Replacing the MSG54A3 in active service, the MSG55A1 (Milit�risches Scharfsch�tzen-Gewehr, or Military Sharpshooting Rifle) is a heavily reworked rifle. Rechambered for the higher powered 10 x 28mm caseless round, the weapon offers higher firepower and takedown. It fires the newer match grade M252 round. Higher powered, the M252 round is issued with the MSG55A1. Instead of the standard ball, the round is boat-tailed to improve range, allowing a better engagement range than normal sniper rifles. Lots are issued for a nominal six month use, and new lots issued for the next six months. Like the M250A1 round, the M252 can be set for "Delay" and "Super" modes like the M250A1. The M250 round can be used with the MSG55, though range suffers. The new bullpup frame incorporates materials from zero-gee and other measures to reduce the weight.
The barrel is free-floating, and incorporates a full barrel suppressor, which allows the weapon to fire in the burst fire mode, in case of imminent capture. It has no iron sights, and is fired from the scope handle, which can accept another accessory and it mounts an Image Magnification-3 scope as standard. The cocking handle is fully ambidextrous, allowing both left and right hand shooters to fire the weapon. Ejection of jammed rounds however is accomplished on the right side of the weapon. Manual ejection of the clips is accomplished by a button in front of the magazine well, and is ambidextrous and uses both 5 round, 10 and 20 round clips. They are designed to clip together using studs that allow them to snap together. The TAG Rail Mount has been removed in favor for a Rail Adapter System (RAS). Due to the number of some complaints of the TAG system, the RAS was installed to give users a wider range of options. The origininal fixed bipod is removable, yet allows a traverse of 10º. With this system, an individual sniper can customize the weapons suite to his or her needs. Generally this means other targeting accessories, or other accessories, such as flashlights, and vertical grips. A flattop also is included, allowing removal of the current system, but is still used as the baseline optical sight for the weapon. The charging handle was moved to the side, and is fully ambidextrous. This necessitated the "A1" designation, as it is very much a different rifle. A rangefinder is fitted to increase the accuracy, in conjunction with the Smartlink II hardware. It has a solenoid trigger to assist in long range shots and is fully caseless. The weapon system, when issued, comprises of the bipod, Henschler & Kaufmann day/night scope, as well as guards for the RAS. It is carried in a large case, which holds ten 20-round clips, ten 10-round clips, and ten 5-round clips.
The original Henschler & Kaufmann Image Magnification-3 scope has been replaced by the scope as used on the Model 09. Using a standard sized scope, and modifying the optics so that a low-light filter is incorporated. Using a chemical stimulant, the user, through the smartlink, can select low-light or standard day sighting on demand. It is a full 9x (IM-3) magnification optical scope. This has replaced the GN45, making it used solely on the MSG67.
The stock is adjustable to accommodate most shooters body, as well as mounting both shock pads to reduce the recoil of the round, and has an autostabilization stock as well. The collapsing stock itself has three stops to accomodate most arm lengths, while the cheek rest is adjustable as well as a tool that adjusts the buttpad of the stock. Normally, when assigned to an operative, he or she uses that weapon specifically, as it is "zeroed" to that person. The user can collapse the stock as needed, but adjusting the cheek rest and buttpad requires them to be set to the lowest setting and then reset. A tool that is in the buttpad adjusts the buttpad settings. Fully collapsing the stock allows the user to use the weapon in a "carbine" format for ease of handling and storage. Setting these requires at least 40 rounds on a firing range. Practical shooters remember their setting, so they can adjust it to their body. For those who do not reset the adjustments do not gain the extra die when used.
Type
Conceal
Ammo
Mode
Damage
Weight
Sniper
2/-*
5, 10 or 20(c)
SA/BF
17S
6.15
*Decrease concealability to zero when the stock is extended. Add 1 to the concealability when a 5-, or 10-round clip is used. Reduce concealability by 1 per clip snapped together.
The free floating barrel adds an additional die to any Rifles roll. It mounts a rangefinder combined with Smartlink II, and the solenoid trigger offers an additional -1 at Long range, and -2 at Extreme range. Changing the modes for the M250A1 round (described at the bottom of this page) requires a Free Action. Note that when firing a burst, only one mode is allowed per burst. The adjustable stock also adds another die to the character's Rifles roll when properly adjusted.
If the weapon is used "as is", the user does not get the extra die. The stock mounts an autostabilization stock offering 1 point of compensation, and shock pads that offer 2 points. Use heavy weapon recoil rules. Removing the scope handle incurs a -2 to Concealability. This also reduces the weapons weight to 5.15. Removing the bipod reduces it further to 3.15 kilograms. Removing/Attaching accessories requires a Complex Action to perform. Each accessory mounted on the RAS reduces Concealability per thier own Concealability modifier.
M252 Round, per 10 rounds.
LIke the M250A1 round, the M252 offers the same flexibility in selecting the mode in which it is used. It is heavier, and has improved range and is caseless.
Concealability
Damage
Weight
8
+3/no change
.5
Add 150% to the Range table for this round. For the M250A1, add 125%. See this page for fuze selection rules. Recoil when using this round is 2 points per round. Note when using the TAG FireForce II system, the clips count as "SMG" clips due to the small size of the round compared to rifle caliber rounds, such as the 7.62 x 51mm round. And if snapped together, they still count as the same amount.
Heckler & Koch MSG67
The MSG67 is another new sniper rifle, designed as a compettitor to the heavier (in weight) Barret sniper rifle. If the weapon wasn't another exclusive weapon, it would outstrip both the MSG9000E and the Barret. What makes the weapon better is the use of ceramics to lighten the weight of an otherwise heavy rifle. Completely loaded, the MSG67 weighs a light 9.5 kgs compared to the 14 kgs of the Barret. The weapon still uses the .50 cal round, but is entirely caseless, preventing a case to be left behind, as well as reducing weight further. A full barrel silencer is mounted. However, to keep the round from blowing it off, much like the Seburo M7, the end of the barrel features vents to bleed off the pressure. While it doesn't completely silence the weapon (+2 instead of +4), it does ensure the reliability of it. It must be noted that the firer must take care where he or she fires, as the gas can blow up loose dust or snow. The barrel is free floating, with a bar underneath that ends in a folding bipod that folds forward. It is fully ambidextrous, with the charging handle being mounted under the scope handle, which mounts as standard an IM-3 scope. It can mount the GN45 combined Low-Light/Thermographic scope on top of the handle. This can be mounted with out changing the zero of the weapon, and can be used as well on the MSG55 sniper rifle. It weighs only 1kg and is easy to mount. Smartlink II fitted as standard, and one other advantage over the Barret is the ability to be taken down without extra cost, allowing SSG snipers to "shoot and scoot". The other feature is the use of a free floating barrel to improve accuracy dramatically, giving an edge that so far hasn't been taken.
Type
Conceal
Mode
Damage
Ammo
Weight
Sniper
NA
SA
14D
18(c)
9.75
The weapon has a recoil modifier of 2 per round, and the bipod offers 2 points when used. The weapon can only mount top-mounted accessories. Breaking down the weapon requires Three Complex Actions, and a 2 kg case is available for transport, and has a Conceal of 3. The free floating barrel gives an additional die to any Firearms/Rifles rolls when using this weapon. The vented silencer offers only a +2 modifier to Perception Tests, and can allow the sniper to be spotted when firing (GM's discretion). The low-light scope requires only a Simple Action to install/remove. Each clip costs 3 points for the TAG FireForce II system. Stats for the GN45 can be found here.
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