Roth Steyr 1907 at a Run-n-Gun Steel Match

/ forgottenweapons
We have a monthly pistol competition here called Steelworkers - a bunch of stages of all steel targets. I finally accumulated enough stripper clips for my 1907 Roth-Steyr to be able to compete, so I figured I should give it a run!
The 1907 was used by the Austro-Hungarian cavalry, and is in my opinion one of the best pistols of World War I. It is a solid and durable design firing a reasonably powerful cartridge (for the time, at least - 8mm Steyr is a 113gr projectile at about 1070fps) and with reasonable sights and good handling. It is mechanically innovative, with a firing mechanism functionally identical to today's "safe-action" systems. The striker is halfway cocked by the action of the gun cycling, and the remaining half is done by the trigger press. The 1907 uses a proprietary stripper clip holding 10 rounds, with a movable follower built in. Pressing down on the clip's follower puts an even pressure on the cartridges, helping to make it a very smooth design to use - I would rate it as equal or better than any other type of stripper clip I have used.
Overall I took 17th place of 21 shooters - although on stage #1 I am very pleased to have taken 10th! The strong hand and weak hand requirements there clearly helped me level the playing field. :)

[@Wintizer448]

"It's 112 degrees, my gun is 106 years old, I have 30 rounds on clips, and I'm Gun Jesus. Hit it."

[@JL-dance]

Beautiful

[@gnarshread]

That should be on a t shirt.

[@joox7364]

@@OhioGuy216 its only bad for the first month or so then you get used to the 100+ weather

[@Porty1119]

@@OhioGuy216 Eh, I lived in Tucson and it's pretty close to Hell.

[@สรินทัยแก้วขันทะ-ย5ญ]

@@gnarshread ด ท

[@HeavyTanker-vx4oq]

I love when a gun engineer figures out how to have the breach automatically close when yah pull out the stripper clip.

[@calybri1214]

Probably the clip hits some sort of bolt release and the clip itself holds the bolt back until it's removed if I had to guess

[@jl123ist]

It should just be spring tension closing the slide after the stripper clip is pulled out, if it works like most other last round hold open weapons there is a catch on the magazine follower that literally catches the slide and stops forward travel after the last round. Once there is ammo in the magazine the slide catch is disengaged and the spring tension on the slide would automatically put a round in battery once the stripper clip is removed. Even on weapons like the M1 Garand that sometimes stays open after the en bloc clip is fully inserted is only because the spring trying to push the bolt forward isn't strong enough to strip a round from the clip at that level of tension thus needing help forward. Most of the time they work the way they were intended and close automatically, that's why there are specific loading procedures to follow to avoid a condition called "garand thumb".

[@1200velocity]

It’s probably the magazine follower prevents to bolt from going forward

[@JenniferinIllinois]

Only Ian would bring a 100+ year old stripper clip fed pistol to a shooting competition. Conrad von Hotzendorf would be proud. Hehehe... Next month, bring a Broomhandle. :)

[@emeralddragongaming2930]

He is a dedicated man and it suits him

[@springbloom5940]

No, I would, too... if I had one. I use my 26" 1894 Winchester Sporting Rifle. Everyone calls me Red Ryder.

[@timtheskeptic1147]

I believe he's already done a match with the Mauser.

[@dwb345]

I think I'd have as much fun reloading it as shooting, something about stripper clips, its mechanically satisfying

[@SgtKOnyx]

Doug Bolster so long as they work. I need to find better ones, the ones I have (different gun) don't work well regularly.

[@nickey3633]

Same for me

[@pLAST3RdISAST3R]

That's why I love DA/SA pistols & manual transmission engines, would love to have a stripper-clip loading weapon.

Meh.

[@jackal8176]

@@SgtKOnyx if they have a really specific design you might try 3D printing as a way to make some fresh ones otherwise you could also special order of them from a machine shop. Although that would be maybe more that there Worth? Depends on how complicated they are honestly.

[@Chebva]

Amazing a firearm so old can still be so reliable. Over a 100 years old and running smooth. Very nice.

[@jnathannger8654]

except the part where it wasnt reliable. but yes it is a well designed and built pistol

[@jurajokasa834]

I own 1914 steyr hahn (hammer) and it runs fine just ammo is budge ...i load largo cases

[@IIDEADBIRDII]

@@jnathannger8654 it was only unreliable because of user error if you watched the video you would know that the gun ran reliably.

[@kinocorner976]

II D3ADB1RD II Doesn’t mean it was at all affective or reliable in combat. Any gun can be clean and “reliable” if it’s a safe humper.

[@EvanDickersonM81]

Right up until 8:00

[@Prowbar]

Those stripper clips load really smooth, nice!

[@gark64]

for $150 each they had better!

[@dobypilgrim6160]

At that price, it looks like someone could afford to tool up and make some to sell.

[@gark64]

they're honestly pretty complicated, with wings and a thumb-lever. check it out: picturearchive.gunauction.com/4007130740/8777189/4a04a79e9ea9af2ed226994eae442a2f.jpg

[@jackmcslay]

+andrew francis not a bad idea. problem is getting someone to 3d print metal. I don't think plastic is strong enough and I don't think firearm hardware is something you could get on a site like shapeways

[@benjaminking4286]

maybe you don't need the exact strippers, what if he used one that fit 8mm steyr but without the thumb charger?

[@chitoryu12]

That's honestly the best stripper clip design I've ever seen and I'm astounded at how fast it is compared to changing magazines.

[@orellaminx3530]

Watching him do handloads, still peaks in the chamber to make sure. Now that's a good range master.

[@OrangeAmped]

Slow down there with your high-capacity assault clips

[@forestchicken6689]

David Hynes i believe the liberal name would be "assault clipazeenes"

[@toastbusters7797]

forest chicken true; true

[@frbe0101]

I would call it assault strippers... which sounds awesome.

[@devinthierault]

Luggage? That punk pulled a Glock 7 on me. You know what that is? It's a porcelain gun made in Germany. It doesn't show up on your airport X-ray machines here and it costs more than what you make in a month!

[@devinthierault]

Those kill people duuurrr

[@elliotthyppolite]

106 years old and he's runnin through clips like a gen 4 glock does mags! Wow. Very impressive

[@dwightehowell8179]

I'm impressed. I'd call the gun combat effective.

[@PhantomSavage]

Dude, this looks like something from a 40's science fiction/noir like Sky Captain.

[@knifedance2402]

Underrated movie

[@thatguybrody4819]

i thought you said this thing was big can i have it?

[@KrappR42]

I was hoping the beginning was going to be a Blues Brothers reference. "It's 112 degrees, my gun is 106 years old, I have 30 rounds on clips, it's bright, and I'm wearing sunglasses." "Hit it."

[@NancyFrye]

112F and you're still killing those targets? Heroic. I'd have been in a coma.

[@Dick_Gozinya]

It's a dry heat.

[@capslockbusted]

+Scott Patterson So is the surface of the sun.

[@moonstryder1740]

that's 44.4 C not too bad

[@yetanother9127]

You get used to it when you live in Arizona.

[@SgtKOnyx]

That's actually a fairly normal temperature in Arizona

[@BoZoiD57]

I always thought the Roth Steyr M1912 was magazine fed, but today I found out it's clip-fed, and that makes me happy.

[@marvindebot3264]

@@cameronnorton5898 Fixed mag so the only really practical way.

[@sibbi-cw8yj]

Bruh a magazine reload is way faster

[@bootsontheground4913]

@@sibbi-cw8yj duh, thats not the point lol

[@sibbi-cw8yj]

@@bootsontheground4913 why does it make him happy then

[@bootsontheground4913]

@@sibbi-cw8yj its an old and intriguing system, just another neat feature of a neat gun. Its not like he intends to carry one for self defense lol

[@notinspectorgadget]

Temperature: hot Clips: expensive Gun: *BEEFY*

[@calybri1214]

Hotel: trivago

[@1anthonybrowning]

I think Ian's voice jumped an octave at 7:45-7:48. That must have been a moment of panic setting in. Seriously, I guess this might be the oldest semi auto pistol to shoot steels in this manner.

[@d0j0w0]

Best run and gun ever! It was brutal watching the single round loading. What a fine gun over 100, awsome!

[@littlegrabbiZZ9PZA]

On average, how many raised eyebrows do these outings get you? ;)

[@ScottKenny1978]

My guess is that whenever Ian shows up, the other shooters say, "Hey, Ian, what weirdness did you bring this time?" And then they lose it when it's a Glock and AR. 😆

[@arbhall7572]

Other than that heavy trigger pull looks awesome. I really love how high up it sits in your hand and keeps the point of aim nice and high. It's ugly as sin, but that is a plus in my book. Thank you again Ian, this is a true treasure.

[@wallaroo1295]

"SHUT UP CARL!" Had to be going through Ian's mind!

[@hawks1ish]

Dat reload noise eh so nice sort of like spinning a revolver cylinder

[@AustinStanley1]

Way cool Ian. You know if EA hasn't hired you as a consultant on the upcoming battlefield 1, they totally should!

[@d4ngru5h83]

Austin Stanley he's actually in the credits, so who knows! ;-)

[@riaankorsten973]

Just love that "KRRRRRTTT" from the stripper clips 3:20

[@M95-v4r]

I've shot three rounds with a Steyr M12 from 1919 in 9x23mm Steyr and I was really surprised by it's heavy trigger. At ten meters all three were in 30cm group. It was a very nice experience.

[@jaxxons11]

The reload using stripper clips sound so satisfying.

[@troy9477]

Fun. Looks like something i would do. About 10 yrs ago i was doing IDPA style shoots almost monthly at a club, and occasionally a Steel Challenge match. I prided myself on using iron sights and stock guns. I used a duff gun almost every time. Good way to wring them out, and discover any shortcomings in your technique. I even enjoyed using revolvers, esp my 2.5" S&W 66. Just have to reload more. Competition is a great way to expand your learning and hone your skills.

[@MackSuperb]

Terrific video! Don't know if anyone knows this, but they were designed for the cavalry. The soldier had four guns. One on either side of the horse in a special holster (I've never seen one), and one carried in holsters on each hip. I guess the idea was to use the horse mounts first then, by that time the horse may have been hit, so run with the other two and hide! Makes sense, cuz I can't imagine playing with stripper clips while riding in the middle of battle.

[@MackSuperb]

Correction. Three guns. Only one on the hip. Two on the horse.

[@williamchamberlain2263]

There was a renaissance mounted troop type/tactic for armoured men using 4-8 flint/wheel lock pistols _each_ - basically they'd ride up in spaced files near to a block of pike and musket who were reloading, front rank fire and wheel back through, repeat until either nobody has a pistol still loaded or the renaining musketeers are getting near ready to fire, then ride off somewhere quiet and reload all those pistols.

[@Seniorup]

Good video Ian, i love these gun challenges, when i get my restricted license (canada) i'm going to try and get into these competitions etc. I just became a patron too for your channel since i watch it every day! keep up the great work.

[@ForgottenWeapons]

Thanks!

[@oic6270]

Loading with stripper clips looks just so smooth and awesome, you should do a video compilation of the firearms you've reloaded whith them

[@ThomasRonnberg]

I'm not sure if this is just me, or the gun, but holy cow your shooting has improved dramatically over the years.

[@abisrizvi2621]

That reload sound is the best sound that any pistol has ever made

[@Raynster]

One of my favourite pistols still to this day

[@paaatreeeck]

That hat was nice, but a full Austro-Hungarion WW1 uniform get-up would have been a real winner ;)

[@vincentrees4970]

Bruh, 112 F do you want him to die? 😂

[@gustavgnoettgen]

True, but on the other hand: they didn't win back then 😉

[@ryanlieb3958]

@@gustavgnoettgen mybe because france, Serbia, Montenegro, Russia, Romania, America, UK, Brazil, Portugal, Greece, Italy, China all declared war on them

[@gustavgnoettgen]

@@ryanlieb3958 I'm pretty sure that's the case

[@murphysmuskets]

Sweet pistol! Looks like you had the reloads down pretty slick!

[@Fasdaff01]

"It's 112 degrees out. My gun is 106 years old, and I have 30 rounds on clips for a 31-round-count stage. And as the buzzer sounds and the match begins, it occurs to me that some weapons are forgotten for a reason."

[@thegoldencaulk2742]

I know I'm incredibly late on this, but apparently someone created a work around for the stripper clips. Basically: Use M1 Carbine clips. Take out the brass spring and retainer, and drill and cut out a U-notch near the bottom with a drillbit the rough width of the extractor (to allow it to clear), and bing bang boom you have a slightly less worse way of reloading the pistol.

[@hanktorrance6855]

This was a great example of the gun in a functional setting, thanks for bringing us these episodes

[@Stellar001100]

Looks like another gun that needs to be added to The Mandalorian.

[@ShaddySoldier]

With starwars' history of brutally destroying historical weapons I really fucking hope not

[@desertdude540]

It's truly disgusting how many broomhandle Mausers have been cut up by cosplay enthusiasts.

[@anzaca1]

@@desertdude540 Not SW's fault.

[@anzaca1]

@@ShaddySoldier Brutally destroying? They used a handful for the movies, but all of them were guns that were made in huge quantities.

[@bigmikeh5827]

This is great. I have collected for 30 years with the primary goal to shoot them. Just went to the range with my son and took a PO8 and Hakim. Best part was letting three new shooters shoot the Luger. Keep up the great work and do more stuff like this.

[@Tripp426]

This is really neat to see such an old gun in action and Carl's (I'm assuming it's him...yeah it's definitely him) comments are hilarious. I gotta start watching more InRange videos.

[@drewalsup9200]

That is such a cool gun. Nice shooting too its awesome seeing how it was done in ye old days using stripper clips. So cool.

[@mikemanske9212]

You showed an unreal amount of composure in this video especially when correcting the malfunction while the guy is talking in your ear and then hand loading each round individually.

[@bramelyne7970]

Beauty, like my mk iv. But the stripper clips man that nice, remake this one

[@slowpokebr549]

What a nice handling old pistol. They had a nice stripper clip design clearly. It even single fed easily.

[@olppano]

It's funny how you can hear every time you hold the trigger down :D

[@NYNEXNetriate]

Unique videos like this is why I subscribed to Forgotten Weapons. Nicely done!

[@vguyver2]

As soon as I had seen the preview image , I knew I had watch. That WWI pistol really caught my eye when you studied it, and I'm glad you bought it.

[@quickattackfilms7923]

What a cool gun. Looks awesome. Still works even after all these years. So cool.

[@pmodd]

Very nice. It's great to see WW1 guns used for something better than a couple of delicate plinking shots, or simply sitting in a display cabinet to be admired. Looks to be a really solid pistol too!

[@jason60chev]

I think that it is great and interesting to have you put these guns through their paces to really see how well they function and perform.

[@vincentrees4970]

Cameraman: ho-yeah! Ian, an intellectual: Ho-jaa! 🇦🇹

[@BoozMcGroove]

I’d like to own one of these, maybe if there were Roth-Steyr reproductions out there in something like .32 ACP or even 9x19 Luger then I’d be all over it

[@peanutbutter5402]

I think 9×18 is as good as it gets

[@ScottKenny1978]

@@peanutbutter5402 that's work. 9 Makarov is commercially available.

[@daltonbecker4494]

Superior idea: Just make 8mm Steyr common again by making more guns chambered in it.

[@macledou]

That reload with the stripper clip was great. Loved the sound!

[@dominicchambers9652]

I saw that switch from left to right hand. You're a man of many talents, sir.

[@Spearfisher1970]

Very entertaining, and a learning experience there at 7:25 ! Thanks again, guys. I like the set-up before the shooting starts to allow we, the viewers, the chance to understand the pros and cons, and develop our suspicions on what is about to happen, then to see it play out and get and overview /conclusion at the end. Better than television I say.

[@honorb4glory606]

Ian, I hope you know how much your viewers love you.

[@elementalist1984]

I always love the commentary in the background of these videos.

[@AND-od5jt]

When I see videos like this -- until 7:45 -- I'm proud to be Austrian again ^^

[@foivosapostolos1211]

This is actually a very good gun given its age and the production processes when it was made. Impressive

[@gerhardbinder9798]

Ah GOOD SHOOTING with the STEYER I am ah Austrian old Man and Your Videos about FORGOTTEN WEAPONS IS ONE OFF THE BEST VIDEOS ABOUT Old and forgotten Weapons keep it up man. I like to watch your videos because you explain it technically very well, even if I have to look up a lot of words.

[@asherhockersmith8271]

Historically literate, a dashing goatee and actually a decent shot? What's not to love about this man?

[@ThunderChunky101]

A hundred and twelve degrees?! That boils water!! ;)

[@W7DSY]

Had to be here in Arizona someplace.

[@retroicdescent]

Celcius joke, XD

[@damiancook3409]

+Stan Jefferson It is, Tucson I believe

[@W7DSY]

Thanks!

[@damiancook3409]

Stan Jefferson Yeah man, no problem!

[@davidkohler7454]

I was totally impressed with the gun and shooter. Those strippers seem smooth to me, great job.

[@sjoormen1]

Somehow I understood, that this roth steyer is match version:-))

[@travispowell2471]

A little slow to reload, but pretty impressive performance for such an old pistol. Nice shooting.

[@The_sinner_Jim_Whitney]

Almost certainly the only time that model's ever been used in competition at that range. Cool old pistol, I'd like to try one!

[@tarstakars]

love to see these old pistols in action

[@minuit242]

Those stripper clips really worked surprisingly well. Actually seems almost as fast as detachable magazines.

[@DavidM-um2uk]

That piece looks like it has some serious stopping power. Nice gun!

[@deniskozlowski7119]

World war one handguns, blackjacks and bombs are my favorite things on the world to handle

[@WilliamAmyot]

What a great gun. Fascinating to see it used in a match.

[@skystorm569]

It's really neat that there's a button to dump the magazine into your hand in case of something like a double feed. It's almost like they thought of it in the design.

[@silverfingerthesilverstack5062]

I really enjoyed watching this and I thought the gun did amazing, far better than I would of expected for an antique oddity pistol.

[@Cal6009]

You're a pretty good shot. Really interesting little pistol, still performing well after a hundred years too, that's impressive.

[@aeronwilliams94]

fantastic stuff , it's great that these beauties are being used .

[@ge0arc244]

What you got for the Shooting Time Trial's Competition:? Me, I got the latest GEN 5 Glock. Ian, I brought my trusty 1907 Steyr! Me, Silently walks back home knowing I've just been OUT PLAYED By Gun JESUS...

[@Brekwon97]

for over 100 years old that thing is pretty awesome

[@ArmyStrongGangflu]

It's actually kinda really cool that your trigger finger got tired. Considering that with any modern handgun, that just really doesn't happen. Even after hundreds of rounds.

[@montanaorr6937]

Such an awesome video. Ian shot like a champ!

[@Punisher9419]

You can reload that hing pretty fast.

[@HuhJuhWuh]

These old cliploader pistols are really neat

[@ericalger2072]

Your reload is real smooth man, esp. For those stripper clips!

[@jesseterry6461]

Just imagine, your in the trenches of the Great War....all of the sudden, the enemy whistles sounds. A man with remarkably hood hair and facial hair jumps down into your trench and proclaims "hi im Ian with Forgoten weapons" ......then hell followed with him....

[@SyndicateBrink]

Lovely, so so lovely. Great shooting there Ian

[@ta5672003]

I have watched this video like 20 times and it never gets old!!!

[@RetroAdzz]

Man I love that pistol. Just watching you reload it is fasinating and fun to watch

[@piotrmroz7213]

Beautiful pistol and great piece of history. I wish to have one...

[@ScottRuggels]

I have really wanted one of these, since high school. I even bought a rubber banded group of stripper clips for it for $12, but the strippers were for the Steyr Hahn, and so weren't' usable for them. never did see one of these for sale where I lived. still want one.

[@zacharygarrard3625]

Damn that stripper clip reload makes a satisfying noise

[@atarian345]

I like the report from this gun. Makes a nice clank sound.

[@RedFathom]

Man, you make that look awesome!

[@p03saucez]

Beautiful pistol. And I especially enjoyed the wise insight from Karl the Buzzkill.

[@HighlanderNorth1]

Someone should donate a few Roth-Steyr clips to him.

[@z_monty]

$300 a piece for the originals I'm afraid

[@chrisburn7178]

Remind me how this thing is appreciably worse than a modern pistol? It seems to run smooth, be accurate and not kick badly. Perhaps capacity is a downer but makes up for it with the cool stripper clips.

[@Psiberzerker]

Karl was joking, but they issued Stripper Clips for several reasons. Most of all, because it was the turn of the century, and it made the guns a lot simpler to manufacture. They're also a lot lighter, and more compact way to carry the same amount of ammunition in the field. Not to mention, you're going to be more careful with your shots, when you know yo're going to be loading 10 rounds with stripper clips, whereas you can throw bullets away when you know you have a 33 round box magazine.

[@nathanaelalqenir748]

Nice shooting. Very interesting weapon, more than a century old and working to specs... damn. Ho and thanks, I discovered "The Great War" thanks to you!

[@jamesellsworth9673]

A Classic Weapon in the hands of a skilled pistolero is a fearsome thing to come up against.

[@murrellwilhite7760]

that was super fun to watch, looks like a lot of fun.....thanks

[@RealLuckless]

This is the kind of thing to point to when people try to go on about firearms being "only good for killing things". This sort of target shooting is amazingly fun and challenging. Except the heat part. That's just bloody insane.