[SHOT Show 2017] MDT Scope Rings, Stock Option and ESS Chassis

Modular Driven Technologies (MDT) had a few new items in their booth at SHOT this year, but the one that was drawing the most attention was the ESS Chassis.  Also on hand, an unnamed stock and their redesigned scope rings.

SHOT Show 2017: MDT Scope Rings, Stock Option and ESS Chassis

MDT previewed their rings at last years SHOT Show but professed they weren't happy with the (then) final product. So back to the drawing board they went, and now a year later they have a production model they're willing to put their name on.  The new scope rings are beefy and well designed, and the rear ring even comes with a bubble level built in. This of course will help to make sure you're not canting your rifle when shooting.

We were also intrigued when they told us aboot [note: author is Canadian – ed.] the new stock option they designed for the LSS. The new stock doesn't have a name just yet, but it uses the same rear portion as their skeleton stock. The cheek piece can be adjusted up and down and can be rotated around the tube for perfect cheek weld. The tube will accept a buffer and spring so it can be used on an AR15 build. If being used on a rifle the tube can be cut down to shorten it for the perfect starting length and the adjustable pad can be used to fine tune the “fit.”

Now on to the belle of the ball: the MDT ESS Chassis. MDT consulted heavily with PRS shooters to find out what features they wanted in a rifle chassis; what they came up with was the ESS. The ESS uses a different magazine release then previous models so it's easy to access even with gloves on, and it's ambidextrous.

The chassis is set to the foundation of a series, with be estimated lineup of at least 12 different forends with varying rails, length and build matereial anticipated. This way the shooter will be able to specifically select real estate and attachments options to hook preferred optics and furniture, as well as the capacity to address weight concerns.

The last major thing to take note of is the stock itself. Being tired of being constrained to AR compatible stocks, MDT decided to design their own. While similar to their skeleton stock, this one has a laterally adjustable cheek piece, and there are plans to provide both a folding mechanism and light version in the future as well.

Check out more of MDT's work here.

This has been a special SHOT Show installment of Industry News. It is not a review nor an endorsement.

What is the NSSF SHOT Show?

The NSSF SHOT Show (Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show) and Conference is an annual event held by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Typically attended by thousands of people from all 50 states and over a hundred countries, it is (quite rightfully) described as the “…world's premier exposition of combined firearms, ammunition, law enforcement, cutlery, outdoor apparel, optics, and related products and services.

Imagine the Worlds' Fair, but packed with everything from mini-guns and every breed of body armor, bows and boots; from eye pro and ear pro to optics and ordnance, socks to swords…you get the idea. If you'd like to see a sampling of the companies who will be showing at this year's SHOT, there's a live map right here, though it doesn't reflect the organizations set up elsewhere, in hotel suites, etc

View imagery from our coverage of last year's SHOT Show here; 2015's is right here.

SHOT 2017 Schedule

January 15 — Special invite-only events; Veterans Training Fund/Wishes for Warriors at The Ranch, SIG Sauer Range Day, and others
January 16 — Media on the Range, Boulder City Rifle & Pistol Club
January 17 — 20, 2016

Sands Expo and Convention Center
Las Vegas, Nevada
Hours
Tuesday, January 17 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 18 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 19 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Friday, January 20 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.