Masterpiece Arms?

[welshdude]

When looking on the Seecamp website I happened on MPA32 acp and a 380 not much bigger than the Seecamps and made in GA. Went looking for a website and all I found were these uzi looking things in various calibers.

Are they no longer making pocket pistols? They seemed a good compromise of weight and quality. Not like a KTP32 or an anvil like a AMT backup 380. Much lighter than an NAA, too. Can't seem to find any on armslist or GB.

Saw a couple of youtube reviews that give them high marks, but availability seems to be short. Anyone w/any info? I'm looking to upgrade my bicycle CC from .25 to at least 32, if not 380 over the next few months. Not printing is a big issue and the IT Protec .25 I carry now fits the bill, but it's a weak round.

The LWS32 is my 1st choice as it's an heirloom, but fundage is light, so I thought an MPA32 would be a good 2nd choice, being all metal, but as I said, "where are they?" Thank you.

 

[mes228]

Masterpiece

The Uzzie style Masterpiece Arms is quite good. It is a firearm that out performs some $1500 firearms. And is selling for about $500-$600. This is my opinion and I have experience only with the 5.7 caliber side cock model. I do not know what you do with one, unless you are a Presidential Guard or Secret Service. The one I'm familiar with (a friends) is absolutely reliable, very very accurate and seems to be quite good quality. They come with a rail and with a Eotech mounted the usability is good. With several 30 round mags it's an awful lot of ACCURATE firepower in a very small package.

 

[pockets]

IIRC, The 'Masterpiece MPA32' was just their version of the defunct 'Autauga Arms MkII'...which was sort of a clone of the Seecamp or NAA Guardian.
None of these fixed barrel straight blow-back .32s are as shoot-able as the locked breach Kel-Tec P32.
Oh the shiny factor is outstanding in the Seecamp/NAA/MPA/Autagua types....but I don't shoot the 'shiny'. Okay, I will admit to owning a couple of NAAs, purchased simply for the shiny factor...but not to lug around or beat up my fingers by shooting a lot.
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[welshdude]

IIRC, The 'Masterpiece MPA32' was just their version of the defunct 'Autauga Arms MkII'...which was sort of a clone of the Seecamp or NAA Guardian.
None of these fixed barrel straight blow-back .32s are as shoot-able as the locked breach Kel-Tec P32.
Oh the shiny factor is outstanding in the Seecamp/NAA/MPA/Autagua types....but I don't shoot the 'shiny'. Okay, I will admit to owning a couple of NAAs, purchased simply for the shiny factor...but not to lug around or beat up my fingers by shooting a lot.
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The 'shiney' factor in wanting a Seecamp .32 is the heirloom consideration for my son. It also happens to print very small. This is important for CC while cycling as there aren't alot of ways to keep one's CCW from printing. I don't do spandex, except as a base layer w/a pad. But, I do wear upperbody cycling gear as it's all designed for the 'bent over' position. I wear mtb shorts or standard cargos in deference to modesty while doing errands. Anything less is TMI, y'know? My cycling is all either commuting, touring or utility. I don't even own a recreational bike.

Believe me I've looked hard at the P32, but the dimentions are 5.1x3.5x.75 @ 10 oz loaded 7+1...exactly the same as my IT Protec .25. Except the IT weighs 15 oz loaded 8+1. The SC's dimentions are 4.25x3.25x.725 @ 13 oz loaded 6+1.

You're statement highlighted is really important and thank you for sharing it. I'm a neophyte when it comes to what's what in CCWs and will look up the difference to make an informed decision. The weight and extra round in the P32 is hard to ignore.

 

[welshdude]

The Uzzie style Masterpiece Arms is quite good. It is a firearm that out performs some $1500 firearms. And is selling for about $500-$600. This is my opinion and I have experience only with the 5.7 caliber side cock model. I do not know what you do with one, unless you are a Presidential Guard or Secret Service. The one I'm familiar with (a friends) is absolutely reliable, very very accurate and seems to be quite good quality. They come with a rail and with a Eotech mounted the usability is good. With several 30 round mags it's an awful lot of ACCURATE firepower in a very small package.

Yeah, I got that impression. The website was really informative. My confusion lay in the fact there were no pocket pistols. The uzi-style isn't something I'd be able to take on a bicycle. Well, maybe to get to the grocery store in a SHTF situation. Thanks for your rs, though.

 

[ugaarguy]

MPA still makes the pocket pistols: Just look under "Protector Series". Also, just for clarity, what you're calling their Uzi looking guns are actually improved versions of the MAC pistols. MPA is located not too far from where I live, and I personally know one of the machinists who works there. MPA is a good company, and they employ good people.

That said, my favorite deep concealment / summer carry gun is my factory hard chrome slide Kel-Tec P3AT. The mix of size, weight, and shootability keeps me owning and carrying a KT. The hard chrome slide is incredibly corrosion resistant, and is the best option for a gun you're going to sweat on (like, I dunno, carrying it when you're cycling ).

MPA has added porting as standard on the Protector series, and it's supposed to greatly reduce recoil. If smaller size is a higher priority than lighter weight, then the Seecamp / NAA / MPA pistols are a better choice than the KelTec P3AT / P32 and clones. Seecamps are gorgeous, but they carry a price reflecting it. The MPA Protectors have better machining and build quality than the NAA Guardians in my experience. In fact, MPA does some incredible machine work across the board because they hire highly skilled machinists, and they've invested in high end tooling.

Last, If cost is no object, there's always the 9mm (9x19) Rohrbaugh R9 that's the same size as the 380 KelTecs and clones.

 

[welshdude]

MPA still makes the pocket pistols: Just look under "Protector Series". Also, just for clarity, what you're calling their Uzi looking guns are actually improved versions of the MAC pistols. MPA is located not too far from where I live, and I personally know one of the machinists who works there. MPA is a good company, and they employ good people.

That said, my favorite deep concealment / summer carry gun is my factory hard chrome slide Kel-Tec P3AT. The mix of size, weight, and shootability keeps me owning and carrying a KT. The hard chrome slide is incredibly corrosion resistant, and is the best option for a gun you're going to sweat on (like, I dunno, carrying it when you're cycling ).

MPA has added porting as standard on the Protector series, and it's supposed to greatly reduce recoil. If smaller size is a higher priority than lighter weight, then the Seecamp / NAA / MPA pistols are a better choice than the KelTec P3AT / P32 and clones. Seecamps are gorgeous, but they carry a price reflecting it. The MPA Protectors have better machining and build quality than the NAA Guardians in my experience. In fact, MPA does some incredible machine work across the board because they hire highly skilled machinists, and they've invested in high end tooling.

Last, If cost is no object, there's always the 9mm (9x19) Rohrbaugh R9 that's the same size as the 380 KelTecs and clones.

Went to the MPA website and found the 'Protector' sub heading, but no .32s. Just .380s in 3 different models. All very reasonably priced. They have a video posted and I watched it and came away impressed as I've got some machining experience. My brother is a CAD geek and he checked it out, too and said they have and do 'good work'.

Yeah, I've got to break down and polish the barrel of my IT CC pretty often as it will develope rust spots where the eject port is located. And I do sweat while riding...profusely. Just one of those kinda guys. My CC is in a 'King' leather mini holster. It's worn in the middle of my back. The clip faces the outside w/t CC and holster inside the waistband of my outer shorts and outside the waistband of my padded liners. Let me re-read that last sentence to make sure it makes sense. Yeah, it does. Then the cycling jersey or jacket is worn w/t back covering everything. Cycling jerseys are manufactured w/extra length in the rear along w/3 extra pockets for Power Bars, water bottles, etc. The design helps alot in covering up any printing.

During the winter I have a shoulder rig in which I carry a P11 w/no printing as there's plenty of room for extra layers. I wear my jackets a size bigger than necessary. The P11's just too big for fair weather...people 1/4 mile away can tell I'm strapped. So, my wife and I swapped CCWs and she's fallen in love w/t P11. I aint gettin' it back. Unless, I can swap her a strong CCW for winter. Looks like the MPA .380 is a winner. I'll get the most corrosion resistant model. They're nearly as small as the SCs at less than 1/2 the price. Thanks much for your reply. I lol at your "I dunno, like when you're carrying while cycling" comment. Good stuff.

Btw, a Rohrbaugh 9mm is SO out of the question pricewise, sizewise, etc. for fair weather. I'd have to take out a 2nd mortgage to get one.

 

[TennJed]

None of these fixed barrel straight blow-back .32s are as shoot-able as the locked breach Kel-Tec P32.
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I am going to disagree with this statement. I currently own the MPA 380. I have owned, in the past, Kel Tec P3AT, Ruger LCP, and the S&W bodyguard 380. The MPA Protector 380 has less felt recoil (IMHO) than any of the others. It is softer shooting and more accurate. The newer models have a redesigned grip and are ported. The ported barrel really keeps recoil down and makes follow ups easy. I have shot outdoors at dusk and the muzzel flash on the ported barrels are no worse than a snub nose 357.

The only complaint I have on the MPA over the others is it is only 5 rounds. But it is a great gun (no failures or issues in approx 500 rounds) and a good value at $300.

 

[welshdude]

I am going to disagree with this statement. I currently own the MPA 380. I have owned, in the past, Kel Tec P3AT, Ruger LCP, and the S&W bodyguard 380. The MPA Protector 380 has less felt recoil (IMHO) than any of the others. It is softer shooting and more accurate. The newer models have a redesigned grip and are ported. The ported barrel really keeps recoil down and makes follow ups easy. I have shot outdoors at dusk and the muzzel flash on the ported barrels are no worse than a snub nose 357.

The only complaint I have on the MPA over the others is it is only 5 rounds. But it is a great gun (no failures or issues in approx 500 rounds) and a good value at $300.

My experience w/t pistols you mentioned was similar. It's my fortune to have friends and neighbors w/all 3. They were happy to let me try them. I provided my own ammo. Very 'snappy' and uncomfortable. Not that a CCW needs to be a range warrior. In addtion, I was able to shoot a Kahr P380 at a range in PA while visiting my son. While it was softer thus allowing more accurate follow-ups it was still too pricey.

Afa as your only complaint we carry both DAOs we own in +1 mode. Will carry the MPA in the same manner. While a .380 is a bigger round than I intended I'm only too happy to have this high a quality CCW for 350-400.00. Methinks finding one for 300.00 in today's climate isn't realistic.

Thanks alot for adding you first hand experience. It is much appreciated and confirms my decision.