MasterPiece Arms announced the addition of an AR-type pistol to the company lineup. The new MPAR 556 pistol is not-surprisingly based on the company’s MPAR 556 rifle. It is chambered for the 5.56 NATO cartridge and will also fire the .223 Remington.
The pistol retains many of the same features found on the rifle version of the gun.
Update: I just watched this video (click here) of the MPAR-556 Gen II being run in a competition shoot by the guys at Full30. I was not impressed by its performance.
MasterPiece Arms is releasing more information on the new MPAR 556, the company’s new piston driven AR rifle.
The new rifle sounds like it will offer a variety of features while maintaining a sub-$1000 price tag. Â Considering this AR-style gun uses a short stroke piston, that price is extremely competitive.
As the name suggests, the MPAR 556  is chambered for the 5.56 NATO cartridge.  Standard AR magazines will work with this rifle.
The handguard is a two-piece, floating system made from machined aluminum. Â The handguard allows the user to place Picatinny accessory rails in the most advantageous places. Â This allows for weight reduction, since the user can simply remove (or not install) rails in areas they are not needed.
The buttstock is made from machined aluminum and adjusts for length of pull. Â Additionally, the buttstock folds to the left for compact carry and storage.
MasterPiece Arms has not stated the barrel length, but I would expect a 16″ barrel. Â The end will most likely be threaded, and will ship with a muzzle brake attached. Â Since MasterPiece Arms now makes sound suppressors, it would make sense that all of the company’s new guns would ship with threaded barrels.
MPAR 556 parts will be either anodized or black phosphate coated (depending on the part material.)
MasterPiece Arms is now making a short barrel rifle (SBR) version of their 5.7×28 gun. Â The new SBR has a threaded 8″ barrel for the included muzzle brake, or for the MPA Suppressor (which is shown in these photos but does not come with the gun). Â Yes, all NFA rules do apply.
The MPA57SST-SBR (aka MasterPiece Arms 5.7×28 SBR) comes outfitted with an MPA short aluminum quadrail and a Strike Industries foregrip.  Based on the photos, the foregrip appears to be the “Cobra Tactical” that normally retails for $25.
MasterPiece Arms (MPA) builds a number of firearms chambered for the 5.7 x 28 cartridge including a pistol and a carbine. Â The latest member to the stable is the MPA 57 pistol with the very popular A-TACS camo finish.