Desert Tech

Desert Tech is an American munitions manufacturer.^[1] The company primarily produces bullpup rifles. It is financed and owned by members of the Kingston family, founders of the Latter Day Church of Christ, which is a polygamous fundamentalist denomination of the Latter Day Saint Movement.^[2]

Desert Tech

Industry	Firearms
Founded	2007; 18 years ago (2007)
Founders	Nick Young
Headquarters	West Valley City, Utah , United States
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Nick Young (President and CEO)
Products	Firearms and ammunition
Website	deserttech.com

Operations

Desert Tech is located in West Valley City, Utah.^[1] It is owned by members of the Kingston family, the founders of the Latter Day Church of Christ.^[2] Its CEO, Nick Young, is a member of the Numbered Men^{[clarification needed]} who are privileged within the religious group.^[2] As of May 2018 all of their firearms are rifles with a bullpup design.^[3] Desert Tech's motto is "Tomorrow's Weapons". They make three different styles of rifle, the SRS, HTI, and MDRx. According to the company, all of their chassis are multi caliber and easily changeable from one caliber to another.^{[citation needed]}

The company has a subsidiary in India named Neco Desert Tech Defence.^[2]

History

Desert Tech was founded in 2007 as Desert Tactical Arms^[4] and later re-branded as Desert Tech in 2013.^[4]

In July 2019, federal prosecutors gave notice that they intended to seize a building Desert Tech was renting for some of their operations. The proposed seizure was part of an investigation into fraud allegations against members of the Kingston family. Desert Tech CEO Nick Young denied the company was involved in the matters under investigation and noted that no public accusation of wrongdoing had been made against his company. Ultimately the building seizure did not proceed.^[5][6]

Donald Trump Jr was shown in a promotion for Desert Tech on July 24, 2020, with the company's CEO and firing the company's sniper rifles.^[7] A marketing video on YouTube also includes an image of Trump Jr.^[2] Former members of the Latter Day Church of Christ criticized Trump for associating with the company.^[7]

Products

• Desert Tech HTI (Hard Target Interdiction)^{[8][better source needed]} Available in .375 Cheytac, .408 Cheytac, .416 Barrett, and .50 BMG
• Desert Tech SRS-A2 (Stealth Recon Scout)^{[9][better source needed]} Available in .260 Rem., 6.5 CM, .6.5 LM, .308 Win., 300 WM, 300WSM, and 338 LM
• Desert Tech SRS-A2 Covert a shorter variant of the SRS-A1^[10] Available in .260 Rem., 6.5 mm CM, 6.5 mm LM, .308 Win., .300 WM, .300 WSM, and .338 LM
• Desert Tech MDR (Micro Dynamic Rifle)^{[11][better source needed]} Available in .308 Win/7.62 mm, and .223/5.56 mm/.223 Wylde. Discontinued in 2024.
• Desert Tech MDRx (Micro Dynamic Rifle eXtreme)^[12] Available in .308 Win/7.62 mm, .223/5.56 mm/.223 Wylde, 6.5mm Creedmoor, and .300 BLK. Discontinued in 2024.
• Desert Tech Trasol 2.0 Trajectory Solution Software^[13]
• Desert Tech Sound Suppressors ^[14] Available in .338 Win, .30 Caliber
• Desert Tech 1X Reflex Red Dot Sight w/MDR Mount ^[15]
• Desert Tech Ratchet Compensator^[16] Available in 5.56 mm/.223, 7.62 mm/3.08, and 6.5 mm Creedmoor
• Desert Tech Premium Match Ammunition ^[17] Available in .308 Win, .338 LM, .375 CT, .408 CT, .50 BMG, 6.5 mm Creedmoor
• Desert Tech WLVRN Available in .308 Win/7.62 mm, .223/5.56 mm/.223 Wylde, 6.5mm Creedmoor, and .300 BLK
• Desert Tech Sabertooth Available in .308 Win/7.62 mm, .223/5.56 mm/.223 Wylde
• Desert Tech Infinity 16 Available in .223/5.56 mm.^[18]

References

1. "Desert Tech LLC". Manufacturing Today. Retrieved 2018-04-29.
2. KATES, GRAHAM; KEGU, JESSICA (19 August 2020). "Donald Trump Jr. appeared in promotion for gun company run by prominent member of polygamous group". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
3. "Visiting Desert Tech & The MDR Experience | RECOIL". Recoil. 2015-03-16. Retrieved 2018-04-29.
4. "Desert Tactical Arms To Rebrand Company As 'Desert Tech'". AmmoLand.com. 2013-12-17. Retrieved 2018-04-29.
5. Carlisle, Nate (2019-07-30). "Feds move to seize homes and businesses from polygamous Kingston Group as fraud defendants plead guilty". Salt Lake City Tribune. Retrieved 2019-09-10.
6. Carlisle, Nate (2019-07-29). "Fallout from Washakie fraud could cost polygamous Kingston Group members their businesses and homes". Salt Lake City Tribune. Retrieved 2019-09-10.
7. Carlisle, Nate. "Donald Trump Jr. shoots guns from Utah company with ties to polygamous sect". sltrib.com. The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
8. "Gun Review: Desert Tech HTI - The Truth About Guns". The Truth About Guns. 2016-10-06. Archived from the original on 2016-10-09. Retrieved 2018-04-29.
9. "Gun Review: Desert Tech Stealth Recon Scout (DTA SRS) Rifle - The Truth About Guns". The Truth About Guns. 2013-07-03. Retrieved 2018-04-29.
10. "Desert Tech Covert: Shortest 7.62 Sniper Ever". Guns & Ammo. 2018-01-04. Retrieved 2018-04-29.
11. "Gun Review: Desert Tech MDR - The Truth About Guns". The Truth About Guns. 2017-10-13. Retrieved 2018-04-29.
12. "Desert Tech MDRX: A Do-It-All Bullpup". guns.com. 2020-03-10. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
13. "Trasol 2.0".
14. "Suppressors » .338 DTSS".
15. "OPTICS » DT 1X Reflex Red Dot Sight MDR".
16. "Suppressors".
17. "Ammunition » .50 BMG".
18. Staff, T. F. B. (2024-01-31). "[SHOT 2024] First Look at Desert Tech' WLVRN & Infinity 16". thefirearmblog.com. Retrieved 2024-12-11.

External links

• Official website
• Desert Tech, Utah gunmaker, turns down $15 million deal with Pakistan