The SSG 04 A1 replaces the standard Picatinny rail with a shroud that is attached to the receiver and covers the barrel for the length of the forend. The shroud is topped with a full-length Picatinny rail, and two short rail segments are attached on the side of the shroud for mounting of accessories such as lights or lasers.

The Steyr SSG 04 is a manually operated bolt-action rifle that offers an excellent choice to the long-range shooter or tactical operator in law enforcement or security applications. Available in a choice of the widely used caliber sizes of .308 Winchester or .300 Winchester Magnum, this platform provides high-precision performance and proven reliability.

The .300 Winchester Magnum option is available with a 23.6-inch heavy barrel and features a magazine with a capacity of eight rounds, while the .308 Winchester magazine holds 10 rounds and is available in either a 23.6-inch Heavy Barrel version or a 20-inch heavy barrel compact version. Both options feature a muzzle brake as well as a durable synthetic stock with an adjustable length-of-pull—via stackable buttplate inserts—and an adjustable cheek piece.

As in other Steyr high-performance bolt-action rifles, the SSG 04 is built on the Safe Bolt System (SBS) action with a unique 2+1 safety function that offers three settings operated by a wheel switch on the tang of the stock. The FIRE mode (safety off) is indicated by a red dot, and the first level of SAFE mode disables the firing mechanism while allowing the bolt to be cycled. The second SAFE position locks the bolt, at which point the bolt can be pushed down against the stock, locking the firing pin and firing mechanism out of firing position, allowing safe transportation with a round in the chamber. Simply pressing the safety’s release tab and rolling it forward returns the bolt to either the SAFE or the FIRE position. The receiver is topped with a Picatinny rail for optics mounting.

Another feature in the SSG 04 is the 2-stage magazine securing mechanism that uses a first stage to lock the magazine in but allows the bolt to be operated without feeding rounds in the magazine, thereby providing the user with the options of dry-firing or loading individual rounds by hand while maintaining a full magazine at the ready. Simply pressing up on the bottom of the magazine seats it in the second stage, which is ready for auto-loading.