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Desert Tech WLVRN

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Desert Tech WLVRN
Desert Tech WLVRN with a telescopic sight
TypeBullpup semi-automatic rifle
Assault rifle
Battle rifle
Place of originUnited States
Production history
DesignerDesert Tech
ManufacturerDesert Tech
Unit cost$2499 (January 2024 for 5.56)[1]
Produced
  • 2024–present
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass
Length
Barrel length
Width
Height
Cartridge
ActionShort-stroke gas-operated piston, rotating bolt
Rate of fire675 rounds/min
Feed system10, 20, & 30-round box magazine
SightsPicatinny rail for mounting Picatinny mounted iron sights or various optical sights

The Desert Tech WLVRN, pronounced as "Wolverine", is a multi-caliber bullpup semi-automatic rifle and the successor of the MDRx.

The WLVRN was first showcased at the 2024 Shot Show convention in Las Vegas. [2] The WLVRN aimed to improve various aspects of the MDRx platform that were determined to be limitations of the platform that were acknowledged to the public for the first time by Desert Tech several weeks before the announcement of the WLVRN at shot show.[3]

Design details

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Desert Tech WLVRN 5.56 Barrel Assembly

The WLVRN was initially launched in three color options: Black, Flat Dark Earth (FDE), and Tungsten. Several calibers were supported through the various configurations possible including .223 Remington, .308 Winchester, .300 AAC Blackout, and 6.5mm Creedmoor, which barrel lengths ranging from Short-barreled rifle lengths (less than 16") to up to 20" in length, depending on the caliber. The WLVRN has a caliber quick change feature where it can easily swap between intermediate cartridges and full-powered rifle cartridges (such as 5.56×45mm NATO and 7.62×51mm NATO calibers). The Colt CM901 is one of the early designs able to accept different cartridge categories on the same platform with a caliber conversion kit.

The WLVRN is a multi caliber gas operated, conventional rotary bolt bullpup semi-automatic rifle. The gas system features a gas piston located above the barrel and a 6 position manual gas regulator.

The WLVRN is similar to the Desert Tech MDRx that it replaced when it launched in January 2024. The WLVRN's specific improvements over the MDRx include a machined trunnion (for retaining the barrel assembly) into the receiver, new barrel/barrel extension design, replaceable feed-ramps, new bolt carrier design, updated charging handles (from the 2023 MDRX updates), a new magazine release system, new enhanced sealing gas block design with the picatinny rail removed, new chassis (to fill the hole where the picatinny rail was removed), and removal of the forward eject system resulting in less gas required to cycle the action.[4][5]

One of the big changes to the barrel and chassis system design was a change to use a 3 lug barrel clamping system, an increase from 2, with an increase from 65 in-lbf of force to 80 in-lbf of force resulting in a significantly more rigid barrel to chassis clamping system.[4][5]

On April 11 2024, a design defect in the receiver around the front takedown pin, was discovered by the Military Arms Channel resulting in a movement between the upper and lower receivers. The Military Arms Channel asserted this would not affect performance of the rifle.[6] On the MDRX live Q/A, Desert tech acknowledged the problem and is implementing a design change to correct the defect.[7]

Variants

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WLVRN Micron

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On January 19 2024, a stand alone conversion kit the "MICRON" for the WLVRN was announced, featuring an extremely short handguard to minimize the rifle's overall length. These kits allow the WLVRN to be classified and regulated as a short-barreled rifle (SBR), which requires the user to register to the ATF before installing the conversion kit to their WLVRN. This kit is similar to the Micron kit sold for the Desert Tech MDRx.[2]

Sabertooth

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The Desert Tech Sabertooth is a select-fire variant of the WLVRN, intended for military and law enforcement market. It features a fully automatic fire selector and several other design changes. However the Sabertooth's select-fire capabilities are not interchangeable with the WLVRN and as such it is considered a separate firearm to be compliant with ATF’s select fire regulation requiring lack of interchangeability between firearms.[7]

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  • Desert Tech WLVRN (Bottom) and MDR (Top) Magazine Transfer Bar comparison
    Desert Tech WLVRN (Bottom) and MDR (Top) Magazine Transfer Bar comparison
  • Desert Tech WLVRN (Top) and MDR (Bottom) Bolt Carrier Group comparison
    Desert Tech WLVRN (Top) and MDR (Bottom) Bolt Carrier Group comparison
  • Desert Tech WLVRN (Right) and MDR (Left) lower receiver comparison
    Desert Tech WLVRN (Right) and MDR (Left) lower receiver comparison
  • Desert Tech WLVRN (Left) and MDR (Right) Flat vs Curved oprod comparison
    Desert Tech WLVRN (Left) and MDR (Right) Flat vs Curved oprod comparison
  • Desert Tech WLVRN with the Gas Block Pic rail removed (from the MDRX) and the new Chassis overhand
    Desert Tech WLVRN with the Gas Block Pic rail removed (from the MDRX) and the new Chassis overhand

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Desert Tech (2024-04-22). "WLVRN Bullpup Rifle". deserttech.com.
  2. ^ a b Desert Tech (2024-01-18). "What's NEW at Shot Show 2024". youtube.com.
  3. ^ Staff, T. F. B. (2024-01-31). "[SHOT 2024] First Look at Desert Tech' WLVRN & Infinity 16". thefirearmblog.com. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  4. ^ a b Coldbore Miracle (2024-04-09). "Desert Tech WLVRN Bullpup". coldboremiracle.com.
  5. ^ a b Desert Tech (2024-01-19). "NEW - WLVRN & Sabertooth with Nick Young". youtube.com.
  6. ^ Military Arms Channel (2024-04-11). "New Desert Tech Wolverine - WLVRN in 308!". youtube.com.
  7. ^ a b Desert Tech (2024-04-17). "The future of the MDRX Live Q&A". youtube.com.
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