Desert Tech MDR

Micro Dynamic Rifle eXtreme
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
Type	Bullpup Semi-automatic rifle Assault rifle Battle rifle
Place of origin	United States
Production history
Designer	Desert Tech
Manufacturer	Desert Tech
Unit cost	$2099 (August 2020 for 5.56)[1]
Produced	2017–2019 (MDR)[2] 2020–present (MDRX)
Variants	MDR[1] MDR-A (select-fire) MDRX [1] MDRX-SE [1] MDRX Compliant [1] MDRX-SE Compliant[1] MDRX Micron (conversion kit)
Specifications
Mass	3.72 kg (8.2 lb) SE 16" 3.94 kg (8.7 lb) FE 16" 4.03 kg (8.9 lb) FE 20"
Length	698 mm (27.5 in) 800 mm (31 in)
Barrel length	410 mm (16 in)[2] 510 mm (20 in)[3]
Width	57.4 mm (2.26 in) SE [1] 59.2 mm (2.33 in) FE [1]
Height	200.4 mm (7.89 in)[1]
Cartridge	.223 Remington[4][5] 5.56×45mm NATO[4][5] .223 Wylde[5][2] .300 BLK[4][5][2] .308 Win[4][5][2] 7.62×51mm NATO[4][5] 6.5mm Creedmoor [5]
Action	Short-stroke gas-operated piston, rotating bolt[5]
Rate of fire	600–650 rounds/min (MDR-A)
Muzzle velocity	3150 ft/s (960 m/s) (With 5.56x45mm NATO M855A1 ammunition)[6]
Effective firing range	900m[1]
Feed system	10, 20, & 30-round box magazine
Sights	Picatinny rail for mounting Picatinny mounted iron sights or various optical sights

The MDR (an acronym for micro dynamic rifle) is a family of autoloading bullpup rifles 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][7]

The MDR's first public debut was in 2014 at Shot Show.^[7][2]

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][8] The MDR contains an ambidextrous forward and side eject port and viewing window that allows for tool free forward ejector side change.^[8] 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.^[7][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 outer shell of the gun is made from impact-resistant polymer with an aluminum receiver.^[5]

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.^[9]

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.^[8]

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.^[10] 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.^[9]

MDRX redesign[]

The Micro Dynamic Rifle eXtreme, MDRX,^[11] 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,^[12][3] and a new "Ratchet" compensator.^[13]

The firearm was offered in .300 BLK, 6.5 Creedmoor, 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.^[8]

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.^[14]

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

MDR/MDRX official named variant upgrades[]

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".^[15] 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 29th, 2021.^[16]

On March 18, 2021, a collaboration effort between Desert Tech and BLK LBL Bipods was announced to develop, produce, and sell the Mantis handguard. The handguard is a 9" long, 16.7 ounce joint branded aluminum handguard with integrated bipod that replaces the factory polymer handguard and improved zero for handguard mounted parts.^[17] The aluminum 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.

References[]