A Compliant Desert Tech MDRx Rifle with 3-15 Scope, Bipod, front QD, Ratchet Compensator, Saddle Blanket, Front and Rear backup sights, over molded hand guard, and Trigger Lock
The MDR (Micro Dynamic Rifle) is a family of autoloadingbullpuprifles designed by Desert Tech (formerly Desert Tactical Arms) in 2014. A second generation version of the rifle is marketed as the MDRX (an acronym for Micro Dynamic Rifle eXtreme).[1][5][8]
The MDR's first public debut was in 2014 at Shot Show and was discontinued on January 18, 2024, right before Shot Show.[8][2][9]
Desert Tech MDRX 5.56/.223 Conversion Kit includes barrel, mag catch, mag insert, bolt head, and ejector chute
Design
The Desert Tech MDR is a gas operated, conventional rotary bolt bullpup rifle. The gas system features a gas piston located above the barrel and a 6 position manual gas regulator.[5]
The MDR rifle is designed to be ambidextrous.[4][2][10] The MDR contains an ambidextrous forward and side eject port and viewing window that allows for tool free forward ejector side change.[10] A non reciprocating ambidextrous charging handle is installed on both sides of the gun, and two or three-position safety / selector levers and magazine release are provided on both sides of the pistol grip.[5] The rifle is compatible with Desert Tech caliber conversion kits that allow the rifle to change caliber.[8][2] This provides a unique feature in which the rifle chassis can accept both intermediate cartridges and full-powered rifle cartridges on the same serial number platform (such as 5.56×45mm NATO and 7.62×51mm NATO magazines). The Colt CM901 is one of the early designs able to accept different cartridge categories on the same platform with a caliber conversion kit.
The outer shell of the gun is made from impact-resistant polymer with an aluminium receiver.[5]
Many of the MDR rifle components are produced using modern Metal injection molding (MIM) metalworking processes that are becoming more common in the firearm industry. MDR MIM parts including the Barrel Block (Trunnion), Gas Block, Bolt Catch, 7.62 mag conversion bar, ejector retainer, and extractor link, are produced by Indo-MIM Pvt. Ltd., India. Indo-MIM Pvt, Ltd received the 2017 distinction in hand/tools award by PIM international for their innovation in MIM development and part cost reduction. [11]
The .308/7.62 MDR was 10,000 round endurance tested with .308 win 150 grain FMJ American Eagle, 7.62x51 149 grain American Eagle, 7.62 m80 ball US Surplus and averaged 1 failure in 2000 rounds.[12]
MDR .308/7.62 upgrade program
The 2017 MDR in .308/7.62 win received public feedback that resulted in an upgrade program by Desert Tech on the gas and extractor system in 2019 to improve the rifle's ammunition tolerance without having to adjust the gas setting as frequently.[2] This update is considered the Generation 2 MDR Gas System.[10]
Desert Tech publicly addressed the MDR criticism on January 10, 2019. Desert Tech directly attributed the most vocal criticism of the platform to the InRangeTV company in collaboration with the Forgotten Weapons Company that demonstrated numerous failures in the system that were identified to be from varying ammunition loads used in the gas system on December 13, 2018.[13] In addition to addressing the criticism, Desert Tech provided a technical root cause analysis presentation on the platform failures and resulting improvements with the generation 2 gas system. As a supplemental incentive, Desert Tech announced their MDR generation 2 gas system upgrade was to be covered under their warranty program for all owners.[12]
MDRX redesign
The Micro Dynamic Rifle eXtreme, MDRX,[14] variant was produced and marketed as a separate firearm in 2020. Improvements to the firearm include the following: Improved impact-resistant polymer,[3] improved trigger,[3] improved gas block,[3] and a new "Ratchet" compensator.[15]
The firearm was offered in .300 BLK, 6.5 Creedmoor (The first production semi-auto bullpup chambered in this cartridge), along with its original .223/5.56 and .308/7.62 calibers[1][5] as well as 20" barrel and side ejection options.[3] This update is considered the generation 3 MDR gas system.[10]
Desert Tech halted production of the .300 BLK Rifle and conversion kits in late 2020 up until January of 2023.[16]
A California compliant variant was produced with a 20" barrel, shark fin grip, reduced magazine size, and California compliant Ratchet compensator to qualify for a featureless rifle restrictions.[1][3]
The MDRX, with its various caliber kits, is rated from the manufacturer between 1-2 MOA.[17] A large multi shooter community study in 2022, including aftermarket precision vendors such as ES Tactical, was able to quantify the performance of the stock OEM barrel between 1.9 and 5.6 MOA with 5 shot groups in .308 with various ammunition as well as identified a contributing failure mode of Trunnion fasteners loosening over time.[18]
Desert Tech MDR (Top) and MDRX (Bottom) with various conversion kits, suppressors, various muzzle devices, magazines, necessary conversion tools, various handguards, and custom caliber ES Tactical barrels
On May 6th 2024, Desert Tech conducted their second extensive accuracy study on the MDR/MDRx platform in 308 and evaluated it against its competitor Rifles in the field and found that best unsupressed performance of the rifle was 2.7 MOA. This performance is 1.2 MOA worse than the performance guaranteed with the paperwork that was shipped with the Rifle as well as the 1 to 2 MOA evaluation. This places the Rifle as the 2nd worst performing rifle that they tested. When suppressed the Rifle's performance was increased to 1.5 MOA, the other Rifles were not tested with suppressors. Desert Tech indicated that the rifle's poor mechanical performance was due the bullet being in the barrel while the barrel undergoes harmonic vibration due to the gas block location being too close to the chamber, light weight non match grade barrel, and patrol rifle trigger pull. In addition, Desert Tech presented their research data that clearly showed Suppressors significantly improve the accuracy of Rifles by upwards of 1 MOA for the MDR.[19]
For comparison on September 23rd 2022, Desert Tech asserted the worst accuracy in the MDRx was in .308 in the 16" length barrel. The resulting performance was 1.6 MOA suppressed. Desert tech did not present the un-suppressed Accuracy[20]
MDR/MDRX official variant updates/upgrades
On April 4, 2019, Desert Tech announced multiple MDR updates to improve rifle performance on the 308 Rifle. The manufacturer indicated that these updates would be incorporated in all post-announcement shipments. These updates including the 2019 6-hole gas valve and wider extractor. In addition a heavy hammer spring is available for special order to resolve light strike failures on hardened primers.[21]
On August 13, 2019, Desert Tech announced a forward eject panel spring buffer kit for sale to resolve forward eject panel spring weakening over time on the MDR platform. [22]
On January 9, 2020, Desert Tech announced the MDRx Rifle was available for sale.[23]
On January 28, 2021, the MDRX Micron conversion kit was announced that allowed the purchase of a 11.5" 5.56/.223 Wylde barrel, replacement hand guard, ejector plates, a new 'Raiden' flash hider, and bolt replacement for a side eject bullpup with a total length of 23.43".[24] These kits allow standard MDRX and MDR rifles to be classified and regulated as a short-barreled rifle (SBR) requiring the user to apply with the appropriate regulatory bodies before install of the conversion kit in their rifle. These kits became available for sale on January 29, 2021.[25]
On March 18, 2021, a collaboration between Desert Tech and BLK LBL Bipods was announced to develop, produce, and sell the Mantis handguard. The handguard is a 9-inch-long (230mm), 16.7-ounce (470g), aluminium handguard with an integrated bipod that replaces the factory polymer handguard and improved zero for handguard mounted parts.[26] The aluminium handguard with integrated bipod is designed for both 16" and 20" barrel MDR/MDRX rifles and allows both an M-LOK under handguard attachment as well as an integrated bipod to be used at the same time without interference.
In early 2022, a 13-inch-long (330mm), 20.7-ounce (590g) Mantis handguard for the longer 20" barrel option was available for sale.[26]
In March 2022, ES Tactical, a Desert Tech Dealer who specializes in precision upgrade parts,[27] began to sell after market caliber conversion kits in .350 Legend and .450 Bushmaster, resulting in the first bullpup to be chambered in those cartridges.[6]
In June 2022, Desert Tech and BLK LBL announced a 13-inch-long (330mm) and 9-inch-long (230mm) ALX hand guard solution similar to the Mantis without the bipod attachment.[28]
2023 MDRx charging handle
In January 2023, Desert tech announced multiple MDRx Rifle updates to resolve rifle weaknesses. Desert Tech indicated that these updates would be incorporated in all post announcement MDRx shipments. These updates include a new magazine transfer bar, magazine catch, updated non folding charging handle system (charging handle post, charging handle, and recoil buffer), a press-fit gas block, and barrel gas port inside bevel. [29]
In August 2023, Desert Tech announced that the picatiny rail mounted gas blocks in the barrel assembly, designed to operate with a Desert Tech MDR red dot mount, would be discontinued. All future MDRx Rifles and Barrel Assemblies would no longer include a Pic rail mounted gas block and be lighter. In addition, the company distributed an email notice to its customers, on August 18, indicating that a registered gunsmith could remove the pic rail from any existing barrel assembly without voiding the factory lifetime warranty.[30]
On January 18, 2024, Desert Tech announced they would discontinue the MDRx Rifle to focus on the production of the WLVRN Rifle. Desert Tech indicated there were no parts compatibilities between the MDRx and the WLVRN. MDRx lifetime warranty support would continue. [9]
On April 17th, 2024, Desert tech announced an MDRx upgrade kit for the out of production Rifle to incorporate lessons learned from the WLVRN design to improve performance. These upgrades include JB weld between the Trunnion and the Gas Block to reduce inaccuracy from the Trunnion Moving, and a new Oprod and gas piston system to reduce the accuracy impact from misalignment of the rod and piston. In addition, Desert Tech officially changed their Lifetime warranty policy that was announced in 2020, to only cover 10 years after the product leaves production. As such all MDRx owner's warranty coverage will end in 2034. [31]
Similar Projects
MDR-A A prototype MDR with select fire ability was developed for Military and LEO use, but was unable to be produced and sold due to BATF and ATF regulation on Select fire weapons and as such was only a technology demonstrator.[32]
MDR-C A compact MDR prototype was developed called the MDR-C. However no known production models of this Rifle existed and was later abandonded for the Micron conversion kit.[33][34]
NGSAR In 2018 a military version of the MDR, the NGSAR, was submitted, but was not one of the finalists in the United States Army Next Generation Squad Weapon Program trials to replace standard issue US army Infantry Weapons.[35]
In 2018 a rifle similar inspired by the MDR, the NGSAR, chambered in a proprietary 6.8mm polymer-cased ammunition cartridge made by PCP was selected as one of the United States Army's Next Generation Squad Weapon Program (NGSW) weapons trial finalists to replace the United States Army's 5.56×45mm NATO caliber weapon systems. Desert Tech partnered with PCP tactical who provided a custom ammunition solution. The NGSAR was trialed in a carbine and automatic rifle configuration and were ultimately rejected.[35]
The NGSAR rifle included improvements in the design such as a T-Worx battery powered integrated data rail, onboard round counter, longer receiver, bolt carrier, barrel extension, charging handle, forward eject system, barrel mounting system, proprietary 6.8mm PCP magazines, custom flow reflex suppressor, CNOD day/night optic.[35]
Saudi DMR In 2019, Desert tech began development on a Designated Marksman Rifle for a Saudi Arabia weapons contract in 308 Winchester. The rifle included adding JB weld between the MDRx trunnion and chassis to reduce trunnion movement under recoil of full power cartridges, a modified SRS barrel, a modified Gas Block, and a full length aluminum front handguard. Two rifles were produced, however Desert Tech was not awarded the contract. [36]
The SA80 is a British family of 5.56×45mm NATO service weapons used by the British Army. The L85 Rifle variant has been the standard issue service rifle of the British Armed Forces since 1987, replacing the L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle. The prototypes were created in 1976, with production of the A1 variant starting in 1985 and ending in 1994. The A2 variant came to be as the result of a significant upgrade in the early 2000s by Heckler & Koch and remains in service as of 2023. The A3 variant was first issued in 2018 with several new improvements.
The RK 62, officially 7.62 RK 62 and commercially M62, is an assault rifle manufactured by Valmet and Sako. It is the standard issue infantry weapon of the Finnish Defence Forces.
The SVD, GRAU index 6V1, is a semi-automatic designated marksman rifle/sniper rifle chambered in the 7.62×54mmR cartridge, developed in the Soviet Union.
A sniper rifle is a high-precision, long-range rifle. Requirements include high accuracy, reliability, and mobility, concealment, and optics, for anti-personnel, anti-materiel and surveillance uses by military snipers. The modern sniper rifle is a portable shoulder-fired rifle with either a bolt action or semi-automatic action, fitted with a telescopic sight for extreme accuracy and chambered for a high-ballistic performance centerfire cartridge.
The vz. 58 is a 7.62×39mm assault rifle designed and manufactured in Czechoslovakia and accepted into service in the late 1950s as the 7,62 mm samopal vzor 58, replacing the vz. 52 self-loading rifle and the 7.62×25mm Tokarev Sa 24 and Sa 26 submachine guns.
The RPK, sometimes retroactively termed the RPK-47, is a Soviet 7.62×39mm light machine gun that was developed by Mikhail Kalashnikov in the early 1960s, in parallel with the AKM assault rifle. It was created to standardize the small arms inventory of the Soviet Army, where it replaced the 7.62×39mm RPD machine gun. The RPK continues to be used by the military of the post-Soviet states and certain African and Asian nations. The RPK is also manufactured in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Serbia.
The Ruger 10/22 is a series of semi-automatic rifles produced by American firearm manufacturer Sturm, Ruger & Co., chambered for the .22 Long Rifle rimfire cartridge. It uses a patented 10-round rotary magazine, though higher capacity box magazines are also available. The standard carbine version of the Ruger 10/22 has been in production continuously since 1964, making it one of the most successful rimfire rifle designs in history, with numerous third party manufacturers making parts and accessories for upgrading and customization. The 10/22's aftermarket is so prolific that a complete 10/22 can be built without using any Ruger-made components.
The Robinson Armament Co. XCR is a multi-caliber, gas piston weapon system developed by Robinson Armament Co. for U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) to fill the requirements of the SOF Combat Assault Rifle, or SCAR competition, but was disqualified on a technicality due to late delivery of blank firing adapters. It has been offered to law enforcement, the military, and the general public since 2006.
The Bor is a Polish bolt-action 7.62×51mm NATO and .338 Lapua Magnum caliber sniper rifle. The weapon received the code name Alex during development, after the name of the lead designer Aleksander Leżucha, creator of the 12.7×99mm NATO Wilk anti-materiel rifle. After the development phase, the rifle received the military designation 'Bor'.
The SG 550 is an assault rifle manufactured by SIG Sauer AG in Switzerland. "SG" is an abbreviation for Sturmgewehr. The rifle is based on the earlier 5.56×45mm NATO SIG SG 540.
The DSR-1 is a compact bolt-action sniper rifle designed, manufactured and marketed by the German company DSR-Precision GmbH and was also marketed by the German company AMP Technical Services as a specialized sniper rifle for police sharpshooters. It has been adopted by the German counter-terrorist unit GSG 9, as well as by other European special police units and agencies.
The following are terms related to firearms and ammunition topics.
The Kel-Tec RFB is a gas-operated bullpup type semi-automatic rifle, manufactured by Kel-Tec Industries of Florida. At the 2008 SHOT Show held from February 2 to 5 in Las Vegas, Nevada it was declared by Kel-Tec representatives that the RFB rifle would be made available to the public by the 4th quarter of 2008. Later, the Kel-Tec website stated that the 18 in (460 mm) barrel carbine variant would not be shipping until February 2009 due to a change in the production process intended as preventive measures against potential gun control legislation. The rifle first shipped to distributors in the first week of March 2009 and was first seen at the 2007 SHOT Show.
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The Desert Tech Hard Target Interdiction (HTI) is a bullpup bolt-action sniper and anti-materiel rifle designed and manufactured in West Valley City, Utah, United States by Desert Tech.
The Kel-Tec RDB is a bullpup carbine offered in 5.56×45mm NATO semi-automatic rifle, manufactured by Kel-Tec Industries of Florida. It uses a rotary bolt with a spring loaded ejector and an extractor facing down, ejecting spent shell casings downward, allowing easy ambidextrous use.
Desert Tech is an American munitions manufacturer. The company is financed and owned by members of the Kingston family and primarily produces bullpup rifles.
The Desert Tech WLVRN, pronounced "Wolverine", is the successor to the company's MDRx bullpup multi caliber weapon system. The WLVRN and where first showcased at the 2024 Shot Show convention in Las Vegas. The rifle aimed to improve various aspects of the MDRx platform that were determined to be limitations of the platform that were acknowledged to the public for the first time by Desert Tech several weeks before the announcement of the WLVRN Rifle at shot show.
↑ "MDRX 308 Characterization Report". www.docdroid.net/LS6eOty/mdrx-308-characterization-rev-pdf/. Archived from the original on 2023-02-27. Retrieved 2023-09-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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