Known for making beautifully crafted, wood-stock rifles and shotguns, Steyr Arms recently expanded its operations in Birmingham, Ala. At a reception late last week, Steyr unveiled its new 33,000 square-foot distributions and showroom facility in Bessemer, Ala.

Walking into the new building, you’re eyes are instantly pulled to the plush showroom that displays the largest collection of available Steyr, Merkel and Anschutz weapons in the world. The beautiful wooden-stocked rifles and shotguns cover racks on the walls and on freestanding displays throughout the middle of the showroom.

Wholesalers and dealers can now come and visit the showroom to touch and hold Steyr firearms that they might want to carry in their stores, or bring a prospective buyer by to find the perfect rifle or shotgun for their needs.

The $1.7 million expansion will allow Steyr to do more assembly work, too. Steyr’s semi-auto AUG/A3 rifles (.223 Rem.) will now be assembled at the new Bessemer location. The AUG/A3 will be stamped with the Bessemer location on each firearm as well. With the addition of more assembly work done in-house, the company hopes to hire more employees in the near future.

Steyr’s owner, Ernst Reichmayer of Austria, attended the event. He said this month marks the 150th anniversary of the company.

“I consider this facility as a birthday present to our own organization,” Reichmayer said.

Others in attendance at the event were Allan Cors, vice president of the NRA, the city’s mayor and police chief and a representative from the Birmingham Business Alliance.

Steyr’s CEO, Scott O’Brien said Steyr offers a discount to law enforcement and military personnel. He also told the police chief and others in attendance that county law enforcement officers would get double the discount as a way of thanking them for their service and protection. Steyr also makes a line of handguns.