Steyr M 72 S

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 M72 S (Schwer) Rifle Review

In 1972, Steyr presented the renewed model of the Steyr Mannlicher—Schönauer and named it M72. It comes in three different action lengths – M72 L, M72 M, and M72 S.

There is a slight naming ambiguity regarding the Steyr M72 series. 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. The abbreviations are usually used as follows:

L – Long
M – Medium
S – Small

However, the acronyms used by Steyr are adapted to a German language and refer to the caliber groups; therefore, they have a different meaning:

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

Steyr Mannlicher M72 S comes with the action length of 111.2 mm.

The rifle is of a controlled feed bolt-action type, manufactured up until 1976. It utilizes a modern front locking action with six front locking lugs laid out in three rows of two. The rear most lug is somehow modified, allowing for an easy passage of the bolt release when removing the bolt assembly from the rifle’s receiver. Design-wise, the bolt is much like the Weatherby rifles, featuring three gas vents on the sides.

The incorporated rotary magazine can hold four or five rounds depending on the model and comes with a plastic magazine follower which is not necessarily a drawback but rather one more difference in comparison to the older model. The trigger is either a single or double set and has a crisp pull. Positioned at the rear of the receiver as a part of the bolt extension is a two-position wing-type safety lever that blocks the firing pin and is engaged in the rightmost and disengaged in the leftmost position. Additionally, the rifle features push-button sling swivels and pre-installed sights.

Possible barrel lengths are 600 mm (23.6-inch) and 650 mm (25.6-inch).

Steyr Mannlicher M72 S

Figure 1: Steyr Mannlicher M72, chambered for 6.5x68mm (Source: https://revivaler.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/The-Mannlicher-Sch%C3%B6nauer-M72-1-517x735.jpg)

Steyr Mannlicher M72 S Calibers

The rifle is chambered for the following calibers:

6.5x68
7mm Rem. Mag.
.300 Win. Mag.
8x68 S
9.3x64
.375 H&H

There are four holes for scope-mounting purposes on M72’s receiver, two on the front, and two on the rear mounting surface. There is no difference in height between the surfaces.

Unfortunately, we have not been able to find the appropriate receiver picture matching this rifle model. Should you happen to own this rifle and would be willing to send us some photos of the bare mounting surface (no scope mounts installed), we kindly ask you to contact us at info@optics-trade.eu. We thank you for your help.

A: 10 mm

B: 111.2 mm

C: 10 mm

BHU: 0 mm

Ø: M4x05

R1: 16.5

R2: 16.5

Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Steyr Mannlicher M72 S

Rifles That Have One-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Steyr Mannlicher M72 S

All the rifles listed in the category below have one-piece scope mounts interchangeable with Steyr Mannlicher M72 S. For one-piece scope mounts to fit on a rifle, mounting surfaces on these rifles must match in every dimension.

Due to specific receiver dimensions on this rifle, we currently lack information regarding one-piece mount interchangeability. Should you have any additional information regarding possible scope 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 M72 S

All the rifles listed in the category below have two-piece scope mounts interchangeable with Steyr Mannlicher M72 S. To meet interchangeability conditions, two-piece scope mounts must match in all dimensions except the B distance. B distance can vary because two-piece scope mounts can be installed and adjusted closer or further apart. The rifles that meet such criteria are:

Steyr Mannlicher M72 L
Steyr Mannlicher M72 M

Best Scope Mounts for Steyr Mannlicher M72 S

Detachable Repeatable Scope Mounts for Steyr Mannlicher M72 S

This detachable pivot two-piece mount manufactured by the German company EAW is made of high-quality steel and comes with thirty-year warranty. It is a suitable mounting solution for Steyr Mannlicher M72 S.

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 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: info@optics-trade.eu

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Steyr M 72 S

The History of Steyr

Steyr Mannlicher M72 S (Schwer) Rifle Review

Steyr Mannlicher M72 S Calibers

Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Steyr Mannlicher M72 S

Rifles That Have One-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Steyr Mannlicher M72 S

Rifles That Have Two-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Steyr Mannlicher M72 S

Best Scope Mounts for Steyr Mannlicher M72 S

Detachable Repeatable Scope Mounts for Steyr Mannlicher M72 S

Help Us Build Our Riflescope Mounts Database

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