H&K PSG1 Sniper Rifle Overview

The Heckler and Koch PSG1 has been touted at the most accurate semi-automatic rifle in the world, even decades after its introduction. The iconic gun has been seen in the hands of counter-terrorist groups the world over, and it was truly a trailblazer when introduced in the 1970s (as precision rifles had typically been bolt action). So what makes the 7.62x51 caliber PSG1 unique? How is it different than a regular G3 rifle? In this installment of TFBTV, we take a look.
Many THANKS to:
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/ tfbtv

[@grizzlyspets1161]

This isn't just a gun, it's a work of art.

[@ryanc9527]

16 pounds?! Holy crap! Solid Snake must have hurt his back lugging this thing around. Elegant weapon for a more civilized time...

[@asun-dae5538]

Yeah. That's really heavy, especially for a 7.62x51 NATO sniper rifle.

[@droppinplates6665]

+RyanC Was made to be placed prior to like just to watch over events and such not ment to be fielded and carried around more of a police service weapon or something along the lines of that like a cia sniper watching over a high threat area not a combat sniper rifle

[@stevemc6010]

+RyanC Hey, remember Foley from Conflict: Desert Storm, who lugged this around Iraq?

[@baker90338]

Well he was also Carring a famas and a socom as well as a smaw

[@xDonarudox]

+Stephen mc Yes! That game series was the bomb.

[@lakemanson8051]

Great rifle. H&K have always been at the top for me in terms of firearms manufacturers. M27, PSG1, 416 and 417, Mk23, tons of fantastic inventions.

[@MrNostromo2112]

Although not a PSG1, the performance I get out of my HK91 is scary accurate - all the time. I love it - especially when I break it out on the range and people come over to look, lust, and envy when they notice what it is. It is truly a masterpiece of German engineering. If I could only have one - and only one gun; it would always be my HK91 hands down every time!

[@kodyhah7786]

MrNostromo2112 Id say my favorite rife is my 1942 Arisaka. 7.7 is a weird caliber but beautifully accurate up to about 350 meters for me

[@jakerodgers1225]

It's beautiful as it destroys your brass and beats itself to death. No thanks.

[@minimaltrace]

That's the germans for you, they build shit to LAST, not to look good. We used the swedish G3 variant during my time in the service and i would pick that over any 5.56 rilfe any day of the week.

[@juncho1977]

Holy Mother of God! $10,000 back in 1972 is the equivalent of around $56-57,000 in today's dollars! :O

[@Tormentor]

+juncho1977 Yeah, but it came with a guarantee, state of the art scope and what not. Back in the day this thing must have kept a lot of Soviet officers awake at night.

[@antoniojones1548]

Ridiculous price

[@hobowizard3124]

@Universal Kombat yeah , the best sniper to assasinate a soviet officer is a vss vintovez , oh wait , its made by soviets

[@nalluperumal2580]

jun. B. cho1977

[@shaku2182]

H&K made sniper variant MSG1 for the military. Probably built using standard G3 receiver?

[@Rubijoyal]

You got a PSG1? Hurry up and save Meryl!

[@SwyvCrux]

I cant aim without me valium! Use the diazepam

[@theaceofspades485]

Ahhh... I am three years too late. Was just about to make a Metal Gear reference.

[@shirolee]

First thing I thought of too!!!!!

[@johnathanjamesjohnsonjr7408]

...👏👏👏 ...I was just going to say the same thing.

[@darkmessengerofanotherworl2840]

Meryl!

[@damnfreakingsien]

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

[@pablomaya2735]

Hetzerogeneous I came for this comment.

[@fleetofhoof8809]

MEERRRRYYYYYYYLLLLL

[@England91]

Hetzerogeneous the god old days of mgs back when you had the code on the disc and 3 CDs/cards for the ends mission which was a bitch at times

[@Schregger]

I do love the fact im not the only one to think this when I saw the video... screw all the history behind the gun and its existence, it was in Metal Gear Solid! Thats all that matters!!!

[@Pericles777]

This is why I love YT.... It's not a PSG-1 video with out such a comment below it.

[@AnOtherChoosenOne]

I could really go for a Heckler & Coke right now

[@YodrizzleMashizzle]

That's the real pronunciation

[@TeletubbiesRcute]

It's actually not. -ch in German is pronounced -rhh

[@YodrizzleMashizzle]

Papoum Never heard the name pronounced like that, but then again I'm not a linguist

[@TeletubbiesRcute]

Then you've never heard the name pronounced by an actual German.

[@YodrizzleMashizzle]

Papoum I guess not

[@III_SNIPE_III]

This reminds me of MGS1 and Sniper Wolf's boss fights. I remember being so scared as a kid when I reached them lol.

[@DeePunter]

And its the first time in a video game where when aiming with the scope the rifle will move in a unstable way like in real life

[@AKarnold1010]

Umm I saw a PSG1 in the 2nd floor basement of the tank hanger

[@PMP421]

AKarnold#9 snnnnnnaaaaakkkkkkeeeee!!!!!

[@rafaeldeoliveira3661]

Snake...snake...snaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaake

[@csfabricationllc2252]

You can use that against sniper wolf !

[@rodrigoindiao5192]

Kkkkkkkkk

[@rubensanmaurodelbosqur1950]

Excelente video. 😀😀

[@ssgsorrels]

now i can take on sniper wolf!

[@baker90338]

Use the smaw or a sraw instead

[@ssgsorrels]

Baker Tankersley that's for the hind

[@sunnyztmoney]

+ssgsorrels Whos that?BEEP BEEP BEEP dun dunDUN DUNDUN DUN NA NA NA

[@NGeese]

Gotta pop that pentazamin though!

[@Timboslice475]

You're that ninja...

[@gregfair1749]

From the 1970's and still one of the most accurate and reliable rifles ever!!! = badass!!!!

[@StuartKReilly]

$10,000. OR for FREE if you go to the 2nd floor basement of the tank hanger.

[@matthewsouthworth3696]

METAL GEEEEAAR

[@MrBenjaminsisko]

Stuart K Reilly yes oh god yes

[@titobarrera]

The 2nd floor basement of the Tank Hangar? I have to go all the way back there? Whats wrong with you, Stuart?

[@Vargas3499]

fuck I don't think my key card is the right level to get in that room.

[@jayuu8380]

Xav Zer0 rough day?

[@cannibalholocaust3015]

I love Ian’s (forgotten weapons) videos but this is so much more to the point, gets across most of the important information and shows everything.

[@geraldgrams2117]

I have seen only one of these in my life up close and in person at a gun show it had about about 5 sings saying "Do Not Touch" all around it. Few people around me and my friends knew what they were looking at due to the steep price tag of $8750.00 the dealer winked at us as we were in awe of such a rare firearm and the joy we had at seeing it.

[@Honezjr]

This is a work of art....and certainly a pricey piece of art.

[@danzigrulze5211]

Man, I get chills going through my body just looking at it all pretty in that case. I got a chance to shoot one and it is just a work of art more then it is a firearm.

[@GarretGoodbarrel]

If I could only have 1 rifle and one rifle only, I think the PSG-1 would be it. Such a beautiful weapon.

[@Restrictted]

This was the best sniper in Black Op's 1. Also my favorite.

[@1994ranger1]

You are truly handling a unicorn. I love both the PSG1 and MSG90, and have found almost zero KZbin content on either. I can't wait to see you shoot these!

[@MrMZaccone]

This is the rifle "Riggs" used in the desert in "Lethal Weapon". I had a chance to fire one on a 100 yd. range once. It feels like being Zeus with a handful of thunderbolts. It was like I couldn't miss.

[@mza131313]

"i... ive waited for this moment. waiting is my job. never moving a muscle, concentraiting"

[@badtexasbill5261]

Yes, you have something special here. I know this is four years old video, but many thanks all the same.

[@guyslack2692]

Awesome video Alex. Seriously, this is professional grade work and I thoroughly enjoyed your overview. You can tell how much passion you have for the gun with your research and details you chose to tell us. Thank you.

[@chavezchavo]

I can't remember the last time there were any video reviews of this rifle... Great job, guys!!!

[@theshootindutchman]

I was a sniper and never got to fire one of these sweet rifles. To this day I dream about this rieffel

[@McCloggie]

I've shot it,about 15 years ago. It's more a marksman rifle than a sniper rifle because it sends its empty casings metres away , and as a sniper you really don't want to have brass flying through the air after your shot.

[@theshootindutchman]

Interesting, thank you for the comment. I had a decked-out HK91 and yes that delayed roller blowback also shreds the casings pretty good to the point where depending on the case had many are not reloadable so I would just shoot cheap ammo through it. Did the PSG damage the cases as they were thrown out as well? Also, my bolt action Savages were so much more accurate then any semi-auto that I've ever run. However, I had a decked-out Springfield M1A1 and it was about a 1 inch to 1 & a quarter inch rifle depending on the ammunition.

[@McCloggie]

The PSG i shot with belonged to a guy I knew through the Army . I never bothered looking for the empty casings afterwards. The PSG is used by Police marksmen etc who are not concerned being seen or have to be totally concealed. Military snipers will usually stick to single shot bolt action rifles.

[@hellcatdave1]

+Danny McCloggie what you said about the casings is not even remotely true. No sniper gives a shit about that when they're hundreds of yards away, inside a building. You think some terrorist is gonna hear your brass hitting the wall 500 yards from you? No.

[@luckyduckydrivingschool3615]

Very cool overview! The presentation of this video really matches the gun well.

[@Todd_Coward]

did your kit come with a package of milspec Pentazemin?

[@prymus141]

Nah. I've found mine on some military facillity, located on small Island near Alaska😂

[@clarkjurisic5681]

I have been waiting of a good PSG 1 video since I was 12 thank you TFB, keep up the good work

[@lptomtom]

This is the second most iconic sniper rifle ever made, after the Walther WA2000 (IMO)

[@VIIthLegionEnjoyer]

What about the AI AWM / L96A1 or the Remington 700, both are quintessential precision firearms

[@lptomtom]

***** The Barrett is primarily an anti-materiel rifle, not the same IMO

[@captainnachosgaming9291]

+Buffalo Wingz it has pretty bad moa accarcy at long range which is fine for anti material target's but not anti personal use ((forgive my lamgue))

[@lptomtom]

captain nachos gaming The specific mention of the A3 variant makes me think he has more knowledge of the BF4 version than the real-life firearm.

[@Jkp1321]

Maybe in Call Of Duty.

[@MercutioUK2006]

One amazing rifle after another, stunning work chaps. Can't wait for the shooting videos :)

[@120masterpiece]

Seriously guys? A lot of you are saying stuff like "Most iconic sniper rifle, what about a SVD?" or "A SR-25 or whatever AR is better." The guy explain why this rifle was created and its very specific purpose. It's not hard to understand. It really isn't.

[@derhasso6123]

The reason doesn't make a weapon iconic.

[@FergusScotchman]

Man... that is an awesome rifle. Thank you for that great review. I have a new bucket item.

[@progamertwo-oh-oh-one890]

Heckler & Koch also sold the PSG-1 as a military rifle under the name MSG-90.

[@Chapelron]

psg1 is one of the guns that makes me feel happy when I see it, it's such a beautiful gun.

[@ToxicAtom]

[metal gear joke]

[@tylerbork6638]

DIAZEPAM

[@Luvcello21]

Anti-Convulsion medication?

[@MickeyD2012]

I made one, but nobody noticed. :(

[@davemarx7856]

[Second Floor Basement of the Tank Hangar Armory... yknow... from three hours ago...]

[@slappinliberals6655]

+The Original Gamer LOL

[@hepek69]

Love your videos! Audio and video quality is superb and the commentary is great. Keep up the great work!

[@LucMoustache1]

Its a good rifle

[@alicetwilight5869]

and a beautiful one

[@aegis2108]

Amen

[@petrofilmeurope]

A fine video. Thank you for not destroying it with underscore.

[@kden9772]

Damn that barrel is thicc

[@xavierjose1490]

So was Sniper Wolf

[@HKPSG1Shooter]

Very nice! I have an HK91 that's been modified to PSG-1 specs, including a heavy bull barrel, set trigger, PSG-1 stock, etc. It's a 1/2 MOA gun. And I'm currently in the process of having an HK-93 built in similar fashion. I am of firm belief that the roller-locked action is the most accurate form of semi-auto. It's as close to a bolt action as it gets.

[@HKPSG1Shooter]

***** Hahaha! What can I say....I love that German engineering.

[@havenlewis5913]

You got a PSG-1? You can use that against Sniper Wolf. Hurry up and save Meryl!

[@bigbossiswatchingyou4624]

Meryl!

[@SlytigerSurvival]

I would have to say this is my favorite sniper rifle ever made

[@derrickstreets6159]

I love this weapon

[@edgarvega6906]

What a thing of beauty. Seriously

[@forwardshooter8087]

lol the scope is from hensold in wetzlar. i live there, never knew that they make scopes for h&K. little beatuful city #badenglish greetings from germany

[@VRichardsn]

Deine Englisch is gut, mein Freund #schlechtedeutsch

[@skankhunts42]

JakoMeisel deine Englisch ist besser als mein Deutsch!

[@andypatterson6847]

verry well spoken and factual these are the kind of videos KZbin should have more of

[@DaN3-YT-UK]

No idea how I ended up watching this video, but was interesting

[@randythompson1957]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@scottnelson007nelson8]

this is my dream gun. I have never even seen one. but then I had only seen about 2 mp5 and now I own one.

[@KB-kw8ni]

Just found one of these at a garage sale

[@gunfiveman]

Best overview video of PSG-1 ever. Good.

[@lefr33man]

I might be a itty-bitty tiny bit jealous.

[@mauriceclemens3286]

When I worked at Cabela’s in Fort Worth we sold a mint PSG1 to a collector for $15k. I was stunned it was that expensive.

[@Kimouchi]

Isn't this Sniper Wolf's weapon?

[@arcticman117]

gey

[@Restrictted]

A dick is Sniper wolf's gun.

[@leon323]

My 14 year old daughter is gonna start taking lessons on sniper rifles and the 1st rifle that came to my head and hers was the PSG1 for the obvious reason that it was the iconic rifle in Metal Gear Solid

[@jasonarmstrong5750]

"Didn't you know that two thirds of the worlds greatest assassin's are women?"

[@338bigguns]

Yes. I am one of them. This isn't the rifle of our choice. We use Sako.

[@sailingmaster]

One time I got the chance to pick one up, but not fire it. Thing weighs a ton. You get this real sense of gravitas holding it. A forty year old gun that (assuming proper maintenance and care) absolutely will shoot exactly where you point it. It really is one of those cornerstones that helped build the H&K legend. A true testament to firearms engineering. And to borrow the phrase... "Oh my brother! Testify!"

[@EricKPoorManPrepper]

You just know this is coming from someone,... "Are those as good as the Mosin Nagant Sniper Rifle,..??" LOL

[@bachiryammine8033]

wow man what a professional video that was and full of information great video as always 10 alex

[@thealliedpowers]

"Most iconic semi-automatic sniper rifle of all time." ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THAT

[@crimcrusader8459]

With this gun, you will most definitely be playing Metal Gear for real, not to mention having all of your Silent Scope moments you desired!

[@TwinklesTheChinchilla]

Screw all the new COD-licious guns: you just can't beat Cold War era classics.

[@superbarnie]

+Reichtangle Plenty of rifles that will shoot better than this for much less than $10k. (Not even accounting for inflation).

[@120masterpiece]

+superbarnie Different ideas behind deployment. Don't confuse the two.

[@pavelthefabulous5675]

+Davito2000 This gun was in Black Ops 1 and was one of the best ones too.

[@snakeboy5711]

other than the L96

[@BraindeadCRY]

to be fair, becoming a "classic" or icon does require some time. Who knows what people will think about the COD-licious guns in 30 years

[@xDonarudox]

Great video. This rifle is a beauty for sure.

[@762gunr]

Now for a Walther WA 2000 !

[@user-pk7ii1cn1z]

I'd be surprised if he had one of those, they're rare as all heck probably, since only a few hundred (I think the number was around 116) were ever produced, regardless though that would be cool if he did have one :)

[@xavierh.5102]

+Ben Barnes no one has started manufacturing them again? they'd probably sell great...

[@user-pk7ii1cn1z]

+xavier k. haberle If I remember correctly I believe they performed fine enough, but they were also really costly and expensive to produce, therefore they decided to not manufacture many before they quit, what being said seeing as how they performed alright it would be cool if they were to be produced again, but seeing as how they're short debut was in the 1970s, it's unlikely they'll make any kind of return :/

[@xavierh.5102]

Ben Barnes ahh, thats too bad.

[@panzerdragon1121]

762gunr Ew, no that shit Ugly.

[@BewareOfTheKraut]

I'm absolutely envious of you.

[@q-tip4723]

Where can I find ammo for the PSG-1?

[@redtra236]

I mean it uses .308/7.62x51 so about every gunstore will have it it's a very common hunting and military round.

[@phillipemendoza5870]

Q-Tip 47 lol

[@zaheerkader7426]

Second floor basement of the tank hangar

[@isaiahlee2902]

@@redtra236 lol it's a Metal Gear Solid reference :)

[@redtra236]

oh lol never played it so I wouldn't know

[@edwardbarr1533]

Just discovered this channel Magnificent

[@FirepowerUnited]

Troi oi... :O

[@FirepowerUnited]

+ajttambo Hola!

[@zsolobalogh5846]

This is the Ultimate art of Sniper this is actual art

[@Anino_Makata]

Out of this tradegy, not only did the PSG emerge, but the world's most premier anti-terrorism unit, the German GSG-9.

[@leodingo6965]

The sheer beauty of this firearm

[@rooster7658]

Beautiful classic

[@mattlord2906]

giggity giggity

[@deejay1534]

What about the MSG-90? How does it's accuracy compare to the G28 and PSG-1?

[@tfbtv]

The PSG1 is much more accurate than the G28. HK guaranteed an MOA with the PSG1, but only 1.5 MOA with the G28.

[@safarisauer3160]

Even firing belted military ball ammunition using iron sights, HK21Es regularly will shoot sub-MOA groups at almost any range. Three-shot groups measuring .75 inches at 100 meters are well within this machine guns capabilities when fired from a bipod supported prone firing position. HK21 E is really crazy.

[@erlandjohansen7195]

But what about the MSG-90 A2, the militarized version of the PSG1 A1? Surely one could expect an evolution of the PSG1 to be at least as accurate as the PSG?

[@paullytle246]

Erland Johansen what you got was lighter not more accurate

[@JButt-]

Love the PSG1, my old man used to have one in the collection, very unique and a great shooter.

[@davidcarroll4655]

Excellent video. Look forward to more and you shooting these guns

[@snakeboy5711]

of course the PSG1 is good........ITS GERMAN!!!

[@darnit1944]

Perhaps almost all German guns are well made.

[@snakeboy5711]

Darren Atm i can agree with that :p

[@snakeboy5711]

***** very true

[@Skullking489]

Not anymore. Apparently modern German weapons are very unreliable. According to a recent survey of troops by the German Army Research Center only 8% of German soldiers said they could fully trust their weapons. Search "german weapons unreliable" and you will find multiple articles talking about how the underfunded German Army is suffering a shortage of quality weapons.

[@snakeboy5711]

Skullking489 are they talking about the G3? because its an old gun, and needs to be replaced. or are they talking about major German arms dealers?

[@SaberToothLawnTigers]

Great stuff i can't wait to see you popping some shots off with those two H&K Beauties!!!

[@roymorris03]

OMG I need a cigarette and I can't wait to see you shoot this Rifle.

[@EbenezarGold]

beautiful piece. Thankyou for detailing your rifle. too cool.

[@cameronnorton5898]

Now all you need is a Walther WA2000.

[@persimmonmerchant6065]

A boy and his rifle. Those things are unicorns my dude

[@et7100]

Thanks for video. Has been a long time since I seen one of those.

[@buetang]

What happened to shooting this?

[@tfbtv]

+buetang I have shot it.

[@buetang]

No vid?! ;-)

[@Xskills16]

I guess they're still looking for a Sniper Wolf cosplayer who has experience with semi-auto, full-size caliber rifles.

[@Gist432]

I would have said Solid Snake, but ok, she would probably get more views anyway :)

[@PIERCESTORM]

This was my favorite sniper rifle in 2015 but here is my new top 5 Type 97 Arisaka-Almost no smoke or flash M82-Its powerful, but the recoil puts it up so high M24-I prefer it over the new XM2010 version PSG-1- Just watch the video M200 or SRR-61-Most people recognize this from call of duty. I like this because of it's accuracy at range, which is what I think is most important in a sniper rifle

[@thejarmy5100]

where can I find ammo for the psg1?

[@erlandjohansen7195]

It uses standard 7.62x51mm NATO rounds, so I would assume jut about anywhere where they sell rifle ammo. In "caliber" it's a .308, pretty much identical in size to the .308 Winchester. It will probably load and fire .308 win too, but the .308 win is loaded to a higher pressure and if the gun isn't designed for that you might have a bad time...

[@zelda7ase]

He was referencing Metal Gear.

[@erlandjohansen7195]

Chase C Ohh. That totally went over my head -_-

[@Algos7000]

The JArMy and which caliber goes to it???

[@Algos7000]

7,62 x 51 mm nato? really? that magazine looks like maximum 5,56mm. Why? i have no idea.

[@Joe900x]

Love the casual boat anchor joke. Lol👍🏼

[@waynelindsey5520]

for $10,000 I'll take a cheytac

[@hammanvideo]

+Wayne Lindsey Only reason to buy this instead of a Cheytac is this can shoot off the shelf ammo. I don't know of a single walmart or other big box store (let alone a small gun store) that sells .375/.408 cartridges off the shelf.

[@thatdudewelove8498]

+Wayne Lindsey ill buy a car! lol!

[@N75911_]

For $10,000, I could buy 4 AR15s and 20,000 rounds of 5.56.with money left over.

[@pratik1568]

this is not a weapon that u buy for recreational purposes its a tool created for a very specific purpose which it excels at hence the price

[@Xnate13X]

This is one of two guns I plan to collect within the next 20 years. HK PSG 1 and a Thompson M1 full auto complete kit with drum, both in excellent condition. Yeah, around $30k-40k total but that's not bad if you aren't spending money stupidly on other things. Already had $75k from working 8 years saved up before blowing it on a college education. It'll come true one day.

[@aries_9130]

Beautiful rifle. I'm really jealous!

[@CFootprints]

This is going to sound like maybe a childish thing to say, but ever since I saw it in the hands of Sniper Wolf, I was in love with the weapon.

[@michaelkuehl2018]

Very eloquent dialogue bro. Much appreciated.

[@KeithxOrionxStar]

I want one. A beautifully engineered weapon.

[@leemosol2010]

That was my work rifle! Loved it and miss it.

[@Cheezwizzz]

My favorite tfbtv review!

[@DrDune]

gotta love the jubilee band on that Rolex. happy they're making a comeback.

[@poodlemeister22314]

Good lord, seems like if the hand didn't fit the glove, they allowed the glove to be fit to the hand. The amount of personalization on the weapon in terms of personal ergonomics is staggering for something created in the 70's. Even the hand rest on the grip? Who'd a thunk something as small as that could make a difference in the comfort of a shooter. Incredible stuff

[@bp8087]

Great video ...... I've never seen such a rifle ...... This rifle is so far beyond me ....

[@droppinplates6665]

I would be in gun heaven to have some of the guns you have i have picked up several milsurps my self since starting to watch this channel getting into the semi autos now i know its not authentic but looking to get one of the PTR 308s here in the next few weeks these are really cool guns and the one u got is something to be proud of for sure great gun man looking forward to seeing it in action

[@tuck234]

Almost thought that was a electric guitar case... But it was something even better. ;)

[@Dogeggz]

Beautiful, remember these from the old vidya games.