Heckler & Koch PSG1

PSG1/MSG-90
The PSG1
Type	Sniper rifle
Place of origin	West Germany
Service history
In service	1972-present
Used by	See Users
Production history
Designer	Heckler & Koch GmbH
Designed	1970s
Manufacturer	Heckler & Koch GmbH SEDENA (licensed)
Produced	1972–present
Variants	PSG1A1, MSG90, MSG90A1
Specifications
Weight	7.2 kg (15.87 lb)
Length	1,230 mm (48.4 in)
Barrel length	650 mm (25.6 in)
Width	59 mm (2.3 in)
Height	258 mm (10.2 in) with telescopic sight

Cartridge	7.62x51mm NATO
Action	Roller-delayed blowback
Muzzle velocity	868 m/s (2,848 ft/s)
Effective range	800 m
Feed system	5- or 20-round detachable box magazine or 50-round drum
Sights	Hendsoldt ZF6x42PSG1 telescopic sight with illuminated reticle

The PSG1 (Präzisionsschützengewehr, German for "precision marksman rifle") is a semi-automatic rifle designed by the German company Heckler & Koch of Oberndorf am Neckar.

1 Development
2 Design details
3 Variants
- 3.1 PSG1A1
- 3.2 MSG90
4 In the US
5 Users
6 See also
7 References
8 External links

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 could not engage the terrorists quickly enough to prevent them from killing their hostages. H&K was then commissioned to create a high accuracy, large magazine capacity, semi-automatic rifle for police and military use.

Design details

The PSG1 is mechanically based on the G3 rifle and features a low-noise bolt closing device (similar to the forward assist on many M16 rifles). Its expected accuracy is below 1 minute of arc (MOA) with match ammunition and it is considered to be one of the most accurate semi-automatic sniper rifles in the world.^[1] In the hands of a professional shooter, the PSG1 is capable of putting 50 rounds of match grade inside of an 80 mm circle at 300 meters (3.14 in circle at 328 yd).

In tests conducted by the United States Army Infantry Board in 1982, the PSG1, referred to as a "semi-automatic, delayed-blowback operated weapon used by a foreign Special Forces organization"; yielded worse accuracy than the M21 and M40 rifle.^[2]

PSG1s are not supplied with iron sights but come equipped with the Hensoldt ZF6x42PSG1 scope with an illuminated reticle. The scope has a built-in 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.

Another unique characteristic of the PSG1 is that after firing, the cartridge casing is ejected with substantial force, reportedly enough to throw it approximately 10 meters to the side. While this is generally not an issue for law enforcement snipers, it greatly compromises the military use of the rifle, because it would easily give away the sniper's position. The brass is also difficult to find for clearing the area of usage marks afterwards, due to the wide area in which it could have landed. Not only does this rifle eject brass some distance, but it crimps the casing severely, meaning most casings cannot be reused. The PSG1 also has a fluted chamber that does not allow the use of subsonic ammunition normally used in conjunction with a sound suppressor or built-in silencer.

Variants

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 often physically interfered 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 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 3-12x50 Police Marksman II scope, mounted on 34 mm (1.3 in) rings. One last modification involved converting the SG 550 Sniper stock to work with the PSG1. The H&K rifle now has a completely side-folding adjustable target stock removing a solid 10 inches in overall length. To remedy brass ejection a brass catcher must be installed.

MSG90

The MSG90 is a militarized variant of the PSG1, that is both strengthened and lightened. The PSG1 and MSG90 share the same trigger group and adjustable trigger pull. 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. Some MSG90s have a basic G3 barrel instead of the PSG1's heavy barrel, but remain free-floating. As a result, these particular MSG90s are capable of attaching a suppressor, which is an advantage over the PSG1.

The sighting system utilizes the multipurpose Weaver rail system rather than the STANAG 2324 claw mount for affixing sighting systems which can be purchased separately. This same rail 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.

In the US

Due to its high cost and import ban, the number of PSG1s in the United States is (as of 2005) fewer than 400, mostly in the hands of wealthy private collectors, and currently sells for between US$12,000 and US$15,000.^[3] Contrary to popular belief, very few American law enforcement agencies make use of the PSG1; however, the MSG90 can be found in many different units. Another popular misconception is that the PSG1 is used by the German elite counter terrorist unit GSG 9. GSG 9 marksmen make use of the AMP Technical Services DSR-1 rifle. However, many German Spezialeinsatzkommando teams (SWAT equivalent) use the PSG1.

Users

The MSG90SDN held by a Mexican soldier. Notice the longer barrel of this version.

Country	Organization Name	Model
Bulgaria	Army Special Forces^[4]	MSG90A1
France	1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment of the French Army^[5]	MSG90
Germany	SEK teams of the State police forces^[6]	-
India	National Security Guard^[7]	-
Indonesia	Komando Pasukan Katak (Kopaska) tactical diver group of the Indonesian Navy^[8]	MSG90
Indonesia	Komando Pasukan Khusus (Kopassus) special forces group of the Indonesian Army^[8]	MSG90
Lithuania	Lithuanian Armed Forces^[9]	MSG90A1
Luxembourg	Unité Spéciale de la Police intervention unit of the Grand Ducal Police^[10]^[11]^[12]	PSG1
Malaysia	11th Grup Gerak Khas (GGK) Counter-Terrorism Army Squad of the Malaysian Army^[13]	MSG90A1
	Pasukan Khas Laut (PASKAL) Maritime Counter-Terrorism Squad of the Royal Malaysian Navy^[14]	MSG90A1
	Pasukan Khas Udara (PASKAU) Counter-Terrorism Air Force Team of the Royal Malaysian Air Force^[15]	PSG1A1
	Pasukan Gerakan Khas Counter-Terrorism Police Squad of the Royal Malaysian Police^[15]	PSG1
Netherlands	Dienst Speciale Interventies (DSI) Unit Expertise & Operationele Ondersteuning police snipers of the Korps landelijke politiediensten Special Intervention Service.^[16]	PSG-1
Pakistan	Special Service Group of the Pakistan Army. Produced under license by Pakistan Ordnance Factories^[17]	PSR-90
Spain	Grupo Especial de Operaciones of the Spanish police^[18]	-
South Korea	ROKN SEALs of the South Korean Navy^[19]	MSG90, PSG1
South Korea	Special Mission Group, ROKN SEALs^[20]	MSG90, PSG1
Taiwan^[19]		-
United States	Hostage Rescue Team of the Federal Bureau of Investigation^[21]	PSG1