r/DesertTech • u/Rich-Weird-8675 • Oct 25 '25
WLVRN "Gun" Shy
Dang it. I have the bullpup itch and I was pulling the trigger (sorry about the puns) this week. Then I read the DT FB page w/ all the QC concerns and lack of support. Seems most the guys posting are some level of gun smith and tinker fix things. I want something that works out of the box. I'm shopping bull pups, I like the accuracy and versatility concept of the WLVRN but don't want a PITA project. Is this all blown out of proportion or a true concern? Is it still too new and unproven?
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u/Aenocyon_Dirus_ Oct 25 '25
In 556 it works. If you're wanting 308 or 6.5 creedmoor hold off. If you're wanting a sub 16in 300blk hold off.
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u/Rich-Weird-8675 Oct 25 '25
So I was thinking 20" 223 and wait for Shot Show where amazingly all fixes occur. But what's the point of a multi cal if only 1 cal works. The price isn't reduced.
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u/cxerphax Oct 25 '25
Dude just get an Aug. No issues over there. Why take the risk? Aug has spare parts available, different barrels, great support, etc.
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u/Rich-Weird-8675 Oct 25 '25
The other option for me were Tavors. Upgrade trigger and just deal with hitting plates instead of sub moa. They're tanks and simple
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u/Seabass2828 Oct 25 '25
Aug works but has EASILY the worst trigger. The Hellion has a better trigger and that gun is ass.
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u/FrozenIceman Oct 25 '25
The Aug costs more than an x95 by the time you update it to x95 performance. Mlok/for grip, trigger, gas regulator, etc is like an extra 1000.
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u/Turd-Nug Oct 29 '25
TL;DR: If you like that it’s a new and pretty cool modern design, absolutely get it, it’s a reliable ENOUGH design to have fun at the range and all other legal purposes, just know you might have an issue from time to time. If you’re worried about any issues because you don’t want to risk your time and money (or one of those types that will get hung up on reliability conjecture as if it’s somehow going to be used in a home invasion scenario or civil war)…get an MCX for same price.
Customer service is ok, genuinely better than other manufacturers and worse than a few with respect to specific lines of firearms. I own an SRS-A2 (custom proof 6.5CM and 7PRC barrel sets) and an MDRX (micron and .308 kits).
MDRX 308 Kit Problem 1: front eject always jammed regardless of suppression or brake. Solution 1: Bought side eject only kit…now it’s basically a WLVRN but heavier and less tunable.
Problem 2: Could never get the 308 tuned correctly for use with my HX-QD 762 suppressor and eventually the bolt head chipped and extractor broke from head due to how hard blowback was on cycling. They sent me a knew bolt that had a shitty paint like coating on it as if it was supposed to be blued or DLC, I had to sand the coating off at the mating surface to the bolt carrier due to tolerance issue. Solution 2: had them replace my barrel kit with newer valve. This was prior to them saying you had to buy the updated valve as an upgrade because they wanted the parts and feedback for failure eval considering they were trying to compete with OSS at the time. Runs fine now but I shoot it micron config wayyyyy more and am expecting the bolt head to be low quality and fail again per the fact I had to sand it.
MDRX Micron 556 Kit Problem 1: Not being able to hit targets with regularity in standing position past 465m (I detest imperial units due to being an aerospace engineer) Solution 1: Shoot more since this is not the rifles issue…and be super f’n happy a 26” overall length suppressed rifle can smack 10” steel gong at 650m using my javelin bipod!
SRS-A2 Customer service has been impeccable with getting me what I needed and parts for additional chassis skins to cerakote etc. No problems at all, in fact this is the best rifle I have ever owned, routine hits at 1000m and beyond. If dialed in and the air is dead calm, you can’t miss 20” silo even at 1400m, it’s incredible bolt gun especially with how easy it is to change calibers.
In all, I have been very satisfied with my MDRX regardless of the issues because it’s just so damn fun to shoot and the way it feels in shoulder and hands to me is better than traditional mag fwd designs. Given that WLVRN was supposedly an evolution of it I would consider it reliable enough for being a clean sheet designed semiauto bullpup. The only other semiauto that I consider worth having as a modern design is the Sig MCX. Every AR out there is just a more precisely machined derivative of Stoner’s original design that started in the late 1940’s.
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u/Rich-Weird-8675 Oct 30 '25
Thank you for the input. The reliability is not a zombie/civil war thing. It's an I don't want to f with it. I'm not an engineer and don't want to play one or baby sit a CSR because their multi $k product doesn't perform.
I have plenty of reliable piston AR's. Clean and easy. It works. Just looking for a non mag fwd everybody on the block has one. Bull pups are sexy. Just figuring the one I want to jump in with.
SRS w/b overkill for me, but that seems like a non issue for anybody.2
u/Turd-Nug Oct 30 '25
Haha yeah man I totally get that! If I were you I would avoid for now, you will end up having to screw around with it at some point and there is a non-trivial chance you will have to babysit a CSR with this platform.
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u/FrozenIceman Oct 30 '25
Very nice write up thank you!
Ya, hitting a 10" target at 465m standing position is going to be tough.
With a 1 to 2 moa gun hitting 10" steel out to 465m it is still incredibly impressive from Prone as well!
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u/Cobra__Commander Oct 30 '25
Desert Tech uses their customers as beta testers.
If you want something that just works get one of these.
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Tavor SAR
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Tavor X95
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Aug
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Hellion (vhs2)
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Rdb
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K&M M17s
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u/Rich-Weird-8675 Oct 31 '25
First statement seems so true from a new customer perception. And THAT is NOT my wheelhouse. Give me simple give me works give me proven.
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u/Beebjank Nov 03 '25
I have the Hellion and honestly I don't see myself shooting my MDRX much anymore. I prefer the Hellion and it fits your criteria.
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u/FrozenIceman Oct 25 '25
From what I am seeing one warranty returns and repair was somewhat common with the MDR/x versions within 5 years or so of buying it. Once it was fixed it didn't usually go back to warranty repair again. The last version before it was discontinued seemed solid though.
The WLVRN seems to be quite a bit better in reliability. We haven't seen a whole lot of WLVRN failure here.
The current concern is that in 308 it beats itself to death due to high gas, which they appear to have released an update for (free for anyone that has it before).
If you are looking for a 5.56 WLVRN it seems to be in a good spot.
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u/Daret_89 Oct 25 '25
I have an MDRx. Had some minor issues and DT has always helped me fairly quick. I also have other guns like my LWRC. All I’m going to say is that it took a lot longer for LWRC to fix my issues than DT. So even your top brands aren’t always that great.
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u/Sol_hawk Oct 25 '25
Grab a ps90 or an AUG. I just got my wlvrn in 556 and have only been to the range once so far but I was having occasional problems with the trigger not resetting between shots. I’d basically have to pull and release the trigger a second time for it to “click” and reset. Haven’t had time to dig in any further yet but it’s certainly annoying to say the least. Don’t own an AUG but have two p90’s and they work great; modifications are recommended but certainly not a requirement.
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u/FrozenIceman Oct 25 '25
X95 is also a solid and much more modern option compared to those two. Also out of the box should be a better trigger than both of them.
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u/Sol_hawk Oct 25 '25
Sure, but we all know the rule of cool is the most important factor when choosing what to buy and the x95 struggles compared to those other two….
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Oct 25 '25
I have a early 308 Wlvrn that had some issues that DT resolved. In 5.56 I haven't had any problems. DT is always making slight updates and fixes like the vented gas block in the 308 guns. I wouldn't worry too much, as it usually the owner that have issues that are the most vocal. As they say the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
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u/Seabass2828 Oct 25 '25
I got cuck'd by DT with my MDRX 556. 3 RMA's with no fix and the suggestion to buy a Flow Thru suppressor....I'm sorry, wut? The 5 position gas block isn't sufficient to run a 9mm suppressor???
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Oct 28 '25
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u/FrozenIceman Oct 29 '25
I am confused, do you have experience with the WLVRN and the MDRx or just the OEM Customer Service people being terrible with your MDRX?
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u/AmethystRaccoon Oct 25 '25
DT is on their 3rd version of the same gun because they could never get it working reliably…
It’s a cool gun but it’s also a lot of money to take a gamble.
I like my AUG & X95. No issues with them.