Steyr has introduced a new rimfire pistol to the European shooting market at IWA 2016. The pistol, aptly dubbed the “RFP” (which I imagine stands for Rim Fire Pistol), shares similar styling and its polymer framed construction with Steyr’s M9 and M40 centerfire handgun, but differs in some significant features. Unlike the M9 series, it features a magazine safety which blocks movement of the trigger if the magazine is removed. Also unlike its centerfire stablemates, the RFP is external hammer fired not striker-fired and features an ambidextrous safety-decocker, which may be a hint that US importation of the RFP is imminent.

Image source: all4shooters.com

Not unusually for a rimfire semiautomatic pistol, the Steyr RFP uses a 10-shot single-row magazine with an external follower pad for manual compression of the magazine spring. Interestingly, the RFP lacks Steyr’s signature triangular sights, with a more Glock-like bracket and dot in lieu of that. All4Shooters has an article on the RFP, and a brief video overview of the pistol (in German) can be seen over at JadgundNatur.tv.

No word yet on whether Steyr Mannlicher plans to import the RFP to the United States, but my guess is it is only a matter of time.

Thanks to Axel for the tip!