Heckler & Koch PSG1 | |
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PSG1 on display
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Type | Semi-automatic sniper rifle |
Place of origin | West Germany |
Service history | |
In service | 1985–present |
Used by | See Users |
Production history | |
Designer | Heckler & Koch GmbH |
Designed | 1970s |
Manufacturer |
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Produced | 1972—2014 |
Variants |
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Specifications | |
Weight | 7.2 kg (15.87 lb) |
Length | 1,230 mm (48.4 in) |
Barrel length | 650 mm (25.6 in) 600 mm (23.6 in) (MSG-90) |
Width | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
Height | 258 mm (10.2 in) with telescopic sight |
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Cartridge | 7.62×51mm NATO |
Action | Roller-delayed blowback |
Muzzle velocity | 868 m/s (2,848 ft/s) (Bullet velocities are highly variable as this metric is dependant 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 range | 800 m (2,625 ft) |
Feed system | 5, 10 or 20-round detachable box magazine. 50 round drum also compatible. |
Sights | Hensoldt ZF 6×42 PSG1 telescopic sight with illuminated reticle |
Heckler & Koch MSG90 | |
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Type | Sniper rifle |
Place of origin | Germany |
Service history | |
In service | 1990–present |
Used by | See Users |
Production history | |
Designer | Heckler & Koch |
Designed | 1987 |
Manufacturer | Heckler & Koch |
Produced | 1990–present |
Variants |
|
Specifications | |
Weight | 7.2 kg (15.87 lb) |
Length | 1,230 mm (48.4 in) |
Barrel length | 600 mm (23.6 in) |
Width | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
Height | 258 mm (10.2 in) with telescopic sight |
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|
Cartridge | 7.62×51mm NATO |
Action | Roller-delayed blowback |
Muzzle velocity | 868 m/s (2,848 ft/s) (Bullet velocities are highly variable as this metric is dependant 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 range | 800 m (2,625 ft) |
Feed system | 5 or 20-round magazine |
Sights | Hensoldt ZF 6×42 PSG1 telescopic sight with illuminated reticle |
The PSG1 (Präzisionsschützengewehr, German for "precision shooting rifle") is a semi-automatic sniper rifle designed by the German company Heckler & Koch of Oberndorf am Neckar.
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.
In addition, the rifle has been licensed for local production in Pakistan by Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) as the PSR-90 and Mexico by SEDENA as the Morelos Bicentenario.
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 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 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."
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.