Desert Tech MDR --Tell Me About It

[Strykervet]

Any good? Reliable? Accurate? Are the controls and ergonomics "natural"? Is it a "real" rifle or just a range toy? Would you bet your life on one? AND is it fun? Is it worth $2250 for a 7.62 or $1975 for 5.56?

Sale ends tomorrow so getting one would heavily depend on what you guys that have one or fired one say within the next 20 hours or so I suppose.

I heard they're a knockoff of a Tavor and that a Tavor is better and then I've heard they're a superior and higher quality version of a Tavor. So I really don't know. I do know I'd like to get a few non-AR"s and mags this year before shit turns upside down. But I don't wanna just get anything.
That said, would you prefer this over say, a Tavor or a AUG or an FN FS2000? Or would the money be better spent putting it toward a Mk20 6.5?

 

[RTV]

The MDR defenitly is not a knock off Tavor.
It brings a lot of innovative features to the table not the least of which is its foreward ejecting system that you can swap between right or left ejection in just a few minutes and its quick change barrel system that can be used to switch between 5.56, .308, 6.5CM, and 300BO with a conversion kit...

They did have a lot of problems when they were first released but all the reviews are saying the latest changes to the has system have resolved this and the new MDRX annonced at SHOT has a lot of improvements that will hopefully fix the polymer cracking issues and such.

Long story short it is a very nice rifle and I am planning on getting the MDRX in 5.56 later this year... only time will tell if it is battle/ defense ready or not however so that is something you would have to take the risk on and find out for yourself.


Take a look at InRange's youtube videos on the gun they outline everything very well minus the MDRX which is too new to really have hands on feedback yet.


EDIT:

Due to the early issues I would not get a used MDR. I am going to order the new MDRX straight from DT when I get mine

 

[FALex]

I can't tell you anything about it, but I can tell you that there's one on ar15.com for 1600.00.

Here you go.

 

[newguy2k3v2]

Maybe try one of the mdr-x versions. I think the sale is on the plain mdr with brittle plastic and a shit trigger. Hard pass.

 

[ddavis]

I've watched these closely since they were announced and follow the FB page. There are some known issues that keep me from considering one. Maybe the newest ones are better. Like others have said, I wouldn't risk it unless it's one that just rolled off the line and has some of the issues addressed.

 

[Strykervet]

Thanks guys that pretty much sums it up. I recall hearing about an issue but they weren't on my radar then so I forgot all about it. Yeah, I figure the sale ones probably are the older ones but at this point I think I'll just have to pass on the system altogether.

However, I DO like the fact it can be converted from 5.56 platform to a 7.62 platform on the same rifle. So maybe I will keep an eye on it. I already adopted a Kriss Super V mainly because it's as far from an AR as you can get, and it is a solid setup so far, but it's hard for me to invest in weapons that aren't picked up by some (but ideally our) military, even if in sparse numbers.

What about Bushmaster's oddball (was the Masada I think)? Or did they fuck it up like they do with every rifle they buy the rights to? Remember the Cobb AR? Was a set of I think four rifles that between the four receivers could handle almost any round from 22 to either .408CT or .50BMG? Yeah, Bushmaster bought that too and it...just...died.

Also doesn't Bushmaster have a competitor with a similar rifle?

What do you think of the Tavor? How much should one look at paying? It's an IMI piece designed from the get go to be a competitor to AR when it comes to modularity. And it is an adopted military rifle and by more than one country IIRC.

 

[RTV]

What do you think of the Tavor? How much should one look at paying? It's an IMI piece designed from the get go to be a competitor to AR when it comes to modularity. And it is an adopted military rifle and by more than one country IIRC.

The Tavor is nice the one pill I have a hard time swallowing is its accuracy being anywhere from 2.5-5MOA. I saw a like new tavor SAR at my local shop for 1250. The X95 version seems to be going for a few hundred more than that.

However if it were me personally I would instead look at the AUG which Is supposed to have better accuracy and fills your MIL requirement nicely.

My main hope with the MDR is that with reliability fixed I can pick up a barrel from ES tactical for it which I have heard some reports of sub-moa to moa accuracy with... might finally be able to make a suppressed RECCE rifle that doesnt dabble in being an amateur javelin.

 

[ddavis]

Thanks guys that pretty much sums it up. I recall hearing about an issue but they weren't on my radar then so I forgot all about it. Yeah, I figure the sale ones probably are the older ones but at this point I think I'll just have to pass on the system altogether.

However, I DO like the fact it can be converted from 5.56 platform to a 7.62 platform on the same rifle. So maybe I will keep an eye on it. I already adopted a Kriss Super V mainly because it's as far from an AR as you can get, and it is a solid setup so far, but it's hard for me to invest in weapons that aren't picked up by some (but ideally our) military, even if in sparse numbers.

What about Bushmaster's oddball (was the Masada I think)? Or did they fuck it up like they do with every rifle they buy the rights to? Remember the Cobb AR? Was a set of I think four rifles that between the four receivers could handle almost any round from 22 to either .408CT or .50BMG? Yeah, Bushmaster bought that too and it...just...died.

Also doesn't Bushmaster have a competitor with a similar rifle?

What do you think of the Tavor? How much should one look at paying? It's an IMI piece designed from the get go to be a competitor to AR when it comes to modularity. And it is an adopted military rifle and by more than one country IIRC.

You may be thinking of the Bushmaster M17. K&M bought it out and produces the M17s. It can be had in 556 or 308. On paper it's definitely the best bullpup. Well made, very heavy duty components, simple. About a 3 lb crisp trigger. I had one for about 6 months. Even with an 8 position gas block it flat out won't work suppressed unless you had an OSS maybe. Also length of pull is about 7 feet. It hurt to shit can something I put a lot of money into and burned about 400 rounds trying to figure out and 2 trips back to K&M but in the end I bought it to run suppressed and it won't.

-Dan

 

[schlaiek]

anyone have hands on yet with a MDRX? apparently they've already started shipping... I have a pre-order in place and fingers crossed the MDR saga this time around is a whole lot smoother...

 

[FALex]

anyone have hands on yet with a MDRX? apparently they've already started shipping... I have a pre-order in place and fingers crossed the MDR saga this time around is a whole lot smoother...

You, sir, are very bold. I guess somebody's gotta be the sacrificial lamb. Good luck!

 

[schlaiek]

my deposit is with Eurooptic. and while faith in DT is, um, shakey, my confidence in Eurooptic is firm

 

[mwedmonds]

I ordered an MDR from them and I’m picking it up from my FFL tomorrow! I’m not scared.

 

[earthtrekker1775]

I looked hard at MDR but in the end I went with a used Tavor SAR 5.56. My requirements were simple, bullpup, AR mags, combat proven and built grunt proof, very good trigger for a bullpup. I don't have time or money to dick around with reliability issues and trips back and forth to warranty services. I chose a tavor with eotech on top and a gieselle trigger.

 

[SNOW JW]

What is everyone getting for a moa at 100?

 

[steve123]

I really liked my MSAR, a copy of the Aug. It would do 1.5 moa with match ammo. It had an aftermarket trigger which made it an even more appealing bullpup. The Aug's I shot were perfectly reliable also.

My Tavor has been a good rifle and the timney trigger totally changed it's personality too!

Both of those trouble free.

Darn hard to get away from my shorty AR which does sub moa but I'd have to get a large frame AR to go with the 308 based cartridges.

Gonna be years of watching for me to even consider spending the $$$$ for the MDRX.

 

[Really]

Before you decide to buy an MDR, everyone needs to know that Desert Tech is a small and poorly managed operation. I waited more than 2 years (while Desert Tech had the full amount deposit) for my MDR. I originally ordered the 223 version, but DT wasn't delivering them so I took a 308, and had to pay more. The first MDR's had loads of problems with the gas valve (2 iterations) then a complete rework of the innards. MDR did do a rebuild of my MDR via warranty. You can do a Google search to see the early negative reviews and why the rebuild was necessary. After waiting years, MDR announced it was making conversion kits for the 223 caliber. However, since January, 2020, DT has had my money and still not delivered the conversion kit. Its been 7 months. Consider this when you decide to make your buy.

 

[FALex]

Before you decide to buy an MDR, everyone needs to know that Desert Tech is a small and poorly managed operation. I waited more than 2 years (while Desert Tech had the full amount deposit) for my MDR. I originally ordered the 223 version, but DT wasn't delivering them so I took a 308, and had to pay more. The first MDR's had loads of problems with the gas valve (2 iterations) then a complete rework of the innards. MDR did do a rebuild of my MDR via warranty. You can do a Google search to see the early negative reviews and why the rebuild was necessary. After waiting years, MDR announced it was making conversion kits for the 223 caliber. However, since January, 2020, DT has had my money and still not delivered the conversion kit. Its been 7 months. Consider this when you decide to make your buy.

So you only waited 2 years? That's not bad granted they played the whole, "it's coming next year" game for damn near a decade...I'm exaggerating, but only by a little bit.

I was hot-to-trot to get one, but that waned after the first three years of "it's coming next year," and yet it still never came.

With all the problems those things have had, I'm happy I didn't wait it out.

Do yourself a favor, grab a Tavor, Aug, or even a PS90.

 

[steve123]

So you only waited 2 years? That's not bad granted they played the whole, "it's coming next year" game for damn near a decade...I'm exaggerating, but only by a little bit.

I was hot-to-trot to get one, but that waned after the first three years of "it's coming next year," and yet it still never came.

With all the problems those things have had, I'm happy I didn't wait it out.

Do yourself a favor, grab a Tavor, Aug, or even a PS90.

I've owned the Aug and own the other two. They have been reliable, decently accurate, and fun to shoot for what they are. For long range I still think AR's rule though.

I thought the MDR would be an answer to one of my wants for versatility but am darn glad, and so very thankful that I didn't go down that path!!!!

 

[Strykervet]

Well, my interest was the 6.5CM variant but I guess that'll have to wait. Indefinitely. I ended up getting the Mk20 --in 7.62 though because of price.

I have a Tavor SAR 9mm with a Timney trigger and Geissele bow and that's a pretty badass little rifle. No recoil, 17" 9mm +P+ hits hard. Exact same size as an 11.5" AR w/collapsed SOPMOD stock. I wanted a host for a can and I had the MeproMOR sight w/lasers you can wire into the button in the handguard and I couldn't resist it. They make conversion kits for 5.56 but I think I'd probably rather get the X95 and get the new model if I went that route. They also make the Tavor 7 in 7.62. My buddy, another vet, he actually likes the Tavor better than the M4 and that's saying a lot.

Just know Tavor was never designed to be a very accurate rifle. If it gets 2-4moa w/factory ammo then it's doing it's job. I think the 9mm may be better? I'll know more when I take it back out (now that I got the trigger dead reliable, wouldn't reset before). Tavor 7 was held back until it could achieve 2moa I think. They're dependable and compact and easy to operate but work best with a dot sight, ACOG at best, but good glass is wasted on one IMO.

Not a bullpup, but one I've been looking at, the Galil ACE --IWI makes it too. It's an update of the original Galil, better everything, which was an update of the AK, better everything. Too much to mention. But apparently with quality western ammo, the 7.62x39 rifle was able to achieve .85 best and .98 average MOA.

 

[Odinforever2000]

Well..It doesn't help that all models of MDRx are now MOAR expensive..
From the DT website you can expect 2700$ for 308/6.5Cm and around 2300 for 223.
Its a fun rifle if you can get one for less than DTs price. Its fairly easy to cause a stoppage lazily running the charging handle to load the MDRx.
It also confuses me why DT didnt make a full length pic rail as part of that rail system is on the plastic handgaurd...Which..Moves (When bolted in left and right) ..Making BUIS or Laser modules unable to retain zero..