MOA's

[gibar]

Richard Mertz of Sundance Wyoming has made this very strong and accurate pistol since 1982. It is a very dominating pistol in the production class in IHMSA. It can be chambered in almost any cartridge you can imagine. Shown are two of my MOA's in 243AI and my rimfire sillywet pistol.

GMORRISMOA12TWISTA.jpg

GMORRISSILLYWET22B.jpg

[ScooterTheShooter]

I had the chance to talk to Richard at TUSCO in 2002. He seemed like a nice guy and he makes an outstanding pistol. I have one chambered in 30 Herrett.

[ChargerFan]

MOA is definitely one of the guns on my short list to get, they look so cool! I'm still a little undecided on which caliber I'd like to start with, although that decision may be made for me with the first smokin' deal I can't pass up.

[BurmKiller]

I really like the MOA Maximum. Two things I would recommend - (1) If you get one in .22LR, get the loading tool if you can, unless you have the fingers of a 6 year old girl, (2) Practice loading it...it is a bit unique. Otherwise, it is a very cool pistol.

[ChargerFan]

I'll probably start with something in the 7MM range...but that's good info to know, if I do end up with a .22LR down the road.

[varmints]

Here is one of my MOA's, it is shown with a 16.5" stainless (full bull) barrel that is at 17.75" with the brake. Chambered in a tight neck (requires neck turning) 6 x 47 Lapua, it likes the Berger 105 VLD bullets since it is a 1 in 8" twist barrel. With the "robust" barrel, it is a pleasant rig to shoot...doesn't have what you would consider "recoil", just moves back a little on the shot, using a relaxed grip. Shown with an older Leupold VariX-III 6.5-20 rifle scope with target dot, it is a rig that you can use for varmints or deer.


Mike

[BurmKiller]

Question Varmints: At >16", don't you get into BATFE NFA territory?

[varmints]

Doug,

Good question....T/C and their switch barrel guns (Contender and Encore) seemed to have answered the questions as far as what is legal on a federal level....my MOA's are switch barrel pistols....

It is all about declaration by the manufacturer...if it manufactured as a "pistol", then barrel length is NOT an issue, either + or - .....a pistol may have a 2" or 32" barrel attached to it.

On the other side of the coin, if an arm is manufactured as a "rifle", for an owner to transform it into a "pistol" by changing the barrel length to less than 16" it would be in violation unless you pay the tax (never done it, supposedly it is cheap) to register that gun only as a variance. Do it before modifications! Again, some states will preclude that variance, I believe. Check first!

On a Federal level, the lawmaker paranoia seems to be linked to small and concealable. On a state by state level, it varies much more greatly....many states dictate much more, and if you are a hunter, many states further restrict barrel length, some to limit ballistic possibilities in densely populated states (including cartridge selection), and some to insure proper ballistics to humanely accomplish the task.....and if you plan on hunting in multiple states, you have a little homework to do. Illinois, where I live, wants to limit the ballistic capabilities of a handgun for deer, while Wyoming wants to ensure your handgun is efficient and humane.....the above is not deer season legal in Illinois, while a 6mm cartridge is just legal in Wyoming for antelope.

There are a lot of "gray" areas in older imported guns and actions...Sako actions found their way into a lot of XP type pistols
from the 1960's on....would have been legal, for that owner if they paid the variance tax. For the new owner....you would have to get approved for an AOW (Any Other Weapon) variance from BATF. Probably a long wait......


Mike

[xphunter]

I have two MOA's and my barrel lengths vary from 14"- just under 18"
22-250AI, 6mm-6.5x47 Lapua, 6.5-284, and 7mm Remington Magnum Improved.

[PilotShaneR]

What does the .22 loading tool look like. I was look at a MOA to buy and it has some accs. with it and I did not know what I was looking at.

[BurmKiller]

Looks like a small tube. Honestly, even if not available, a lot of people (including myself) have made functionally the same thing with a small wood rod and piece of tubing.

[gibar]

Basically the loading tool is a hollow tube with the plunger inside to push the bullets forward. You load the tool from the right end pushing the rounds inside. At this end of the tool there is a small wire spring inside to keep the rounds from falling out. Also because of the spring when ready to load the chamber the spring will push the round at an angle which is very helpful to clear the hammer. Very simple and very helpful to us with fat fingers!
IMG_6331.jpg

[varmints]

Shane....Good question....Added gibar's photo and explanation to the MOA web site...and while I was in there fixed some other links to photos as well. (Trying to make the site friendlier...!) When I see a deficiency there (lack of photos, or explanations) I will try to make changes as possible. I also asked another question myself....how many rounds does it hold...answer: 5 (five) rounds of LR ammo. Discussion is good!

[PilotShaneR]

That took care of it. I was really confused on the .22. I can see the larger ammo and I saw the video. Thank you Varmints for doing that.

[IHMSA80x80]

Here's one of my MOA's, ordered in 1991. It is in .30BR with the MOA rear sight. The first match I shot with it was a 40+9. I was guessing on sight settings after 50 meters, guessed wrong on the shootoffs and missed the first chicken at 200 meters.
2296MOA25..JPG

[IHMSA80x80]

My other MOA, a 6.5BR with 1.25" fluted barrel. It is the newer 17-degree frame.
49MOA65BR2..JPG