Desert Tech MDR

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.

The MDR is designed to be ambidextrous. The MDR contains an ambidextrous forward and side eject port and viewing window that allows for tool free forward ejector side change. 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. The rifle is compatible with Desert Tech caliber conversion kits that allow the rifle to change caliber. 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2020/9/9/review-desert-tech-mdr/?fbclid=IwAR36CeN4-r0Hc2LW1ei27kHuRubC2kzZ-SboI3jvZdhGnUy_opTtfodP5gw|title=Review: Desert Tech MDR|website=www.americanrifleman.org}}

Many of the MDR’s 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pim-international.com/mpif-award-winning-pim-parts-highlight-diversity-technology|title=Award winning parts highlight Metal Injection Moulding's global growth|website=www.pim-international.com/}}

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.

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. This update is considered the Generation 2 MDR Gas System.{{Cite web|url=https://www.all4shooters.com/en/shooting/rifles/desert-tech-mdr-308-winchester-bullpup-semi-automatic-test/|title=A bullpup semi-automatic rifle under test: the Desert Tech MDR in .308 Winchester|website=all4shooters|date=25 February 2020 }}

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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DabLcqavXJ0|title=Desert Tech MDR 308 - Walkthrough & Livefire|website=YouTube }} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ed01kq20dM&list=UL9ed01kq20dM&index=137website=youtube.com|title=InRangeTV Response and Resolution|website=YouTube }}

The Micro Dynamic Rifle eXtreme, MDRX,{{Cite web|url=https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2020/1/26/shot-show-2020-desert-tech-mdrx/|title=SHOT Show 2020: Desert Tech MDRX|website=www.americanrifleman.org}} variant was produced and marketed as a separate firearm in 2020. Improvements to the firearm include the following: Improved impact-resistant polymer,{{Cite web|url=https://www.es-tactical.com/desert-tech-mdrx|title=desert-tech-mdrx|last1=Smith|first1=Eric |date=January 16, 2020}} improved trigger, improved gas block, and a new "Ratchet" compensator.{{cite web|url=https://www.gunsamerica.com/digest/desert-tech-mdrx-6-5-creedmoor-reviewed/|title=Desert Tech's Small Package Puts In Work: MDRX 6.5 Creedmoor Reviewed|website=gunsamerica.com|author=RILEY BAXTER|date=2020-04-26}}

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 as well as 20" barrel and side ejection options. This update is considered the generation 3 MDR gas system.

Desert Tech halted production of the .300 BLK Rifle and conversion kits in late 2020 up until January 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTLD2L-Zi5g|title=MDRX Rivalry: 300 Blackout|website=YouTube }}

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.

The MDRX, with its various caliber kits, is rated from the manufacturer between 1-2 MOA.{{Cite web|url=https://deserttech.com/blog/is-the-mdrx-a-long-range-rifle/?fbclid=IwAR1TL5db74xhGYyzuD_ZxSAIxRRp14GqhjHLzPqH5HX0ANjKzgYt8mkhbnU|title=Is The Mdrx A Long Range Rifle|website=desertech.com|date=11 January 2021 }} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.docdroid.net/LS6eOty/mdrx-308-characterization-rev-pdf%23page=19|title=MDRX 308 Characterization Report|website=www.docdroid.net/LS6eOty/mdrx-308-characterization-rev-pdf/|access-date=2023-09-08|archive-date=2023-02-27|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230227031250/https://www.docdroid.net/LS6eOty/mdrx-308-characterization-rev-pdf%23page=19|url-status=bot: unknown}}

File:Coldboremiracle MDRX.jpg

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 unsuppressed 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1Gs0W4ynN0|title=How to Improve Semi Auto Rifle Accuracy|website=www.youtube.com/}}

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 unsuppressed Accuracy{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZ6CXats-8o&list=PLmTa-i2D-wtCaryYA_XUX69QvEM6rOYMY&index=9|title=MDRX Rivalry: Twenty-inch .223 Forward Eject|website=www.youtube.com/}}

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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltoCvb7TgAs|title=2019 MDRx Updates|website=www.youtube.com/}}

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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-Umdg6F5NQ|title=Forward Eject Spring Buffer kit|website=www.youtube.com/}}

File:MDRx Accuracy Upgrade Barrel Block Bedding 1 of 2.jpg

File:MDRx vs WLVRN- Accuracy Upgrade MDRX Oprod.jpg

File:MDRx vs WLVRN- Accuracy Upgrade MDRX Piston.jpg

On January 9, 2020, Desert Tech announced the MDRx was available for sale.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=solSsoEHCKM|title=Desert Tech 2020 Products|website=YouTube }}

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".{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1DC7oKGk0A|title=Desert Tech Micron Announcement|website=YouTube |date=January 28, 2021}} These kits allow standard MDRX and MDRs 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.{{Cite web|url=https://deserttech.com/micron.php|title=Desert Tech Micron}}

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 {{convert|9|in|mm|adj=mid|-long}}, {{convert|16.7|oz|adj=on}}, aluminium handguard with an integrated bipod that replaces the factory polymer handguard and improved zero for handguard mounted parts.{{Cite web|url=https://blklblbipod.com/products/|title=BLK LBL MDR/MDRX Mantis handguard|website=blklblbipod.com}} The aluminium handguard with integrated bipod is designed for both 16" and 20" barrel MDR/MDRxs 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 {{convert|13|in|mm|adj=mid|-long}}, {{convert|20.7|oz|adj=on}} Mantis handguard for the longer 20" barrel option was available for sale.

In March 2022, ES Tactical, a Desert Tech Dealer who specializes in precision upgrade parts,{{Cite web|url=https://deserttech.com/dealers/es-tactical/|title=ES DT Dealer}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.es-tactical.com/store1/ES-Tactical-MDR-Conversion-Barrels-p117204478|title=ES Tactical Caliber Conversion Kits|website=www.es-tactical.com/}}

In June 2022, Desert Tech and BLK LBL announced a {{convert|13|in|mm|adj=mid|-long}} and {{convert|9|in|mm|adj=mid|-long}} ALX hand guard solution similar to the Mantis without the bipod attachment.{{Cite web|url=https://deserttech.com/alx.php|title=Desert Tech ALX}}

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In January 2023, Desert tech announced multiple MDRx 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-4ppv7l7MI|title=2023 MDRx Updates|website=www.youtube.com/}}

In August 2023, Desert Tech announced that the picatinny rail mounted gas blocks in the barrel assembly, designed to operate with a Desert Tech MDR red dot mount, would be discontinued. All future MDRxs 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-4ppv7l7MI|title=No More MDRx Gas Block?|website=www.youtube.com/}}

{{Main|Desert Tech WLVRN}}

On January 18, 2024, Desert Tech announced they would discontinue the MDRx to focus on the production of the WLVRN. Desert Tech indicated there were no parts compatibilities between the MDRx and the WLVRN. MDRx lifetime warranty support would continue.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_SWy5tbjVg|title=MDRx Discontinued|website=www.youtube.com/}}

On April 17, 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 "bedding" the Trunnion to reduce inaccuracy from the Trunnion Moving, and the WLVRN Oprod and gas piston system to reduce the accuracy impact from misalignment of these parts. Users may need to purchase additional WLVRN pistons on the Accuracy Upgrade MDRXs when changing calibers or retain the original piston and Op rod for use on unmodified MDR/MDRXs.

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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JsSDZ3f2c8|title=The future of the MDRX Live Q&A|website=www.youtube.com/}}

A select-fire redesigned of the WLVRN with a cyclic rate of fire of 675 rounds per minute, intended for military and law enforcement market with no parts fire control group compatibility with the WLVRN. As such, the civilian WLVRN can not be modified to be select fire with military/law enforcement Sabertooth components.

A prototype MDR with select fire capability 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZnGFA5uaNM|title=SMDR Full Auto - See our Micro Dynamic Rifle in Action|website=www.youtube.com/}}

A compact MDR prototype was developed called the MDR-C. However no known production models of this Rifle existed and it was later abandoned for the Micron conversion kit.{{Cite web |title=Desert-Tech Micro-Dynamic Rifle system |url=https://www.all4shooters.com/en/shooting/pro-zone/desert-tech-mdr-micro-dynamic-rifle-bullpup-system/|website=all4shooters.com|date=16 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201102513/https://www.all4shooters.com/en/shooting/pro-zone/desert-tech-mdr-micro-dynamic-rifle-bullpup-system/ |archive-date=2023-02-01 }}{{Cite web |title=Desert Tech MDR / MDR-C. Штурмовая винтовка. (США) |url=https://modernweapon.ru/strelkovoe-oruzhie/avtomaty-i-shturmovye-vintovki/desert-tech-mdr-mdr-c-ssha|website=modernweapon.ru|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812205603/https://modernweapon.ru/strelkovoe-oruzhie/avtomaty-i-shturmovye-vintovki/desert-tech-mdr-mdr-c-ssha |archive-date=2022-08-12 }}

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.

The NGSAR was developed in 2018, inspired by the MDR and 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.{{Cite web|url=https://soldiersystems.net/2020/03/10/the-desert-tech-next-generation-squad-weapons-submissions/|title=The Desert Tech Next Generation Squad Weapons Prototypes|website=soldiersystems.net|date=10 March 2020 }}

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.

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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f62sN9IHvk|title=SRS meets MDRX In Saudi Designated Marksman Rifle Trials|website=www.youtube.com/}}

• FN F2000
• A-91
• Kel-Tec RFB
• Desert Tech WLVRN
• List of bullpup firearms

{{reflist}}

{{Bullpup firearms}}

Category:Semi-automatic rifles of the United States

Category:Bullpup rifles

Category:.300 BLK firearms

Category:7.62×51mm NATO battle rifles

Category:5.56×45mm NATO assault rifles

Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 2014

Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 2017

Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 2018

Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 2020

Category:Trial and research firearms of the United States