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| 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 |
| Designed | 1970s |
| Manufacturer | Heckler & Koch 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 |
|
|
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| 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 |
| Sights | Hendsoldt ZF6x42PSG1 telescopic sight with illuminated reticle |
The PSG1 (Präzisionsscharfschützengewehr, German for "precision sharpshooter rifle") is a semi-automatic rifle designed by the German company Heckler & Koch of Oberndorf am Neckar.
Contents |
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.[citation needed]
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) and it is considered to be one of the most accurate semi-automatic sniper rifles in the world. 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).
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 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 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 government 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 goes for between US$12,000 and US$15,000.[citation needed] Consequently, 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
Bulgaria: MSG90A1 used by the Army Special Forces.[1]
France: MSG90 used by specialized units of the French Army, including the 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment.[2]
India: Used by the National Security Guard.[3]
Luxembourg: The Unité Spéciale de la Police intervention unit of the Grand Ducal Police has the PSG1 rifle in their inventory.[4][5][6]
Malaysia: The PSG1A1 versions used by PASKAU and Pasukan Gerakan Khas.[7]
Mexico: Used as a sniper rifle by the Grupo Aeromóvil de Fuerzas Especiales.[8] The MSG90SDN is a Mexican-produced variant featuring a slightly longer barrel and a built in bipod, although it can be removed with the included tools.[citation needed]
Pakistan: Used by the Special Service Group of the Pakistan Army.[9] Produced under license by Pakistan Ordnance Factories as the PSR-90.
Spain: Used by the Grupo Especial de Operaciones.[10]
Taiwan[11]
South Korea[12]
See also
References
- ^ "Снайпер на "Heckler & Koch" заменя снайперската винтовка "Драгунов"". BG Army Newspaper. http://bgarmy.eamci.bg/Scripts/isapiVWB.dll/doc?THEMEID=98953. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
- ^ "HK MSG90" (in French). French Army. 2009. http://www.defense.gouv.fr/terre/decouverte/materiels/materiels_specifiques/hk_msg90. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
- ^ Bharat Rakshak (2008). "NATIONAL SECURITY GUARDS". Bharat Rakshak. http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/NSG.html. Retrieved 2009-10-02.
- ^ "Unofficial Pistols Page, Equipment". http://USP.lu - Unofficial Website of Unité Spéciale, Officially Endorsed. http://www.usp.lu/armement-pistolets-fr.php. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
- ^ "L'Unite d'Intervention de la Police Luxembourgeoise" (in French). RAIDS Magazine. March 2006. http://www.usp.lu/media/raids.pdf. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
- ^ Lasterra, Juan Pablo (2004). "UPS Unidad Especial de la Policia Luxembourguesa" (in Spanish). ARMAS Magazine. http://www.usp.lu/media/armas.pdf. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
- ^ Thompson, Leroy (December 2008). "Malaysian Special Forces". Special Weapons. http://www.tactical-life.com/online/special-weapons/malaysian-special-forces. Retrieved 2009-11-29.
- ^ "History of Mexican Special Forces (GAFES)". 2008-01-22. http://mexicotrucker.com/history-of-mexican-special-forces-gafes.
- ^ "Pakdef.info - Pakistan Military Consortium: Special Service Group". Saad, S.; Ali, M.; Shabbir, Usman. 1998. http://www.pakdef.info/pakmilitary/army/regiments/ssg.html. Retrieved 2009-08-15.
- ^ "Grupo Especial de Operaciones - Fusiles de precisión" (in Spanish). www.policia.es. http://www.policia.es/geo/fusiles_preci.htm. Retrieved 2009-12-10.
- ^ Jones, Richard (2009). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009-2010. Jane's Information Group. p. 903. ISBN 0710628692.
- ^ Jones, Richard (2009). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009-2010. Jane's Information Group. p. 903. ISBN 0710628692.
External links
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