Heckler & Koch PSG1

The PSG1 (Präzisions Schützen-Gewehr, German for "precision shooting rifle") is a semi-automatic sniper rifle designed and produced by the German company Heckler & Koch of Oberndorf am Neckar.

Heckler & Koch PSG1
PSG1
TypeSniper rifle
Place of originWest Germany
Service history
In service1972–present
Used bySee Users
WarsIraqi Civil War (2014–2017)
Yemeni Civil War (2015–present)
Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen
Production history
DesignerHeckler & Koch GmbH
Designed1968
Manufacturer
Produced1972–present
Variants
  • PSG1A1
  • MSG90
  • MSG90A1
Specifications
Mass7.2 kg (15.87 lb)
Length1,230 mm (48.4 in)
Barrel length650 mm (25.6 in)
Width59 mm (2.3 in)
Height258 mm (10.2 in) with telescopic sight
Cartridge7.62×51mm NATO
ActionRoller-delayed blowback
Muzzle velocity868 m/s (2,848 ft/s) (Bullet velocities are highly variable as this metric is dependent on bullet weight and both the powder used and the weight of the powder charge. The velocity shown above is only a representative sample measurement.)
Effective firing range1,000 m (3,281 ft)
Feed system5, 10 or 20-round detachable box magazine. 50 round drum also compatible.
SightsHensoldt ZF 6×42 PSG1 telescopic sight with illuminated reticle

Development

This rifle is said to have been developed in response to the Munich massacre at the 1972 Summer Olympics. The West German police units at the time lacked the precision shooting capability to effectively neutralize the terrorists to prevent the hostages being killed. H&K was then commissioned to create a high-accuracy, large-magazine capacity, semi-automatic rifle for law enforcement and military use.[1]

In addition, the rifle has been licensed for local production in Pakistan by Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) as the PSR-90 and Mexico by DGIM as the Fusil Morelos Bicentenario, a heavily redesigned variant featuring an AR-15 style forward assist and an adjustable gas system for recoil optimization.

Design details

The PSG1 is mechanically based on the Heckler & Koch G3 battle rifle that employs a roller-delayed blowback operating system. Its shot-to-shot variation is expected to be better than 1 minute of angle (MOA) with match ammunition. This level of accuracy is only average compared to most modern bolt action sniper rifles, but is still exceptional for a semi-automatic rifle and at one time was claimed to be "one of the most accurate semi-automatic sniper rifles in the world."[2]

The rifle has a strengthened receiver with rails welded over the channels where a retractable buttstock would slide and features numerous other upgrades and such to meet the necessities of police sniper units. The two sliding locking rollers that hold the bolt in battery during firing are not cylindrical shaped like in normal G3 rifles, but semi-cylindrical shaped to offer a non-random more precise positioning on corresponding flat surfaces in the barrel extension locking recesses. The PSG1 also features a low-noise bolt closing device (similar to the forward assist on many M16 rifles).

PSG1s are not supplied with iron sights but come equipped with the Hensoldt ZF 6×42 PSG1 scope with an illuminated reticle. The scope has a built-in bullet drop compensation range adjustment feature which can be adjusted from 100 to 600 m.

It has a heavy free-floating barrel with polygonal rifling and an adjustable stock. The stock is of high impact matte black plastic and has a high degree of adjustment. It is adjustable for length, and includes a pivoting butt cap and a vertically-adjustable cheekpiece. The forend is fitted with a T-way rail for sling swivel or tripod.

The rifle also features a removable and adjustable trigger unit, for further individual fitting of the rifle. The trigger pull can be modified and the whole assembly is removable from the pistol grip. The pistol grip is of a target-style with an adjustable palm shelf.

The PSG1's official suppressor is from Brügger & Thomet (B and T).[3]

PSG1A1

The PSG1A1 variant was introduced by Heckler & Koch in 2006, and features two major improvements. First, the cocking handle was relocated a couple of degrees counter-clockwise. This was due to the fact that when locked rearward, it could physically interfere with the long scopes often used on the rifles. The second modification involved the replacement of the outdated Hensoldt scope. Non-police users often found the scope's 600 m range limitation and simple crosshairs inadequate for their needs. In addition, the rechargeable batteries are difficult to recharge and for which to find replacements. A final fault is that Hensoldt does not service the scope in the United States. For these reasons, the PSG1A1 has been outfitted with a Schmidt & Bender 3–12×50 Police Marksman II scope, mounted on 34 mm (1.3 in) rings. To remedy brass ejection a brass catcher must be installed.

MSG90
Heckler & Koch MSG90
TypeDesignated marksman rifle
Place of originGermany
Service history
In service1990–present
Used bySee Users
Production history
DesignerHeckler & Koch
Designed1987
ManufacturerHeckler & Koch
Produced1990–present
Variants
  • MSG90A1
  • MSG90A2
Specifications
Mass6.3 kg (13.89 lb)
Length1,230 mm (48.4 in)
Barrel length600 mm (23.6 in)
Width59 mm (2.3 in)
Height258 mm (10.2 in) with telescopic sight
Cartridge7.62×51mm NATO
ActionRoller-delayed blowback
Muzzle velocity868 m/s (2,848 ft/s) (Bullet velocities are highly variable as this metric is dependent on bullet weight and both the powder used and the weight of the powder charge. The velocity shown above is only a representative sample measurement.)
Effective firing range1,000 m (3,281 ft)
Feed system5 or 20-round magazine
SightsHensoldt ZF 6×42 PSG1 telescopic sight with illuminated reticle

The MSG90 (Militärisches Scharfschützen-Gewehr, German for "militarized sharp-shooting rifle") is a militarized variant of the PSG1 that is both strengthened and lightened while less expensive.[4] Compared to the PSG1 which is regarded as a pure sniper rifle, the MSG90 can fill the role of a designated marksman rifle.[5][6]

The PSG1 and MSG90 have different trigger packs. The MSG90 uses a modified version of the push pin trigger packs of H&K roller locked select-fire assault rifles. The composite shoulder stock of the MSG90 is adjustable for height (cheek), length of pull (shoulder), and is smaller and lighter than that of the PSG1. MSG90s have a slightly shorter contoured barrel to help with harmonic stabilization and consistent whip instead of the PSG1's heavy barrel, but remain free-floating. As a result, these particular MSG90 A1s have a threaded barrel capable of attaching a suppressor, which is an advantage over the PSG1.

The sighting system uses the multipurpose Weaver rail mount rather than the Picatinny rail for affixing sighting systems which can be purchased separately. This same scope mounting system is used on the HK21E, HK23E, and G41 (discontinued) series.

The barrel is weighted at the muzzle to aid harmonic stabilization of barrel whip to enhance accuracy. The addition of a flash suppressor adds to the overall length.

MSG90A2

The MSG90 A2 is the militarized version of the PSG1 A1 sniper rifle. It has many of the same features as the PSG1 A1, but has been tailored to the special requirements of military users. Various modifications have been made to reduce the weight of the MSG90 A2 by approximately 1 kg compared to the PSG1 A1.

MSG90 A2 | Technical Data MSG90 A2 – CAL. 7.62 MM X 51 NATO General Calibre 7.62 mm x 51 Operating principle Delayed roller locked bolt Magazine capacity 5/20 rounds Modes of fire 0-1 Sights O Buttstock ASB Dimensions Length min./max. approx. 1179/1218 mm Width approx. 59.0 mm Height approx. 265.0 mm Barrel length approx. 600 mm Weight Weapon approx. 6,300 g Magazine approx. 190/280 g

Users
Country Organization Model Quantity Date Reference
Albania Special forces – – _ [7]
Bangladesh Bangladesh Army MSG90 _ _
Brazil Special Forces of Brazilian Army, Air Force, Marines, many law enforcement units PSG-1 _ _
Bulgaria Military Police, Special Forces and infantry of Bulgarian Army PSG-1A1 _ _
Croatia Special police Croatia and Special Operations Battalion Special Operations Battalion (Croatia) PSG-1 _ _
Egypt Egypt Sa'ka Forces and Rapid Deployment Forces
Denmark Danish special forces have in a few public events in the 1990s been photographed with MSG90 versions but they are now obsolete. MSG90 _ _
Finland Karhu Team (Special Operations Unit of the Helsinki police department) PSG-1 _ _ [8]
France 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment of the French Army MSG90 _ _ [9]
Hong Kong Special Duties Unit _ _ _ _
India National Security Guard
MARCOS
Indian Army
OCTOPUS
Greyhounds		 – _ _ [10][11]
Indonesia Komando Pasukan Katak (Kopaska) tactical diver group of the Indonesian Navy MSG90 _ _ [12]
Komando Pasukan Khusus (Kopassus) special forces group of the Indonesian Army MSG90 _ _ [12]
Iraq Iraqi Armed Forces MSG90A1 _ _ [13]
Japan Special Assault Team PSG-1 _ _ [14]
Lithuania Lithuanian Armed Forces MSG90A1 _ _ [13]
Luxembourg Unité Spéciale de la Police intervention unit of the Grand Ducal Police PSG1 _ _ [15][16][17]
Macau Grupo de Operações Especiais (Macau) _ _ _
Malaysia 11th Grup Gerak Khas (GGK) Special Operation Unit of the Malaysian Army MSG90A1 _ _ [18]
Pasukan Khas Laut (PASKAL) Special Operation Unit of the Royal Malaysian Navy _ _ [19]
Pasukan Khas Udara (PASKAU) Special Operation Unit of the Royal Malaysian Air Force PSG1A1 _ _ [20]
Pasukan Gerakan Khas Tactical Counter-Terrorism Unit of the Royal Malaysia Police _ _
Mexico Standard marksman rifle of the Mexican Army
Also used by the Policía Federal		 MSG90SDN _ _ [21]
Netherlands Dienst Speciale Interventies (DSI) Unit Expertise & Operationele Ondersteuning police snipers of the Korps landelijke politiediensten Special Intervention Service. PSG1 _ _ [22]
Nepal Nepalese Army MSG90 100 _ [23]
Norway Hærens Jegerkommando (HJK), Army Special Forces Command and Marinejegerkommandoen (MJK), Navy Special Forces Command. MSG90 _ _ [24]
Pakistan Used by the Pakistan Army. Produced under license by Pakistan Ordnance Factories PSR 90 _ _ [25][26]
Philippines Philippine Army Special Operations Command
Presidential Security Group
Philippine National Police Special Action Force		 MSG90
PSG1		 _ _ [27]
Saudi Arabia Special Security Forces MSG90 _ _ [28]
South Africa South African Special Forces Brigade PSG1 _ _ [29]
Turkey Turkish Special Forces MSG90 _ _ [30][31]
Korea Republic of Korea Naval Special Warfare Brigade MSG90
PSG1		 _ _ [27]
Spain Grupo Especial de Operaciones of the Spanish police

Grup Especial d'Intervenció (GEI) of the Mossos d'Esquadra

 _ _ _ [32]
Taiwan _ _ _ _ [33]
Thailand Underwater Demolition Assault Unit, Royal Thai Air Force Security Force Regiment, Royal Thai Police MSG90
PSG1		 _ _
United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates Army _ _ _ _
United Kingdom Used as a precision (sniper) rifle by specialist firearms officers in the British police PSG1 – _ [34]
United States Hostage Rescue Team of the Federal Bureau of Investigation MSG90 _ _ [35]
Delta Force – 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D) _ _ [36]
Uruguay Uruguayan Army Special Forces MSG90 – _ [37]
Vietnam Mobile Police Force (Canh Sat Co Dong) PSR-90 _ _ [38]

Video Games

The PSG1 is featured in the 2010 shooter Call of Duty: Black Ops. It is available after you have purchased all other Sniper Rifles.

See also

References
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