This post is a work in progress as the list changes and I try more guns I will update the list. As I posted in my previous post "For a new handgun to be sold in Mass it must first be on "The List". Once a gun makes it on to "The List" it must also then comply with the "Attorney General's Regulations". In this post I am going to go through The List by manufacturer and note what can be purchased, my thoughts on these guns if I have shot or own them, as well as any links to specific reviews that I will do for guns on The List. If you have experience in MA with any of the guns I have never seen please post in comments and share for other readers.
Armscor:
Several entry level 1911 pistols from this manufacturer are on the list but I have never seen one in stock at a MA dealer or shot one so I have no opinion.
Auto-Ordinance:
Entry level GI style 1911. I have seen these available in stores but have not shot one yet. Manufactured right here in MA!
Beretta:
The 92fs is on the list and purchasable in MA along with a few other models. The more modern, desirable pistols such as the nano are not yet on the list but we can hope they make it some day. The army likes the 92 enough to have it as their standard M9 pistol.
Browning:
A couple .22 models are on the list but I have never seen them in stock in a store and I am not sure if they are fully compliant with other regulations.
Charter Arms:
Several .38 and .44 models are on the list. I have seen the .38 specials in stock on shelves and they appear to be a decent alternative to S&W or Ruger for a carry revolver but it seems there is really only one mass legal model with a bunch of different paint jobs. The MA compliant model is a 5 shot with an exposed hammer. It would be nice if Charter would get the DAO hammerless model on The List as well as some of their other models but I am not holding my breath.
FMK:
This is a fairly generic 9mm that is on the list and compliant as far as I know. I have never seen one in the wild or at a dealer so I am not sure what to think of it yet.
Glock:
This is one of the biggest sore spots for gun enthusiasts in MA. My understanding is that while on the list Glocks do not meet all the regulations and as such they cannot be sold new in MA. It is possible to buy used Glocks in MA but expect to pay a premium.
Heckler & Koch:
A few models have made it to the list and I have even seen the P30 and P30L in stores but I have not shot one yet.
ISSC:
Several ISSC .22 models are on the list. They are similar to Glock pistols but in .22 so they make a good trainer. I have not yet seen one in a store or shot one so I am not sure on compliance.
Kahr Arms:
Another MA produced gun. A bunch of models are on The List but only about 4 are actually compliant with the regulations and are MA purchasable. The PM9, P9, PM40, and P40 models with external safety and chamber indicators are MA compliant. Kahr pistols have very nice triggers for carry guns and I hope to someday own a PM9 of my own so I can post a full review. The PM9 is on my short list of good MA compliant carry guns.
Mauser:
Seems that this gun was made by Sig in the early 2000s. Since it is discontinued its existence on the list does little for new gun purchasers.
Para-Ordinance:
Para has a ton of models on the list but few models on the list are still produced. All guns from Para are 1911 variants and some are quite cool but I have never seen one stocked at a store. I have shot a couple Para pistols and both were nice variants on the 1911 style.
Remington:
Remington has recently brought out a new line of 1911 style pistols. They are reasonably priced (for a 1911) and available at dealers. I shot one and it seemed like a pretty nice mid quality 1911. My only complaint with these 1911s is that they have a series 80 safety mechanism that impacts trigger pull and complicates take-down a bit.
Seacamp:
I have seen the tiny .32acp Seacamp pistol before and it would indeed be easy to conceal. It would be nice if the .380acp model was added to the lineup as .32 is a very small round.
Sig Sauer:
Sig makes fantastic guns and does a good job of getting their most popular models on The List. The P220, P226, and P229 are in service with police and military all over the world. I have a good friend with a P226 and it is a fantastic full size pistol. Sig also has a portion of their 1911 line on the list and available in MA. The one area of confusion with Sig are the DAK trigger models on the list. These DAK models are on the list but the trigger pull is too light to be compliant with the regulations so they cannot be sold in MA. I am hoping the next list adds the P290 and P938 as they appear to be good conceal carry options as well as the full size p227. I will return to this section and expand on it for each mass compliant model and eventually write a review of the P226 I have access to as well as the P250 on the nightstand next to me.
Smith & Wesson:
S&W is one of the best known revolver manufacturers in the world and they are made right here in MA. A large percentage of the revolvers they make are on The List. Some of the best MA legal 1911 pistols are from S&W and I hope to one day own one of the bobtail commander E series 1911s. The S&W M&P line in full size is popular with police and in compact is popular for conceal carry. The S&W Shield is a fantastic option for a slim 9MM (or 40 if you are a little crazy) for conceal carry and is currently one of the most popular options for carry available in MA. The bodyguard .380 is another conceal carry piece and it is tiny. I hope to eventually get a shield to test and will write a review of the smith revolver I have as well.
Steyr Arms:
I have only seen one of these in the wild in mass and it was being used extremely effectively in an IDPA match.
Strayer Voigt:
Go check out the web site for these guns. http://www.sviguns.com/ They are just so awesome. Not sure exactly what configuration is MA compliant but if you can afford to order one of these beautiful 1911s you can probably afford a second house in a free state where you could purchase any gun you like....
Ruger:
Ruger does a great job of getting its handguns certified for sale in MA. The SR1911 series is a great mid range 1911 with all the options that used to be custom. My custom 1911 started life as a SR1911 and is a fantastic single stack or CDP class competition pistol. The SR9C is one of the best options for a MA legal carry gun in my opinion and I will write a full review for mine at some point in the future. The LCP and LC9 are no longer mass compliant but I got my LC9 when it was so I will write a review of that as well. Ruger revolvers have well earned reputation for being bombproof and almost all are compliant. The LCR would be another standout for conceal carry from Ruger that I hope to own someday and will post a review when I do.
Walther:
Walther used to be distributed by S&W who did a good job of getting models on The List. The PPK is a conceal carry piece that is guarenteed to make you feel like James Bond while carrying it but is outclassed by many newer designs. The Walther .22 is popular and shoots well but I have no experience with the rest of the Walther line.
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