Despite what your girlfriend or wife may have told you, sometimes shorter is better… and the Desert Tech SRS A2 has to be the shortest, most compact, fully capable, long-range rifle ever devised. This is actually a bullpup rifle, and what that means is the rifle can be shortened by placing components like the firing mechanism and magazine in the stock behind the trigger, allowing the barrel to be moved rearward. This allows you to retain full-size barrel length and the advantages, such as greater muzzle velocity and potential accuracy, in a smaller, more compact package.Â
Essentially, bull pups use all the space in the stock that is normally wasted in a traditional rifle. This does present some new challenges and a new system of arms, but I actually feel that the whole bull pup idea actually translates better in a long-range bolt action rifle than it does in a semi-auto rifle. The reason I say that is you get more returns from the basic premise of the platform. When you convert a traditional semi-auto rifle to a bullpup, the entire rifle length goes down by a few inches.Â
For instance, if you take a normal 16-inch AR like this BCM with the stock collapsed, it measures thirty-two and a half inches. Compared to a bullpup semi-auto like the IWI X95 at twenty-seven and a half inches, that gives you a loss of about 5 inches going with the bullpup platform. Now, to be fair, you’d probably want to extend the stock on the BCM a couple of inches to make it comfortable to shoot. That is great, but there is nothing like a loss in length in the precision rifle category. This is my Bergara LRP Elite in 6.5 Creedmoor, and I love this rifle, but it does measure in at a monstrous forty-seven and a half inches of overall length. Compared to the Desert Tech SRS A2 at a mere twenty-nine inches, that’s a loss in overall length of eighteen and a half inches!
With an overall length of twenty-nine inches, the Desert Tech SRS A2 is insanely small for a precision rifle. It’s actually closer in overall length to a sub-gun or SBR than it is to anything else. It also weighs in at a mere 8.3 pounds, making it plenty light enough to be very agile. Bullpup ergonomics can be odd. However, I feel like the ergonomics transfer better on a bolt action rifle. Mainly, because, well, you’re still working a bolt, and you’re not trying to perform quick reloads as often as you would be with a semi-auto rifle.
The Desert Tech SRS A2 Covert really capitalizes on its short stature by going with a shorter than traditional 6.5 Creedmoor barrel at 18 inches. I actually wish that more companies would at least offer shorter barrels for their 6.5 Creed guns. This rifle, with this barrel length, still got shots effectively on at 1000 yards and was razor-accurate at 700 yards. I just feel for most shooters, that is more than adequate, and we don’t all necessarily need 24-inch Creedmoor barrels.
Live Inventory Price Checker
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Desert Tech SRS A2 .338 Norma Mag 27" 1:9" 3/4"x24 5rd Conversion Kit SRS-CK-H27R | EuroOptic.com | $ 1975.00 $ 999.99 |
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Desert Tech SRS A2 Covert .300 Win Mag 18" RH 5rd Conversion Kit SRS-CK-B18R | EuroOptic.com | $ 1825.00 $ 1399.99 |
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Desert Tech SRS A2 .338 Lapua Mag 26" RH 5rd Conversion Kit SRS-CK-G26R | EuroOptic.com | $ 1736.99 |
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Desert Tech SRS A2 .260 Rem 26" 3/4"x24 RH 6rd Conversion Kit SRS-CK1-A26R | EuroOptic.com | $ 1728.00 $ 810.00 |
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Let’s take a look at ergonomics for a second because sometimes bull pups can take a lot of getting used to. However, I don’t think you’ll really find that with the Desert Tech SRS. Let me just say, that I think the overall ergonomics of the SRS are very well thought out and exceptional. The length of pull can be adjusted with spacers in the stock, and the cheek riser can also be customized to the shooter. The grip is extremely comfortable and works great whether you want to use it as a traditional pistol grip or take a more precision-style grip with your thumb on the same side as the rest of your hand. Bullpup triggers kind of have a reputation for being, well, let’s just say, lousy. Not the case with the Desert Tech SRS A2. This trigger is outstanding. The shoe has a very nice flat face on it, allowing you to get a good, consistent pull. Mine is very crisp and pulling at just under 2 pounds. The trigger is also adjustable and can be adjusted even lower if you so desire. I just kept mine just the way it shipped, and it is working phenomenally well for me. In my opinion, the Monopod is a must-have and an awesome addition to the SRS. It is completely housed in the stock and, when collapsed, is virtually unnoticed. Pull on the base, and it will quickly deploy, and then it can be twisted to fine-tune your elevation. The first week we had the rifle, we actually didn’t have the monopod, and I found using the monopod much more comfortable and preferable than sandbagging this particular rifle.
Another really cool thing to note about this rifle system is that it can easily change calibers at the user level in minutes. You can swap barrels and switch to a number of popular calibers, all the way up to 338 Lapua Magnum. That does potentially give the platform more versatility, especially if you want to try another caliber without buying an entirely new rifle.
The Desert Tech SRS A2 Covert is an absolutely outstanding rifle, and I love the fact that it is a fully capable long-range precision rifle in an amazingly small and compact package. It’s so nice being able to get your long-range gun in a bag you would normally put an AR in, rather than some massive drag bag. I think for more practical use, and I could really see this rifle shining in law enforcement use. Because of its compact size, it would be very easy to maneuver into any spot, set up quickly, and be ready to take a very accurate shot. Now, unfortunately, like most things that are really nice, it is on the expensive side. But if your budget allows it, I would highly recommend the Desert Tech SRS A2 covert; I assure you it won’t disappoint. It will deliver everything a full-size precision rifle will in a much smaller, more compact package.
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Do you think it’s relevant to mention that these guns start at $4300? Twice the price of that Bergara LRP. I think I would deal with the extra length…
The initial premise of bullpups was that getting a longer barrel in a shorter overall package meant keeping the better ballistics offered by barrel length. That premise cropped up decades ago when trying to get .308 performance out of a smaller package carried by troops using mechanized transportation. It was a transition period before alternative, smaller combat rounds were found acceptable. Command was forced to recognize troops weren’t marching cross country and the pace of battle was forcing them into armored personnel carriers to keep up. There is implied in that premise that only longer barrels could maintain the ballistics,… Read more »
And the cost is…?
Perhaps you should do a little research on the family that owns this company. You might find out that they are known as the Kingston clan. A fundamentalist mormon group that has been many times convicted of child sex crimes as well as forcing young girls into marriage with older relatives. They may in fact be manufacturing a nice rifle. But I for one do not wish to finance their perverted crimes against man and God.