01-16-2014, 10:17 PM
LRRPF52 Wrote:Just got back from SHOT, and spent some time at DTA's booth looking over the prototypes of the MDR-C and MDR. If it proves reliable, I think they have cracked the bullpup code. This is something I've had to sit on for years, knowing that Nick was working on a semi-auto bullpup. He's a big bullpup fan obviously, and has really analyzed all the military bullpup variants on the market over the years.
The guns are very light compared to the Tavor. The ejection system is one of the more innovative approaches to a bullpup design that I have seen over the years. The trigger feels nothing like a bullpup, and is very smooth and light on the prototypes. The system has a common receiver set with the upper and lower, with a modular insert to change cartridge length types when going from 7.62 NATO based cartridge, to intermediate cartridges.
The bolt is a Stoner rotating lug design, but with nuances to be able to articulate with the ejection system. The ejection port cover/chute can be opened by the user to access the chamber and bolt for clearing malfs. You can check the chamber without opening the cover, as there is a bit of clearance on the forward edge of the cover to see the chamber.
The gas block and regulator is reminiscent of the FAL, with tool-less rotation of the knob. The magazine release is forward of the trigger guard, and mirror-ambidextrous, so it is the only bullpup I know of that can drop the mag with in-place firing hand operation. The guns have a lot of TD&E to undergo, so I wouldn't expect anything soon on them.
Sounds very promising. Just have to wait and see how development goes and if they actually become a production piece.
The Tavor is the most modern bullpup by age but the design did not break any new ground to make it any better than an
AUG or FS2000. Lighter is always better and being able to drop the mag with the firing hand still in position is a nice feature.
Can you say how the ejection system works, as compared to the operation of the FS2000? The forward ejection really improves the ambi operation of the system, one of the things that makes the FS2000 so good.
I will be watching the development, especially if they make a Grendel barrel or I would like one in 7.62x39, if no Grendel.