MSG-90

Infobox Weapon
name= Heckler & Koch MSG-90


caption= MSG-90 A1 Designated Marksman Rifle
origin=flag|West Germany
type=Sniper rifle
is_ranged=yes
service=
used_by=See "Users"
wars=
designer=
design_date=1987
manufacturer=Heckler & Koch
production_date=1988
number=4500 est.
variants=MSG-90A1, A2
weight=6.4kg (empty)
length=1165
part_length=610 mm, 3.67 grooves, right hand twist.
cartridge=7.62x51mm NATO
caliber=
action=Roller-delayed blowback
rate=
velocity=868 m/s (2,850 ft/s)
range=1000 m (1094 yd)
max_range=
feed=5 or 20-round detachable box magazine
sights=Hendsoldt 6x42 mm telescopic sight

Description

The MSG-90 sniper rifle had been introduced by the German company Heckler-Koch in 1987 as a "militarized" offspring of their PSG-1 police sniper rifle. It was built to military specifications, and is much lighter and somewhat cheaper than the HK PSG-1. It shares most essential features of the PSG-1, including overall design, the roller-delayed blowback, semi-automatic only action. The barrel of the MSG-90 is somewhat shorter and lighter, but still is of match grade, and is manufactured using cold hammer forging process. On the original model the barrel is equipped with additional muzzle weight, added to improve barrel harmonics and thus increase shots consistence. The buttstock is of different shape, adjustable for length of pull and for height of the cheekpiece. The trigger unit is made from plastic integral with pistol grip. The trigger with adjustable shoe is set at 1.5 kg (~3 lbs). The forend is fitted with underrail that accepts the detachable folding bipod. There's no open sights on the MSG-90, and it's fitted by standard with 10X telescope sight with range settings from 100 to 1200 meters. The scope is mounted on the MilStd scope rail, that allows for many various scopes and night vision devices to be mounted interchangeably.

The latest variant is the MSG-90A1, originally known as the MSG-90DMR. This rifle was built for US DOD DMR (designated Marksman Rifle) program, and has some additional characteristics and features, not found on the original MSG-90. That is, the MSG-90A1 is fitted with the barrel, threaded on the muzzle, to accept screw-on silencers, and is equipped with low signature flash hider. The MSG-90A1 also is equipped with open sights - a typical HK hooded front sight, combined with adjustable rear sights, marked up to 1200 meters and similar in design to HK 21 machine gun rear sight. The ejection port is fitted with brass deflector, which allows the gun to be fired from the left shoulder. Otherwise it is similar to the MSG-90.

Users

*flag|Argentina
*flag|Egypt
*flag|Germany
*flag|India
*flag|Italy Used by GIS
*flag|Japan
*flag|Malaysia
*flag|Latvia
*flag|Mexico Licence produced MSG-90 manufactured by SEDENA
*flag|Netherlands
*PHL
*Philippine National Police
*flag|Singapore
*flag|South Korea
*flag|United Kingdom
*flag|United States
*flag|Turkey Purchased in small quantities along with 34 PSG-1's. Used for trials. Results pending.

ee also

*PSG-1, the rifle the MSG-90 is based on
*Sniper rifles
*Heckler & Koch, the manufacturer
*Psg 90, a Swedish sniper rifle adopted in 1980s (see also AI Arctic Warfare)

External links

* [http://www.heckler-koch.de/HKWebText/detailProd/1929/132/4/16 Official page]
* [http://www.hkpro.com/psg1.htm HKPro]
* [http://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/detail.asp?smallarms_id=32 Military Factory Small Arms]
* [http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/cltactical/HK%20Military%20LE%20Catalog.pdf 2008 Heckler & Koch Military and LE brochure]