{"id":57875,"date":"2016-06-07T11:19:11","date_gmt":"2016-06-07T15:19:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/?p=57875"},"modified":"2016-06-07T11:19:11","modified_gmt":"2023-08-19T17:10:02","slug":"new-gun-review-masterpiece-arms-930-dmg-perfect-home-defense-gun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/new-gun-review-masterpiece-arms-930-dmg-perfect-home-defense-gun\/","title":{"rendered":"New Gun Review: Masterpiece Arms 930DMG, the Perfect Home Defense Gun?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"MPA

The author heavily customized his MPA Defender 930DMG 9mm pistol. With the side-folding Sig brace and other accessories installed, he has a compact, maneuverable, and accurate home defense gun.<\/p><\/div>\n

The MasterPiece Arms MPA Defender 930DMG<\/a> is an Ingram-style firearm with a machined alloy grip contoured to accept easy-to-find Glock magazines. Chambered for 9mm Luger, the 930DMG is sold in a handgun configuration and it can be reconfigured as a short-barreled rifle but it is still handy in pistol form.<\/p>\n

I wasn’t familiar with MasterPiece Arms until I read David Higginbotham\u2019s review of the\u00a0MPA 30DMG<\/a>. At the time, I was looking for a dedicated home defense gun and it struck a chord \u2014\u00a0compact, customizable, rugged, dependable and surprisingly accurate. While David reviewed the 5.5-inch barrel version, I picked up the 3.5-inch MPA 930DMG, proceeded to add the accessories I wanted and ended up with a dynamite home defense system.<\/p>\n

\"MPA

the MPA 930DMG packs a lot of 9mm power into a compact package, and the shown\u00a0angled foregrip on the handguard gives you enhanced control over the firearm.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Gun<\/h2>\n

Selecting the right gun can be an exercise in compromise. For concealed carry, you sacrifice firepower and accuracy for compact size and light weight. For a hunting firearm, you sacrifice light weight and compact size for power and accuracy. The purpose determines the compromises you make to reach your final choice.<\/p>\n

The MPA 930DMG is obviously not a good candidate for concealed carry or the best option for hunting. Fortunately, guns are affordable enough today that we don’t have to settle. The guns I\u2019d been considering for dedicated home defense were in the $1,000 range before accessories, which is one of the reasons I was still on the lookout. My budget had to include optics and other extras, so when I learned after reading David\u2019s article that the MSRP on the 930DMG was $679 I was ready to buy.<\/p>\n

Considering this is going to be a home defense gun, the bigger size and weight of the MPA Defender aren’t negatives here. The larger frame allows me to accessorize it for ease of use, accuracy, and comfort. What does comfort have to do with it? If you\u2019ve ever shot a short-barreled 9mm indoors in the dark, you\u2019ll know what I mean. It\u2019s loud.<\/em> The muzzle flash also makes short work of your night vision. The 930DMG, even with a suppressor attached, is still quite compact. Moving around indoors where there are walls, doors, lamps, and other obstructions, a compact weapon can be an advantage.<\/p>\n

The 930DMG is both rugged and accurate. It\u2019s a simple blowback design with a substantial receiver to handle the recoiling mass of the bolt and heavy spring required to hold the bolt closed under pressure. The weight of the firearm helps with felt recoil and the blowback action means it has a fixed barrel that contributes to accuracy.<\/p>\n

What sets this series apart from MPA’s earlier guns is the angled and contoured grip that accepts standard Glock 17 mags. The lower receiver is machined aluminum instead of stamped steel. This makes it lighter, more ergonomic and in my opinion better-looking. MasterPiece also includes adjustable front and rear iron sights in addition to the flattop Picatinny rail for optics. These guns are available with Cerakote finishes in several colors. This one is in go-with-any-wardrobe black, although I also like the Tungsten Gray. Very cool. So let’s get into the details of how I accessorized this pistol for my needs.<\/p>\n

[one_half]<\/p>\n

\"MPA

The un-accessorized MasterPiece Arms 930DMG.<\/p><\/div>\n

[\/one_half]<\/p>\n

[one_half_last]<\/p>\n

\"MPA

These holes are for the installation of the handguard.<\/p><\/div>\n

[\/one_half_last]<\/p>\n

[one_half]<\/p>\n

\"MPA

The large hole is for installation of a sling swivel. The three smaller holes are tapped to accept the screws for the optional folding buffer tube assembly.<\/p><\/div>\n

[\/one_half]<\/p>\n

[one_half_last]<\/p>\n

\"MPA

Installation of the handguard is much easier with the help of a long ball-end hex wrench. The barrel extension mounts to the barrel to protect your hand from hot gasses.<\/p><\/div>\n

[\/one_half_last]<\/p>\n

[one_half]<\/p>\n

\"MPA

There is plenty of rail space to attach accessories, including the grip panels, laser pointer and red dot sight with the extended forearm installed. However, be sure not to put any sort of vertical foregrip on there as it will make it an\u00a0“AOW”<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n

[\/one_half]<\/p>\n

[one_half_last]<\/p>\n

\"MPA

A Lasermax laser adorns the 12 o’clock spot on the handguard. A\u00a0Burris FastFire III is on the flattop rail. The two side rail covers are from Damage Industries.<\/p><\/div>\n

[\/one_half_last]<\/p>\n

Specs<\/h2>\n