I get a lot of comments from viewers living in oppressed countries, like Canada and California, where they can not legally own AR rifles for home defense. So, I wanted to start looking for “Home Defense” rifles that didn’t look like “ARs” or “Assault Rifles.” Many weapons, like the Mini-14 and Travor, caught my eye, because they still took AR mags. So, I was leaning towards doing a series of videos on those, when Desert Tech caught my eye with their new MDR. I have seen several of their BullPup Bolt-Action Sniper Rifles, and was impressed by the compact package, when compared to longer systems like the M2010 or PSR.
So, I asked to give it a try, from a “Home Defense” standpoint, thinking that they would send me the 5.56mm version. Obviously, I wasn’t paying attention enough while looking at the guns at SHOT Show. This puppy comes “standard” to take the larger 7.62mm x 51mm (.308) cartridge and then can be converted to 5.56mm & 300blk. What AR can do that?
Why a rifle for home defense? Well, 5.56mm varmint rounds (like Hornady TAP) and good tactical Frang (like Inceptor) do NOT go through a human, and greatly cut down on the chance of over-penetration deaths; unlike 12-Gauge OO Buck, that goes through every body and then through the next drywall wall (picture your child’s bedroom behind the villain). A SBR is also insanely faster and more accurate than a pistol or shotgun within the house (ask any HR Assaulter on the planet).
However, what I found was that the MDR was a ‘short” rifle like a SBR, but with the ballistic performance of a full sized battle rifle. So, there is more to the story here than just a new bullpup for home defense. I need to stretch this puppy out to 800 meters and see what it can do.
So, why do this video now, before the full test? Well, that’s two fold… First, I’m impressed with this thing right out of the box, and I wanted to tell everyone about it. Second, I get asked all the time “what are you working on?” & “What are you testing right now?”
So, I plan on beating on this thing for a while. I don’t watch other peoples’ videos, but I heard there were some poor reviews of this weapon. Fine, but I also heard there were improvements to the MDR that were done BECAUSE of these reviews. Constructive criticism is how the world improves. It took Stoner a long time to work the “bugs” out of the platform that we call the “AR” today, and there are companies “improving” their version of the AR every year. So, I have no doubt that the MDR will still need some work. Why do I say that?… Because this puppy is COMPLETELY different than anything that I have ever played with. Yes, I could slam it and move on to another rifle. However, imagine being there, at the beginning, helping Stoner perfect the “American rifle” that would change the entire gun industry. I plan to continue to test, constructively criticize, and test again this MDR as long as Desert Tech will let me help them improve this “non-AR” system.
Thanks for watching. Strength & Honor, TR.
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I own a bullpup rifle for home defense because that's what the UEG intended.
Steyrs always gonna have my favorite bullpups, and bullpups always gonna be my favorite rifle
Bullpups all have the same issue, regaining sights on target. Look at how much the back-end of the bullpup moves around. Sure you can press it to your shoulder, but that's an issue the AR doesn't have as bad. ARs have a rear and forward point of contact for the user to hold and better stabilize the rifle. Recoil stabilization sucks in a bullpup is my point.
Its a great system, with focus on the caliber interoperability, but is a mechanical nightmare, the black rifle for me is already a prone to failure… I'm rather have a Steyr, FN or VHS for bulluo; but nevertheless this system is awesome I just don't trust it for a lifetime, if I lived in us I should have a bullup m14 on any day.
reminds me of Christopher Walken
Bullpup the future
Makes me wonder why AR pistols with "arm braces" are a thing
What calibers is it or can be set up for?
Having had shoulder surgery (left), I'm 3 weeks out, but trying to shoulder my AR, I can't do it, but I can with my Steyr AUG, because the length and weight (towards the rear). By the way, shoulder SUCKS!
i'm not sure if it is the 308 caliber or something else but it looks like recoils as hell. just look at his shoulder while he's shooting the rifle. i wonder if it would be the same with 300blk.
Its a good gun, but daym that recoil is horrible
Two words: $2500 . . . . . . 8|
Any update on how the rifle is performing after a year?
Any updates on the full review?
who the f is attacking you that you need Bullpup or AR for a tiger maybe Dinosaur I guess
I wonder how much money one will have to drop for that beauty
Out of curiosity, I haven't seen any videos on clearing malfunctions with the MDR. Any possibility of making a video on this topic? Great work and keep it up!
THE Ambidextral Rifle. MDR is to my AR as was the Garand to M1903.
Is .308 a little much for home defense when you live on a regular suburban block? I'm all for 5.56 or .300, but a full rifle cartridge indoors 😯
you been watching garand thumb?
Good video bud! I'm really excited and hopeful that the mdr gains a good reputation and performance-track-record, because it's still so new, people really like to bash it. But it's a great concept and design, I'll get in line as soon as it's perfected!
Hello Carl, How is the testing going on the MDR? Im looking into purchasing the MDR in .556
MDR would definitely be great for the CA market… that is until the politicians catches up to its non-AR-like appearance. As is, it still needs a few things to be compliant… a grip paddle and a longer barrel or barrel extension. I don't care much for fake cans or stupid long muzzle devices. If only if DT would start offering longer barrels, a la the Universal MDR they showed all the way back in 2014.
A LOT of bull pup rifles aren’t left hand friendly. Shouldering stocks have put multiple shells right into my face. There’s always exceptions, but if you’re a lefty like me, do what I did and invest in a down eject
Using .308 for "home defense" is ridiculous. C'mon man.
Great Video ! Thanks for sharing…
Ive been looking for a good 300 BLK platform. Shoot mostly 300 BLK Supersonic, 110 gr. Have looked at this platform for a while and was undecided.
Like the fact that you can swap Barrels in a few minutes.
Ordered a 5.56 and 300 BLK Barrel after watching your video. Long wait ( 6 months), think it will be worth it.
Look forward to your future video on this platform.
„And the forces love the bulllpups“ yeah, as long as the army is not so stupid and only issues righthanded guns to lefthanded people and forces you to shoot right like mine did they work really good
Does anyone else love that radio chatter intro?
I always use 308 for home defense. 🙂 well technically I do, but I’d probably go for my x39 first.
I'm all for bullpups for home defense, got my AUG for that.
Absolutely loathe the MDR though. Overhyped and still under delivering for most of those who don't have a good subscriber count. Continuous rolling upgrades to fix the obvious issues, consistently making owners beta testers, poor recoil control (especially when compared to the Kel-Tec RFB and K&M M17s in .308), a gas system that is still known to rip rims, and DT's favorite way to try and remedy the issue: Dump more gas into the gun and enlarge the extractor. Or blame the ammo like DT's CEO loves to do.
Also, I never understood why people clambered for the multi-caliber potential of this gun, especially when it comes to intermediate calibers in it. The MDR has been touted at around 9lbs stock in the 5.56/.300 Blackout configuration, on par with the weight of the .308 configuration. A dedicated intermediate caliber MDR would definitely save them some weight, and the likely reliability issues that'll arise.
God, I hope they figure this damn thing out after several years of broken promises and delays.
can anybody tell me what model of pistol holster its in his belt ?
The recoil on that gun looks really bad
Can it be purchased in Comifornia?
YouTube will F@CK U prepare an alternative
Great vid. Picked up a X95 in the Fall. Still shooting irons. Recommendations for a "working man's" optic? Thanks.
can anyone translate the intro?
Great Info! Thank you!
So I live in Commiefornia. The Desert Tech Bullpup, as configured in this video, is still considered an "Assault Weapon" under State law because it has a Pistol Grip and a Flash hider. You would need to change out the muzzle device and put a stupid fin on the grip to avoid registration. KelTec has has a California Legal "Featureless" Bullpup, the RDB C, that might be worth taking a look at if you plan on continuing this search for the perfect Facist State Rifle. The Troy PAR is another option a lot of folks talk about when it comes to a 50 State Legal rifle.
This looks like or more likely IS the M17 on steroids. Did they buy the patents from Bushmaster? I'll have to give them a call
The mdr is cool. But im just checking out Carl's glasses and wanting a pair lol
What's the "Travor"?
Do a torture test too please to see if those FTE issues got fixed like on grand thumb review. Thanks
Im right handed but I had my right eye stabbed out at 17yrs old so I was forced to shoot rifles left handed, So for Me I like the bullpup its easy to operate & I dont have brass flying across my face.
Karl, thank you so much for your Channel content. I love your direction and approach, huge shoutout to Instructor Z.
We will do our best to keep on listening. Can't wait for the full review.