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Heckler & Koch HK PSG-1

1972 COLD WAR MODERN

History of Heckler & Koch HK PSG-1

The Heckler & Koch PSG-1 semi-automatic sniper rifle was introduced in 1972 and was marketed primarily to police and security forces and interested military personnel. The success of the basic HK G3 battle rifle in 1959 naturally led to an expansion of the weapon family to fill a variety of roles on the battlefield. The PSG-1 series is designed as a precision bolt-action weapon system that can quickly strike targets with long-range precision.

The semi-automatic nature of the weapon allows for rapid succession of fire on a single target or multiple threats. Design work on the PSG-1 began in the early 1970s and production (still in progress as of 2012) comes from the Heckler & Koch GmbH brand label.

At its core, the PSG-1 is internally identical to the previous HK G3 rifle, including its roller delayed recoil operation and 7.62x51mm NATO rifling. However, the PSG-1's overall look and available accessories make the weapon look like a more precise killing machine.

Only the breech bears any physical resemblance to the original service rifle. The internal latch assembly is designed to operate silently when closed to conceal the location of firefighters during concealed operation. The stock is equipped with unique cheek and shoulder pads, both of which can be adjusted to fit the operator. The pistol grip has a very ergonomic design with an oversized base for a secure grip. The trigger assembly is usually located in front of the angled pistol grip, while the trigger itself is adjustable.

Unlike the G3's 20-round magazine, the PSG-1 primarily fires from a short 5-round magazine, although 10- and 20-round counts are also available (again, a 50-round "drum" magazine is supported). The front end is a durable plastic handguard that covers the bottom mounted barrel and top mounted cylinder.

The barrel protrudes far from the front end and has no muzzle device. Unlike the G3, the PSG-1 uses a longer free-floating barrel with polygonal rifling inside. Without any spare sights, the operator relied on the standard problem scope (originally a Hensoldt 6x24 Power ZF6x42PSG1) sight on a single mount.

Adjustable range features illuminated reticles for accuracy and operation in low light conditions. An optional tripod can be mounted under the front end to stabilize and support the front end of the rifle. A silencer is available as an option for stealth work. The PSG-1 is loaded with a 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge and has a muzzle velocity of approximately 2,850 feet per second. Effective range is 600 to 800 meters depending on optics, training and experience.

The total weight is nearly 16 pounds, the overall length is 48 inches, and the barrel is 25.6 inches long.

PSG-1 has developed into a notable major production variant. The original PSG-1 product in 1972 was simply referred to as "PSG-1". Released in 2006, the PSG-1A1 featured an improved charging handle and a new Schmidt & Bender 3-12x50 Police Marksman II scope with an aiming range of 800 yards.

A new folding stock was also introduced to create a more compact touring instrument.

In practice, the PSG-1 has undoubtedly proven to be a highly accurate and ergonomically comfortable rifle. However, the system is expensive to manufacture and therefore expensive to purchase in quantities for the military and police forces. Additionally, the precision of some components makes the PSG-1 somewhat vulnerable on the battlefield, especially for the military. Despite this, the West German police used the PSG-1. Other operators are Albania, India, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, Pakistan, South Korea, UK and US.

The PSG-1 in US service is used by FBI personnel. The US Army tested the PSG-1 system in the early 1980s, switching to the M21 and M40 sniper systems.

To fix the flaws of the original PSG-1, a "militarized" form appeared in 1997, which was lighter and less expensive to manufacture. This became the MSG-90, which introduced a shorter free-floating barrel, improved shoulder rest, and a Weaver rail system. Internally, the rifle functions the same as rifled, although from the outside, the MSG series looks more like the original G3 battle rifle than the PSG-1 sniper. The MSG-90A1 brand introduced a threaded muzzle to which a silencer could be mounted.

This version of PSG-1 is already in service in France, Indonesia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico (under license from SEDENA), Norway and South Korea, and is designed to provide a more powerful and lower cost alternative to the original PSG-1.