MasterPiece Arms, best known for their Ingram MAC-style pistols and carbines, have announced a new semi-automatic rifle called the MPAR 556. As the name suggests, the MPAR 556 is chambered for the 5.56x45mm NATO round, and at first glance it looks like another AR-type rifle.

But it's not an AR-15. Other than the pistol grip, buttstock, and magazines, the MPAR 556 is a completely different design. Underneath the railed, free-floated aluminum handguard is a short-stroke gas piston system. The charging handle is on the left side and does doubly duty as a forward assist. Oh, and there's also a folding stock -- the lack of an AR-15 style buffer tube allows this.

MSRP is $959, placing this rifle smack dab in the price range of an entry-level AR-15. The folding stock alone might be enough to convince someone looking at AR's to seriously consider the MasterPiece Arms MPAR 556, even though it is incompatible with most of the huge variety of AR-15 upgrade parts and accessories on the market.

The package is wrapped up with flip-up sights, a front handguard cap (to help prevent dirt and debris from collecting inside the handguard), and a muzzle brake. Steel parts are black phosphate coated while aluminum parts are hardcoat anodized.

The MasterPiece Arms MPAR 556 rifle will be formally introduced at the 2013 SHOT Show and is expected to begin shipping in the first quarter of 2013.

From the press release:

MasterPiece Arms, manufacturers of the MPA MAC Line of semi-auto submachine pistols and carbines, is pleased to announce the new MPAR 556 Rifle, which will be unveiled at the 2013 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Nevada and made available for purchase in the first quarter of 2013. This feature heavy design has been under development throughout 2012 and will feature some serious upgrades, including a short stroke piston design and a lightweight, free floating, two piece aluminum handguard with user located picatinny rails. It will also include an innovative front handguard cap to keep debris out of the internals of the handguards while providing strength and stability to the assembly. The MPAR 556 Rifle will also contain a side folder 6-position polymer buttstock, locked bolt action, and a side charging handle with forward-assist. The MPAR 556 Rifle is compatible with AR15 / M16 magazines.

The MPAR 556 Rifle will be phosphate / hard coat anodized depending on the material. Disassembly will be very user friendly, both for access to the internals of the weapon, as well as the piston assembly housed in the front handguard. This gun is American Made and offers the MasterPiece Arms Lifetime Guarantee. MSRP is $959.00.

(continued at The Tactical Wire)