H&K PSG-1. The grail of semi-automatic sniper rifles.

This is a tabletop review of an all original unfired PSG-1 kit.

[@charlesmullins3238]

Wow an unfired one…absolute dream rifle for most of us. Silent scope and lethal weapon

[@SCQT]

All hail ommmmmmmmmmmmmmmm You stick the pinky out when pulling the trigger on this piece of small arms royalty

[@Jiggyb00]

This weapon helped me through several Metal Gear Solid games.

[@settlingshark]

Such a cool piece of history

[@johnb3685]

You've got a PSG-1? You can use that to save Meryl! Hurry up and save Meryl!

[@Onelowluv]

What an amazing piece of HK history!

[@kassenz]

First, I think it's odd KZbin makes me wait 20 minutes into the video before it allows me to post a comment. Second, I regret selling my PSG-1. I briefly had one in 2011. A good customer of the gunshop I worked at had passed away, and his wife brought in this, and a few other guns for consignment. I paid $11,500 for one, with complete case and tripod, optic, mags, target and cleaning kit. I listed it for sale on a national website and it sold immediately for $14000. So I made a thousand bucks quick, but spent it just as quick on more less rare guns. I regret selling this, because I am still a Heckler Koch enthusiast. I love this era of firearms too. There was a certain unique magic about the transition of 1960, 70s, and 80s military style rifles into the birth of tactical style rifles in the late 80s and 1990s. Heckler and Koch was the cutting/bleeding edge of what the police and military could get, and even more rare for it to get into a civilians possession. This is still the "Cadillac" of precision rifles, and the "Mercedes" to others. And it's a roller locked semi auto, with a polygonal hammer forged barrel, and sweet trigger. It just can't get any better. Nobody gets this fantastical about M110. This is a no-comprimise sniper rifle

[@hopewilliams6705]

Thank you Ray and the owner that let you do the video!

[@LIONTAMER3D]

It's outdated: too heavy, underpowered & maintenance-intensive. However, if you believe in the concept of firearms as art, this masterpiece is unrivaled.

[@ryaniam22]

True except maintenance intensive. These are some of the least maintenance intensive semiauto rifles in existence

[@LIONTAMER3D]

@ryaniam22 maintenence intensive if you want to maintain accuracy

[@ryaniam22]

@@LIONTAMER3D As compared to what? Can you just do absolutely nothing to a scar 17 and have it maintain accuracy forever? Unlikely. What about a hk mr308? Are they so much less maintenance? Serious question honestly

[@LIONTAMER3D]

@ryaniam22 it's a roller-delayed roll back, you can start by looking that up & have a nice day.

[@ericrumpel3105]

Got my first German-H&K 91 in 1984 for $400.00, second one in 1985 for the same, 3rd one in 1999. Sold the 3rd one in 2000 for $1850.00, $250.00 more than I paid, sold the other 2 as a pair to one buyer for $5600.00 in 2002/2003, all of them were fired & in exc.cond.,...that said, in 1984 I fired an H&K91 & an H&KPSG1 for some "informal" LE-Sniper qualifications, so, in 1987 I just about bought a new H&K PSG1 to add to my other 2 91's, it was new in a kit for $12,000.00, but, ended up passing, just thought I'd throw that out there to show the increase in value, but, I just lost the interest in the stamped steel receiver.

[@keatonjorgensen8793]

Cool story

[@andrewcappiello5585]

15 or 16 years ago I saw an allegedly complete PSG-1 in the case at Knob Creek. Very clearly used hard with lots of bare metal. Same $12k price tag.

[@17cmmittlererminenwerfer81]

Thanks for posting this. Fascinating glimpse into the world of unobtanium.

[@noncomplier5385]

One of the greatest rifles to ever exist. There is actually an obscure custom CNC gunsmithing company that designed a 30mm scope mount specifically for the PSG-1, can't remember if they went out of business.

[@kochj0713]

They went out of business because nobody could buy these guns

[@noncomplier5385]

I'm pretty sure that is not the reason, because they did custom CNC work for ALL guns. They had alot of custom AR and pistol parts, the PSG-1 mount was just one of their products...

[@theflow497]

I like the way you say Präzisionschützen Gewehr. The PSG1 reminds me on my military time in Bundeswehr. I had the opportunity to shoot this rifle on 500 yards. Awesome video. Thx for sharing and greetings from europe.

[@sjohnson1776]

What a gorgeous piece of history! Thanks for showing it off!

[@sethhughes2163]

Hello Ray... I thoroughly enjoyed your video and you brought back se good memories! I had the pleasure of doing some work on a few PSG1's for Richard Parker and Orville Selmeyer and others in the go fast gun business, and collected a large group of " unobtainium ' parts for them and others. I went through the files, and dated first in 87' the first cold bore group at 110 yards was .231", 2nd .218" and the third was torn jagged from the file cabinet searching previously... the others never topped that and my notes for 7 different guns were from .346" to .630" and back then we shot lighter bullets than today's arena. Only one of around 15 or 16 PSG1's was kept pristine and 4 were department and agency arms. Have a good day my friend

[@XRING]

Thank you for your comment! People are saying that these are 3 MOA rifles and I know better from personal experience. While they might not all print like the ones you mentioned above, they were all sub-MOA with the right shooter. Shooting tight groups with gassers is a little different than with bolt guns as you well know. As least it’s a great part of history and I was glad to be able to share it with everyone. 👍🏼

[@shaneclose792]

Loved seeing that come through Matt’s shop

[@kaig453]

It’d be awesome if a company started cloning the PSG1, similar to how we have multiple companies cloning MP5s now. I suspect it would be expensive to manufacture if they do it right, but it would be no where near $35-40k, which is the premium commanded as a result of genuine H&K PSG1’s rarity.

[@EDX2308]

Palmetto State can probably do it. All this rifle needs is a picatinny rail on top and ways to attach a bipod and voila it's modern. Very clonable in 2024/2025.

[@MrMalicious5]

Like having a McLaren F1 and never starting it.

[@CrinosAD]

Always loved the PSG-1. Had an AG3 (G3A3) as a service rifle while on shore, and HK MP5 while underway. The Norwegian produced AG3s had a modified bolt carrier with serrated slots, so that you could do a forward assist on the carrier itself. The stock was 2cm (about an inch) longer as well.

[@hopewilliams6705]

The accuracy requirements for this rifle was insane for the time! I think it was 50 shots inside a 3in circle @ 300 meters and if Even 1 was out they rejected the rifle! That's a precision gas gun!

[@ddn79]

It's a myth until I see it. Barrel and bullet tech is way better nowadays. There is like 1 or 2 vids on the net of one shooting groups and it was nowhere close to that claim.

[@hopewilliams6705]

@ddn79 maybe never experienced it for myself and probably never will! The people that have these rifles won't shoot them for the loss in value so it's just like a mythical unicorn that the level can't be ascertained.

[@darrynbrown9211]

​@@ddn79 It isn't a myth it was HK's factory requirement. Their technical data requirements are what they are.

[@BrentRitz-z1n]

It was 50 consecutive shots through the same hole or it was rejected.

[@darrynbrown9211]

@@BrentRitz-z1n not throught the same hole but essentially a 3.14 inch group at 300. I suppose you could deduce that to 50 in a ragged clover at 100. But that's a little different

[@jonbeck5945]

Awesome rifle. I remember seeing these on GB about 15 years ago for around 12k and thinking that was outrageous. Little did I know. Also, aren’t you the Microtech guy?! Am I misremembering?

[@noellasure4063]

My youthful desire to own this rifle is why I purchased the SCAR 20 and assembled my own MK20 SSR kit. I know it's not the same... But, I use mine.

[@jcprecisionrifle]

This takes me back to Silent Scope down at the arcades in my younger days ❤️

[@bigpanda6787]

You said it bro, the good ol days

[@jonb7274]

This is a beauty!! Love the optics!! Thanks for this review...

[@richardfoust2815]

X Ring meets Forgotten Weapons 😊

[@twissted1277]

Amazing the accuracy of a semi automatic back then. I have the NEMO ARMS with the 24" proof research barrel and it gets it done at 1/2 moa but with modern manufacturing. I did add a Trigger Tech Diamond ar trigger.

[@houston5365]

Terrific to see such a rare weapon. Vintage excellence still relevant like most weapons from HK.

[@WilsonRawlins]

Excellent review and an amazing rifle.

[@LL-be3rh]

Awesome firearm , he got me when you showed the rear sling mount 😂😂👌

[@XRING]

Thought I would throw a little humor in there! 🤣 Thanks for watching. 👍🏼

[@eliasbonilla8087]

Wow !!!!! Thank you for sharing this with us Ray. Fascinating & much appreciated.

[@mariorossi9300]

My only complaint about this rifle, or at least the specific sample I used, it literally DESTROYED the casings, so forget about reloading them after!

[@ouruiz]

The Walther WA2000 has entered the chat!

[@Holla28]

thanks for letting us know there is not shooting from the beginning, I will watch later when i get home for the history

[@MrLucky426]

PSG-1 and the MSG90 damn good rifles!

[@npet6842]

Marvellous to see this taken down for demonstration . Thanks Ray : -)

[@killersp1974]

The Short Allen key is for adjusting/removing the Trigger SHOE

[@XRING]

Yes. That is correct 👍🏼

[@chojinnppp]

Great video- up next, the WA-2000.

[@JustinTheMan369]

The WA2000 looks like absolute perfection.

[@sobatknives1837]

Absolute amazing rifle and a fun to shoot! The Garbini Tripod is extremely rare. Still have one original example, all matching numbers.

[@rondobrondo]

I see you're padding your investment here lol

[@conservativesniperhunter7439]

Awesome rifle. Another great review from X-Ring. Have you been nominated for the Gundie Award ? If not you damn well should be.

[@CatHound]

Wow! What a tank. Remember Christmas is around the corner Ray lol. Good show of History. Stay frosty!!!

[@TT-ch2pz]

Springfield Armory came out with the poor man's PSG1 in the late 1990's. I was the SAR-8 HBSR. It was a good-looking gun, similar to the HK but with an around handguard.

[@rondobrondo]

A lot of people look at HK weapons today and say, "I don't really get this , this seems stupid. It doesn't have anything special about it, And it doesn't even have picatinny rails", but they forget that a lot of the things we take for granted today are things that HK INVENTED, including many of the safety devices we take for granted. Firing pin blocks, drop safeties, striker fired handguns, actually-working polymer-framed handguns, etc. Even the first cold hammer forged barrels were created by engineers who went on to work at HK after the war. HK was one of the first companies to make true 'precision weapons' and to make weapons with a true, measured focus on durability and reliability. There had always been weapon makers who tried to make precise and reliable weapons, but HK was the first to bring forward a proper theory and means of testing (to destruction) weapons in a scientific way

[@daniell3416]

If you pull a WA2000 out ill cry…awesome video as always

[@gregturner7670]

You said doobie I’m still laughing I really genuinely love the vids you do and that was a sexy shooter was your trigger finger itching like crazy 😂😂😂😂

[@stevemartinez4180]

I was issued a MSG90 in the mid 90s. It is the ONLY HK that never ran right. Failures to fire consistently (maybe headspace?). Sent it back and never saw it again. Other than that, HK was always my choice if my people didn't have to carry them (e.g. static or mobile only).

[@erik22lax]

Sweet piece of German engineering ✌

[@LiquidColourDesignBallycarry]

Stunning rifle 😊

[@dskim5848]

WOW! It is mint! I am glad it found a proper home

[@romandecaesar4782]

LOL!!! LMAO!!! Last time I checked, the H&K PSG-1 in this configuration had never been used in combat, either during the late 20th century or during the 21st century. Perhaps it will get its chance soon, but to call this weapon the "grail" of semi-automatic sniper rifles has no basis in reality. If you want to know what many of us who have seen combat consider to the grail, it is the M-91, and it has the statistics to prove it.

[@irafowlerjr.7492]

Wow, first class, thanks

[@TT-ch2pz]

I'd like to second that comment.

[@williammatthews2948]

That's a beautiful rifle.

[@cliffguthrie7530]

Thanks for the review!

[@winkletown8828]

Incredible!

[@jeffhuntley2921]

Very cool!

[@jeffguy3868]

Amazing Rifle thanks for sharing it

[@Cyborg-911]

Ray have you been in my gun cabinet? Missing my H&K PSG-1

[@HAbill]

I owned 44-1756 for a while. Beautiful and NIB - even the tripod was in perfect condition. Could never bring myself to shoot it and ended up selling it. Also, the scope could use a stack of 3 625A batteries.

[@timrink256]

Great video. Thanks. Be Safe

[@Beltfedshooters]

I passed one up for $3500 back in the day. I thought it was way too expensive at the time.

[@Poutcomes]

Beautiful

[@raulmorales9967]

PTR will have them for sale next week 1,900 dollars free shipping.

[@LegendOfStrider]

A great rifle and one of the reasons I prefer the G3 to the FAL. Far more capable to be made accurate and is hell of a reliable platform still. (Not that the FAL isn't reliable but no where not as capable to be accurate. Not to the spec this was within for sure nor the standard G3 from what I have seen)

[@SparkyMTB]

Ahhhh Sniper Wolf from MGS… ahh the memories…

[@swift__]

That’s awesome ✅

[@kochj0713]

Rumor has it they brought out a 800kg steel vice that clamped to the gun in and then shot the groups=best auto loader sniper benchrest beater…

[@sonnywarren]

Back in the mid 1980’s I bought both a H&K 91 and a H&K 93 at the same time. Paid $750.00 per rifle and was worried I was overpaying for them. The gentleman also had a minty PSG-1 with all the same kit as the one featured. He was firm at 12K , I offered him 10K , dreading the wrath of my new wife. He wouldn’t haggle so I passed on it 🥴 Hind$ight is …..

[@reconhippy8352]

I'd still paint it. Can you compare this rifle's accuracy with HK's G28 (or equivalent)?

[@XRING]

The G28 has a 1.5 MOA guarantee whereas the PSG-1 was required to do 1 MOA or less. 👍🏼

[@kochj0713]

accuracy requirement was taking the rifle off hand while balancing a whiskey bottle on top of the scope shooting at 1000 yards all in a 3 inch circle

[@XRING]

🤣

[@PoormansMachineGun]

Not Shooting it! = Airsoft gun! 🤣🤣🤣 Just kidding!

[@maciejciarkowski3543]

Thank you :)

[@Leethal1]

That is a thing of beauty 🤌

[@Cz9mmp10]

Whats the purpose of a rifle if cant be shot?

[@XRING]

They continually go up in price.

[@thefinancier12]

No shooting!??! Booo

[@TeeRollss]

Not PSG1 related, but a G3 trigger group, if anything like me HK91 is nowhere near 5 lbs. First time I shot my 91 I thought I forgot to take the safety off. Well I didn't, the trigger weight is out of this world heavy.

[@Yelladog78]

Look up the Springfield Armory hbcsr if this interest you

[@timoburger]

Spelled WA2000 wrong

[@fjatoi]

I love all your videos but in this one you’re a bit misinformed, the optic can be changed (I used to own a PSG1 and have got a Picatinny rail and also got 30mm & 34mm rings all of which can fit on the fixed bases that the PSG1 has). The mounts are STANAG and there is a German company makes mounts for it. If you send me a email address I can send you photos. The newer PSG1A1 has comes with the 34mm rings and a Schmidt & Bender Scope as standard. It’s unfortunate you didn’t get to shoot it because if you had you would have seen that it really is a half MOA rifle that lives up to the hype and isn’t just a myth. By the way, have you ever seen a PSG1K (shorter barrel)? I have a photo of a Factory Original one that I got from a video taken at a gun show in Europe.

[@XRING]

Thanks for your comment. Not misinformed, but those aftermarket parts weren’t available when this rifle was produced. Just like original MP5’s and SD’s not having ways of adding accessories like lights and pic rails. Other companies and independent machine shops will come up with alternative options of course. I have B&T’s mounts on all my MP5’s so that I can “update” them with the times. 👍🏼

[@fjatoi]

IEA MIL-OPTICS GmbH

[@fjatoi]

I also managed to Directly mount a British Army Kite Sight (Night Vision Rifle Scope directly onto the PSG1’s STANAG bases).

[@beardymcbeardface69]

An actual hens tooth!

[@bavariasuhl]

this is a gun you wish you had a chance to shoot it and when you do realize its old tech and most guns today are built better and shoot far better

[@mobilegamersunite]

True

[@darrynbrown9211]

@@bavariasuhl HK themselves haven't been able to outperform the PSG-1...

[@robertosborne1753]

Why are you doing this? It's like eating sandwiches in front of Ethiopians...

[@UncleDanBand64]

Tripod for pouring whiskey? 😂

[@kt2816]

Thanks Ray awesome video!

[@kochj0713]

The entire set up using a roller lock is very difficult in a rifle. Just look at the current offerings.

[@texarkanajoker]

That's not a sniper rifle. It's wall hanger/safe queen. Still nice though Like a C8 Vette with 0 miles

[@kten237]

Did the H&K 91’s use the same barrels as the PSG-1? What kind of accuracy were the German H&K 91 achieving? Where the PSG-1 and Germany HK 91 made in the same factory?

[@jimdean5333]

Sweet

[@Michael_45_AARP]

I’m guessing a Jack Daniel’s bottle won’t fit in the tripod…

[@AdrianBoyko]

So, you’re saying it’s just like a regular cup?

[@robertpaul7048]

You should have worn gloves bro. 🤔

[@ericrumpel3105]

....is this a post 2006 H&K-PSG1 model?

[@Andrew-on5do]

I have a primary arms 1-6 lpvo on my psg1

[@timothytrexler1896]

I'm about showing a HK91

[@mikedebear]

What a spectacular rifle. Love the history lesson!

[@rondobrondo]

Not tryna be a jerk here, but honestly, if you're so concerned about touching the gun, you should be wearing gloves haha

[@XRING]

Not so much about touching the rifle. It’s more about scratching or making marks unnecessarily.

[@ghosta8116]

yes

[@markmtbrider]

What ??? Can't put an Arken on it ? I am out.....😂

[@opencontainer1381]

I'm not a numbers kinda guy. Half day in my shop and I would have it cut down and threaded at 16-18 inches and I would have a pic rail drilled out and bolted to it to mount a thermal or something current. Hate me.

[@XRING]

LOL! I do stuff like that almost on a daily basis. As a matter of fact, on the De Lisle review that safety connector was remade in 3 hours with 404 stainless to fit it better. We also “colored” it to match the parkerizing. However, to do anything to this PSG-1 would be a travesty. 👍🏼

[@ExtremeUnction1988]

Could just do that to an AR and not completely ruin a museum piece.

[@trancamortal]

Pero si aquí la formula es, como bien has dicho sin nombrarlo, la gallina de Stalin.

[@jdsolberg7613]

This one goes to eleven.

[@VictorKeithDHHS]

I lve watching your show, awesome