Heckler und Koch HK MSG90, HK MSG3 sniper rifle (Germany)

The HK MSG90 sniper rifle had been introduced by the German company Heckler-Koch in 1987 as a “militarized” export version of their HK PSG1 police sniper rifle. It was built to military specifications, and is noticeably lighter and somewhat cheaper than its predecessor. The HK MSG3 rifle was built specifically for the Bundeswehr, the German army, and appears to be much rarer variant. As of 2019, Heckler & Koch offers only one rifle from this family, the HK MSG90 A2, which is a slightly improved version of the HK MSG90 A1 rifle, designed during late 1990s for US DMR (Designated Marksman Rifle) program.

 

 

HK MSG90 sniper rifle

HK MSG90 sniper rifle

 

HK MSG90 sniper rifle is a heavily modified HK G3 rifle. It features similar roller-delayed blowback action, derived from earlier CETME rifles,although with certain modifications such as non-rotating rollers to ensure more stable headspacing.  Stamped steel receiver is reinforced with welded-on steel parts. Detachable trigger unit features semi-automatic only match-grade trigger with 1.5 kg trigger pull. The heavy barrel is precisely made by the cold hammer forging process with polygonal rifling for improved accuracy and longer life. Barrel is free-floating inside the forend. The ergonomically shaped pistol grip features anadjustable palm stop. Plastic buttstock is also adjustable for height and for length of pull. MSG90 rifle features  “silent bolt closing device”, actually similar to the forward assist, found on M16 rifles. This is apparently to be used in situations where a complete silence must be maintained until the shot is fired. The device is no more that a push button, located just behind the ejection port, and linked to the bolt carrier by the ratchet-like device. The rifle is fed using standard 20-rounds G3 magazines or special 5-rounds magazines. There’s no open (iron) sights on the MSG90. Instead, it is fitted with the 12X fixed power telescope sight with illuminated reticle and built-in range adjuster that works in ranges from 100 to 800 meters. The MSG90 A1 rifle features back-up iron sights with aperture type rear sight taken from HK 21 machine gun. Rifle is fitted with adjustable shoulder stock made from plastic, plastic forend and can be fitted with folding bipod.

 

HK MSG90 А1 sniper rifle

HK MSG90 А1 sniper rifle

 

The HK MSG3 sniper rifle, which is quite rare today, is further lightened through the use of slimmer barrel, non-reinforced receiver and G3 forend. it was provided with G3-type iron sights and 6X fixed magnification telescope sight.

HK MSG3 sniper rifle

HK MSG3 sniper rifle

 

 

data for HK MSG90 A2 rifle:

Specification Value
Full text name Heckler und Koch HK MSG90, HK MSG3 sniper rifle (Germany)
Caliber cartridge 7.62x51mm NATO / .308 Winchester
Action type semi-automatic
Trigger type sa
Overall length, mm 1218
Barrel length, mm 600
Weight empty, kg 6.3
Magazine capacity, rounds 5, 20