xphunter, you stated that the MOA was stronger than an XP. Is that indeed the case?
I've been sorta keeping my eye out for an XP, but have been seriously considering the MOA instead. I like the looks of the MOA a bit better, plus it's more compact and being a lefty, I think it would ride in my Encore holster just fine (the bolt of an XP might be a bit of a nuciance in a lefty holster - might be better ways to carry it though....). Another plus is that the overall cost would probably be less than an XP.
Is the accuracy potential of the MOA as good as the XP?
Another question: Does the safety pose a problem being on the right side of the frame on the MOA? Thanks.
Rog
Yes, I believe that it is stronger, based on some tests that Rich has done on the MOA. You need to call him to get the specifics, but a improper load tore up a XP and then Rich duplicated that load and the MOA handled it fine. I know in another situation a load basically was so hot it caused the primer to all but disappear but the MOA held true.
You can have a MOA built to your specs cheaper than you can a XP (Almost the 1/3 of the cost compared to totally tricked XP). It is easier to get a great trigger pull with a MOA (and cheaper).
The accuracy potential is just as good. I'm a lefty and I have had no problem using the safety.
The only downside to me or the advatange of the XP is that the MOA is slower to reload, and you do have to move the handgun off of your rest system to reload. Rich has worked hard to make the MOA very practical for big game hunting, varminting, and LR shooting.