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