Steyr Mannlicher Model SL

The History of Steyr

The story of Steyr Mannlicher began in 1821 when Leopold Werndl, a blacksmith, started manufacturing iron parts for firearms in the city of Steyr. His son Josef Werndl took over his business and founded the 'Josef und Franz Werndl & Comp. Waffenfabrik und Sägemühle in Oberletten ' in 1864. In the following years, he played a crucial role in the development of several rifles, including the straight pull-rifles M. 85 and M. 86. At the beginning of the 20th century, the engineers Ferdinand Mannlicher and Otto Schönauer developed the Original Mannlicher Schönauer, a legendary hunting rifle, the production of which took place until 1973. The company grew over the years and reached a production capability of 4.000 firearms per day before World War I. After the War, Steyr was prohibited from firearm manufacturing after the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye was signed. To avoid going bankrupt, they used their knowledge and machinery to manufacture cars, bicycles, motorcycles, tractors, trucks, dynamos, electric motors, and other things (they were not allowed to resume firearm production until 1930). In 1926, the company’s name was changed to Steyr-Werke AG. It merged with Austro-Daimler-Puchwerke AG in 1934 to form Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG. Both Austro-Daimler (previously a subsidiary of Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft) and Puch (founded by the Slovenian inventor and mechanic Janez Puh) were active in the automobile industry, with Puch also manufacturing bicycles, motorcycles, and mopeds.

They even employed Ferdinand Porsche for a time – he made several contributions to the company – one of them was designing an air-cooled 3.5 L V8 engine for the Steyr RSO Raupenschlepper Ost tracked vehicle. Steyr is known for modifying Fiat cars and adding their engines to some of the models (Steyr-Fiat 1100 Mod E and Fiat 1400, for example). In 1972, they cooperated with Mercedes in the design of Puch G, also known as Mercedes Benz G-class.

During World War II, the company focused on firearm, vehicle, aviation engine, and ball-bearing production for the German military. After a short firearm manufacturing ban after the end of the War, Steyr resumed the production of arms in 1950. In the years that followed, they presented many innovative firearms such as StG 77 (also known as Steyr AUG), an assault rifle with a bullpup design; SSG 69, which was ahead of its time after its release in 1969, and many others. In 1989, Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG broke up into different sectors; Steyr Mannlicher AG became independent. The company has strived to be internationally oriented, so it changed its name to Steyr Arms in 2019.

Steyr Mannlicher Model SL Rifle Review

Steyr Mannlicher SL is a bolt-action rifle manufactured from 1967 up until 1996.

The acronyms at the end of the rifle model used by Steyr are adapted to the German language and refer to different caliber groups or action lengths. They differ from most international abbreviations:

SL – Super Leicht (super light)
L – Leicht (light)
M – Medium (same as in English)
S – Schwer (heavy)

However, the usual L, M and S acronyms of various rifle models worldwide most often refer to either the action length or a caliber group for which a certain rifle is chambered. Commonly, L stands for long, M for medium and S for short.

The B distance between the mounting holes on the receiver of Steyr Mannlicher SL is 81.8 mm.

The SL model features two opposing curves for a smooth operating action that houses a bolt with six rear locking lugs. The bolt throw of only 60° allows for low-scope mounting. By turning the bolt handle to a 60° position and pressing the trigger simultaneously, the bolt can be removed without effort which is especially useful for cleaning and maintenance purposes.

The safety catch which is of a two-position type is located at the right end of the receiver and is easily reachable with the index finger. It blocks the firing pin and locks the bolt handle. Additionally, the rifle comes with the cocking indicator pin at the end of the bolt. The drum magazine is made of high-quality synthetic material and can hold up to five rounds. The rear wall of the magazine is transparent to see the number of cartridges left in the magazine.

Users can choose between a single or double trigger with the trigger being adjustable for pull weight by turning a small screw positioned on the top of the trigger guard. Tightening the screw increases the trigger resistance and unscrewing it decreases the pull weight. What is more, Steyr also offers a German-style hair trigger which is optional. The barrel is equipped with a tilted rear sight and a square blade front sight. A left-handed version of the rifle is available as well.

The rifle came in several versions, including Stutzen with a barrel length of 510 mm (21-inch), Varmint, and half-stock versions with the 600 mm (23.6-inch) long barrel.

Steyr Mannlicher SL, chambered for .222 Rem.

Figure 1: Steyr Mannlicher SL, chambered for .222 Rem. (Source: https://simpsonltd.com/styer-mannlicher-model-sl/)

Steyr Mannlicher Model SL Calibers

The SL model is chambered for the following calibers:

.222 Rem.
.223 Rem.
.222 Rem. Mag.
5.6x50 Mag.

All other Steyr Mannlicher action lengths:

There are four holes for mounting purposes on the Steyr Mannlicher SL receiver, two on the front, and two on the rear mounting surface. There is no difference in height between the surfaces.

The receiver of Steyr Mannlicher SL, chambered for .222 Rem.

Figure 2: The receiver of Steyr Mannlicher SL, chambered for .222 Rem. (Source: https://simpsonltd.com/styer-mannlicher-model-sl/)

The mounting surface of Steyr Mannlicher Model SL

A: 10 mm

B: 81.8 mm

C: 10 mm

BHU: 0 mm

Ø: M4x05

R1: R15

R2: R15

Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Steyr Mannlicher Model SL

Rifles That Have One-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Steyr Mannlicher Model SL

The necessary condition for rifles to have one-piece scope mounts interchangeable is that the mounting surfaces of these rifles match in every dimension.

Due to specific receiver dimensions on this rifle, we currently lack information regarding one-piece scope mount interchangeability. Should you have any additional information regarding possible mount matches, please contact us. We will gladly accept your help and expand our database accordingly.

Rifles That Have Two-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Steyr Mannlicher Model SL

For two-piece scope mounts to be interchangeable, the mounting surfaces of the rifles must match in every dimension except the action length which can vary. This is because the distance between the two pieces of the mount is not fixed. Rifles that have two-piece scope mounts interchangeable with Steyr Mannlicher SL are the following:

Steyr Mannlicher Model L

Best Scope Mounts for Steyr Mannlicher Model SL

Fixed Scope Mounts for Steyr Mannlicher Model SL

If you are looking for a fixed mounting solution suitable for Steyr Mannlicher SL, we recommend this two-piece mount manufactured by the German company MAK. It comes with a thirty-year warranty and is made of high-quality steel.

Detachable Repeatable Scope Mounts for Steyr Mannlicher Model SL

If you are looking for a reliable detachable mounting solution, we recommend this two-piece pivot mount manufactured by the German company EAW. It is made of high-quality steel and comes with a thirty-year warranty.

Picatinny Rails for Steyr Mannlicher Model SL

When it comes to variability, Picatinny rails are among the best mounting solutions. They have equidistant slots all over the surface allowing the device to be mounted wherever the user finds it fitting. This durable Picatinny rail manufactured by the German company EAW is made of high-quality steel and is an ideal fit for your Steyr Mannlicher SL.

Help Us Build Our Riflescope Mounts Database

If you happen to own this or any other rifle, we would appreciate it if you could help us expand our database by sending us some photos of the rifle receiver (the bare mounting surface of the rifle without the scope mounts installed). For your help, our company offers a fair return in terms of practical rewards.

Please send us an email for more information. You can contact us here: [email protected]

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There are two terms found for similar thing: quick release scope mounts and quick detach scope mounts. Term quick release scope mounts is used mostly in Europe and quick detach scope mounts is used mainly in USA, although they mean the same thing. With these terms we describe a scope mount that can be quickly removed from the rifle in the field without using any tools and quickly attached back on the rifle when needed.

Main advantages:

possibility to use multiple scopes on the rifle,
easy transportation of the scope and the rifle separately,
if scope fails, it is possible to immediately detach it and use iron sights.

FIXED vs DETACHABLE scope mounts

Fixed scope mounts are mounted to the rifle with screws and sometimes even with glue. This means that it is impossible to attach or detach the scope mount using bare hands without using tools. It also means that they are not meant for constantly being attached on or detached off the rifle. Once you screw the mount on the rifle, it normally stays there for a longer period of use.

Detachable scope mounts offer possibility to attach or detach them without using any tools. This is extremely handy while transporting the rifle and the scope separately and it also offers multiple solutions of different optics on the same rifle. Detachable scope mounts can be attached or detached from the rifle in a matter of seconds, using bare hands.

Fixed Mount

Fixed Mount

DETACHABLE vs REPEATABLE scope mounts

It is important to know and understand expressions “detachable” and “repeatable” while talking about scope mounts. Term detachable scope mounts implies scope mounts that can be quickly attached or detached without using any tools. However, when you detach this kind of mount and attach it back on the rifle, it is recommended to zero the rifle before using it again. Procedure of detaching and again attaching the mount will probably need a sighting in before next shooting, because mount will not be secured on the rifle in the perfectly same position and conditions as it was before detaching it off the rifle.

On the contrary, repeatable scope mounts are most sophisticated mounts. These scope mounts are also detachable, however – they provide removing scope from the rifle and attaching it back again without zeroing the rifle every time. This means that they are made more precisely and that they are offering a possibility of using different optical sights / scope on the same rifle. These mounts are ideal for hunters who can use optical and iron sights interchangeably, depending on the needs in different situations. With the repeatable scope mounts, it is useful to keep them oiled as well as the upper part of the rifle, so that repeatability is more ensured. With a touch of oil, the repeatability might be better, because parts of the mount will always return to their previous locations.

Different types of repeatable scope mounts:

Pivot mounts,
Dentler mounts,
Picatinny repeatable mounts,
12 mm dovetail repeatable mounts (for break barrel rifles, such as Steyr Duett, Blaser B750, Fair Combi, Fair SLX 800, Bettinsoli rifles, etc.),
Original repeatable mounts, made by manufacturers of rifles for their rifles (Blaser mount, Sauer SUM mount, Mauser M03 mount, Steyr Monoblock mount, etc.).

Repeatable Mount

Repeatable Mount

TIP OFF / ROLL OFF vs SLIDE ON mounts

Nowadays, there are a whole lot of different possibilities, made for attaching riflescopes on the rifles. There are also a lot of different expressions, having the same meaning. It is good to know that tip off and roll off mounts are basically the same thing. They represent quick release scope mounts for dovetails and rails which can be rolled or tipped off the rail vertically to the side of the rail. On the contrary, there are also slide on mounts available on the market. They represent quick release scope mounts that can be slided on or off the rail or dovetail from front or rear side of the rail / dovetail. All of these expressions are mainly used for separate rings that can be attached to the rails / dovetails. As far as functioning the rifle, it does not matter which one of these mounts you choose – tip / roll off or slide on mounts. If they are installed correctly, they are all going to work. However, the main difference between them is the principle of attaching them on rails on dovetails.

Slide On Mount vs. Roll Off Mount

Slide On Mount vs. Roll Off Mount

Steyr Mannlicher Model SL

The History of Steyr

Steyr Mannlicher Model SL Rifle Review

Steyr Mannlicher Model SL Calibers

All other Steyr Mannlicher action lengths:

Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Steyr Mannlicher Model SL

Rifles That Have One-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Steyr Mannlicher Model SL

Rifles That Have Two-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Steyr Mannlicher Model SL

Best Scope Mounts for Steyr Mannlicher Model SL

Fixed Scope Mounts for Steyr Mannlicher Model SL

Detachable Repeatable Scope Mounts for Steyr Mannlicher Model SL

Picatinny Rails for Steyr Mannlicher Model SL

Help Us Build Our Riflescope Mounts Database

EAW Roll-off Mounts with foot plates, 30 mm

EAW Roll-off Mounts with foot plates for Heym SR 40, 26 mm

VIDEO

FIXED vs DETACHABLE scope mounts

DETACHABLE vs REPEATABLE scope mounts

TIP OFF / ROLL OFF vs SLIDE ON mounts

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Steyr Mannlicher Model SL

The History of Steyr

Steyr Mannlicher Model SL Rifle Review

Steyr Mannlicher Model SL Calibers

All other Steyr Mannlicher action lengths:

Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Steyr Mannlicher Model SL

Rifles That Have One-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Steyr Mannlicher Model SL

Rifles That Have Two-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Steyr Mannlicher Model SL

Best Scope Mounts for Steyr Mannlicher Model SL

Fixed Scope Mounts for Steyr Mannlicher Model SL

Detachable Repeatable Scope Mounts for Steyr Mannlicher Model SL

Picatinny Rails for Steyr Mannlicher Model SL

Help Us Build Our Riflescope Mounts Database

EAW Roll-off Mounts with foot plates, 30 mm

EAW Roll-off Mounts with foot plates for Heym SR 40, 26 mm

VIDEO

FIXED vs DETACHABLE scope mounts

DETACHABLE vs REPEATABLE scope mounts

TIP OFF / ROLL OFF vs SLIDE ON mounts

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