DESIGN
The German Bundeswehr requested a better
sniperized G3. The G3SG/1 is a good marksman
rifle, but lacks accuracy and range. Heckler
& Koch developed the MSG3. The MSG3 has
a longer barrel, a new buttstock, which is
also found on the MSG90. Several characteristics
of the G3 are retained: its forearm, diopter
sights, scope mount and internal mechanism.
The MSG3 proved that the G3 could be the
basis for a very good sniper rifles. The
MSG3 was produced in small numbers and was
sold solely to the German Bundeswehr.
The MSG90 was developed by Heckler &
Koch at the same time as the PSG-1. The MSG90
is a mix between the G3 and the PSG-1. Its
purpose is to be an accurate and effective
military sniper rifle. When the G3 is scoped
it can already be used as a sniper rifle
and the PSG-1 is the most accurate semi-automatic
sniper rifle up to 600m ever designed. The
MSG90 combines the best of these features.
‘MSG’ stands for ‘Militärisches Scharfschutz
Gewehr’, or ‘military sniper rifle’ and ‘90’
stand for the year of introduction. The MSG90
uses the accurate and reliable roller delayed
blowback system and it has a hexagonal barrel
and it is fitted with a 2.5-10x scope. A
special version was developed for the US
Navy SEAL’s. It was called the MSG90 DMR
(Designated Marksman Rifle) and it could
be fitted with a silencer or flash hider
and has diopter sights (HK 21 type 1200m).
The MSG90 DMR was not adopted. The new production
model is called the MSG90A1 and has the same
features as the MSG90 DMR. The production
started in 1997. |
| The MSG3 is the predecessor of the MSG90.
MSG3 is based upon the G3 and has some features
which were incorporated in the MSG90. |
| This version of the MSG90 is seen most. It
is now out of production. |
| This version of the MSG90 is only slightly
different from the earlier model. It has
diopter sights and can be fitted with a flash
hider or silencer. |
PERFORMANCE
The MSG90 is more accurate and reliable than
the M21, Galil Sniper and SR-25, and is therefore
the most effective marksman rifle. Like all
Heckler & Koch rifles it is very expensive,
but it is a lot cheaper than the PSG-1. The
MSG90 is best used as an anti personnel weapon
and is in that role much more effective than
a bolt-action rifle. Note that the MSG90
has an effective range of 800 meters and
a 7.62x51mm bolt-action sniper rifle can
be used up to 1000 meters.
USE
- The MSG90 is used by the German army, KSK,
SEK and GSG9.
- Norway uses the MSG90.
- The Dutch BBE, commandos and police also
use the MSG90.
- The Taiwanese police and military use the
MSG90.
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