The MSRP on the MDR.
(Editor’s note: This article was a submission from freelance writer Max Slowik)
Another piece of the Desert Tech MDR puzzle has dropped into place, and it’s a big one. Desert Tech has released the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices or MSRPs.
The MDR, or Micro Dynamic Rifle, is one of the most modern bullpups in development. Ambidextrous by nature, the MDR features mirrored controls and reversible, forward-directed ejection chutes.
Desert Tech will initially offer the MDR in two chamberings, .223 Remington/5.56 NATO, and .308 Winchester/7.62 NATO, with MSRPs of $1,999 and $2,249, respectively. This puts the MDR at the same price point as the Tavor, IWI-US’s flagship bullpup.
The main difference being that Desert Tech aims at doing everything better. From their ambidextrous controls and ejection to their uncharacteristically light and reactive trigger, the MDR is destined to knock down walls for both bullpups and carbines.
It’s a modular design with interchangeable barrel assemblies and magwells. The same rifle that shoots 5.56 NATO can shoot 7.62 NATO with a parts swap, and other cartridges and calibers are in the works. 300 AAC Blackout is next, with prices are to be determined. Other cartridges in being considered include 7.62x39mm, 6.8 SPC and .22 Long Rifle.
The MDR is at heart a target rifle with a feather-light trigger. Early prototypes have had triggers as light as 2.5 pounds, with little creep and a predictable, slick takeup.
Desert Tech has also published the price of the conversion kits, which are likewise competitive at $749 for 5.56 NATO and $999 for 7.62 NATO. All of these are MSRP which is near the top for in-store prices. As is, most real-world prices should be less, although with the amount of excitement surrounding the MDR, you never know what people will pay.
To be sure, the MDR is priced in-line with premium ARs and (some would argue overpriced) bullpups, but Desert Tech isn’t a light hand when it comes to features. Building an ambidextrous bullpup is an achievement by its own right, and the MDR does so much more.
The MDR is at heart a target rifle with a feather-light trigger. Early prototypes have had triggers as light as 2.5 pounds, with little creep and a predictable, slick takeup. The trigger is light to the point where Desert Tech staff are considering artificially increasing the trigger weight to bring it in-line with other rifles, and making it adjustable for shooters who want the lighter trigger option.
The MDR free-floats the complete barrel assembly, to promote the kind of accuracy the company has built their reputation on. Their goal is greater than minute-of-man precision and Desert Tech wants the MDR to compete with precision ARs. Every barrel assembly includes a front sight block and won’t need adjusting after switching barrel lengths or cartridges.
The MDR free-floats the complete barrel assembly, to promote the kind of accuracy the company has built their reputation on.
The MDR is destined to be compared to the IWI-US Tavor, the most popular bullpup in today’s market, especially with its matching MSRP. But even with the same pricing it stands to be much more.
Basically, Desert Tech wants the MDR to do what other bullpups do–take up less space and have greater maneuverability–with the added benefit of a stellar aftermarket trigger and a much more accurate barrel component; things that would add several hundred dollars to other bullpups, if they were even realistically achievable.
Sure, it would be great if the MDR was priced with upper-end ARs; that’s what everyone was wishing for. But Desert Tech isn’t asking for any more than other bullpup builders do and they’re offering so much more–ambidextrous controls and reversible ejection, a range of interchangeable barrels and magazine systems and a great trigger, without turning to expensive aftermarket components. It’s all factory.
At this point, the only salient matter is the release date. Desert Tech is still on-track for an early 2016 launch, just around the corner.
It has already been almost 7 months (Jan – July 2020) since I paid desert Tech for a 223 conversion kit. Every month I ask where my kit is and customer service tells me they’re waiting on parts but I should have it in a week of 2. I have a 308 model which I really never wanted but after 2 years of waiting with a 100% deposit I took the 308 because that was all Desert Tech was shipping. My advice to you is the same advice as below, go buy from a reputable company another bullpup that already exists. Desert Tech is a total B S company that just can’t get its act together.
Is it gas piston
I have an FS 2000 love it can shoot with one hand and stay on target while changing mags shoots great wish FNH would have made it in.308 already cause I would buy it instead of the MDR
For now, I like the K&M M17S 308 better than the MDR because the MDR is over priced. The Keltec RFB is hit and miss in reliability. Once the X95 is in 7.62/308, I will switch to it as my go to rifle.
Rolls eyes …. and no, the Tavor is not based on the FN2000. That is like saying saying all assault rifles are a rip off of the StG-44.
I’ve shot the IWI Tavor repeatedly and its reliability and accuracy are unparalleled. Dirt, dust, water, whatever, the Tavor is reliable and still accurate, justifying the price. I’ve seen no such test and performance from the MDR, so how do they justify the price?
This article is a press release for the future bullup. My Tavor was $1700, and I put a $325 afermarket trigger on it. That brings it to about the MSRP of the Desert Tech. If a shooter is serious about getting tqhe Israeli value out of a Tavor, (s)he shoud take the time to master the Israeli manual of arms for it. It is very different from the usual handling of a combat carbine, and anyone who says the Desert Tech has better handling characteristics probably doesn’t understand the Tavor. A valid comparison is going to need something more sophisticated than Bubba taking both to the range.
Uh oh, another butt-hurt tavor fan! Lmao
I’d like to see a good side by side comparison between the MDR and Kel-Tec’s RDB which is also supposed to have a very nice trigger and can be had at a substantially lower price.
I’m also curious what malfunction drills look like on these since there seems to be no easy access to the ejection ports. What’s so good about having a smaller package if your only malfunction option is to transition to another rifle (which would mean having to carry two)? If reliability and feeding are excellent and clearing dud rounds is foolproof, then the point is moot.
Looks like a “copy” of the Tavor. Think I’d take the Tavor over this, just my opinion.
I’ve had 2 tavors, absolute crap triggers if you don’t drop $400 on a geissele, and 308, if this really has a great trigger out of the box it will be much better. Also desert tech makes very high end marksman rifles in a kind of bullpup format.
And the favor is a rip off of the FN2000, so what is your point?
Looks good! Looking forward to more reviews.