 2 change, with a cut in the folding vertical foregrip to clear the larger block. The hosts explain that this gas system improves suppressed performance and that, with a flow-through suppressor, a dedicated suppressed gas setting was not necessary. They also emphasize typical bullpup advantages, such as a full 16-inch barrel in a compact overall length and the AUG’s integrated folding foregrip for prone or confined-space use.
The discussion moves to the AUG’s quick-change barrel system and internal layout. The hosts describe the AUG as one of the easiest rifles for rapid barrel changes, though they avoid demonstrating the process on camera. They note that the trigger pack and barrel can be removed in seconds by pressing a side button, releasing a pin, twisting the barrel, and pulling it free. A light machine gun variant historically took advantage of this system particularly well. With the rifle disassembled, they focus on the Mod 2 trigger pack, which now includes red springs from the factory. These springs were previously an optional upgrade but are now standard, intended to increase power and reliability in the polymer trigger mechanism. The hosts remark that the AUG trigger system is unlike typical AR-15 triggers and is mechanically complex yet effective within the bullpup design.
The polymer construction of the AUG trigger pack, including a polymer hammer, is examined with some initial skepticism. The hosts compare it to polymer AR-15 lowers and uppers and mention the FN SCAR as an example of a successful polymer-intensive design. They relay information that the AUG’s polymer hammer can last roughly 30,000 to 50,000 rounds before needing replacement, which they find impressive. This durability, combined with long-term use by Austrian and Australian forces, is presented as evidence that the design is proven. The conversation references the STG77 designation, noting that it was adopted by the Austrian military in 1977 and has been updated over time while retaining its recognizable overall aesthetic. The AUG is credited with helping to popularize bullpup rifles, and the Mod 2 variant is framed as a continuation of that lineage with incremental refinements.
The hosts mention experience working with Austrians and Australians who report that the AUG performs particularly well in snow and cold-weather environments, where some other bullpups struggle. They speculate that polymer components may help mitigate freezing issues, suggesting a possible advantage of the material choice. The conversation then returns to magazines. The .300 Blackout AUG A3 M2 ships with a dedicated .300 Blackout Steyr magazine that retains a waffle-style appearance but includes a side window similar to some Magpul designs, allowing visual confirmation of remaining rounds. The hosts state a preference for this style of AUG magazine when using the Steyr pattern, while also acknowledging the general appeal of P-Mags for broader compatibility. They emphasize that Steyr’s own magazines have a strong reputation for reliability and are relatively uncommon outside of Steyr’s ecosystem.
Testing with alternative magazines is discussed next. The hosts tried an AC Unity magazine, which is designed for 5.56, in the .300 Blackout AUG. They explain that not all .300 Blackout ammunition is dimensionally identical, noting that some loads are effectively based on 5.56 cases with .308 projectiles, often referred to historically as .300 Whisper. They point out that only some manufacturers adhere closely to the true 7.62x35mm dimensions, and that projectile length and grain weight, such as 147-grain bullets typical of .308, can hint at how the cartridge is constructed. In their testing, the AC Unity 5.56 magazine produced frequent malfunctions with .300 Blackout, leading them to recommend sticking with Steyr’s .300 Blackout-specific magazines for this configuration. They also note that adding a 5.56 barrel would effectively give the owner two calibers in one AUG platform, using the same core rifle with different barrels.
The segment concludes with a look at the muzzle setup on the .300 Blackout barrel. The rifle is equipped with a HUXWRX Flow 762 suppressor, described as a flow-through design that produces low back pressure. Combined with the enlarged adjustable gas block on the AUG A3 M2, this suppressor setup allowed the rifle to run smoothly without needing a dedicated suppressed gas setting. The hosts characterize the shooting experience as very comfortable due to the gas system and suppressor working together. This configuration showcases how the .300 Blackout chambering, modern Mod 2 gas system, and a flow-through suppressor like the HUXWRX Flow 762 can be paired on a bullpup platform to maintain reliability and manageable gas levels while shooting suppressed.
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