Masterpiece Arms Protector MPA380B

[marswalker]

Just picked up my new Masterpiece arms 380 today - appears VERY well manufactured - a little difficult to take down - I cleaned and lubed it - and although it was spotlessly clean from the factory it was dry. Trigger action feels fabulous after lubing . Overall feel of the pistol is nice - Grip is well thought out - at 1" thick it is easy to hold onto - all in was $348 including transfer!
Frankly I am amazed that not a single Gunshop near me carries these.... i special ordered through a local FFL who delivered in less than 1 week.
This pistol is true DAO and does have double strike -

Cant wait to test this out and will report!

In autos I currently have a Kahr 380 black diamond (black diamond coating leaves a lot to be desired), sig p238 sas (awesome),sig p232,para carry 9 in stainless ,Walther TPH with threaded barrel, Feg AP22 and my favorite of all - my Keltec PF9 (which is the most reliable auto (besides the feg)I have and the one I keep next to my bed)

 

[tekarra]

Hello and welcome.
We are waiting for your pics and range report.

 

[Bubba613]

I bought one and went and shot it tonight.
The gun does indeed appear well made. One well thought out feature is the mag release, which must be pushed to the back of the gun to work, rather than into the frame. This lessens the possibility of releasing the mag in the pocket when one sits on it. A very good idea btw.
No sights, only a gutter on the slide. This is perfectly adequate for the gun's purpose and I didn't think that it was a bad thing at all.

I ran the target out to 3 yards, figuring this was about right for the intended purpose of the gun. I loaded it with 95gr FMJ, a perfectly adequate self defense load. The first shot seemed to key hole, as did the second.
There was no third shot.
Recoil on the gun was horrible. The trigger guard rapped my index finger knuckle so hard I nearly saw starts. A second shot with a slightly changed grip was the same. I considered a third shot but the gun hurt so much to shoot there was no way. Trigger pull very long. Rapid fire was going to be impossible/suicidal.
I thought maybe it was simply due to my lack of experience with the tiny .380s on the market. So I took the range's rental LCP for comparison. The LCP shot far better. Recoil was stout, of course, but manageable. Nothing felt like RIngo Starr was whapping my digits with his drum stick.
Maybe someone else's hand is shaped differently (I have smallish hands and thinnish fingers) and the gun will act differently. This one was definitely on my "avoid at all costs" list.

 

[chihuahuatn]

Your going to need to place a ban-aid on your trigger finger every time you practice with the gun. I would also suggest getting one of the Hogue Handall Jr. Universal Grip Sleeve ( http://www.amazon.com/Hogue-Handall-Universal-Grip-Sleeve/dp/B001G6RXAW )

Also hopefully the company or someone will mag finger extension, these should help out some as far a recoil is concerned.

Mike

 

[DasFriek]

I think the blowback design coupled with a lite and small slide would have massive recoil, Why do you think High Point guns are so large and heavy in the slide area?

Now i cant say this for sure, But id keep an eye on the slide and frame both for cracks and stress fractures. They better have used some darn good steel or that gun with a blowback design will beat its self to pieces.

That is how all these new .380 and 9mm micro guns can be made and hold together in one piece and not punish the shooter so badly is that they use the locked breach design.

I do like the looks of it tho.

 

[rebut]

MPA has released an upgrade package.

They started shipping last week to existing Protector 380 owners. I haven't got mine yet but it should get here this week. Check with MPA for the status of your upgrade package.

It includes (as I have been told) 1) a new trigger, designed to eliminate/minimize finger slap, 2) a mag extension and new tab, 3) a more robust mag catch (to compensate for added tourque from the mag extension).

I have been told the installation is a piece of cake. If not I'll post an update.

 

[Bigfoot]

I found a couple of very detailed reviews.

I've had some difficulty finding one around here, might be better to wait a bit anyway to insure getting an upgraded one. Since they come with the magazine extension now they really should include an extra magazine.

http://www.soldiersperspective.us/2...gn=masterpiece-arms-protector-pistol-a-review

http://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/430601935/m/2790033732/p/2

Do not dry-fire with the mag removed!
http://thetruthaboutguns.com/2011/0...arms-protector-380-mystery-solved-review-due/