The Masterpiece Arms MPAR 556 rifle, a piston-driven AR-15 type gun, is getting close to production. The company released a video of the new firearm being shot. While a single magazine does not prove the gun to be reliable, it certainly shows the gun is more than a fantasy on the drawing board.
The rifle was in development long before the recent gun shortage, but the interest in AR-style rifles has never been stronger. There will certainly be a market for this gun when it is ready for customers.
As I reported back in December, the MSRP on the gun is projected to be less than $1000, and Masterpiece Arms lists the gun as $999 on the company website. In the pre-gun run days, a piston rifle for less than $1000 was noteworthy. If the guns actually sold at MSRP right now, I imagine they would sell faster than the production line could make them.
The MPAR 556 rifle is supposed to be loaded with features beyond a piston system. As shown in the video, the guns are slated to be equipped with a proprietary two-piece, floating handguard made from machined aluminum. The handguard can have rails attached by the user in varying lengths. This allows the shooter to place the accessory rails only where they are needed.
