...for your new rifle? Just curious about your inspiration for the rifles name.
  Any chance we can get it with a 16 inch barrel?

Masada

Originally Posted By TacCar: ...for your new rifle? Just curious about your inspiration for the rifles name.   Any chance we can get it with a 16 inch barrel?

In the Masada Technote FAQs we cover barrel lengths.

The Masada rifle was a risky move for us so we decided it could not be a "safe" name like X234 or USA#1

The battle of Masada was where the Roman X Legion laid siege to the Jews in 72 AD.  The fortress stood on top of a plateau and had a secure source of fresh water.  Because of this, the Romans were forced to build a ramp to allow their formations to advance up to the fortress without breaking ranks.  When the ramp was nearly complete, the Jewish defenders decided to end their existence rather than become the inevitable slaves of the Roman Empire.  The citizens of Masada left their food out in plain sight to show the Romans that they were in no danger starving and through this act of defiance they have defined the nature of controlling one’s own destiny.

Many said we should have named it "the Spartan" or "Thermopylae" if we wanted a desperate battle. But that too is a safe choice. As much as I love the story of the 300 Spartans the power of the Masada story has always held me more.

The Spartans were trained and prepared to die as a symbol of the way they lived. Their families were safe from the harm of that battle. All of them went into battle knowing they had sons to carry on their fight and their bloodline.

I too stood on the embark line, armed and ready for the unknown (during Desert Storm) and at that moment I was surprised to find I wouldn't have chosen to be any other place. I was ready to die if that was what fate had for me that day.

The defenders of Masada were different. They had families, women and children. Even a fantastic fight to the death would hardly be noticed by history. It would be just another Roman massacre like many previous and to follow.

It was a cool calculated choice to deny the enemy any victory and was their only option to make their deaths stand for something.

They even processed their deaths so only one person would have to actually commit suicide (which is a sin under their faith).

Now I have children I can truly understand the strength of those people in the story. I know I can march to my death for a cause but to this day I hope I never have to find out if I am strong enough to achieve victory at the price the people at Masada paid.

I hope this explanation makes a little more sense to everyone. Trust us we did not choose the name lightly.

Edited to add:

Other aspects of story of the Masada also play into the name.

The full story was written down by Josephus, a Jew and failed general, who at the time had surrendered to the Romans. The fortress is there as is the ramp and Roman garrison buildings. Even the name of the last seven scrawled on pottery remain but only a handful of skeletal remains were found not the hundreds described in the story. The Romans could have removed the bodies but no record of the siege exists in the Roman texts (despite the fact the Garrison and massive man-made ramp exists).

It has been said that Josephus, might have made up the end the story as propaganda to persuade the rest of the Jews to “submit” to Roman rule. If so it had the opposite effect and the Masada has been a rallying story of defiance ever since.

It is like when the Communist Party started showing the US movie “The Grapes of Wrath” to the peasants in the old CCCP in order to illustrate the depression in America. Yet they had to pull the movie as the all peasants could comment on was the fact that, “In America, even the poor have cars!”

We love the anti propaganda message of this.

Another more obvious lesson of the Masada is that wars with small arms will be won in the streets. Fortresses, no matter how big or strong will fall with a determined enemy. To win you must be fluid, invisible and in the fight- not in a bunker waiting for “your chance” to face the enemy.

I know the name/history and I like the name. The name has balls, so to speak.

Perfectly stated. I've not stood in battle yet I have in "Masada". One never forgets! Good luck on your project and I hope to own one when they become available to the public.

Masada was the name of HVT 1's first camp outside of Khost during the Soviet war. Means "Lions Den". He did this bout the time he broke with Abdullah Azzam

The fact that it discourages the use of this weapon by certain fanatics is a nice bonus.

Exactly. I actually thought at first the name referred to this camp, since all they did was sit in the open and get slaughtered by the Reds.

If you watch Rambo III the "Afghan" camp they are referring to is actually more or less describing this one.

Thanks Magpul for the reply. I was familiar with the Roman seige story (there was a made for TV movie made about it back in the early 80's as I recall), but I figured you had more personal/specific reasons for adopting the name so that's why I asked.

Very interesting/promising design with many desirable features. Best of all, it was designed and it'll be made in the good ol'USA which I personally find very desirable.

I'll be following the Masadas developement with much enthusiastic interest. Magpul sure has become one the premier companies on the cutting edge. (I remeber when they just made these handy gizmos for magazines and now....)

Originally Posted By Magpul: ........... The Masada rifle was a risky move for us .................

This is the reason it will succeed.  

There are those who play it safe (*cough*GM/Ford*cough*) and look what happens.



some cool reference:

Hebrews 10:39 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
   
39
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.

Having been to Masada myself and felt the presence that remains there to this day, I feel this is a great name for a rifle.  

Originally Posted By Magpul: Originally Posted By TacCar: ...for your new rifle? Just curious about your inspiration for the rifles name.   Any chance we can get it with a 16 inch barrel? In the Masada Technote FAQs we cover barrel lengths. The Masada rifle was a risky move for us so we decided it could not be a "safe" name like X234 or USA#1 The battle of Masada was where the Roman X Legion laid siege to the Jews in 72 AD.  The fortress stood on top of a plateau and had a secure source of fresh water.  Because of this, the Romans were forced to build a ramp to allow their formations to advance up to the fortress without breaking ranks.  When the ramp was nearly complete, the Jewish defenders decided to end their existence rather than become the inevitable slaves of the Roman Empire.  The citizens of Masada left their food out in plain sight to show the Romans that they were in no danger starving and through this act of defiance they have defined the nature of controlling one’s own destiny. Many said we should have named it "the Spartan" or "Thermopylae" if we wanted a desprate battle. But that too is a safe choice. As much as I love the story of the 300 Spartans the power of the Masada story has always held me more. The Spartans were trained and preparded to die as a symbol of the way they lived. Their families were safe from the harm of that battle. All of them went into battle knowing they had sons to carry on their fight and their bloodline. I too stood on the embark line, armed and ready for the unknown (during Desert Storm) and at that moment I was surprised to find I wouldn't have choosen to be any other place. I was ready to die if that was what fate had for me that day. The defenders of Masada were different. They had families, women and children. Even a fantastic fight to the death would hardly be noticed by history. It would be just another Roman massacare like many previous and to follow. It was a cool caculated choice to deny the enemy any victory and was their only option to make their deaths stand for something. They even processeed their deaths so only one person would have to actually commit suicide (which is a sin under their faith). Now I have children I can truly understand the strenght of those people. I know I can march to my death for a cause but to this day I hope I never have to find out if I am strong enough to achive victory at the price the people at Masada paid. I hope this explination makes a little more sense to everyone. Trust us we did not choose the name lightly.

AWESOME

 this has to be the BEST NAME EVER for a weapon


I just seen the MASADA in  GUNS&WEAPONS magazine may 07

I would love to own one or 2

Very nice

I was just going over this thread and thought I might post some pics, courtesy of wikipedia...




The ramp, presumably built by the romans.

I am sure the name with the story will also help encourage some sales to one of the middle east's largest consumers of high quality weapons...Israel...Magpul's marketing is at work and I don't blame them!

Wes

That just occurred to me too.  Since Israel is required to spend most of our military assistance money on American equipment, this is a brilliant move.  Magpul will have to demonstrate the ability to manufacture these in large numbers while preserving quality.  While landing a large Israeli contract would be great for Magpul, it might make it harder for us to get them.  Aaah, screw it.  Go get 'em Magpul!

Originally Posted By Wangstang: I am sure the name with the story will also help encourage some sales to one of the middle east's largest consumers of high quality weapons...Israel...Magpul's marketing is at work and I don't blame them! Wes

The Masada name is really uncommercial and seemed to upset many people to our great delight (the alternate name for the Masada was "the pink fluffy bunny rifle"). One IDF guy at the Shot Show was very upset we used the name as he thought it was a name that should be on an Israeli made rifle only.

I don't think the Masada name will gain us any sales but that is the point. The rifle will stand on it's own merits whatever it is named.

Originally Posted By Magpul: One IDF guy at the Shot Show was very upset we used the name as he thought it was a name that should be on an Israeli made rifle only. The rifle will stand on it's own merits whatever it is named.

While I can see where the IDF guy's point of view is coming from, I think once you all get the rifle in the hands of the IDF weapons guys and they quickly realize that as you said "The rifle will stand on it's own merits" the point of origin will become less of an issue and the rifle will be embraced.

Wes

get some thing clear, are you guys an Israeli orgin company like CAA?

Originally Posted By rmyc: get some thing clear, are you guys an Israeli orgin company like CAA?

No, they are out of Colorado USA!

Wes

Having been there myself, I feel the name is great. Be you Jew or Gentile, what took place there speaks volumes to the tenacity of an outnumbered, but determined group of individuals that set there own terms and conditions of life.
I hope to be able to purchase one soon.
Keep up the great work.

Nice reminder of history. So that is a cool name for the new rifle, and it looks to be a good design, one that I would be willing to invest in when they become available to the civilian market.
Great job Magpul!

So is there a similar story behind Massoud?

Ahmad Massoud: The lion of panjshir.

So where will it be branded "ACR" and will there be enough material to remove that and have Masada put in it's place? Cause Masada is wayyy cooler. Acronyms suck.

What is the price on the ACR?

Because at 2700 dollars you'll have to work as hard and long as the Romans did to ever own it.

I wanted one so bad, it would have been tits............

$3,060.00.........

Who the fuck do they expect to buy it at that price?...........
They can take my pre-order and shove it up their ass. I'm canceling!........
I feel like kicking a baby...........
I should have gotten a Larue OBR like Stalin!...........
I should have bought an H&K, at least then it  would've made me look cool.......
Fuck them, Fuck them sideways..........
Never trust a company that sounds like they should be selling Rhododenrons...........
Cerberus can go choke on a dick........

LOL

Inspiration?

Historic Masada: After years of patience, the Romans finally got there there and no one existed..
Firearm Masada: After years of patience, the people wanting this rifle finally got to the front only to realize not one existed.

Another parallel with the name is that we hung in there only to get stabbed in the back at the end.

Does this still need to be tacked?