MPA DS9 LOC vs. Voodoo Priest? plus a dark horse?

[Chutist]

Both around 4K... I know there was another long running thread on a similar topic.  I read all of it...

Looking for a Steel frame and grip gun for Limited optics.  No IPSC, No IDPA.

 

MPA seems to have upgraded fit as of late.  I shoot with several guys that run them, not seeing issues.

Don't know anything but what the Gun Tubers have posted.  I will be asking them if I can handle when I get a chance.

 

Even looking at Vulcan :  They are "local" to me but 1K more...might be worth it?

 

Don't need the range "flex" of Infinity or Atlas... just looking for a good tool.  Doesn't need to be the latests magic( Island barrels, faux Comp blocks, giant thumb rests...)

it has to GO BANG EVERY TIME.   

 

If they all RUN.  Then it's going to be the trades of Cost, wait time, support and of course "aesthetics" 

 

For me

Voodoo seems like a plus with the direct mount optic but a concern that you're limited to one optic pattern.  Also if a optic screw fails it's in the slide.  The slide cuts are pretty dated, not as grippy some of others with deeper cuts.  But they seem to be really, really well made... Wait time could be an issue.

 

MPA - bit more 'production" that the Priest.  Nice aesthetics, better availability.

 

It really is like picking puppies! 

 

 

 

 

 

[RangerTrace]

The DS9 has a very robust plate system, but the trade off is the optic sits pretty high compared to Staccato.  My DPP is maxed out on elevation and it still shoots about 2" low at 25 yards.  

[davsco]

On 11/17/2024 at 9:50 AM, RangerTrace said:

The DS9 has a very robust plate system, but the trade off is the optic sits pretty high compared to Staccato.  My DPP is maxed out on elevation and it still shoots about 2" low at 25 yards.  

hmm i have both and will have to check that out.  i didn't notice a diff but haven't measured.

 

gotta say, staccato p's have been increasingly prevalent at various uspsa and 2 gun matches i've done and all have been flawless.  they seem like a relatively great value.  i do like the aggressive grips on the mpa better for sure.

[Archer]

I will throw in a dark horse here- the Dan Wesson DWX-OR.  I honestly think that if it had a smooth rollout and OR slide when it was first announced, you would see a lot of them on the LO line today.

 

$2k, 1911 fire control system, reliable and inexpensive 24+1 mags, lots of grip and mag well options.  Certainly one of the better grips out there especially compared to many "pure" 2011 packages.  Downsides are limited aftermarket parts like safeties, but CZ is doing a lot more of the small parts in terms of the availability.  Impact Machine makes a solid plate system.

 

Most importantly, they go bang- every time.  And in the hands of a good competitor, they give nothing up to any 2011.

Edited November 18 by Archer

[36873687]

i’ve handled both. voodoo be my choice. cheely grips direct mount dot

[Chutist]

Thanks for all the great comments.  

Sounds like there's great options.  

Shot with a guy at an indoor match on Tuesday that works a Scheels, turns out they have Atlas IN STOCK.  I told him YOU"RE NOT HELPING! 

[TheChef1]

I went with Vudoo over MPA and I’m very happy with it. I have a few buddies with MPAs they certainly are not bad but the fit is way better in the vudoo, the optic mount is better assuming you don’t want to switch optics all the time. I prefer the cheely grip over the MPA, the ethos are better but the texture is also perfect IMO if you get aggressive. Sticks like Velcro but not demonic. The MPA aggressive on my buddies seriously will shred you, I love an aggressive grip but his is seriously stupid.  Vudoo allows way more customization and IMO look better. 

[Dfehr401]

On 11/17/2024 at 9:50 AM, RangerTrace said:

The DS9 has a very robust plate system, but the trade off is the optic sits pretty high compared to Staccato.  My DPP is maxed out on elevation and it still shoots about 2" low at 25 yards.  

I hate optics plates lol.  I have same issue with a build I had done.  I have the holosun maxed out.  It was driving me nuts till I started thinking about.

[RangerTrace]

6 hours ago, Dfehr401 said:

I hate optics plates lol.  I have same issue with a build I had done.  I have the holosun maxed out.  It was driving me nuts till I started thinking about.

I don't notice it shooting freestyle and normal pistol distance.  Only on the rest at 25.

[caspian guy]

22 hours ago, Dfehr401 said:

I hate optics plates lol.  I have same issue with a build I had done.  I have the holosun maxed out.  It was driving me nuts till I started thinking about.

Makes me wonder if your optic plate is defective and doesn't have the necessary angle in the optics mounting surface so you are having to use all your elevation in the scope to zero. If memory serves right, a 1911 scope mount needs like 1 degree of angle.

Edited November 23 by caspian guy

[zzt]

Another to consider is the Warwick Tactical LO gun.  Superb build and a few pennies less expensive than the MPA.

[jmv_2alpha]

I don’t own a Vudoo but I have a DS9. I’ve shot a Vudoo priest. My personal choice would be a DS9 because of how the grips fit me perfectly. Also love a full dust cover on my 2011. I think now the priest has that option.

[Seakphotog]

I've got a DS9 full size and commander.  Both are fine guns, especially, for me, the full size.  Terrific fit and finish, terrific trigger, more accurate than I am.  The grip is good but I'd like the option to have some palm swells per the Atlas grips.  I got the medium texture on the full size and aggressive on the commander. The medium texture is OKish, while the aggressive texture was too painful on the front and backstrap (basically hundred of needle points). I gently sanded down the tips of the needles and it was much better.  That said, I'd like more aggressive texturing on the sides of the grips.  I actually ended up putting grip tape on the full size and will probably do it with the commander as well.  I like the texture/feel better than the bare aluminum. Oh, yes, and as mentioned above, the optic sits pretty high on the MPAs which took some getting used to. I do wish they sat lower. I really like the aesthetics of the MPA guns and that's admittedly a big reason I went with them vs the Vudoo. I like my MPAs enough that I've got one their new LOC V2s on order (the one with the sight block and steel grip).

 

I also have a BUL Air, which is much less expensive than either the MPA and Vudoo.  It has a plastic grip which I actually like (but I did put grip tape on it).  The fit is nearly a match for the MPAs, the finish is brushed stainless steel, which I like and the trigger is terrific, as is the safety.  The optic sits lower than the MPAs but the Air's optic plate system doesn't seem as robust (altho I haven't had any issues after many thousands of rounds).  It's a great shooter and very "nimble". More nimble feeling/"faster" than the MPA.  It was a terrific bargain in the "competition ready" 2011 realm.  Sadly, BUL doesn't make them anymore but has announced the Blaze, which is an updated version with a extended shielded safety, pinned grip safety and most importantly a redesigned optics plate system that looks terrific and comes with a few different plates.  It'll also come with 4(?) mags I think.  The downsides to BUL stuff are availability, the use of proprietary mags (but they're not expensive as mostly available) and reportedly iffy warranty/customer service, oh, and they're not US made if that's a factor.  The Blaze will be more expensive than the Air but still less expensive than an MPA/Vudoo, plus it'll come with the mags and optics plates. Anyway, that was a long winded way of recommending you consider a Blaze as the dark horse if they become available before your purchase.

Edited November 29 by Seakphotog

[Chutist]

@Seakphotog thanks for the input.  

 

Lots to consider, as always,  looking for a custom pistol.  I have two .40's and a .45 from my limited days 20 years ago.... the .45 is an actual EGW Pistol build, 2011 Freedom Arms(Steel grip) and a STI Tactical 5.0 (plastic).   I made a mistake yesterday and handled an Atlas Titan.  Wow, just wow..First gun by any maker that had a trigger on par with the EGW.  It was so slick, safeties were perfect and it looked great all DLC.  If it had been an Athena I would have been in trouble. 

[Seakphotog]

Either a Titan or an Athena would likely be hard for me to resist if I had one in my hands!  The Titan seems like a relative bargain. Fortunately, or not, in my neck of the Alaskan woods, it's tough to find folks who own high end 2011s.  Hell, I'm the only one I know who owns any.  If I wanna try something it means having to buy it.  And since I'm a "Variety is the spice of life" kinda guy, not a "Buy once, cry once" kinda guy, my hobbies get spendy fast and I never seem to be able to afford to buy the best of the best! I'm gonna try and hold pat until the MPA LOC V2 arrives in a few months then decide what, if anything, to try next and what, if anything, I'd sell to help out (my Staccato P should be nervous!)

[asn]

14 hours ago, Seakphotog said:

Either a Titan or an Athena would likely be hard for me to resist if I had one in my hands!  The Titan seems like a relative bargain. Fortunately, or not, in my neck of the Alaskan woods, it's tough to find folks who own high end 2011s.  Hell, I'm the only one I know who owns any.  If I wanna try something it means having to buy it.  And since I'm a "Variety is the spice of life" kinda guy, not a "Buy once, cry once" kinda guy, my hobbies get spendy fast and I never seem to be able to afford to buy the best of the best! I'm gonna try and hold pat until the MPA LOC V2 arrives in a few months then decide what, if anything, to try next and what, if anything, I'd sell to help out (my Staccato P should be nervous!)

 

Did you order a loc v2? If so how long ago, and when is the ETA of arrival.

 

When I spoke to them last week, seemed like there was a really long wait to get one.

 

I did order one, just trying to figure out how long it's going to take for it to actually show up.

[Darkseid]

I own both and will be getting another Vudoo. It is hard to believe that it is,a production gun.  Out of all of my 2011's, the Vudoo is the most reliable hands down and it is,accurate with anything I've run in it.

[asn]

2 hours ago, Darkseid said:

I own both and will be getting another Vudoo. It is hard to believe that it is,a production gun.  Out of all of my 2011's, the Vudoo is the most reliable hands down and it is,accurate with anything I've run in it.

 

 

what sort of issues have you seen with the MPA?

[NeverForget]

On 11/30/2024 at 8:10 AM, asn said:

 

Did you order a loc v2? If so how long ago, and when is the ETA of arrival.

 

When I spoke to them last week, seemed like there was a really long wait to get one.

 

I did order one, just trying to figure out how long it's going to take for it to actually show up.

I ordered a LOC V2 in mid October, I was told 32 to 36 weeks.

[jmv_2alpha]

Wasn’t Vudoo got sold as a company recently? Not 100% but someone mentioned it to me a month or so ago. Also I’m seeing around 8-9 months wait time on MPA orders.

[asn]

1 hour ago, jmv_2alpha said:

Wasn’t Vudoo got sold as a company recently? Not 100% but someone mentioned it to me a month or so ago.

 

you are correct,  they recently changed hands

[jmv_2alpha]

Also know Vudoo got EMG for a few days last year to show them some tips. Anyone know what wait times they got now? 

[Seakphotog]

On 11/30/2024 at 5:10 AM, asn said:

 

Did you order a loc v2? If so how long ago, and when is the ETA of arrival.

 

When I spoke to them last week, seemed like there was a really long wait to get one.

 

I did order one, just trying to figure out how long it's going to take for it to actually show up.

Yep, I ordered the LOC V2. I don't know how long it'll take other than their site mentions 24-28 weeks, which I figured was optimistic. I ordered about a month ago.  I'm likely to retire on 8/1 this year so hopefully it gets here in time to be my retirement gift to myself. When I ordered my Hyrbid, it arrived just about right on time. I was hoping the same for the LOC V2.  We'll see.

[csailer]

No experience with the Voodoo Priest.  I have 4 MPA guns, 2 LO and 2 Open.  Not sponsored, I bought 3 of the 4 and the one was a prize gun from a one of the nationals.  I've yet to have a problem with them.  They just run and I abuse them and they do fine.  I run them hot, high volume training.  The only thing I had was the comp slightly turned, rethreaded and loctite, no chance since.  I took the gun out of the box to a major match, no problems. They're not going to look fancy like an SV or have the fit of a custom masterpiece like an EMG, but they will do a job.  Also, the whole MPA staff and team are good people.  I've been happy with their guns.  

[truespode]

I have a MPA DS9 LOC v1 that I have ran most of 2024 since getting it in March. I'm not a great shooter and don't put a lot of rounds through a gun and I don't give them a lot of special attention either. I have cleaned it twice and only once have I taken the extractor out and cleaned that area, tested extractor tension, etc. I'm not overly anal on my guns and treat them all like they should run like my Glock  The only issue I ever have is with my ammo as I sometimes forget to case gauge or will let a high primer or backwards primer get through. Since I got more attentive to my ammo I have not had any issues.

I won a gift cert for 40% off another DS9 and am trying to decide between the Commander or IDPA v1. 

What sold me originally on MPA was the people. I have shot with many of their shooters and a couple of them regularly. The advice and help they give at a match is amazing, even well before I owned an MPA. They want to do well but they are very helpful and always working and tearing down, etc. Their customer service when I have had stupid questions has been great as well.