Masterpiece Arms MPAR 556, cheap AR15 competitor?

[Armedsask]

Looks like a company in the states has come up with what could be a non-restricted AR15 competitor. It appears to be an AR18 style upper. No idea on the internals.

For the website:

MPAR556 Rifle
Caliber: 5.56mm
Fabricated Upper and Lower Receiver
Aluminum Handguard
Front Handguard Cap
Full Length Picatinny Rail
Fully Machined Aluminum Buttstock - Adjustable
Side Folder Design
Short Stroke Piston
Flip Up front and rear sights
AR15/M16 Magazine Compatible
Muzzle Brake

This new Rifle will be available 1st Qtr 2013 and will be introduced at Shotshow.

The feature heavy design has been under development for the past 10 months and will feature some serious upgrades including a short stroke piston design, lightweight Free Floating 2 piece aluminum handguard with user located picatinny rails, an innovative front handguard cap to keep debris out of the internals of the handguard will providing strength and stability to the assembly, side folder fully machined aluminum buttstock, locked bolt action, side charging handle with forward assist, flip up front and rear sights and compatible with AR15/M16 magazines.

The images shown are solids of the production version of this weapon. (colors shown on the image are CAD data specified.)

The weapon will be phosphate/hardcoat anodized - depending on the material.

Disassembly will be very user friendly, both for access to the internals of the weapon as well as piston assembly housed in the front handguard.

The news of this rifle comes as bitter-sweet to me. Master Piece Arms has appeared to come to the same conclusions as myself. I was hoping to bring my rifle to market within the next year. This doesn't help.

Please note, I am not accusing anyone of theft or anything like that.

A little comparison:

 

[Timbertec]

I'm sure it uses the same screw as the AR15 for the pistol grip - THEREFORE - The RCMP will classify it as "Restricted"

 

[AlbertaGunslinger]

Well Armedsask, if it a choice between masterpiece and a Canadian manufactured rifle, I'm sure CGNers will take yours first assuming the prices are competitive.

 

[Armedsask]

Oh I'm still plowing ahead, just felt like a kick in the gut yesterday when I first saw the Masterpiece rifle.

The other thing I was worried about is they will do something wrong and get there's classes as prohib, would could hurt the classification of my rifle.

 

[twyeh]

Armedsask, maybe you should get in talks with MPA and work something out. I do not mean to undermine each other but to help each other to get both designs out legalized for everyone to play.
We will still embrace either designs regardless, it is not like we have that many options here to choose from in the first place in Canada.

 

[barsik]

if it is marked 5.56 and the threaded muzzle we'll never get it here due to ITAR.

 

[electricjesus]

Was there not a ruling that if it takes an ar15 upper the lower is restricted?

 

[Davy Crockett]

I prefer the looks of your design Armedsask.

If you can bring it to market at a reasonable cost I don't see why it wouldn't sell. I would be interested for sure. Calibers other than 5.56 would be a huge plus.

 

[badboybeeson]

Don't worry. Lots of room for your gun in the canadian market.
Worry about it after you have made the first 1000 guns.
The market is strong in canada for a gun of your design if you can get it non restricted.

 

[BenL]

Armedsask - As I'm still a newb to CGN I wasn't even aware of your endeavours to manufacture a new rifle. Any additional info you can provide would be a good read for others as well. Wish you the best of luck in it - another Cdn manufacturer is ALWAYS a good thing.

NR? I’m in.

 

[b_w.]

I like the idea of the CDN rifle. Keep it coming!

 

[Armedsask]

This thread took a wrong turn, we're supposed to talk moslty about the MPAR, not my rifle. I'm not allowed to discuss my work on here.

Regardless, won't be for a while. Just getting the shop up now.

 

[Stevo]

Billet upper on the MPAR or stamped?

 

[misanthropist]

And how close are they to ACTUALLY shipping guns?

Six months away? Or Robinson Arms six months?

Will be released at SHOT? Or Trijicon "hey everyone at SHOT, the prototype is ready and the merch will be shipping any day this year, next year, or possibly another year"?

 

[Mystic Precision]

I wouldn't worry too much about a US product. ITAR will get them off the global radar for a bit. Then there is the entire need to have it reviewed and get into the Can system.

Many small US companies neither have the time nor interest to set up for export.

If you build a product that works and at a resonable price, consider the world as your market place.

There is plenty of room for a bunch of product.

Good luck...

Jerry

PS, If you don't want an idea cloned, don't post any pics on the internet.

 

[Armedsask]

Was there not a ruling that if it takes an ar15 upper the lower is restricted?

It appears to use a sheet metal AR18 or AR180B style upper receiver. This could be its undoing as well if the RCMP decide it is an AR18 variant.

 

[huntermb]

It reminds me somewhat of the Daewoo that I used to have.

 

[misanthropist]

Your upper is not too close to the AR18 to run that risk, is it?

 

[BenL]

The first rule of production of Cdn prototype NR black rifle is - you don't talk about the production of Cdn prototype NR black rifle.

The second rule of production of Cdn prototype NR black rifle is - you don't talk about the production of Cdn prototype NR black rifle.

 

[Armedsask]

Your upper is not too close to the AR18 to run that risk, is it?

Nope. My rifle is completely different. Please note that the picture I posted does not show my rifle, just the prototype lowers I made to fit an AR180B.