DRD Tactical Range Day: CDR-15, Aptus SBR & Kivaari 338 Lapua Mag
Megan Plete Postol 05.12.21
On a cold, blustery Thursday in late April, I joined Otis Technology – the parent company of DRD Tactical – and social media influencer Nikki Boxler on the Otis Technology gun range to try out some of the DRD Tactical firearms. Boxler and I were on a mission to test out three firearms from DRD Tactical’s line: the CDR-15, Aptus SBR, and Kivaari .338 Lapua Magnum. These rifles are designed for elite military and law enforcement with a need for discreet carry. (We were also given the opportunity to shoot Ohio Ordnance Works OOW240B and OOW249 Para, but that’s another story for another day).
Otis Technology acquired the quick-takedown rifle manufacturer DRD Tactical in 2019. Famous for the Breech-to-Muzzle cleaning system, Otis Technology manufactures gun cleaning systems and supplies for the military, law enforcement, competitive shooters, and sportsmen.
They are headquartered in Lyons Falls, New York. On hand to help out at the range were some Otis staffers including DRD Tactical Sales Manager Matt Ferland, Military Sales Manager Greg Essenlohr, DRD Tactical Project Manager Jesse Grigsby, Otis Technology CEO Larry Williams, and others. DRD Tactical was founded in 2010 after being challenged to build a 7.62mm rifle that fit in a briefcase to meet the whitepaper request for the Clandestine Sniper Rifle project listed by the Joint and Special Operations Program. While in development, two DRD patents were developed: the quick barrel change system and the internal recoil system.
These two patents would become the backbone of future rifles developed for DRD Tactical. All DRD Rifles have this patented quick takedown rifle technology that claims “from box to built in under 60 seconds.” We timed DRD Tactical Sales Manager Matt Ferland while assembling the CDR-15 and his assembly time clocked in at just 19 seconds.
DRD Tactical CDR-15 5.56mm NATO – Specifications
- Cartridge: 5.56mm NATO | .300 AAC Blackout
- Operation: Semi-Automatic, Direct-Impingement, Gas-Operated
- Major Components: Upper Receiver, Lower Receiver, and Handguard machined from U.S. Billet Aircraft Aluminum
- Barrel: 16″ with 1 in 7″ Twist Rate (for both 5.56mm NATO & .300 AAC Blackout)
- Controls and Safety Selector: Mil-Spec
- Charging Handle: Mil-Spec
- Stock: Magpul® MOE
- Handguard: 15″ Full-Length MIL STD 1913 Rail at 12 O’Clock and M-Lok® Compatible
- Weight: 6.9 Pounds (Empty/Unloaded)
- Trigger: Mil-Spec with 5 Pound Pull Weight
- Overall Length: 33″
- Magazine: Two 30-Round Magpul® magazines (magazine capacity firearm ships with is subject to state restrictions)
- Muzzle Device: Mil-Spec A2 Bird Cage Flash Hider
- Finish Options: Hardcoat Type III Anodizing (Black) or NIB Battleworn
- Storage Options: 18.27″ x 14.41″ Hard Case or Backpack
The CDR-15 ranges in cost from $1,950 – $2,300. It is a no-nonsense, AR patterned, quick take-down, semi-auto rifle. This rifle was sturdy, accurate, and performed perfectly.
DRD Tactical Aptus SBR (Short Barrel Rifle) .300 AAC Blackout – Specifications
- Cartridge: 5.56mm NATO | .300 AAC Blackout
- Operation: Semi-Automatic, Direct-Impingement, Gas-Operated
- Major Components: Upper Receiver, Lower Receiver, and Handguard machined from U.S. Billet Aircraft Aluminum
- Barrel: 10.5″
- Controls: Ambidextrous Safety Selector and Bolt-Catch
- Charging Handle: Non-Reciprocating, Left-Side Charging Handle
- Stock: Adjustable Folding Stock
- Handguard: 15″ Full-Length MIL STD 1913 Rail at 12 O’Clock and M-Lok® Compatible
- Weight: 7 Pounds (Empty/Unloaded)
- Trigger: Mil-Spec with 4.5 Pound Pull Weight
- Magazine: Two 30-Round Magpul® magazines (magazine capacity firearm ships with is subject to state restrictions)
- Muzzle Device: Mil-Spec A2 Bird Cage Flash Hider
- Finish Options: Hardcoat Type III Anodizing (Black) or NIB Battleworn
- Storage Options: 18.27″ x 14.41″ Hard Case or Backpack
The Aptus ranges in price from $2,500 – $2,900. We shot the Aptus SBR, which is no longer being manufactured, but the specifications are the same, other than the barrel length. Something unique about the Aptus is that it has an ambidextrous safety selector, bolt catch, and a left-side, non-reciprocating charging handle. In addition to it being precise, the Aptus SBR Takedown rifle was extremely fun to shoot!
DRD Tactical Kivaari .338 Lapua Magnum – Specifications
- Cartridge: .338 Lapua Magnum
- Operation: Semi-Automatic, Direct-Impingement, Gas-Operated
- Major Components: Upper Receiver, Lower Receiver, and Handguard machined from U.S. Billet Aircraft Aluminum
- Barrel: 24″ with 1 in 10″ Twist Rate
- Controls: Ambidextrous Safety Selector and Bolt-Catch
- Charging Handle: Non-Reciprocating, Left-Side Charging Handle
- Stock: Magpul PRS Fully-Adjustable
- Handguard: 17″ QD Rail with Magpul M-Lok® for Mounting Accessories
- Weight: 13.6 Pounds (Empty/Unloaded)
- Trigger: 2-Stage Match with 4.5 Pound Pull Weight
- Overall Length: 47″
- Magazine: Two 10-Round (magazine capacity firearm ships with is subject to state restrictions)
- Muzzle Device: 4-Port Muzzle Brake with 3/4″x24 TPI Thread
- Storage Options: 28.87″ x 16.77″ Hard Case or Backpack
- Finish Options: Hardcoat Type III Anodizing (Black), NIB Battleworn, or Flat Dark Earth (FDE)
The Kivaari price range is from $5,500 – $6,250. The name Kivaari comes from the Finnish word for rifle. Of the three DRD Tactical rifles we shot at the range that day, the Kivaari was by far my favorite. With its long-range power and manageable recoil, it was – like the CDR-15 and the Aptus – an absolute “blast” to shoot (pun intended). All three are sleek, sturdy, and powerful. They come with two storage options: a hard, shiny, briefcase-style case or a soft, canvas-like backpack case. The DRD Tactical team takes pride in these firearms, and that’s immediately apparent when you get the chance to try them out. All three are very impressive rifles. If you are in the market for concealable, accurate, quick-assembly rifles, I highly recommend keeping DRD Tactical on your short list.
