PSG-1
Summary
| Country | 🇩🇪 Germany |
| Category | Sniper rifle |
| Manufacturer | Heckler & Koch |
Technical specifications
| PSG-1 | |
|---|---|
| Fire Rate | 30 rounds/min. |
| Caliber | .308 Winchester |
| Magazine | 5 - 20 rounds |
| Length | 1208 mm (47.6 in) |
| Weight | 8.1 kg (17.9 lb) |
| Range | 800 m (2625 ft) |
Description
The Heckler & Koch PSG1 (Präzisionsschützengewehr, or "precision marksman rifle") is a semi-automatic designated marksman rifle designed and produced by Heckler & Koch, the German arms manufacturer.
The rifle was reportedly developed in response to the 1972 Munich massacre during the Summer Olympics, after West German police units were found to lack the precision shooting capability needed to neutralize terrorists without harming hostages. Heckler & Koch was commissioned to create a highly accurate, semi-automatic rifle with a large magazine capacity for law enforcement and military use.
The PSG1 is based on the Heckler & Koch G3 battle rifle, and utilizes a roller-delayed blowback operating system. Its expected shot-to-shot variation is cited as better than 1 minute of angle (MOA) with match ammunition. While this accuracy is average compared to modern bolt action sniper rifles, it was considered exceptional for a semi-automatic rifle, and was once claimed to be among the most accurate semi-automatic sniper rifles in the world.
The rifle incorporates a strengthened receiver, with rails welded where a retractable buttstock would normally slide, alongside upgrades intended for police sniper units. The two sliding locking rollers are semi-cylindrical shaped for precise positioning, and the PSG1 includes a low-noise bolt closing device. The rifles are not equipped with iron sights, but are supplied with the Hensoldt ZF 6×42 PSG1 scope, featuring an illuminated reticle and a built-in bullet drop compensation adjustable from 100 to 600 meters. It features a heavy free-floating barrel with polygonal rifling. The stock is made of high impact matte black plastic, offering adjustments for length, a pivoting butt cap, and a vertically-adjustable cheekpiece. The forend is fitted with a T-way rail. The trigger unit is removable and adjustable, and the pistol grip is a target-style design with an adjustable palm shelf. The official suppressor is from Brügger & Technet.
The PSG1A1 variant, introduced in 2006, features improvements such as:
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A cocking handle relocated slightly counter-clockwise to avoid interference with long scopes
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The replacement of the Hensoldt scope with a Schmidt & Bender 3–12×50 Police Marksman II scope mounted on 34 mm rings, addressing issues with the Hensoldt scope's 600m range limit, simple crosshairs, difficult-to-manage rechargeable batteries, and lack of U.S. service.
Brass ejection requires a brass catcher installation.
The MSG90 (Militärisches Scharfschützengewehr, or "militarized sharp-shooting rifle") is a militarized variant of the PSG1, designed to be strengthened, lightened, and less expensive. It fills the role of a designated marksman rifle, while the PSG1 is regarded as a pure sniper rifle. The MSG90 uses a modified version of H&K roller-delayed select-fire assault rifle trigger packs. Its composite shoulder stock is adjustable, smaller and lighter than the PSG1's. MSG90s have a slightly shorter contoured free-floating barrel to assist with harmonic stabilization. The barrel is threaded for attaching a suppressor, and the sighting system uses a Weaver rail mount. The barrel is weighted at the muzzle for stabilization, and a flash suppressor is included. The MSG90A2 is also listed as a variant.