AMP DSR1

     Notes: The DSR1 (Defensive Sniper Rifle-1) design evolved from the Erma SR100, and is used by GSG9, police SRT, and KSK, as well as some elite units of other Western European countries.  It is a bullpup design, with a wider choice of calibers and a Picatinny rail optics mount to allow it to use many different sights.  The barrel is free-floating for better accuracy.  The bipod is attached to the barrel shroud by the top, and there is another Picatinny rail under the barrel for mounting a foregrip or additional optics.  The barrel is match-grade and quick-change capable, and has a very efficient muzzle brake.  The selector lever for the weapon has three positions: safe, heavy trigger pull, and light trigger pull, and the trigger is further adjustable for fine-tuning.  Though the DSR1 looks like it uses two magazines, the front magazine well is to place a magazine for quick reloading or to allow a quick change between ammunition types, and does not actually feed the weapon.  The accuracy advertised by the manufacturer is almost unbelievable, but it is a very accurate weapon. 

     The DSR1 Subsonic is an integrally-silenced sniper rifle, using a reduced-charge 7.62mm NATO round that CQB calls “.308 Subsonic.”  Most of the DSR1 Subsonic is identical to the standard DSR1, but the DSR1 Subsonic uses a silenced barrel assembly that is fixed directly to the receiver (most silenced barrels are separate from the receiver).  Therefore, while the barrel has an integral silencer, it is still a free-floating barrel, producing high accuracy for a silenced rifle.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This weapon was virtually unknown in the Twilight 2000 timeline; the .50 BMG version did not exist in that timeline.

     Merc 2000 Notes: This is has been a big seller, both from AMP Technical Services in Germany and its British licensee, CQB Rifles. 

Blaser R93 Tactical

     Notes: This weapon generated a lot of interest when it was introduced in 1997, due to its quality; it was also designed using a host of suggestions from military and police snipers all over Europe and North America.  (The design of the R93 Tactical actually generated nine separate new patents.) 

     The R93 Tactical (also known as the R93 LRS-2) has a number of unusual features: the receiver, stock, and forestock are made of an almost solid piece of composite material; the barrel is of chrome-moly steel, cold-forged, and impregnated with deep-penetrating nitrogen gas to retard rusting.  The barrels for most of the non-magnum calibers are 24.7 inches long; for the .300 Winchester Magnum and 6mm Norma Benchrest, the barrel is 25.6 inches; and for the .338 Lapua Magnum chambering, the barrel is 27 inches long.  The barrels are deeply fluted to reduce weight and promote cooling.  The bolt handle does not need to be rotated to be actuated; it is simply pulled straight back, unlocking and locking automatically, with two chamber vents being provided if a case head failure occurs. 

     The bipod normally provided with the R93 Tactical is a Harris lightweight-type, but this may be removed and replaced with a normal fore-end or even a foregrip if desired. The sight mount is a MILSTD-1913 rail; no iron sights are provided.  The buttplate is adjustable for height, length and angle, the cheekpiece is adjustable for height and position upon the stock, and the bipod is adjustable for height and cant.  The trigger is match-quality, two-stage, and is adjustable for pull, takeup, overtravel, and three directions of position.  With the exception of the .338 Lapua Magnum version, any chambering available to the R93 Tactical can be fired from the same rifle simply by changing the barrel, bolt head, and magazine.  (Versions of the R93 Tactical which fire .338 Lapua Magnum are designed specifically for that round, and the operating parts are not interchangeable with other R93 Tactical rifles.)  These caliber changes are can be accomplished without changing the zero of whatever sights are mounted; the only changes the sniper might have to make are to account for the different calibers.

     The ammunition feed for the R93 Tactical positions the rounds directly in line with chamber, which increases reliability and means that the rifle does not need a feed ramp.  The stock is made from one piece of molded synthetics; in addition to the bipod groove on the fore-end, the rear of the stock has a retractable monopod.

     The R93 Tactical is based on two earlier designs: The R93 UIT Standard, a match rifle with a single-shot action, and the R93 CISM, a bolt-action match rifle.  Both of these weapons use a normal flash suppressor instead of a muzzle brake, have normal sight mounts instead of a MILSTD-1913 rail, and use set triggers.  The bipod is usually metal instead of composite.

     The R93K Bullpup is a bullpup version of the R93 Tactical above, designed to provide a barrel that is actually longer than that used in the standard R93 in a compact weapon.  The muzzle brake is somewhat more substantial than on the R93, and there is a carrying handle with a MILSTD-1913 rail on top.  The furniture is all polymer and not subject to weather conditions.  The design has its drawbacks: the magazine capacity is greatly reduced and the bolt handle is in a very awkward position (directly beside the firer's shoulder), requiring all but the most flexible snipers to take the weapon off the shoulder to cycle the bolt.  Despite this it is used by many members of German Police SRT units and is popular with German hunters. 

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This is a virtually unknown weapon in the Twilight 2000 World; those few that exist are found primarily among some police departments and military organizations.  Versions chambered for 5.56mm NATO and .300 Winchester Magnum are not available in the Twilight 2000 timeline. Except for some very few proof of concept models, the R93K Bullpup does not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

     Merc 2000 Notes: The Blaser R93 Tactical is rapidly becoming one of the world’s most popular sniping rifles, for those who can afford the cost.

Heckler & Koch MSG90 

     Notes: In the mid-1980s, Heckler & Koch began development of an upgraded PSG1.  Originally, the new rifle was to be called the PSG3, but the name was later changed to the MSG90.  The MSG90 is basically a PSG1 built using the latest materials and construction techniques, such as a cold-forged tempered barrel, a reduced (but fixed) trigger pull, a smaller padded stock that is adjustable for length and the height of the cheekpiece, and a MILSTD-1913 rail able to take virtually any sort of optic or accessory.  The trigger is also wider for a better grip for the trigger finger.  A standard bipod replaces the tripod of the PSG1, but this bipod is attached to an internal T-rail, allowing it to be easily detached and replaced with a sling swivel or some other accessory.  A (rather long) flash suppressor is fitted to the end of the barrel.  The firing selector was made ambidextrous.  The MSG90 has no iron sights; the standard sight for the weapon is the same 10x42 Hensoldt sight fitted to late-model PSG1s. 

     Based on user experience (particularly US Marine Corps scout-snipers and FAST teams, and the German GSG9 and KSK), Heckler & Koch made some improvements to the MSG90, producing the MSG90A1.  It is somewhat heavier, but has a number of new changes to the bipod, stock, and the barrel.  The barrel now sports a full muzzle brake; this brake can be removed to reveal threads for a suppressor.   The iron sights have been put back on the weapon to allow for emergencies, and these iron sights are micrometer-adjustable.  The MSG90A1 can use the 50-round drum of the G8 battle rifle (though reportedly few units ever actually use this capability).  At the rear of the ejection port, a small brass deflector has been added, to correct a small problem with case ejection (sometimes hot cases would end up going down the shirts of shooters of the MSG90).  In USMC service, this weapon is known as the MSG90-DMR (Designated Marksman Rifle). 

     Twilight 2000 Notes: The MSG90A1 went into limited use by the Germans, but the USMC never received theirs, making do with the standard MSG90.

Heckler & Koch PSG1

     Notes: The PSG1 is a semiautomatic sniper rifle meant for use by military and police forces alike.  It uses Heckler & Koch’s famous roller-locking system, and claims of accuracy are superb.  A special system provides for silent bolt operation (though not a silenced shot).  The scope mount is designed specifically for use on the PSG1; and essentially makes the telescopic sight (now typically a 10x42 Hensoldt, though earlier models used a 6x42) an integral part of the rifle.  The length and height of the stock, and the drop of the butt are all adjustable.  The trigger is not adjustable, but has a variable width.  The barrels are described as being “greater than match-quality,” are heavy almost to the point of being bull barrels, and have a polygonal cross-section, with a 25.6-inch length. Instead of a bipod, the PSG1 normally uses a precision miniature tripod (though it can also use a variety of bipods).  In many ways, the PSG1 is a highly reworked and accurized G3 battle rifle.  The PSG1 has been in service for nearly as long as the G3 itself, but is today thought to be too heavy for a military sniper’s weapon of its caliber, despite the great accuracy of which it is capable and the rock-solid platform which that weight provides.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: Though a lot of newer sniper rifles were available to the German Army in the Twilight War, over 75% of sniper rifle kills by the German Army were still made by the PSG1. 

     Merc 2000 Notes: As newer weapons became available to the German Army, PSG1s began flooding the police and military markets.

Heckler & Koch SL9SD

     Notes: This Heckler and Koch-made suppressed sniper rifle is based on the civilian SL8 rifle (itself a version of the G36, redesigned to comply with the 1994 Brady Crime Bill in the US).  Heckler and Koch decided to design new ammunition from scratch instead of attempting to use a silencer with bullet wipes to slow the bullet, since this leads to rapid wear of the silencer.  The cartridge is a hollowpoint 7.62x37mm subsonic round, and the weapon is redesigned for this larger-caliber round.  Noise from this rifle is Class III noise as defined in Merc: 2000.  The SL9SD has an adjustable stock, adjustable cheekpiece, and adjustable trigger.  By 2002, the SL9SD was still considered a developmental weapon, and distribution was in very small numbers, ostensibly for combat testing only. 

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This weapon is not available in the Twilight 2000 World.

     Merc 2000 Notes: As Notes, but there are many more reports of its usage. 

Mauser Kar98k ZF39

     Notes: Just prior to and during World War 2, certain Kar 98ks which had been tested by Mauser or the German Army and found to have superior quality were drilled and tapped for a scope and used as sniper rifles.  The best of these were designated the Kar 98k ZF39.  For the most part, they were standard Kar 98ks, but due to “accidents” in production, they happened to shoot and handle better than most Kar 98ks.  Individual Scharfschutzen (German word for “snipers” at the time) generally further modified these rifles with raised cheekpieces, trigger adjustments, and other little enhancements.  Barrels were 23.62 inches. Most ZF39s were equipped with the Zeiss Zielvier (standardized as the Zielfernrohr 39, hence the designation) 4x telescopic sight, using a specially designed dedicated quick detach mounting system. Some other scopes used were the Zielsechs 6x scope, the Zielacht 8x scope, Ajack 4x and 6x scopes, Hensoldt Dialytan 4x scope, the Kahles Hellavier 4x scope, and the Opticotechnica 4x. The reticles for all these scopes were similar and also made to a standardized pattern; the reticle was a bit too thick and could obscure the target at longer ranges.

    The ZF39 (and the standard Kar98k) were captured in droves by the Russians in World War 2.  Some of them later turned up in the hands of the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese during the Vietnam War.

    Thanks to Danny for his spot and corrections.

Mauser SP66

     Notes: This is a German sniper rifle found alongside the PSG1 in German service and in the service of 12 other countries. The SP66 is a commercial Mauser match rifle (the Model 66S Super Match) equipped with a very effective flash hider, adjustable stock, and a night sight mount. The SP66 is built to a pattern normally used with target rifles, including a short action, and the lack of a bipod.  The stock is made of fine, sealed walnut and has a thick recoil pad.  The telescopic sight normally issued with the SP66 is a Zeiss Diavari ZA 1.5-6x. 

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This weapon was very common in the Twilight War, especially in Central America, South America, and Africa; in Europe, they made mostly been replaced by more modern weapons. 

     Merc 2000 Notes: As Notes, but most European militaries and police departments had replaced them with more modern weapons.

Mauser M86 

     Notes: The Mauser M86 was developed as an alternative to the SP66.  It uses the same short-throw bolt, and a different stock that is ventilated to dissipate heat from the barrel.  The Model 86 also features a large detachable box magazine, a useful feature for law enforcement (change from high penetration to low penetration rounds quickly) and military snipers (rapid reloads).  The trigger is fully adjustable, and the stock’s length and cheekpiece are more adjustable.  The barrel is 28 inches long, plus a muzzle brake nearly an inch long, and the barrel is fluted to decrease weight and increase cooling.  The Model 86 is a little longer, and a little lighter than the SP66, and comes in both wooden and synthetic stocks; the synthetic stocks are of the thumbhole-type, while wooden stocks use a deep pistol-grip-type wrist.  Backup iron sights are an option, but not standard equipment.  Two other variants are available: the Mauser M86M, which fires .300 Winchester Magnum ammunition, and the M86SR (Specialty Rifle), which uses a suppressed barrel and fires 7.62mm ammunition. 

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This was another common weapon in the Twilight War, found in many parts of the world.

PzB38/PzB39

     Notes: The PzB38s round combined an 8mm Mauser bullet with a much larger 13mm cartridge shell.  The result was a small but fairly heavy bullet that flew at a very high velocity to achieve penetration by a principle similar to modern sabot rounds.  The bullet used a core of armor-penetrating steel combined with a small capsule of tear gas; the tear gas portion was entirely useless, as the capsule seldom ruptured as it was supposed to, and the amount of tear gas was so tiny as to have negligible, if any, effects.  (It may be safely ignored for game purposes.)  The PzB38 was a single-shot rifle using an operation more akin to artillery pieces than to rifles, with a breech block rather than a conventional bolt action. 

     The PzB38, while nearly useless (as were most antitank rifles) against the armor of the day, was an effective long-range sniping weapon.  It was also expensive and slow to manufacture, even in the small number that were built.  The PxB38 was thus replaced in production by the simplified PzB39.  This rifle dispensed with the recoiling barrel and semiautomatic breech, and using the pistol grip to open the breech instead of a separate handle.  Unfortunately, it was also more painful to fire, and Nazi snipers got a hold of the earlier PzB38 whenever possible.

     During the invasion of Poland in World War 2, examples of ammunition for the Polish Wz-35 antitank rifle were captured.  This weapon fired a tungsten-cored AP round.  This round was reverse-engineered for use in the PzB38 and PzB39.

PzB41

     Notes: At over 2 meters long, this is one of the largest shoulder arms ever manufactured.  It is based on an aircraft cannon that was designed for ground strafing in 1918, and was a distant kin to the Lahti m/39.  The mechanism is however far more complex than the Lahti, involving winding a crank and then cocking the weapon.  Recoil was brutal, but the range was very satisfying.  They were tested on the Russian Front, where they were quickly discarded as antiarmor weapons because their effectiveness vs. the T-34s that were becoming so common was nil.  The Italian Army used a number of them, but almost exclusively as sniping and antimaterial weapons.

Sommer & Ockenfuss Shorty Marksman

     Notes: Designed to be a sort of “pocket sniper,” the Shorty Marksman is a slide-action bullpup design. Unlike most slide-action weapons, there is no slide handle to reciprocate – the bolt is worked by sliding back and forth the pistol grip.  The Shorty Marksman uses as standard a 25.6-inch barrel; a silenced 17.7-inch barrel with a fixed silencer can be mounted.  Without the silencer, the barrel is free-floating; with the silencer, the silencer supports the barrel and it is no longer free-floating. Atop the receiver above the pistol grip is a short MILSTD-1913 rail, enough for most scopes and optics.  The shell is primarily of composite; many other parts are of light alloy. The bipod folds frontward and is adjustable for height and cant; at the rear, a monopod is extendible. Sales did not go well for the Shorty Marksman; only 100 were built and they are much sought-after collector’s items these days.

SS-41

     Notes:  This is a bit of a mystery weapon; very few German examples survived World War 2, and only a few were ever built in the first place.  There are few written records of them, and even fewer design notes.  It is not even certain where they were manufactured, for the surviving examples have very little markings of any sort.  The SS-41 is noted for its unusual mechanism; it is a bullpup bolt-action design where the entire pistol grip and trigger group are used as the charging handle.  The mechanism is very complicated and was apparently very difficult to manufacture, but was quite effective in lowering weight and the length of the rifle.  It is also very vulnerable to dirt in the mechanism.  The SS-41 fired the 7.92mm Patronen round, which was in very limited manufacture and even more limited issue. 

Suhl SSG82

     Notes: This rifle was designed and put into service shortly before the fall of the Iron Curtain.  There is much controversy as to which purpose the SSG82 was to be put to – it has a short barrel for a sniper rifle at 23 inches, and it is chambered for 5.45mm Kalashnikov, hardly an optimum sniper round.  On the other hand, it is light and handy, and can be quite accurate over short ranges.  The SSG82 appears to be an enlargement of the Thalman .22 rimfire target rifle, and looks similar to sniper and target rifles made by firms such as Mauser, Steyr, and Anschutz.  The mechanism is quite simple, and contained within a circular receiver.  The barrel is of heavy profile and cold hammer forged, increasing the accuracy of the rifle.  The stock is of dense, blonde-colored beech with a straight butt with a slightly-raised comb. At the butt is a rubber recoil pad, and several spacers can be placed or removed there to adjust length of pull.  The stock has a pistol grip which is almost a true pistol grip, but still joined to stock; it is known for its orthopedic shape.  The fore-end is fat-bellied and provides a good grip. The trigger is user-adjustable.  The standard scope is a ZF-4S 4x made by the Jena division of Carl Zeiss; though the mounts allow for some other Eastern Bloc scopes, some work will be required to mount other hardware.

      Currently, Century International Arms of the US is beginning to sell surviving SSG82s on the international market.

T-Gew M1918

     Notes: Mauser’s T-Gew (Tank-Gewehr) was an early attempt at an antitank rifle, and one of the few that had any sort of success at all, even if it was for only a very short time.  The T-Gew fired a massive 13mm round at a very high velocity, making the tanks of World War 1 and shortly after somewhat vulnerable to it.  The T-Gew set the pattern for later such attempts, though almost all of the later designs came too late to keep up with advances in armor design.

Walther WA2000 

     Notes: This is a German-built rifle originally designed a purpose-built sniper’s weapon, particularly those snipers requiring a compact, concealable weapon.  It is an unusual design for a sniper rifle, using a bullpup configuration.

     The WA2000 uses a fluted free-floating barrel 25.59 inches long.  The barrel is not enclosed, but instead attached to the rest of the weapon using brackets.  This design allows the recoil forces to be delivered straight to the shooter’s shoulder, lowering barrel climb.  The stock is a combination of hardwood and composites, with an adjustable buttplate (with a rubber pad) and an adjustable cheekpiece.  The barrel is threaded; it is normally equipped with a long flash suppressor, but can have a muzzle brake which is designed for the specific caliber used, or even a suppressor.  The sight mount on early models is a claw-type, but the mounts can also be used to attach a variety of different fixtures, including a MILSTD-1913 rail.  The sheer amounts of adjustments that can be made in the rifle are staggering, making every weapon virtually individual for each sniper.  These adjustments include the aforementioned cheekpiece and buttplate (adjustable for length of pull, height, and to a small extent, angle), and a trigger which is minutely adjustable for length of pull, pull weight, angle, and length of takeup.  The bipod is adjustable for height and cant, and attached above the barrel on a rail.

     There are effectively two versions of the WA2000.  The 1^st generation rifles were available only in 7.62mm NATO and 7.5mm Swiss calibers.  2^nd Generation rifles feature a more robust gas system, a different flash suppressor, and added some more calibers. 

     The Achilles’ Heel of the WA2000 is its real-life cost (especially in its native .300 Winchester Magnum caliber), and production stopped after 4 years and about 75-200 rifles (sources and publications differ wildly in the number of WA2000s produced).  Another sore point is the weight of the WA2000.