Jump to content

Heckler & Koch PSG1

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Thedonz (talk | contribs) at 18:41, 17 March 2011. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

PSG1/MSG-90
The PSG1
TypeSniper rifle
Place of origin West Germany
Service history
In service1972-present
Used bySee Users
Production history
DesignerHeckler & Koch GmbH
Designed1970s
ManufacturerHeckler & Koch GmbH
SEDENA (licensed)
Produced1972–present
VariantsPSG1A1, MSG90, MSG90A1
Specifications
MassTemplate:Kg to lb
LengthTemplate:Mm to in
Barrel length650 mm (25.6 in)
Width59 mm (2.3 in)
Height258 mm (10.2 in) with telescopic sight
Cartridge7.62x51mm NATO
ActionRoller-delayed blowback
Muzzle velocity868 m/s (2,848 ft/s)
Effective firing range800 m
Feed system5- or 20-round detachable box magazine
SightsHendsoldt 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.

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 shot-to-shot variation is expected to be better than 1 minute of arc (MOA) with match ammunition. Although this level of accuracy is unremarkable in modern semi-automatic rifles, it is none the less claimed that the PSG1 is "one of the most accurate semi-automatic sniper rifles in the world."[1]

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.[citation needed]

Users

File:MSG-90SDN.jpg
The MSG90SDN held by a Mexican soldier. Notice the longer barrel of this version.
Country Organization Name Model
 Albania Special forces[4] -
 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
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
 Mexico Standard marksman rifle of the Mexican Army [16] MSG90SDN
 Netherlands Dienst Speciale Interventies (DSI) Unit Expertise & Operationele Ondersteuning police snipers of the Korps landelijke politiediensten Special Intervention Service.[17] PSG-1
 Norway [Hærens Jegerkommando] (HJK), Army Special Forces Command and [Marinejegerkommandoen] (MJK), Navy Special Forces Command. [18] [19] MSG90
 Pakistan Special Service Group of the Pakistan Army. Produced under license by Pakistan Ordnance Factories[20] PSR-90
 Spain Grupo Especial de Operaciones of the Spanish police[21] -
 South Korea ROKN SEALs of the South Korean Navy[22] MSG90, PSG1
 Taiwan[23] - -
 United States Hostage Rescue Team of the Federal Bureau of Investigation[24] PSG1
 Hong Kong Special Duties Unit, Hong Kong Police Force PSG1

See also

References

  1. ^ 2008 Heckler & Koch Military and LE brochure
  2. ^ [1] AMSAA Technical report No. 461
  3. ^ http://www.gunsamerica.com/949900522/Guns/Rifles/Tactical-Sniper-Rifles/H_K_PSG1.htm $8,000
  4. ^ http://www.specialoperations.com/Foreign/Albania/Default.htm
  5. ^ "HK MSG90" (in French). French Army. 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  6. ^ http://www.visier.de/bilder/pdf/visier_inhalt_1996-2008.pdf
  7. ^ Bharat Rakshak (2008). "NATIONAL SECURITY GUARDS". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 2009-10-02.
  8. ^ a b "Kopassus & Kopaska - Specijalne Postrojbe Republike Indonezije" (in Croatian). Hrvatski Vojnik Magazine. Retrieved 2010-06-12.
  9. ^ http://kariuomene.kam.lt/lt/ginkluote_ir_karine_technika/snaiperiniai_sautuvai/snaiperinis_sautuvas_hk_msg-90a1.html
  10. ^ "Unofficial Pistols Page, Equipment". http://USP.lu - Unofficial Website of Unité Spéciale, Officially Endorsed. Retrieved 2009-10-06. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ "L'Unite d'Intervention de la Police Luxembourgeoise" (PDF) (in French). RAIDS Magazine. March 2006. Retrieved 2009-09-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: year (link)
  12. ^ Lasterra, Juan Pablo (2004). "UPS Unidad Especial de la Policia Luxembourguesa" (PDF) (in Spanish). ARMAS Magazine. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
  13. ^ "Grup Gerak Khas - Malaysian Special Operations". Shadowspear.com. Retrieved 2010-03-14.
  14. ^ "Pasukan Khas Laut - Malaysian Special Operations". Shadowspear.com. Retrieved 2010-03-14.
  15. ^ a b Thompson, Leroy (December 2008). "Malaysian Special Forces". Special Weapons. Retrieved 2009-11-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: year (link)
  16. ^ http://www.armyrecognition.com/mexico_mexican_army_land_ground_forces_uk/mexico_mexican_army_land_ground_forces_military_equipment_armoured_vehicle_pictures_information_desc.html
  17. ^ "www.arrestatieteam.nl - Scherpschutters BBE Politie". Retrieved 2010-06-18.
  18. ^ "http://www.mil.no/ -". Retrieved 2010-11-24. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  19. ^ "http://www.mil.no/ -". Retrieved 2010-11-24. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  20. ^ "Pakdef.info - Pakistan Military Consortium: Special Service Group". Saad, S.; Ali, M.; Shabbir, Usman. 1998. Retrieved 2009-08-15.
  21. ^ "Grupo Especial de Operaciones - Fusiles de precisión". www.policia.es (in Spanish). Retrieved 2009-12-10.
  22. ^ Special Weapons, February 2010 issue. Page 67-68.
  23. ^ Jones, Richard (2009). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009-2010. Jane's Information Group. p. 903. ISBN 0-7106-2869-2.
  24. ^ “Anything, Anytime, Anywhere” The Unofficial History of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Hostage Rescue Team (HRT)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Heckler_%26_Koch_PSG1&oldid=419337514"