Heckler & Koch MSG90
| Heckler & Koch MSG90 | |
|---|---|
 The Heckler & Koch MSG90 on display | |
| Type | Sniper rifle |
| Place of origin |  Germany |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1990–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Heckler & Koch |
| Designed | 1990 |
| Produced | 1990–2021 |
| Variants | MSG90A1 MSG90A2 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 6.4 kg |
| Length | 1165 mm |
| Cartridge | 7.62×51mm NATO |
| Caliber | 7.62 |
| Action | Roller-delayed blowback |
| Maximum firing range | 1000 meters |
| Feed system | 5 or 20 round magazine |
| Sights | Scope or iron sights |
The Heckler & Koch MSG90 is a semi-automatic military sniper rifle. It is based on the PSG-1 from Heckler & Koch. The MSG90 shoots 7.62×51mm NATO ammunition. MSG90 stands for Militärisches Scharfschützengewehr. The 1990 part is the year was the sniper rifle was made.
History
[change | change source]The Heckler & Koch MSG90 was first introduced in 1987.[1] It uses a delayed blowback design the same as many other H&K rifles.[1] Based on the Heckler & Koch PSG1, it is designed for military and police use.[2] It was designed to meet the military specifications of the US Army's M24 Sniper Weapon System.[1]
It has several improvements over the PSG1. The barrel is lighter and shorter.[3] It is made using the cold hammer forging process.[3] The stock is adjustable and of a different shape.[3] The trigger is wider and has a 3.3 pounds (1.5 kg) trigger pull set from the factory.[1] It does not have open sights but comes with a 10-power Telescopic sight.[1]
Where the PSG1 did not stand up to rough handling on the battlefield, the MSG90 is designed just for that kind of service.[4] The model MSG90A1 has a threaded barrel designed to accept a suppressor.[4] The later MSG90A2 was a lighter and sturdier design.[4]
Users
[change | change source]
Bangladesh
Belgium
Brazil
Bulgaria
Colombia
Denmark
France
Germany
Indonesia
India
Iraq
Italy
Japan
Lithuania
Malaysia
Mexico
Nepal
Norway
Philippines
Portugal
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
South Korea
Thailand
Turkey
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uruguay
Venezuela
Related pages
[change | change source]References
[change | change source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Charles Q. Cutshaw, Tactical Small Arms of the 21st Century: a Complete Guide to Small Arms From Around the World (Cincinnati: F+W Media, 2011), p. 269
- ↑ "2008 Heckler & Koch Military and LE brochure" (PDF). Photos.imageevent.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2015-11-05. Retrieved 2015-05-31.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Heckler-Koch MSG-90 sniper rifle (Germany)". World Guns. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Leigh Neville, Modern Snipers (Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2016), p. 259