MPA Left handed chassis - is this normal?

[davere]

A friend just received a left handled MPA competition folder chassis. Versus a "normal" right handed chassis, this one has a cutout for the bolt handle on both sides of the chassis, and seems to be missing the magazine well cutout that's on the left side of the normal chassis. Is this normal for an MPA leftie chassis? The only MPA chassis I've had my hands on is a right handed competition chassis, which is obviously different than what my friend received.

 

[simpy16]

This is how they are doing their chassis from now on. Bolt cutout on both sides and no more magwell cut. Some like it, some don’t like it.

 

[davere]

So, one chassis for everyone? I suppose that makes sense from a manufacturing standpoint - the mag cut was kinda nice, though...

 

[simpy16]

Yup, I think that is part of the reasoning, although I think I heard there were some other perceived benefits but it escapes what they are right now.

 

[b6graham]

So, one chassis for everyone? I suppose that makes sense from a manufacturing standpoint - the mag cut was kinda nice, though...

then pay extra and wait. one more step and added cost for them.

the way i see it this should speed everything up on their end without raising prices too much

 

[davere]

then pay extra and wait. one more step and added cost for them.

the way i see it this should speed everything up on their end without raising prices too much

Once the CAD and CAM work is done, there'd be no time or cost difference to manufacture a left handed chassis vs a right handed chassis. It likely uses the same fixturing, even, I would guess. And, they already had both, apparently. They had to incur costs in programming to make an ambi chassis. What it does is cuts the number of SKUs in half, and allows them to stock and manufacture a single part.

I'm not the smartest guy on the planet, but I fail to see how eliminating one cut and adding another, with same number of setups in manufacturing - and a side effect of decreasing logistics load (by going to a single SKU vs. two) would raise prices at all, much less "without raising them too much"? They should be decreasing their costs overall, not increasing them at all. The only thing it speeds up realistically is delivery of left handed chassis? The vast majority of the time of manufacture for a chassis of either handedness is still there, either way.

My friend had to wait 7 months for this chassis, as is, and it's ambi (not left handed specific)... So apparently, it's not speeding anything up at the moment.

 

[b6graham]

Once the CAD and CAM work is done, there'd be no time or cost difference to manufacture a left handed chassis vs a right handed chassis. It likely uses the same fixturing, even, I would guess. And, they already had both, apparently. They had to incur costs in programming to make an ambi chassis. What it does is cuts the number of SKUs in half, and allows them to stock and manufacture a single part.

I'm not the smartest guy on the planet, but I fail to see how eliminating one cut and adding another, with same number of setups in manufacturing - and a side effect of decreasing logistics load (by going to a single SKU vs. two) would raise prices at all, much less "without raising them too much"? They should be decreasing their costs overall, not increasing them at all. The only thing it speeds up realistically is delivery of left handed chassis? The vast majority of the time of manufacture for a chassis of either handedness is still there, either way.

My friend had to wait 7 months for this chassis, as is, and it's ambi (not left handed specific)... So apparently, it's not speeding anything up at the moment.

while only a small difference, cutting the ambi versus the bigger magwell cut should add up over months and months

but yes. one SKU and only one comp chassis should be a benefit for all who order direct

didn't the price on them just go up?

 

[davere]

didn't the price on them just go up?

I honestly didn't notice - haven't been tracking the cost on them. But, given inflation and all that, it wouldn't be surprising if they did.

 

[beretta_man11]

the grip looks like it is for a right handed shooter.

 

[b6graham]

the grip looks like it is for a right handed shooter.

it is. the lefty insert is $25 extra

 

[Chase214]

Their gonna make a ambi chassis but no ambi grip .

 

[Kane0519]

Price going up could easily be due to demand or the rising cost of raw material.

 

[Rugster]

The magwell cut (aka Castle cut) is no longer standard primarily due to the change of the PRS game. There are far less mag changes as the game evolves because shooters don’t want to burn through 15-20 rounds in a single stage. And with the creation of mag extensions it makes mag changes even less frequent. When a company is trying to find every efficiency to cut lead times, you’d be surprised how something like that can add up.

Additionally, there is production downtime involved when transitioning over to make left handed models. It’s not just a button push. Again, downtime = efficiency loss which increases lead times.

The cost to have another mold made for left handed grips certainly wouldn’t make cents (see what I did there?) so they came out with the insert vs the 3D printed grips they use to have.

 

[Triggs75]

Interesting they would put the left handed folder on the chassis but not the left handed grip. I just received a lefty and yes it was ambi cut. I thought ou can pay more for them to cut your magwell if you wish.

 

[Changed]

If they covered it like magpul that would be cool, but they didn't. This is a huge detractor for me. If you want something to be ambi, you have to be smart about it. Turn it into a positive. Frankly, I think this looks like trash. I'd return it and buy from another vendor. It smacks of laziness, and looks like butt.

 

[palmettoman]

Wow. As a lefty, I was wanting to try a MPA for the rifle I'm about to build. That looks awful. A XLR Envy it shall be.

 

[jwood1284]

I ordered my AIMPA back in August. Al told me that it would be a new ambi model. I was pleasantly surprised when it arrived last month and it was RH only, albeit without the castle cut which I’ve been told they do not do on AI chassis.

I’ve also heard the new ambi models include a “plug” to fill in the opposite side. I’m not sure if this is a nice alum piece that is color matched...or just a 3D printed piece like the LH thumb shelf.

 

[Goes-Bang]

I was getting ready to order a new MPA chassis for a LH build, when I saw this thread. Called a vendor yesterday, who was nice enough to answer some questions about the new AMBI model and was told:

The new versions do have a black plastic “plug” that fills the bolt cutout on the off-bolt side. It basically slides inside of the chassis and has a spring that pushes against the action to hold it in place.​

Not sure how I feel about this for my new build yet, and I've been shopping around for the old BA COMP LH model.

 

[Chase214]

I ordered my AIMPA back in August. Al told me that it would be a new ambi model. I was pleasantly surprised when it arrived last month and it was RH only, albeit without the castle cut which I’ve been told they do not do on AI chassis.

I’ve also heard the new ambi models include a “plug” to fill in the opposite side. I’m not sure if this is a nice alum piece that is color matched...or just a 3D printed piece like the LH thumb shelf.

I called them thur about an AI chassis and they told me that it was a special order so it would not come ambi. He told me most of the popular actions ie rem 700 would be ambi.

 

[Triggs75]

I looked in my little bag that came with the chassis and sure enough there was the little black plastic plug with a spring. I do not have my rifle put together yes so the pictures below just have it resting in the chassis thus it not being straight. It does fit the curves just fine if you are worried about it lining up. I would have been fine without the plug but will put it in since it is there and see how it does. All the other benefits this chassis has I hope a hole or plastic plug does not stop you from buying one.

Chad

 

[swage2712]

I guess I'm in the minority. I think the ambi cut looks awful. I own two MPA Comp chassis and won't be buying another for my new build.

 

[Chase214]

I guess I'm in the minority. I think the ambi cut looks awful. I own two MPA Comp chassis and won't be buying another for my new build.

I think its ridiculous I'm glad I got mine when I did I doubt I'll be getting another unless they go back to hand specific or make a better plug hell at least paint it the same color as the chassis

 

[GONE BAD]

A: So how do you deal with the RH grip?
That sucks! The cutout iffy, but the grip?

 

[Chase214]

you would have thought they would have made a ambi so if you have to shoot weak side your grip is the same

 

[Triggs75]

The grip has the same on the left side and as stated above it’s a plus to shoot weak side

 

[GONE BAD]

Sorry. I see. GTG!