Gunsmithing Multiple MPA Competition chassis have feed issues with Magpul and AI magazines

[shootmore]

Anyone else having issues with the MPA chassis? Many of us at PRS matches are experiencing failures of the MPA competition chassis and we are fed up. Doubt Ill buy another.

Gear; Defiance and other actions, 6.5x47 Lapua, Creedmoor and other ammunition, MPA Competition chassis has failed us many times. We use Magpul, and AI mags, have swapped mags and we still have repeated failures. I see multiple feed failures with the MPA chassis at multiple PRS matches.

The bolt slides past the magazine and does not engage the ammunition, it moves right over the top of the round because the magazine sits to low in the stock. I called MPA and they were aware of the issue. They claim that this happens when using a Defiant action. The offered an extended magazine release kit. I got 2 of them. One was the same length as the original and the other .020 longer. The magazine has over .085 play. Opening the top lips of the AI magazine did reduce the failure rate but the rate is still to high for competitive shooting.

I called MPA a second time and got the same customer service rep who sounded like he was reading from a script and really did not know how to solve the issue. When questioned about the extended mag kit having only .020 extension he claimed that was enough. I've done smithing and machine work for over 20 years and I say male bovine droppings.

Any suggestions for a stock that works?

 

[Mordamer]

Take the lever out, Tig weld a bead on the tip, grind it to perfection. I have fitted a Bighorn TL3 to an MPA competition and there was nowhere near that much play between the mag and receiver. Maybe they are hit or miss.

 

[rockmyglock]

I use Magpul PMags with no issue (standard MPA Chassis). Moment I tried to “upgrade” to AICS mags, I realized that I should stick to the PMags.

One slight difference is that my bolt will engage the rear of the cartridge, stripping it half off the mag and into the chamber, then slip off the base of the cartridge and wedge the brass under the bolt.

This prevents a round from being fed or the mag from being stripped out until the bolt can be persuaded back to the rear and fiddling with the round.

Otherwise, no complaints with the MPA chassis.

 

[shootmore]

Take the lever out, Tig weld a bead on the tip, grind it to perfection. I have fitted a Bighorn TL3 to an MPA competition and there was nowhere near that much play between the mag and receiver. Maybe they are hit or miss.

Thanks for the suggestion. One would hope that for over a $1,000 you could get a system that works.

 

[BLKWLFK9]

hmmm... I had a MPA comp chassis on my tikka before I sold them both. I never had a single feeding issue with either of those mags. this is the first ive heard about it. Call back and ask for Phil specifically. He is awesome and helped me out when I was in a pinch for time on something. A+ guy with A+ CS

 

[shootmore]

I asked to speak to Phil. The customer service rep refused to put me through adding the frustration. Resulting perspective- very poor customer service.

Any suggestions for a better stock and a company that stands behind their products?

 

[rockmyglock]

I asked to speak to Phil. The customer service rep refused to put me through adding the frustration. Resulting perspective- very poor customer service.

Any suggestions for a better stock and a company that stands behind their products?

I think you're taking some cheap shots here.

If not being put on the phone with the HMFIC when you call in and ask is your standard for customer service, then most companies will disappoint. It’s understandable to not get the CEO of a company on demand.

MPA makes a great stock. IMHO, you won't find many better at any price point. In the end its an end-user's opinion as to what is best.

If anything is wrong, its with their marketing. They should let people know out of the gate that metal AICS mags may need finesse. Unfortunately, the solution is not linked to the product description on their site, and instead listed on the technical support section of their site -- Magazine Feed Lip adjustment tool (YouTube). Here is a link to the product.

That's the voice of the CEO himself. Should you have gotten him on the phone, he would have only been repeating himself.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Gotta say that I see a lot of MPA's at matches, without a doubt more than any other chassis and I haven't seen anyone struggle with a feed issue. Not saying it can't happen but if it's that big of a problem I think I would have seen it.

Considering that Phil is at a large number of the 2 day matches (he's even putting on two of them this year), why haven't you asked him at a match? He's an extremely nice and approachable guy, I'm sure he would have no problem taking a look.

 

[Jrs9898]

Try an XLR I like mine and know several that use them with out issue. Now as far as MPA and my personal dealings with them their costumer service was fine, once you get ahold of them, I found email was fastest. I ordered a hybrid in the end of April for my AI found out today they won't be cutting any more hybrids for 6 to 8 more weeks an they're way behind on the Remington clones 6 to 8 more after that. They were more than happy to cancel my order and I hope to see a refund in a few days

 

[mjsand44]

I run a bighorn/ mpa I ordered directly firm mpa. I am having the same problem.

 

[PinesAndProjectiles]

You sign up on Friday and start bashing on Sunday? Hmmmm.....

 

[shootmore]

I think you're taking some cheap shots here.

If not being put on the phone with the HMFIC when you call in and ask is your standard for customer service, then most companies will disappoint. It’s understandable to not get the CEO of a company on demand.

MPA makes a great stock. IMHO, you won't find many better at any price point. In the end its an end-user's opinion as to what is best.

If anything is wrong, its with their marketing. They should let people know out of the gate that metal AICS mags may need finesse. Unfortunately, the solution is not linked to the product description on their site, and instead listed on the technical support section of their site -- Magazine Feed Lip adjustment tool (YouTube). Here is a link to the product.

That's the voice of the CEO himself. Should you have gotten him on the phone, he would have only been repeating himself.

 

[shootmore]

Just telling it like it is. Having run multiple companies that provide among other things, customer service, I understand that people can have a bad day. That's not the case here. This was a series of poor customer service that occurred. It proved an unwillingness to stand behind the product. I gave customer service three tries over 4 weeks to get it right. They failed miserably. It was only then that I asked for escalation and was refused. I'm still waiting for MPA to make this right. Even emailed the owner last week. In the mean time I would like to put this rifle into something that works well. MPA has an opportunity to get it right and they still have failed to do so.

Thanks for the stock suggestions.

 

[shootmore]

Thanks for the suggestion. One would hope that for over a $1,000 you could get a system that works.

I dropped the magazine release off yesterday for a weld, a tig bead as you suggested. Hope to be fitting to the rifle by tomorrow. Ill keep you posted on how that works out.

 

[Killswitch Engage]

I have 5 mpa chassis and had many more that i shoot prs with. everything from stiller, defiance deviant, 700, alpha11 etc in them with never a single feeding issue on any of them. its the number one chassis running in prs without question so not sure where the "everyone is having feeding issues" comes from.

if you have mag slop that you don't like you will need to custom fit the mag latch. another thing you can do that helps is to adjust the magwell side screws so you mag has less radial slop to your liking. it helps the mag sit more proud.

 

[shootmore]

Mag side screws adjusted properly. We (multiple shooters AZ) tried different mags. Still experienced too many failures to chamber a round.
We determined the mag release and the extended mag release kit do not do the job. That coupled with poor customer service has pushed me to seek a better performing stock.

 

[308pirate]

Any suggestions for a better stock and a company that stands behind their products?

KRG

 

[Sheldon N]

Sounds like sour grapes and grumbling from a new member to me too.

I've never heard of this issue with an MPA chassis before, and I have two myself and dozens of friends who run them in PRS competition at the highest levels. Including those running Defiance actions.

I've corresponded with Phil on numerous occasions and have gotten nothing but great customer service. I wouldn't expect to call up and demand that they put him on the phone though.

 

[Killswitch Engage]

Sounds like sour grapes and grumbling from a new member to me too.

I've never heard of this issue with an MPA chassis before, and I have two myself and dozens of friends who run them in PRS competition at the highest levels. Including those running Defiance actions.

I've corresponded with Phil on numerous occasions and have gotten nothing but great customer service. I wouldn't expect to call up and demand that they put him on the phone though.

my exact feelings and experiences. just never seen any issues. every single team member of SAC runs mpa without a single issue at all. that's 8 of us right there,

 

[oinco]

Wow, lots of disbelievers here with a myopic sample set. Problems happen with anything and everything, even if you haven't seen it. All the space shuttle flights up until the 10th mission were GTG...

I have plenty of MPA chassis, and during my last match, my AI mags were dropping after every shot in my newest one- even with a vigorous pull check on insert-switched to ARC mags and problem solved-kinda, they were hard to remove. Magazine manufacturing differences+stacked tolerances= need for fitting from time to time. Not a problem, just wish I had experienced that and solved it before the scorecard came out...

 

[1moaoff]

Fyi, I also called them on 2 days and was only able to leave message. I sent Lisa an email and she responded late at night and called me the next day. When talking to her she got parts I neededout right away at no cost. They are hard to get ahold of but I like the product and when you do talk to them they are great. Its endemic of successful companies in this field.

 

[Plltxusa]

I just received a new Masterpiece Arms BA competition rifle in 6.5 creed and noticed that the bolt will not close on any of my magpul AICS-compatible magazines. I noticed on the MPA website when purchasing these mags that you may run into this issue and you or they can modify the lips. The accurate mag and mdt mag works fine. The bolt slightly skims the top of the mag lips but doesn’t impede function.

Having said that, I’m wondering if it would be better to file down the top portion of the mag catch slightly. Any thoughts? Also, any process on how to remove the mag catch?

Thanks

 

[SharpsNitro]

Is this thread still going on?

When I bought my DTA five years ago it would drop magazines constantly under recoil, this was a 308 setup. Called DTA, they had me send in the old magazine release, they then sent me a new one. Problem solved.

MPA has always been responsive when I contacted them.

 

[linedrive301ft]

Plltxusa, I had a similar issue with my MPA. A few thousands filed off the mag latch fixed the problem. AI, Alpha, Magpul mags all feed with no problems. I took 6 to7 thousands off the latch. Go slowly with your removal.
There is a pin that needs to be removed to release the latch. Be careful there is a spring that is under some pressure.

 

[Plltxusa]

Plltxusa, I had a similar issue with my MPA. A few thousands filed off the mag latch fixed the problem. AI, Alpha, Magpul mags all feed with no problems. I took 6 to7 thousands off the latch. Go slowly with your removal.
There is a pin that needs to be removed to release the latch. Be careful there is a spring that is under some pressure.

Thanks for the info. I assume the pin is nothing too complicated to knock out. Any gotchas such as the direction they are punched out? Or how the spring is reinstalled?

As a side note, MPA states on their website that if you buy the magpul aics mags from them, they can file down the feed lips for customers. Wouldn’t it make more sense to just get the mag latch made to a spec that accommodates the magpul mag in the 1st place? Seems like a simple fix for them to do, but hey.... what do I know.

 

[Biggie1976]

Picked up a MPA comp chassis for my 6.5 SAUm last week. Hopefully I don’t experience this issue as I bought accurate mags. But good to have in back of my head.

 

[shootmore]

I got the tig welded mag release back from the welder. We added over an 1/8 of an inch to the top of that mag release. After squaring up the round weld I removed a little bit material from the top of the mag release until I was able to seat the AICS magazine to the Defiant Action. Hearing the spring loaded release click into place I knew the magazine seated.
Then I found that the bolt was riding across the top of the magazine creating to much friction so I adjusted the magazine lips as prescribed by MPA's video. Good information they get an A+ for that one. It helped but the bolt still was riding on top of the magazine. Too much friction for a smooth bolt closing you would expect for a great action like Defiance. I removed .015 more material from the top of the magazine release. This created some play in the mag seating but less friction on the bolt. The bolt was still dragging a little bit. Filed off the top corners of the mag lips, about .005" of an inch and now the bolt closes smoothly. I tested chambering about 30 rounds using 2 different AICS magazines without feed issues. Now its off to the matches, 8/11 & 8/12, for testing.

Shot two PRS matches this weekend and the AICS/Defiance/MPA stock performed flawlessly. No feed issues. Happy with the system now.

Tried some new MagPul AC magazines and they would not seat into the stock. I'll stick with the AICS and modify the lips to suit this rifle.
Bottom line- good system if you are handy enough to custom fit it to make it work. But poor customer service. Remember I gave MPA multiple opportunities to make it right and they failed miserably. I spent too much time and money to fix the imperfection in this very expensive stock. My next buy will probably be an XLR.

 

[shootmore]

I just received a new Masterpiece Arms BA competition rifle in 6.5 creed and noticed that the bolt will not close on any of my magpul AICS-compatible magazines. I noticed on the MPA website when purchasing these mags that you may run into this issue and you or they can modify the lips. The accurate mag and mdt mag works fine. The bolt slightly skims the top of the mag lips but doesn’t impede function.

Having said that, I’m wondering if it would be better to file down the top portion of the mag catch slightly. Any thoughts? Also, any process on how to remove the mag catch?

Thanks

MPA does states that magpul magazines need to be custom fit. There is one pin to drive out that hold the mag release in place. The pin is a light press fit to the mag release not the stock holes (they are a bit looser). In your case I would start with modifying the Magpul mag before adjusting the mag release.

 

[Plltxusa]

MPA does states that magpul magazines need to be custom fit. There is one pin to drive out that hold the mag release in place. The pin is a light press fit to the mag release not the stock holes (they are a bit looser). In your case I would start with modifying the Magpul mag before adjusting the mag release.

Thanks for the info.

 

[joelpend]

There are obvious differences in magazine brands. IMO if you want to run the cheaper Magpul mags then you set your rifle up to run those and forget running other brands in that rifle. Don't try to place blame on stock and action manufacturers because you can not get all A-Z magazines to work reliably. Things take a little tweaking sometimes and some just don't want to accept that.

 

[308pirate]

There are obvious differences in magazine brands. IMO if you want to run the cheaper Magpul mags then you set your rifle up to run those and forget running other brands in that rifle.

What the fuck? You're going to pay close to or slightly over 1K for a chassis and have to be picky about magazines?

LOL GTFO

Why is it that a "cheap" KRG like mine can run just fine with any magazine I have tried in it (three different brands including Magpul), but a nearly twice as expensive MPA can't?

I guess if I paid that much money for something that doesn't work with commonly available magazines of the correct pattern I too would be making excuses.

 

[Dtsmoto327]

thats like saying why cant i run regular unleaded in my drag car..when my 1994 honda accord will run off last years chain saw premix lol

 

[B.Wilker]

I’m having the same issue with my Bighorn TL3 in a MPA competition chassis. Same problem so far with a modded pmag, my buddies aics, and an accurate mag so it seems mine likely won’t work with any brand of magazine if none of these work. The magazines are all consistent in measurements and where they end up, it is the chassis. I’ve got an email in to MPA customer service. Hoping to get it working.

 

[RobertB]

MPA is a solid company and will make it right. The are all about solving problems and I'm sure they will take care of this one. I've heard of a few of these issues but it seems it's a very low number for the amount that they put out. They have way too many people running them at high levels of competition.

 

[B.Wilker]

Heard back from MPA. Their answer was to tweak the magazine. I’m gonna keep trying for now.
MPA has a great rep and I really like this chassis better than any stock I’ve used before. So I’m giving it a few more goes with their customer service. If no luck I’ll sell it to someone with an action this works for and buy a foundation. Not my preference though

 

[RobertB]

If you're interested in a stock with bolt in options give Manners a try!

That being said I would think MPA would make it right, they seem like a top notch company

Let me know if I can help in any way if you want to try a Manners!

 

[jonesturf]

We've had to adjust one, maybe two. It happens. MPA will make it right I'm sure.

Sometimes the magazines need tweaking as well, and not just in an MPA. MPA has a video about it on Youtube as mentioned in post #7. @B.Wilker What magazine cut does your TL-3 have? The Magpul mags don't like the AW cut sometimes. If you need anything shoot me a PM.

 

[B.Wilker]

The TL3 I have is an AW cut. Adjusting feed lips on the magazine seems to have helped.

 

[chavezz556]

I have a Bergara premier action in a MPA lite and have had some feeding issues for sure.. but for some reason the 5 round Magpul mag that came with the rifle has worked flawless.. it was the 10 rounders that gave me trouble

 

[R0CKNR0LLKL0WN]

Has anyone tried the Accurate-Mag designed for 6.5 Creedmoor in their MPA chassis? Can’t find any information or reviews about them online. Not sure what makes them 6.5 Creedmoor specific.

 

[TangoDown88]

Has anyone tried the Accurate-Mag designed for 6.5 Creedmoor in their MPA chassis? Can’t find any information or reviews about them online. Not sure what makes them 6.5 Creedmoor specific.

Im having crazy problems extracting and sometimes feeding from AI magazines in my MPA Comp chassis with a Bergara LRP chassis. Ive had the LRP for well over two years and never experienced a single extraction or feeding problem....any help? My brass comes out all marred up. I tried uploading a video but apparently I dont have an approved link.

*Update*: If anyone has a similar problem, try Pmags. Mine works flawlessly now with a Pmag. Must be the spring tension in the AI mags....probably gotta break them in.

 

[csfarmer73]

Im having crazy problems extracting and sometimes feeding from AI magazines in my MPA Comp chassis with a Bergara LRP chassis. Ive had the LRP for well over two years and never experienced a single extraction or feeding problem....any help? My brass comes out all marred up. I tried uploading a video but apparently I dont have an approved link.

*Update*: If anyone has a similar problem, try Pmags. Mine works flawlessly now with a Pmag. Must be the spring tension in the AI mags....probably gotta break them in.

 

[csfarmer73]

I have been a member on here for awhile, but I think this is my first or maybe second post. After reading the issues that some are reporting here about MPA I felt compelled to put in my 2 cents.
About a year ago I decided on a MPA competition chassis for a custom .300 WM build. After acquiring the stock, which took 4 months and was originally told 6 weeks, I found that the rifle did not sit square in the chassis. Myself and my gunsmith checked everything we could on the gun and could not find anything that was off. I contacted MPA and sent pictures. The response from them was that it had to be the action that was out of true and not the chassis.
After paying $1000 for the stock and waiting 4 months I feel they could have at least offered to take a look at the stock to verify there was no problem with it.
I had no choice but to have the gunsmith mill out the stock and then bed the action. After all this I thought I’d finally have a reliable, accurate rifle. Unfortunately, it has feed issues. I’m using the MagPul magazines. About every 5th shot or so the bolt is extremely hard to extract. The best I can tell, the top of the mag is right up against the feed rails and causing the bolt to catch the top of the mag as it starts back.
What I have left out here is numerous calls and emails to MPH with little to no help. There supply chain is woefully inadequate, and customer service is lacking.
I am perfectly fine with a company having issues when there trying new and innovative products which I think MPH is doing. However, I also expect the company to stand behind the product and make things right when they miss the mark! Honestly, I hate that I had this experience because I think the MPA chassis has the potential to be a fantastic product, but it still needs refinements and customer support that the company seems to be unconcerned about.

 

[Changed]

I’ve had no issue with my sample of two with tl3 and 700

 

[chavezz556]

I ground out the rear of my mag so i could load longer and it allowed the bullet to ride higher in the mag

 

[DocHolliday01]

I have a factory 700 LTR in 6.5 in a BA ESR Chassis. I have had zero issues with it feeding from PMags with +2 extensions on them. I have a little over 400 rounds through the action/barrel and about 80 on the chassis (I got the chassis last month). I have zero complaints with MPA. I ordered it expecting a minimum of 8-10 weeks and it was delivered in a little over 3. Emails were answered quickly and the Rep. was polite.

 

[frost1235]

I'd like to chime in.
My Bergara Premier action locked up the bolt behind/infront of the feedlips when I was using a gamechanger. I shaved the feedlips as per their video, and then found that my bolt was dragging hard on the feedlips.

I emailed MPA, and they responded lighting fast. They recommended the mag blocks. I just ordered them and will respond with an update.

 

[frost1235]

Update:
Mag block does absolutely nothing. It's too short, and I'm goimg to try to Jimmy rig something to make it work.
EDIT: I did put a small amount of silicon caulk on the mag block.

What does work is just modifying Pmag feed lips as noted in the videos MPA put in. Unfortunately for my pmag, the amount of material I had to remove to make it function rendered my 10 round pmag useless. Going to try an MDT mag before I return the chassis.

 

[Cornerstonearmory]

Has anyone tried the Accurate-Mag designed for 6.5 Creedmoor in their MPA chassis? Can’t find any information or reviews about them online. Not sure what makes them 6.5 Creedmoor specific.

The magazine follower is different. 6.5 CM shoulder is way farther back and a typical 308 follower allows a decent amount of shift back and forth.

 

[frost1235]

Final update on my end!

The mag block makes a noticeable difference with a metal magazine. With a polymer magpul, I am assuming the plastic flexes too much for the mag block to prevent extra movement.


In general, the metal magazines work much better in the chassis than poly mags. The MDT didn't have any problems, unless using the magazine on a barricade. (Where the mag block wood prevent the feed lips locking up on the bolt.)