MASTERPIECE ARMS
MasterPiece Arms has been around since 2000. Based out of two large, modern facilities on six acres in Georgia, the company is better known for producing high quality double-stack 9mm handguns and bolt-action rifles. Nearly everything is made in-house with multiple CNC machines.
MPA’s Defender series of handguns includes chamberings in 9mm and 5.7x28mm. The 9mm MPA30SST model sports a distinctive threaded barrel extension that looks like a suppressor at first glance.
MY IMPRESSIONS
Picking up the MPA30SST, I noticed several things. It is heavy for its size, made completely from metal. Stockless, it balances forward of the grip due to the heavy muzzle extension that resembles a silencer but is not. A substantial Picatinny rail on top of the receiver is matched by a shorter one forward of the trigger guard.
A long, polymer magazine extends from the pistol grip and is the only component not made of metal. An oversized cocking knob on the left side of the receiver allows the bolt to be retracted easily, and a flip-type safety switch is located forward and above the trigger.
My favorite features of the MPA30SST are the generous Picatinny rail, the cocking knob, and the false muzzle. Although the pistol is equipped with open iron sights, they are minimal and difficult to see well. The Pic rail is a great improvement that allows me to install my Primary Arms tall red dot electronic sight. With it, I can aim effectively and squeeze off accurate shots with ease. Other sights could include a long eye relief pistol scope or laser sight.
A Closer Look
The cocking knob on my Cobray M11 is located on top of the receiver and reciprocates with the bolt when fired. Not so with the MPA – its generous cocking knob does not reciprocate and easily cocks the bolt to load the first round. This is most convenient and much safer.
As mentioned above, the MPA30SST wears a unique threaded barrel extension. This suppressor-like hollow tube adds weight to the muzzle and gives me a solid means to control the firearm with my weak hand. It instinctively allows me to point the pistol from the hip and fire aimed shots from shoulder level as I wish. The muzzle is threaded 1/2x28 to accept the false muzzle and other devices such as flash hiders or suppressors, but I prefer the provided muzzle extension for its weight and ability to protect my hand from the hot escaping gas.
My least favorite feature is the safety switch. Although it functions well and is oversized, it is difficult to reach. Safeties should be instinctive and easy to reach without looking. I would have much preferred a flip-style safety located above my thumb on the left side, as on an AR-15-style rifle.
The 30-round polymer magazine is well made but will only hold 20 rounds. I find this a bit annoying, as I have no suitable reloading tool to compress the spring beyond 20 rounds. The magazine release is oversized and easily manipulated without looking, and the magazine’s location inside the pistol grip makes it easy to find and remove quickly.
The MPA30SST has no mechanical hold-open device. The magazine does not lock the bolt open after the last shot, so care must be taken to be sure that the pistol is unloaded by pulling the bolt back and inspecting the empty chamber.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Weight: 3.5 pounds; 4 pounds with false muzzle attached
- Length: 5 inches; 10.75 inches with false muzzle
- Length of Pull: 2.5 inches
- Trigger: 5 pounds
- Barrel: 4.5 inches; threaded 1/2x28
- Sights: Open, adjustable
- Picatinny Rail: 5.5 inches
- Magazine: 30-round polymer
- Side Cocking Handle: Non-reciprocating
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Calibers: 9mm (tested) or 5.7x28
SHOOTING TIME
With Area 52 at its sunny best and stacked with steel targets and 2-liter root beer jugs to blast back to Jupiter, it was time to see how the 30SST fared on the range. Shooting offhand with the 30SST is different than most handguns. My right hand is on the pistol grip, but my left hand cradles the false muzzle extension.
Honestly, this is a bit shaky, and it would be tough to aim without my Primary Arms red dot. The optical sight places a dot where I aim and allows me to squeeze accurately. Once learned, I could hit the steel plate quickly, and each 2-liter soda jug produced a spray of foam. I can defend my turf with the Defender, and shooting it is fun and challenging.
My Banish 9K suppressor is an ideal choice for this pistol. It reduces sound with a minimal presence when attached. I believe shooting the 30SST without its false muzzle or a suppressor would be difficult; placing both hands on the pistol grip as with a conventional handgun would provide little control. With a suppressor, I can hold on and direct fire more readily.
I encountered one failure to feed with PMC Bronze FMJ ammunition, possibly due to a weak hold on my part. It is important to hold any handgun firmly to avoid the gun moving back in recoil, causing a jam.
Although a heavy, strangely balanced pistol, the 30SST shot a tight group at 10 yards. Fired from offhand, the red dot combined with the pistol’s weight and extended muzzle to allow me to hold steady. The 1-inch group amazed me and shows that this pistol is well-made and can shoot accurately.
PROS & CONS
Pros:
- Well made, high quality
- Accurate
- Picatinny rail
- Threaded muzzle
- Non-reciprocating, extended bolt handle
- Extended magazine release
- Textured pistol grip with finger grooves
Cons:
- Safety selector is difficult to reach
- Magazine is difficult to load
- No bolt hold-open device
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Iron open sights are difficult to see
CONCLUSION
This is a well-made handgun with a niche use. It is much better made than my Cobray M11. Machined from solid aluminum instead of stamped steel, the MasterPiece Arms gun will outlast and outshoot the old Cobray. With a good red dot sight, it is accurate at short range and capable of shooting quickly. The threaded muzzle allows for attachment of a registered suppressor, false muzzle extension or a muzzle brake as desired.
If you do not wish to spend thousands on a registered submachinegun but want a fun gun to shoot targets or use for defensive purposes, check out the MPA30SST. It is a blast!
