The Desert Tech WLVRN, pronounced "Wolverine", is the successor to the company's MDRx bullpup multi caliber weapon system. The WLVRN was first showcased at the 2024 Shot Show convention in Las Vegas. [2] The rifle 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 Rifle at shot show.[3]

WLVRN (Wolverine)
TypeBullpup
Semi-automatic rifle
Battle rifle
Carbine
Place of originUnited States
Production history
DesignerDesert Tech
ManufacturerDesert Tech
Unit cost$2499 (January 2024 for 5.56)[1]
Produced
  • 2024-Present
Variants
  • WLVRN
Specifications
Mass
Length
Barrel length
Width
Height

Cartridge
ActionShort-stroke gas-operated piston, rotating bolt
Feed system10, 20, & 30-round box magazine
SightsPicatinny rail for mounting Picatinny mounted iron sights or various optical sights

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 rifle's can be quick changed to accept both intermediate cartridges and full-powered rifle cartridges on the same serial number platform (such as 5.56×45mm NATO and 7.62×51mm NATO magazines). The Colt CM901 is one of the early designs able to accept different cartridge categories on the same platform with a caliber conversion kit.

Desert Tech WLVRN 5.56 Barrel Assembly

Design

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The WLVRN is a multi caliber gas operated, conventional rotary bolt bullpup 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 Rifle that it replaced when 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 mag release system, new enhanced sealing gas block design with the pic rail removed, new chassis (to fill the hole where the pic rail was removed), removal of the forward eject system resulting in less gas required to cycle the action.[4][5]

 
Desert Tech WLVRN (Bottom) and MDR (Top) Magazine Transfer Bar comparison
 
Desert Tech WLVRN (Top) and MDR (Bottom) Bolt Carrier Group comparison

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]

 
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 with the Gas Block Pic rail removed (from the MDRX) and the new Chassis overhand

WLVRN official variant updates/upgrades

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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 WLVRN rifles to be classified and regulated as a short-barreled rifle (SBR) requiring the user to apply with the appropriate regulatory bodies before install of the conversion kit in their rifle. This kit is similar to the Micron kit sold for the Desert Tech MDRx.[2]

On April 11th 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]

Similar Projects

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Sabertooth

A military / Law Enforcement rifle similar to the WLVRN is the Desert Tech Sabertooth, featuring select-fire capabilities and several other design changes. However this rifle's select-fire capabilities are not interchangeable with the WLVRN and as such it is considered a separate firearm to be compliant with ATF select fire regulation requiring lack of interchangeability between firearms. [7]

See also

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Bullpup rifles

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. ^ Desert Tech (2023-12-31). "MDRX Development Exposed: The Good, the Bad, the Revolutionary!". youtube.com.
  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.