Everyone seems to be talking about the new AUG M1 and the Tavor but
I am curious about the progress of the upcoming MDR.

They havn't released any additional info since the press release weeks ago,
but I am curious as to what is going on.

From the official, and reviewed description, this seems to be a true game changer.

It takes where we left off with the Tavor, and improves on all it's shortcomings.

I personally think the AUG is damn near perfection.
The Tavor made the bullpup more
easy to handle, and better balanced and reliable.

But the Tavor suffers from a few criticisms. Not the best trigger, over all heavy rifle,
and it seems to be more of a close quarters shooter, than long range., and it still
isn't really ambidextrous due to the ejection.

The MDR is supposed to have an amazing trigger for even an AR. Light weight,
just like an AR, accurate at range, truly ambidextrous(if the ejection chute works as claimed),
and magazine changes are going to be faster than an AR. (It has an M16 style Mag release, yet a
Tavor style bolt release).

If all those things hold true for the MDR, it will have effectively addressed every criticism that
bullpup haters have for bullpups. The only real criticism left would possibly be lack of adjustable
length of pull.  But hey, that's always been a last resort argument, if you ask me.

So any news, or speculation as to what's going on?

I would assume so. Hopefully this comes out running great, just like the
Tavor or AUG, but without any of the drawbacks.

I'm just wondering why there seems to be no speculation or discussion as to this
product, or what it will mean for the combat weapon market in general.

Had no idea that was a thing.
I always assumed that once a product makes it to a major trade show, that's an
indicator that it's going to hit the market soonish.

But DT had a whole press conference with a power point, and they are making
some strong claims that this will be ground breaking. Desert Tech has a solid reputation.

I would bet that it will be real.

I just want a bullpup in .308

I have mine! (Bullpup in .308)  
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s172/Trepid3/RFB1_zps14a19989.jpg

Wow, love it!

I know everyone is talking about having a bullpup
in 308 or other various larger calibers.

I just want a good 5.56 bullpup that meets my needs
as a standard issue, general use "assault or fighting rifle"  (I hate the politically correct terms here)

I know there are good ones out there that qualify ie, Tavor, and AUG.

I think the AUG meets my need for that, but the MDR
just has so many little features, without any of the previous
mentioned limitations to the bullpup world.

The fact that it allows for caliber swaps is nice too,
but for me, that's just a bonus.

They have a group buy started on another forum. I'd say its coming, I hear mid next year but i don't know and ya know how that could go. If they can get it rolling without any ejection issues and meet demand unlike kel-tec Its going to be a direct competitor for peoples money vs a scar-17 and I think they have there eyes on wanting to get mil or police contracts so I'm sure it won't be trash. But currently until its in-hand ya know...

Exactly. I know about the group buy; I'm a member of that forum.

And I think you're right; if they get it running smooth and functioning
like they claim. It will not only be a competitor for the Scar17, but
pretty much every 5.56 military fighting rifle/carbine on the market.

If it is tested and proved reliable, I might just replace my Tavor with it.

I seem to recall they also made a suppressor to go along with it. Lightweight. Titanium? I think now would be the time to get that order in so that when the guns finally do hit the market you don't have to have the NFA wait on top of it.

Good luck getting any NFA items in my state. lol

I want to wait until after it's already been on the market for like 6 months
so any bugs which DT missed have been found, and there are enough
end user reviews of its reliability, youtube torture tests, etc.

I'll make a purchase once its reliable functioning has been established.

If I'm going to trust it as my main "go to" rifle, which I am hoping to do so,
I want to get it once all doubts have been removed.

Oakland Tactical was doing reservations:
http://www.oaklandtactical.com/Desert-Tech-MDR-Bullpup-Rife_p_1677.html

I am quite excited about the upcoming MDR, but I think its a bit early for that, no?

I respect the Hell out of the company

The same company that pursued and turned down  a $15,000,000.00 weapons contract -
over "ethics' concerns

Click the link

DESERT TECH

Without a working model - everything is just that - speculation about the MDR.
Even with a weapon in commercial production, it has a long way to go before it is a
proven "combat weapon". The AUG and Tavor both are combat proven, military grade weapons.

I vividly recall all the uber-greatness the original Magpul Masada promised in development
and the (somewhat) disappointing result of the final product, when Bushwhanker got the license to build them...

That's true. I guess we just have to wait.

Sound advice ...

I think the big draw for this rifle would be the ability to do the caliber conversions.
If a shooter is not looking for specific feature an MSRP of $2,200. - $2,400. is going to be a big wall for most people to get past.
~ Especially in a market with two very proven bullpup rifles - that retail for a few hundred less.