Yes.
BAAAAAHHHHH, it should have read 
:
That is what happens when a company intro’s a product YEARS before it is ready to be sold.
We have all seen this before, and as much as I like Magpul, they have done it before.
Nope. But I also don’t make promises I can’t keep.
I’m not getting butt hurt because I’m not going to be buying a Masada and because Magpul isn’t making the mistake of posting an introduction date. I have a problem with folks who make promises they can’t keep. If businesses follow the “we aren’t sure so we’re keeping our mouths shut” line, it’s all good. But some people don’t have the same expectation of integrity that I do, I guess it goes with the times.
I guess I’m the only guy who got burned waiting for a Shrike…
I see where you’re coming from, and I agree, but I have to comment on two things I’ve noticed about the Masada and its publicity:
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To my knowledge, Magpul has never said the Masada will available in the first quarter of 2008 - they said they’re trying for first quarter 2008. I’ve seen published due dates in magazine articles, on internet forums, blogs, etc., but don’t recall any firm dates coming directly from the horse’s mouth. Am I wrong on this? Maybe I need to pay more attention…
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If you ever speak to Magpul President Richard Fitzpatrick, he’ll be the first to tell you that the Masada was developed in large part just to shake things up. The Masada shows how innovative even small companies can be, and proves that Americans can compete against the Germans, Swiss, and Belgians in the small arms market. Magpul has made clear there was no DoD contract behind the Masada - no government money at all. Personally, if I were an executive at HK I would have my engineers’ heads on a platter for spending over $22 million on a project whose end result is the XM-8. Despite still being in prototype phase, releasing the Masada at SHOT 07 was a wise decision, IMO, considering all the recent interest in new small arm platforms and calibers (SASS, XM-8, SCAR, PDW in 6x35, new pistols, 6.8SPC, 7x46 Murray, etc.). Even if the Masada doesn’t reach military hands, I hope it will at least light a fire under Europe’s ass to stop wasting my tax dollars and produce something worth while.
But then again, I’m just a computer geek and political junky…what do I know?
I’d like to get one
I addressed that in the post you quoted:
Basically I agree with Trim2L who was stating that people getting all anxious and antsy is a result of companies teasing their prospective customer base with a potential product that’s going to be all super-whamodine and setting an introduction date that they then do not meet. Sometimes, after making us wait with baited breath after teasing for a while (and resetting dates several times) to gain interest they then introduce a total turd, ala the SIG 556. It happens ALL THE TIME in our hobby.
Magpul doesn’t appear to be doing that, this time. I’m glad that they are (potentially) putting the big guys on notice (especially HK, I HATE those assholes). I’m also glad they aren’t playing the tease game that others have played with their proposed introductions. My involvement in this thread was only to agree with Trim that situations where people get butt hurt and exciteable occur because the industry that supports us tends to treat us like shit. Just for clarification, I was NOT implying that Magpul is doing it.
I am ASSuming that the rifle was done using one of the 3-d development and prototyping programs out there. I am glad that these are finally being used for development of firearms as they can really shorten and improve the process.
For example, I used to dump insane amount of money into diesel trucks. Crower ran their billet rods for 500,000 cycles on the computer at least twice that I am aware of to develop the lightest rods that would take the power that people were throwing at them. Another company released a set of con rods that were signifigantly lighter than Crower’s offerings, this company has now released a gen II rod that is nearly as heavy as the Crower due to the fact that folks were breaking the rods. This type of thing is partially accepted in hi-po engines, you push it too hard and you break it. shrug
In firearms, this can be the kiss of death. Robinson M96 recon forexample, a nice rifle that had issues that could have been sorted out if it had been computer cycled for 10-20-30k rounds. You need to pay not small amounts of money for the software, hardware, and expertise to run these simulations, but in the long run they can revolutionize your design process.
Indeed - I apologize. I should have clarified that my first point was not directed at you, but more as a general comment about the recent decision to stop releasing deadlines.
I completely agree. The Sig was a huge disappointment, especially for a project that had such potential, and was so seemingly easy (civilian 55X = happy people).
As far as HK goes, the HK Germany guys were great. I met the head engineer behind the 416/417 project, and he couldn’t have been any more pleasant and helpful. He even hinted at his desire for civilian release LONG before that was ever officially announced…Wolfgang was his name, I believe.
That’s a very good question for Richard…you should ask him how he designed the M93 - that is impressive! 
Patience, Patience, Patience, Pleaseeeessss! The best rifle ever will be out soon so hold your Horses. Some of you guys are like children on CHRISTMAS EVE! ( Honey, can I open the Magpul box, Please!)
Just out of curiosity… Can someone please point out the date to me that Magpul has said the Masada is supposed to be released that they are conerned about Magpul not meeting?
I don’t see what the big deal is.
Delays and gun products go hand in hand, so if you’ve been around the block a couple of times then you should be acclimated to products taking awhile to hit the market after being announced
I am still on the fence when it comes to Masada. I might get one, and I might not, but I’m not going to take it personal if it takes awhile for the Magpul guys to pull the project together.
Seriously, consider they had zero infrastructure to mass produce a firearm 6 months ago. Cut them some slack.
If you want an update, head to magpul.com and look for “contact us.”
Fill out an email form.
Drake has set up an auto reply with an answer to many questions. I said I wouldn’t take any answers and post them but since it’s an auto response, here it is:
Thank you for contacting Magpul about the Masada. Due to a high number of emails Magpul receives on a daily basis about the Masada we have created this auto reply to better answer your questions. Please read the info provided
Release of the Masada is expected to be in mid 2008. There will be a semi auto civilian version for sale. The Masada will be released in 5.56 with other calibers to follow with those dates to be determined. We’re shooting for a retail price of $1400. We have not made any distribution plans and there is no “waiting list” as of November 2008. We will announce T&E info as it becomes available. Military and LE personnel inquires that require more detail please contact us directly at 303 828 3460.
Listed below are links with information on the Masada.
Information links
Video links
National Firearms Act (NFA) Configuration Questions (Machineguns, Short-Barreled Rifles):
Masada™: Will the Masada be made in a select-fire version?
Yes. The select-fire Masada™ features a proprietary auto-sear that is not compatible with the standard M16. The fire selector has a standard 90 degree throw to the semi-auto position identical to the M16. The fully-automatic position is accessed with a further 30 degrees of travel. This combination ensures a good combination of safety and the ability to access fully-automatic firepower when necessary.
Masada™: Can I buy a select-fire (full-auto) Masada™?
The select-fire Masada™ is available ONLY to qualified buyers. The select-fire Masada™ is classified as a “machine-gun” under the National Firearms Act (26 USC 5845 (b)). As such it is subject to NFA transfer and possession regulations (27 CFR 479).
Masada™: Is there a transferrable, select-fire (full-auto) Masada™ available for civilians?
No. The Masada™ is a completely new weapon platform and was not produced prior to May 19, 1986. The select-fire Masada™ is considered a “post-86 dealer sample” and is only available to military, law-enforcement and qualified dealers.
Masada™: Are short-barreled (< 16” barrel length) Masada™ rifles available for civilians?
Short-barreled versions of the Masada™ are available ONLY to qualified buyers. The short-barreled Masada™ is classified as a “short-barreled rifle” (18 USC 921). As such it is subject to NFA transfer and possession regulations (27 CFR 479).
Masada™: Can the Masada accept a 3-Round Burst Mechanism?
An optional three-round burst mechanism is tentatively planned for the Masada. This may or may not require the use of proprietary parts and will ONLY be made available to military, law enforcement and qualified dealers in accordance with NFA transfer and possession regulations (27 CFR 479).
Additional Information Resources:
Masada™: Where can I see videos of the Masada™?
Milspec Monkey – Masada™ Introduction at Shot Shot 2007
Masada™ Initial Prototype Test Firing – Jan 2007
Masada™ Test Shoot – May 2007
Masada™ Full Auto Function Test – 2007
Masada™ 60-Round Full Auto Test
Masada™ Break Down (Field Strip)
Masada™ Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter II Video Game
Masada™: Where can I read about the Masada™?
• Soldier of Fortune Oct 2007 THE MASADA FROM MAGPUL – Gary Paul Johnson
• Guns & Ammo 2008 Annual Buyers Guide MAGPUL’S MASADA: AT LAST A COMBAT RIFLE DONE RIGHT – Patrick Sweeney pg 14
Methinks someone made a typo. No waiting list as of November 2008.
No typo - he’s just so damn busy that it will probably read “no waiting list as of November 2008” until well after the production Masadas are shipping. He’s way too busy to bother with minor details like updating emails, shaving, showering, etc. He’s starting to look like the bastard child of ZZ Top and Nick Nolte’s mug shot (http://www.starpulse.com/news/media/nick-nolte-mugshot.jpg. The dude is living off tubes of spiced mystery meat and Mountain Dew. Every 30 seconds he whips out his Microtech auto pocket knife, slices a piece off his phallus-shaped tube-o-flesh, stabs it, and eats it off the blade.
So lay off Drake, would ya?
Good grief. I am going to have to make an emergency food run up there to CO.
Dude, that is some of the funniest shit I have ever read. You could not have described our afternoon any better Nick, classic to the core. I did get my fancy pants on for the X Mas party today. Still looking like I was stuck in the woods for three weeks with no razor.
And my bad, auto reply fixed to say Nov 07.
And for all the guys that are out there with questions about the Masada, the auto reply is all we’ve got for now. Up to our eyes until SHOT.
Oh and for the guys that are pissy. No worries on us not making or holding to our time commitments. We don’t share that info any more. I like to come to the forums and chat but I’ll be damned if I come here to have guys get pissy at Magpul when we are doing everything we can to make good gear.
Switch computer off, go to range…do it.
I wish I could go to the range. :mad:
As for the pissy people, I can understand their angst, if not their actions.
They’re worried about January 2009. Once bitten twice shy and whatnot.
I for one appreciate the lead time on Magpuls part. I like Magpuls stuff. I like combination of features that weapon has. I like that they are local to me, and I have decided to purchase one.
I for one need all the lead time I can get to pull off a $1400 hit to the family income. I am a little over a third of the way there.
-Anyone that dares to build guns in the shadow of Boulder Colorado deserves this Coloradian’s support.
I have been asked to leave coffee shops before after the management sees my screen. Seriously. I hate Boulder. It’s beautiful, but I hate the people.