Desert Tech MDRx
7.62x51 NATO Microdynamic rifle
I was so excited when this rifle was first announced. I quickly coughed up a credit card number and got in line pre-release.
That was back in 2014. After twoyears of frustrated waiting, I cancelled my order. I applaud Desert Tech's desire to hold their release until everything was "just right", but two years was a long time.
Four years was even longer. The rifle was finally released, and while it gathered some kudos, it also generated a LOT of additional frustration and anger.
It just didn't work for many folks.
Some loved it.
Others didn't.
I was glad I was on the sidelines. I kept an eye on the rifle's "beta testing", as I wanted to like it, but it sure seemed, from various online reviews and posts, that it still had a long way to go. The positive side of this, was that while some users didn't see Desert Tech moving fast enough, behind the scenes they appeared to be listening to critiques. and addressing complaints with continued research and development. There are far too many firearm manufacturers who would have just taken peoples money, shrugged their shoulders, and move on to the next project.
In 2020 Desert Tech took all the input they had received from their customers, along with in house development and research, and re-released the MDR in an updated package incorporating all the changes up to that point, and called it the MDRx. They also stood behind their product and provided all these updates and modifications free of charge to their existing MDR customer base. BRAVO! How many companies will do that these days???!!! It would seem that after a long wait, Desert Tech finally hit a home run with the MDRx. It would also seem that they stumbled, tripped and fell on their face somewhere short of home plate.
Unfortunately, the newly updated MDRx STILL has issues. Mine doesn't like Magpul magazines. One shot, and they drop out of the magazine well of their own accord. I reported this to Desert Tech, and they promptly sent me a new magazine retention bar. While I was waiting for that, I dobbed a glob of JB Weld on the original and squared it up providing an extra millimeter of depth. Guess what, it fixed the issue. It fixed it so well that I have yet to install the new replacement they sent me, which appears no different from the original that didn't work. JB Weld is some amazing stuff, but it isn't really designed for a wearing surface. When it ultimately fails, I am going to actual weld a glob of steel on the end of my retention bar, keeping the new one as a spare, and fix it that way. Not something an end user SHOULD have to do to a $2000+ rifle, but I like to tinker so it's all good.
At the end of the day, for me, this rifles pluses outweigh its downsides. When it works, it is a good rifle. The trigger, for a bullpup, is awesome. It is accurate. It is incredibly well balanced. It works surpressed. It's easy to field strip. It is capable of multiple caliber changes. And it looks cool! However, be advised, if you don't like to tinker, get frustrated easily, or expect a $2200 rifle to work 100% out of the box, this may not be the rifle for you....yet.
Give 'em another 8 years.