Masterpiece Arms Protector 380 pistol review (Seecamp 380 clone)
posted this on Sigforum but thought some of you local guys might be interested...
So today I decided to become a guinea pig and buy a brand new gun...I mean brand new. I might be the first one in the world to get it...lol. But seriously I searched forums high and wide for a hands-on review of this gun before I bought it...nothing!
So anywhoooo this is Masterpeice Arms' (AKA Mac-10 clone maker) new mouse gun. As you can see it is a Seecamp 32/380 clone. I'm guessing that MPA purchased the rights or tooling for this gun from a company named Autauga that used to sell a Seecamp clone in 32 (MKII I believe.) The grip and mag release leads me to believe this is true.
As for the gun itself...I am very impressed. The level of workmanship on this little blaster is not congruent with the $299 price tag...yes $299. The gun is incredibly well fit with no rough or sharp edges. The finish appears to be a nitron type of coating. The DAO trigger pull is a very consistent and smooth 7lbs with the trigger itself being nicely radiused and polished; it has second strike capability. It has a Seecamp-esque extractor on the right side of the slide and a loaded champer window slit. Unlike the Seecamp this pistol has a different grip that seems to swell as it gets closer to the mag well. It is more comfortable to hold then a typical Seecamp or NAA. As for size it is almost identical to the Seecamp. I compared to the NAA 32 and it is a good bit smaller. The dimensions are...
Length: 4 3/8"
Height: 3 1/4"
Width: 1"
Weight: 11.7oz
It was the smallest 380 in the case by far. As for materials these little buggers are CNC machined from a 4140 solid billet of steel. No MIM or cast parts are used. The company makes it a point to stess the fact that these are all machined parts. You can read the story behind the Protector series here...
https://www.masterpiecearms.com/special-info.php
The company does acknowledge the fact that this gun is a high quality clone...something a lot of companies are not willing to admit. This particular pistol is not +p rated.
Take-down of the gun is similair to a Seecamp where punch, a pin hole, and 3 hands are needed. :confused: The only difference is that the pin hole is on the opposite side. When taken-down it is evident that the gun is well made. I owned an NAA 380 that looked like hell when broken down; this gun seems to have the same level of quality throughout. Other differences include the mag release which is located on the left grip panel and is unlike any other mag release I've used. To eject the mag you have to use your nail and pull the tab/ mag release towards the rear of the gun; it is not easy to do. If I remember correctly Autauga did this purposefully so the mag could not be ejected acidently. Lets be honest this gun is designed as a last ditch effort, not for quick mag changes. Another major difference is the trench sight that runs along the top of the slide; a nice touch but something that is probably not needed with this belly gun. The Protector does not have the usual vertical serrations but instead fish gill serrations ala Glock RTF.
Now for the only issue I have found with this gun. The one magazine supplied holds 6 rounds and the gun is marketed as a 6+1 but there is no way the gun will seat a magazine loaded with six rounds. It does come with 2 magazine springs (one standard and one extra power) but neither fix this issue. I will call MPA tomorrow and investigate.
The store I bought this from (ACE) was happy to use me as a test dummy with this little guy..they went as far as giving me a free box of ammo. I will take it to the range in the next few days and update this thread then. With it's tiny size I am sure it will hurt to shoot but sometimes size does matter.
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Re: Masterpiece Arms Protector 380 pistol review (Seecamp 380 clone)
Well thanks for taking the bullet, as it were, for us jaded bastards that won't even look at a gun that hasn't been on the market for a few years.
I had looked at their website a while back and couldn't find any info elsewhere either. Hopefully your experiece will prove the gun to be all MPA makes it out to be.
Did you try giving that mag a healthy slap into the gun? I know my Kel Tecs have always needed some manly vigor when using a new, fully loaded mag. Not trying to offend your sensabilities if you have indeed tried that, just saying a good wack is all it takes sometimes. Or you could try loading from slide lock... (If the slide locks back? Which I'm guessing it probably doesn't?)
Re: Masterpiece Arms Protector 380 pistol review (Seecamp 380 clone)
yep...no joy with the smack.
Re: Masterpiece Arms Protector 380 pistol review (Seecamp 380 clone)
As with most pocket .380's, use .5 grip and .5 Kung Fu grip when you shoot it, that way it won't hurt so much.
Re: Masterpiece Arms Protector 380 pistol review (Seecamp 380 clone)
Great review and I love the pics. I might have to go take a looksy when I go up to the gun shop next week. Let us know how it shoots.
Re: Masterpiece Arms Protector 380 pistol review (Seecamp 380 clone)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
StrangeKnight
Great review and I love the pics. I might have to go take a looksy when I go up to the gun shop next week. Let us know how it shoots.
will do :D
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w...s/IMG_9108.jpg
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Re: Masterpiece Arms Protector 380 pistol review (Seecamp 380 clone)
Size wise, it makes my Colt Pony .380 look like a 1911 in comparison!
Great photos! It does look like it was well made.
Good luck with it.
Re: Masterpiece Arms Protector 380 pistol review (Seecamp 380 clone)
**UPDATE**
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w...s/IMAG0730.jpg
I spoke with MPA today and the gun is a 5 + 1, the 32 version is 6 + 1.
I took the MPA Protector to the range today and put 50 rounds of American Eagle 95gr ball, and a handful of hallow points through the pistol. This is not a fun gun to shoot but I have shot worse. Most of the discomfort is felt in the web of your hand. I actually developed a small abrasion ; I later realized that it was from the end of the plastic grips which are not rounded. I will take a file to them and round them out ASAP.
after 50+ rounds I encountered 0 malfunctions. This little blaster just kept one plugging along. All in all I think it wasa good buy and definitely fill a spot in my carry rotation. Sometimes You just really need a tiny gun. For instance I would sometimes carry an NAA mini 22WMR when out to nice dinners or places were real concealment was an issue. Although I like the NAA mini i really couldnt hit anything with it with any real accuracy. I found the MPA 380 to be accurate for a little tiny gun with no sights.
my first two mags at 7 yards off hand.
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w...s/IMAG0724.jpg
the web of my hand from the sharp edge of the grips
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w...s/IMAG0727.jpg
Re: Masterpiece Arms Protector 380 pistol review (Seecamp 380 clone)
Dusty, Thanks for the review, i'll make sure Chris B. at Ace links this thread to our sight.
thanks
Chris S. (the good lookin Chris @ Ace)
Re: Masterpiece Arms Protector 380 pistol review (Seecamp 380 clone)
I picked up a Don Hume pocket holster for the Seecamp and the MPA fits perfectly.
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w...s/IMAG0733.jpg
Re: Masterpiece Arms Protector 380 pistol review (Seecamp 380 clone)
Excellent review. Thank you for sharing.
Re: Masterpiece Arms Protector 380 pistol review (Seecamp 380 clone)
Thank you for the review! Great pictures to add.
GB
Re: Masterpiece Arms Protector 380 pistol review (Seecamp 380 clone)
This is an awesome post and it looks to be an even more awesome little gun. Thanks for the info!
Re: Masterpiece Arms Protector 380 pistol review (Seecamp 380 clone)
This was a VERY well done review! So much so I picked up an MPA Protector yesterday. Thank you for the very thorough job. Anyone have holster and ammo recommendations? Anything that it will/won't feed well? Will seecamp holsters fit this pistol?
Re: Masterpiece Arms Protector 380 pistol review (Seecamp 380 clone)
Howdy from Texas!
I just picked up a "Protector" and was doing some research and came across this thread. I realize it is about a year old (and I am a newbie) but this of the few reviews I could find by an actual owner. Mine is an earlier serial number, used but minty, but looks identical to the one posted with the execption of the 'Rev B' trigger kit, which adds an improved SS trigger, composite finger extension for the bottom of the mag and a slightly modified mag release that mates up with the new mag extension. To existing owners they sell the kits for $20. I believe the mods are now standard issue.
I tried to contact MPA and ask them a few questions but got voice mail saying that their offices are closed until after the SHOT show in Vegas.
To date I haven't fired it yet. The seller was a restaraunt owner/manager who purchased it for personal protection had only fired half a box through it and then carried it. Not the smartest thing to do in my opinion. MPA recommends 100 rds for initial break in.
I did follow the manual's instruction and broke the gun down and did a little clean up of the old residue and actually applied light gun oil at slide friction points. It does take a bit of pressure (using a punch) to make the slide release move, but when it does everything comes apart quickly and easily. From all 'appearances' this does look like a nice little pocket pistol.
After I take it out and feed it I will post the results.
Re: Masterpiece Arms Protector 380 pistol review (Seecamp 380 clone)
Welcome Starliterancher,
I would like to hear your report...And also Sharpshooters as well.
I bumped into this thread a little while ago while searching for info on a Seecamp 380 for my father...Ended up finding out about the MPA 380 and for the $ and apparent quality construction, I am not sure why there isn't more interest in these??? I have a LCP so don't really need it, but may have to pick one up just because sometime, if they run well.
Re: Masterpiece Arms Protector 380 pistol review (Seecamp 380 clone)
Had the opportunity to shoot one at the range. DA Trigger pull was hard and boy does it hurt the hand. I wasn't very accurate with it thru 2 mags. Great sized weapon for CC. All the best with yours!
Re: Masterpiece Arms Protector 380 pistol review (Seecamp 380 clone)
Well, took it to the woods and fed it some Winchester 95gr WinClean BEB rounds. This gun it tiny, but it barks pretty darn good!
I couldn't wait to try it out so I whipped up a homemade target on a 2 x 12 piece of pine and took it to the woods. I fed it some WinClean (BEB) 95gr . Since I am not in the city limits and in an unicorporated area I can do this, but there are neighbors 40 or so acres away that will hear it so I do keep it limited.
I knew it was a DAO going in but the length of pull was longer than I anticipated. It was fairly easy (compared to others like the Kel-Tec) and smooth, but there is good amount of travel from trigger engage to hammer fall. Just my initial response, with practice it won't concern me.
I set the target up against a tree at 5 yds and gave it a 5 +1 cycle. Even with the 'groove' sight it was very easy to shoot and direct fire and in the accuracy department gets high marks from me. Getting used to the trigger pull and break point action will improve my marks. I really want to take this to the range and just go through a box doing some instinctive point shots because IF I ever do have to use it I will not be taking the time to acquire a sight picture using the groovey sights. ;)
The only negative I experienced was the roughing up of the inside tip my trigger finger. It didn't gouge it or chafe it, more like numbed it. My trigger finger is a bit boney though (tip was nicked by an alternator's cooling blade back in the 70's) and is the first to ache when it's cold. I will have to try it off hand and see what it does to a soft fat finger.
Either way, I can tell you that the only range this gun was meant to be used at is "close". :D It is delivering a lot of energy from a small package so more than likely it is not going to be pleasant on either the sending or receiving end.
I set the target at 5 yards, (camera phone washed out my target lines)
[IMG]http://i41.tinypic.com/10h95bc.jpg[/IMG]
The circle is 4" for reference. Greatest shot to shot = 3.25"
[IMG]http://i43.tinypic.com/34462rl.jpg[/IMG]
The 380 did a good job on the wood as well.....:)
http://i44.tinypic.com/219vr42.jpg
Summary : I am very pleased with the initial performance of the MPA 380. I want to try out some JHP and see how it does. If it is as reliable as it has thus far demonstrated then it is a keeper for sure. The size and accuracy makes this an ideal deep carry or backup gun. At the $245 delivered to my driveway price, hard to beat.
I still want to contact MPA directly and ask them about the recoil springs. I read another reviewer that said the springs need to be changed out every 200 rounds. Not a big deal at $2 ea. and seeing as how you will have them in your hand every time you break it down for a good cleaning. I just want to know if the statement is accurate. If so, then I shall have my 'carry' set of springs that will be fresh and low mileage and my 'practice' springs which I will install when I practice every once in a blue moon.
Final photo showing the pistol and target :
http://i40.tinypic.com/xp309z.jpg
Re: Masterpiece Arms Protector 380 pistol review (Seecamp 380 clone)
Did some work on the pocket monster today.
I got to comparing the origingal trigger vs. the 'REV B' trigger upgrade which is on the pistol and noted that the original trigger, while being shorter, had a much better overall finish.
So, I took it down, removed the Rev B trigger and went over it at some of the rougher edges with a jewelers file and then some emery paper.
Here is photo of the trigger and the areas I focused on. The center arc area was pretty smooth but there were some pretty sharp edges at the very top and very bottom. Not much...but in this little beast little things add up when blowback cycles the trigger forward. :D
http://i40.tinypic.com/1442qeu.jpg
Another thing I did was fashion my own little block of wood to substitue for the mag while taking it down. OEM procedure is to pull slide back and insert the back of the mag into the gap locking it open. This exact width lines the slide up with the slide release pin....so you can press it and remove the slide.
I only have one mag....got lots of wood.;)
http://i43.tinypic.com/2yl00n9.jpg
Put it all back together and it does feel a bit smoother overall. You don't think those extreme points matter, and on larger guns they probably don't. But when this one breaks over your finger is all the way back and wrapped. Then it gets slapped forward in a 'flash'....(couldn't resist). The orignial trigger was short and was eating some finger food from time to time. Not good.
So they put together a mod for the mag (extension grip) and whipped out a longer trigger. Only I think it was such a 'rush job' to get it out there it didn't get the same TLC the original trigger did. Just my guess.
Now, need to feed some JHP to the pocket monster and see how it does!
Re: Masterpiece Arms Protector 380 pistol review (Seecamp 380 clone)
Was in LGS last week came across one of these. I really like the way it looked. looked well made. Felt good in my hand. Had some Kel Tec's. but this felt better.
found this thread and like it, except all the pictures from the early posts are gone. wished I could have seen them.
Laid it away. looking forward to shooting it in the future.
thanks.
Re: Masterpiece Arms Protector 380 pistol review (Seecamp 380 clone)
My experience with ammo has been a mixed bag: the only ammo it consistently feeds (for me) is either speer gold dot jhp and speer tmj ammo. I tried Federal American eagle fmj and had a fte/ftf two out of every three mags. I rotated mags, even field stripped and cleaned my protector 380 at the range with no success. Before giving up completely I decided to fire off my 10 rounds of gold dots I carry and Eureka! Zero issues. I replaced my recoil springs and next trip had the same issues with the American eagle ammo. Blew thru 10 rounds of hornady critical defense and had one fte. May change the extractor spring before the next trip out. I have found that this little monster likes a tight grip and I also experience the "web rub" from the grips when shooting more than a mag. Not a fun gun to shoot, but excellent for summer carry. Also do not waste time or money trying Aguila 380 hollow points in your MPA. It seems the bullet is not seated as far down in the case as domestic ammo. After the third round I loaded the follower seized and I had to pry the rounds out of the mag. I found this to be the case with all three of my Protector mags. Anyone else have recommendations for 100% reliable 380 ammo for the Protector 380?