Desert Tech Owners
- Thread starter IAFS
- Start date
Will do...but I won't change directions until I at least travel in this direction for a bit.Still need to assemble the complete rifle and shoot it for awhile to decide how I feel about it. I won't necessarily keep it forever, but I will give it a chance. And I definitely won't be posting one of those classic EE threads: "Bought this a couple of hours ago, but I'm changing directions so need to sell it because I see something else shiny!"
Out of curiosity, what height of scope mounts/rings are most users finding to be optimal with these guns? Do they work best with AR-style co-witness mounts, or something a bit lower? I know Desert Tech markets their own mount, but a good return-to-zero QD mount is what I would want long-term and I don't think theirs is?
Old thread but, it's Desert Tech so who can resist. I can't stress this enough 1.5" height for your mounts. From base to middle of ring. Usually listed as "Extra high" for rings. For quick release.. Well with any Torque adjustable screwdriver (Wheeler), Torque limited fix it stick, or wheeler brand etc and hex nut base screws and it's quick detach. Very quick.
Now that being said the best... quick detach system I've ever used is by far the Kinetic development sidelok scope mount. The rings are decent but nothing special. However the base with quick detachment is awesome. The negative though is 0 moa. Which with the Desert tech A1-A2 will limit your scope elevation. Worth keeping in mind.
I have the same affliction. Currently have an A1 Covert (tan) with a SAC 22" 308 barrel , A1 Standard and an A2 standard. Love these rifles. Mine are all second hand and the triggers I believe have been adjusted. All three have very good triggers. Zero complaints.
The one thing I will add is that Blueoval56 has mentioned you can get away with a lower mount and 50mm objective on the A2. Yes. I actually had exactly that. I had some high NF rings (1.43" height I believe?) and a NXS 5-22x 50mm. Funny thing is the rifle turned out to be completely sighted in with just a bore sight. However...... It wasn't right. Close, but it took a second to adjust to get the correct sight picture. It was good, but not perfect. You should be able to have the rifle in the low ready position and pop it up to your cheek with the end result of the perfect sight picture. Close your eyes and do this then open. If you're fiddling with it, then something isn't right. If you're tilting your head down slightly (eyebrows down) then your scope height is too low. I was doing this on an A2. With larger calibers and more recoil this will lead to scope bite. I've seen a few people with the 50BMG do this. With the lesser calibers it just isn't as ergonomic. If you've had experience with an AR15 and Aimpoint etc, then you know you want to be able to pop the rifle up and fire perfectly with a more upright head position. Bolt shooters are starting to catch onto this due to PRS.
Anyways, love these rifles. I have changed the mount to a 1.5" on my A2, and already had 1.5" mounts on the A1 rifles. Don't mess around with anything other than 1.5" height.
A couple of other things with the Desert tech that I would like to point out. I bought a 338LM conversion for my A1 standard. The barrel is marked and they have the rings on the end that show you which caliber it is. However I didn't see anything on the bolt. Mine was unused but second hand. The bolt handle was changed to a FDE badger looking handle. Even though the rifle I plan on using this in is black, I will be leaving this different bolt handle on. The reason is that the 308 bolt will lock into the 338LM barrel extension. Also the 338LM bolt will lock into the 308 barrel extension. I think we can all see where this could go. I doubt they would chamber rounds, but at the very least you could show up with a rifle that won't work. Just something I noticed.
Also as pointed out by others here on CGN the threading on the A1 barrels is 3/4- 24. I ordered a Cadex MX2 brake on sale with this threading and they sent me the wrong one. IE the 5/8×24. The A1 308 barrels are 3/4-24 not 5/8. I'll find out if this brake is good enough for 338LM with the Desert Tech. It's a 3 chamber design. Hopefully it's decent enough. If not, I have a Desert tech 308 barrel it can go on.
Anyone in here gone from an A1 to an A2 that can comment on the "improved accuracy"? Sales tactic? 36% is a big number, especially when people seem to be achieving 1/4 moa from the A1.
The used market is considerably cheaper is why I ask. Can anyone confirm for the on the A1 is the trigger adjustable to the same specs as the A2?
The used market is considerably cheaper is why I ask. Can anyone confirm for the on the A1 is the trigger adjustable to the same specs as the A2?
the A1 trigger is considerably more adjustable than the A2.
A2 they stripped those features out, made the rear mono pod a $500 option to save weight, and redesigned how the chassis retains the barrel to increase accuracy. Oh and they went from pic rails on the front to Mlok. Bolt is smoother on the A2 but beyond that they are the same.
I think all the barrels are reverse compatible as well, but not 100% on that, i'd confirm with desert tech on that.
I had an A1 covert and an A1 full length and I recently just bought a new M2. The old trigger was much more adjustable, but the new trigger is still decent. My M2 goes down to 1.5lbs, very crisp break with just a little bit of creep, but it's consistent. As for the accuracy thing, I cant shoot my M2 any more accurate than I could should my old A1's, but I'm not a world class shot so take that with the grain of salt that is intended. They're all amazingly accurate rifles. It's basically a tube chassis gun with a benchrest style barrel block, it's no wonder they shoot well. Looking at the clamp of the chassis on the A1 vs the new A2/M2 you can see how there would be a lot less stress on the new design, plus you save a ton of weight. I couldn't believe how much lighter my M2 is compared to my old full length A1. I love that it's lighter, I like the smother bolts with lighter bolt lift and I really like the integrated area 419 arcalock on the M2. That being said, If you want an SRS and the price of a used A1 is more in your budget, I wouldn't hesitate to grab an A1 at all, still amazing rifles especially if you don't mind the weight.
A1 and A2 conversion kits are forwards and backwards compatible. The only ones to worry about are old gen 1 conversions, they only work in gen 1 rifles.
They use a sacrificial pin on the barrel. They are stamped Desert Tactical and not Desert Tech.
I would get the A2. You don’t need a special tool to change the handguard and I like the texture of the A2 trigger over the A1.
I think I have both of your previous A1 rifles. I know for sure I have your previous A1 Covert with Sac 308 barrel. I later bought an A1 standard in black with 26" 308 barrel from BigVern. If that was yours as well, it went to a good home
. I actually wanted the heavier one as well so I would have a 26" 308 rifle plus I managed to score a NIB 338LM conversion kit with barrel, bolt and two mags. Smoking deal on the conversion kit. Half price or better good. In this case, the extra weight isn't a bad thing.A1 was a huge improvement over the previous all pic rail version. I actually avoided even considering the gen1. I'm a fan of the A1 and newer. Also the A2 I love the looks and the handguard makes mounting bipods easier etc. Would like the ARCA of the M2 but.. the A2 works for me and again, I like it's looks. Which does play a part.
Couple of things.
The A1 and bipods. The attachment rails for the A1 are polymer. Doesn’t seem like a big deal but… I found with a ckye pod that I swear I felt the bipod flexing the rail. I then tried a LRA tactical on the bottom rail. Even worse. This rifle is my heavier 26” 308 A1 standard with the 26” 338LM conversion. Spuhr mount with Delta optics. Heavy rig. It needs a matching bipod and I wasn’t liking how it was working out. I know those bipods are solid on everything else. Just not the A1.
So that’s the disadvantage over the A2 and M2. Both of which connect directly without polymer rails. The advantage however is actually the pic rail in the top. I went with a UTG over bore bipod ( I know, I know). It’s actually rock solid and built for 50 bmg. With hanging from the rail it self levels. Also the A1 front looks a bit plain and not as cool as the A2. This brings back the cool look factor. Plus it’s the best bipod solution I’ve found yet for the A1 rifles. Sorry no pics yet. But I added one to both my A1 rifles. Sticking with the Harris Sbrn for the A2.
By the way, considering the Desert tech srs is essentially A DSR-1 … it’s fitting. The DSR used an over bore bipod. Anyways great solution and it was affordable. For those wanting to spend a lot more but likely a better bipod, GRS makes an over bore bipod. Another option for A1 users. Worth considering. It worked out for me.
The A1 and bipods. The attachment rails for the A1 are polymer. Doesn’t seem like a big deal but… I found with a ckye pod that I swear I felt the bipod flexing the rail. I then tried a LRA tactical on the bottom rail. Even worse. This rifle is my heavier 26” 308 A1 standard with the 26” 338LM conversion. Spuhr mount with Delta optics. Heavy rig. It needs a matching bipod and I wasn’t liking how it was working out. I know those bipods are solid on everything else. Just not the A1.
So that’s the disadvantage over the A2 and M2. Both of which connect directly without polymer rails. The advantage however is actually the pic rail in the top. I went with a UTG over bore bipod ( I know, I know). It’s actually rock solid and built for 50 bmg. With hanging from the rail it self levels. Also the A1 front looks a bit plain and not as cool as the A2. This brings back the cool look factor. Plus it’s the best bipod solution I’ve found yet for the A1 rifles. Sorry no pics yet. But I added one to both my A1 rifles. Sticking with the Harris Sbrn for the A2.
By the way, considering the Desert tech srs is essentially A DSR-1 … it’s fitting. The DSR used an over bore bipod. Anyways great solution and it was affordable. For those wanting to spend a lot more but likely a better bipod, GRS makes an over bore bipod. Another option for A1 users. Worth considering. It worked out for me.
Reread this thread again too
I'm caught between a desert tech or a Barrett. any thoughts?
Sold my last 308 as I had an offer I couldn't pass up.
I'm torn between the M2 and the A2 covert, that additional rail would be handy for a clip on thermal, and the Covert is awesome being a shorty
I'm caught between a desert tech or a Barrett. any thoughts?
Sold my last 308 as I had an offer I couldn't pass up.
I'm torn between the M2 and the A2 covert, that additional rail would be handy for a clip on thermal, and the Covert is awesome being a shorty
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Have owned the DTA since they first came out (serial number 13) in a 300wm. 308 and 243.
Amazing rifle ...extremely accurate and I enjoy shooting it from 100 to 1000 yards.
Have thought about adding other calibers but these pretty much cover my needs .
It takes some practice to get used to it ,but worth the effort.
Have customized it a bit to suit me ,but I stand behind my recommendation of this platform.
And I run both top mounted and bottom mounted pods depending on use...the original permanent rails are solid.
As always, try to find a kind soul who would let you try theirs first.
Regards
Gord
Amazing rifle ...extremely accurate and I enjoy shooting it from 100 to 1000 yards.
Have thought about adding other calibers but these pretty much cover my needs .
It takes some practice to get used to it ,but worth the effort.
Have customized it a bit to suit me ,but I stand behind my recommendation of this platform.
And I run both top mounted and bottom mounted pods depending on use...the original permanent rails are solid.
As always, try to find a kind soul who would let you try theirs first.
Regards
Gord
I haven’t tried the Barrett. I always thought it looked primitive and chunky. But that’s just from photos. Just never appealed to me.
Tough choice, A2 covert or M2. Covert allows more barrel option options but it can look a bit odd with a longer barrel. While the regular length handguard allows more additions on the rail. Flir/night vision use, less issue with longer scopes/sunshades and or eye relief if you have anything attached on the top rail. Gives you a lot more railestate.
I’m partial to the full length rail over the covert. I like the 22” 308 barrels and 26” for 338lm, 6.5 CM etc. The short barrels look cool and are handy but you pay for it in ballistics.
I’d probably go M2 over the covert. First world problems!
