The PSG-1 was quite infamous in the first Metal Gear Solid. It also appeared in MGS2: Sons of Liberty, but it's its pivotal role in the first MGS adventure that has secured it's place in Metal Gear history. Hit the jump.
Although it was nearly a decade ago, I still remember stressfully popping diazepam while trying to steady my aim on Sniper Wolf. The animal-loving female FOXHOUND sharpshooter also favored the PSG-1, making it a duel for the ages. Raiden, one of the protagonists from Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, also wielded the rifle, but in keeping with true fanboy fashion, I'm going to ignore him like he never existed.
The "PSG" in PSG-1 stands for "Prazisions-Scharfschutzen-Gewehr," which is German for "precision sharpshooter rifle. The rifle was designed by German weapons manufacturers Heckler & Koch. The company is also responsible for the MP5 submachine gun, the G36 assault rifle, and the USP series of handguns, of which the 9mm variety is featured in Metal Gear Solid 2.
The rifle was born out of tragedy. After the Munich Massacre at the 1972 Summer Olympics, in which the terrorist group Black September were responsible for 12 deaths, Heckler & Koch were commissioned to create a high accuracy semi-automatic rifle for police and military use. The reason was that the police could not engage the terrorists fast enough to save the hostages. They hoped this new rifle would remedy that.
Due the rifle's high cost - up to $15k USD per rifle - and government import restrictions, as of 2005, less than 400 rifles were present in the US. Most of those were in the hands of private collectors.
The PSG-1 is considered to be one of the most accurate semi-automatic sniper rifles of its caliber. Instead of iron sights, all models come mounted with the Hensoldt 6X42 scope with illuminated reticule and an adjustable stock. The rifle also sports a removable and adjustable trigger unit, for further customization.
One of the flaws of the PSG-1 is the amount of force used when ejecting cartridge casings, which can reportedly fling them up to 10 meters. This could give away a sniper's position as well as make clean up difficult when trying to erase any signs of a sniper's presence.
Source: Wikipedia
