IWI US Masada
Posted May 19, 2023
When IWI US Masada first debuted on the market a few years ago, it was touted as the “future of firearms” and was met with much enthusiasm from those who wanted a versatile and reliable next-gen design. And this was no understatement: the IWI Masada is a 9mm Parabellum striker-fired polymer-framed, cold hammer-forged Duty/Defensive pistol with the most modern features and specifications available on the market today.
From a technical perspective, the IWI Masada has a 4.1-inch barrel and measures 7.62 inches in length and 4.8 inches in width. It has a full-length accessory rail for mounting lights, lasers, and other tactical accessories. It also has a reversible magazine release, ambidextrous safety/decocker levers, and a rotating takedown lever. The pistol also has front and rear dovetail suppressor-height sights with tritium night sights and a full length guide rod.
The Masada also comes with a corrosion-resistant matte black finish with front and back slide serrations for superior gripping surface. The pistol also features a low profile slide and frame design which enhances the overall ergonomics of the design and provides a comfortable and secure hold. The trigger pull on the Masada is a single-action only system that is, in this reviewer’s experience, almost rivaling the crisp short take-up of a 1911 trigger. From a safety perspective, the Masada also features a passive safety block that locks the pistol in place until fully engaged.
The Masada also comes with a 12-round magazine, though the individual shooter's preference will determine what size magazine is appropriate. It's worth mentioning that the Masada is also capable of reliably utilizing a wide variety of magazines from multiple manufacturers.
On the range, the Masada lives up to its reputation as being an excellent shooter. Its trigger reset is almost instantaneous, its accuracy is spot-on, and its recoil management is very good. In fact, this reviewer found the Masada to be very simple to use and even better to shoot. The gun feels comfortable in hand with its beavertail backstrap and undercut trigger guard, and the design of its grip and frame lend themselves to excellent control during firing.
Overall, the IWI US Masada is a well-built and reliable firearm with modern features and specifications. Its construction and ergonomics ensure maximum comfort and safety, and its trigger pull and reset make it an absolute pleasure to shoot. The Masada’s ability to accept a wide variety of magazines makes it very versatile and adds to its usefulness in various kinds of situations. All of these features culminate to create an exceptional handgun that will serve you well for years to come.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
-Lightweight design makes the Masada easy to carry.
-Fully ambidextrous design for easier manipulation and comfortable shooting for right and left-handed users.
-Trigger is crisp with minimal felt recoil.
-Integrated Picatinny rail allows you to easily mount sights and optics.
-Short-stroke gas piston system is reliable and low-maintenance.
-Compatible with a wide range of AR-15 accessories for added customization.
Cons:
-The price point is higher than some other budget rifles on the market.
-The magazine capacity is limited to 10 rounds.
-The furniture is a combination of polymer and aluminum, giving it an unrefined feel in comparison to other rifles on the market.
-The bolt is not easy to remove or replace.
Who Should Buy
The IWI US Masada is a pistol designed for police, military and law enforcement personnel. It is not intended for civilian purchase; therefore, civilians should not buy this pistol. Military personnel, law enforcement personnel, and other police officers are the only people who should buy the IWI US Masada.
Comparisons
| Feature/Product | Masada | Product 1 | Product 2 | Product 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caliber | 9mm | 9mm | 9mm | 9mm |
| Magazine Size | 17/20 | 15/17 | 20 | 17 |
| Action Type | Striker | Striker | Striker | Striker |
| MSRP | $499 | $560 | $586 | $545 |
| Weight (Ounces) | 28.2 | 4.2 | 21.2 | 1.3 |
Features / Specs
•Caliber: 9x19 (9mm)
•Action Type: Semi Automatic
•Magazine Capacity: 17+1, optional 10 round
•Barrel Length: 4.25 inch cold hammer forged CrMoV
•Over-all Length: 7.43 inch
•Weight: 17.3 oz
•Sights: Low profile combat sight set, adjustable for windage & elevation
•Grip Frame: Skeletonized polymer sub-frame/full length polymer frame
•Features: Non-reciprocating left side charging handle, Picatinny Rail, full-length top rail, reversible magazine release and ambidextrous manual safety
Popular Accessories
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- IWI US Masada 17-Round 9mm Magazine
- IWI US Masada 15-Round 9mm Magazine
- BCM Gunfighter Charging Handle
- Magpul MOE+ Grip Kit
- KNS Precision Non-Rotating Trigger Group Pins
- TruGlo Tritium Pro Night Sights
- IWI US Magwell
- Magpul MOE Trigger Guard
- IWI US Masada Adapter Plate Kit
- IWI US Trigger Overtravel Stop
Accuracy
The IWI US Masada is well-known for its accuracy. It is an accurate and reliable short-stroke gas-piston operated weapon. It has an adjustable gas system and a muzzle brake to minimize recoil. Additionally, the high-rise optic rail, enlarged trigger guard and flared magazine well make it a great choice for target shooting.
The Masada also has an excellent trigger that is easy to shoot, and that shoots with weighted pull adjustability. This allows the shooter to adjust the trigger from 4.5 to 6.5 lbs. The key to accuracy with the Masada is ensuring the rifle is properly sighted in before you fire. This includes making sure the rifle is correctly zeroed, as well as your own marksmanship. The Masada can shoot accurately at up to to 300 yards. All of these factors combined make the Masada one of the most accurate and reliable weapons on the market.
