Building an MSR/PSR - The Modular Unicorn

[SASSConcepts]

Let me start off by saying I know exactly how difficult this endeavor is. I've seen the historical posts and people searching far and wide for everything from pins to actions. I've also had the pleasure of having several conversations with individuals who have laid out an enormous amount of detail and history.

Below is a chassis I picked up in January of this year. I've been so busy running my FFL/SOT, shooting team sniper/field matches, sponsoring the International Sniper Competition down at Ft. Benning (where I got to see the MSR first-hand by talking with the Brazilian team and discuss this with the USCG MSRT team) and preparing other competitions, that this has sat in my safe for a good while. However, the fascination with the design and the iconic look make me pull this out and admire it.

I want to start this thread to consolidate information for insight into this specific chassis and what is on it. I want to understand or try to source where these parts may have come from, what era, and what else may have changed along the way. For example, this chassis is not matte but rather has a sheen to it. Likewise, it has no engravings on the magwell. However, the folding stock is a lighter version, not the standard heavy version.

I'd like to know what I'm working with with this piece, and I really haven't dissected it too much insofar as the chassis goes.

I'd love to see this thing come to life and get the time it deserves. For as much engineering and time, money, and energy it required to develop, it deserves to be used.

If you'd like to see this thing come to life and can help outline structured historical or contextual information on certain aspects, it will seriously help me build a full picture of this. I've had conversations with original RemDef employees, but it's a lot to remember verbally.

I'll make a follow-up post on this thread laying out everything I can remember and categorizing it, but I wanted to at least start the conversation off here.

Thank you in advance for helpful contributions and knowledge you can provide!

- SASS Concepts, LLC "Precision for a Purpose"

 

[Lawdog734]

I've got nothing specific to add, other than I'm curious to hear how the thread progresses. I managed to build out a full kit a couple of years ago and had a couple of extra barrel extensions so in addition to the .300wm and .338lm barrels, I built out a 6.5cm and a .338nm barrel for it as well.

 

[SASSConcepts]

Right on man. If it were my choice, this thing would be in sniper comps long ago. But, there’s always new opportunities and people are exploring reproduction of pieces and parts. Manufacturing is far more accessible now.

How have you enjoyed the variety of calibers on the platform? 6.5cm, 300wm, and 300/338 something would be ideal for this system for what I do.

 

[Lawdog734]

Ehh, I have other rifles that I'd rather drag around a comp than this. It's a nice and unique rifle, but it's heavy, the bolt throw is ok and the mag release is meh. Quite frankly, I prefer my AX-MC setup in just about all regards over this rifle. This most definitely has the cool factor going for it though.

I mainly shoot the .308 out of it just because I'm sitting on so much .308 ammo but have been meaning to drop the CM barrel into it. The magnum barrels are unfired since it's a waste to shoot them with the distances that I have readily available to shoot around me.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Looks like a very cool project and can’t wait to see it come together!!

Sirhr

 

[SASSConcepts]

Ehh, I have of other rifles that I'd rather drag around a comp than this. It's a nice and unique rifle, but it's heavy, the bolt throw is ok and the mag release is meh. Quite frankly, I prefer my AX-MC setup in just about all regards over this rifle. This most definitely has the cool factor going for it though.

I mainly shoot the .308 out of it just because I'm sitting on so much .308 ammo but have been meaning to drop the CM barrel into it. The magnum barrels are unfired since it's a waste to shoot them with the distances that I have readily available to shoot around me.

That’s basically what I hear. For the cost, you can get any other modular system like a Cadex Kraken or AI AXSR. And you can get plenty of updated quality of life or aftermarket support within the system.

But, they’re not a PSR.

 

[B y r o n]

If you're looking to part ways with your money for parts, you might find them here.

 

[ilikebmxbikes]

Your chassis is very cool. If i had to speculate, id say its either a later production MSR or an MSR with the later upgrade kit. The upgrade kit included a PSR style handguard that allowed for the barrel to be removed without removing handguard, a Skeletonized buttstock, a PSR style barrel nut, and a PSR wrench. CAG had these upgrade kits put on their MSR's. I have only seen them using handguards that were in the PSR Milspec Cerakote - yours has the prettier Annodizing like the original MSR handguard.


MSR - Note XM2010 style handguard and buttstock - ( Ranger Bat w/ modern Accessories.

CAG MSR w/ Upgrade kit - Notice the handguard is PSR cerakote, skeletonized buttstock, black PSR style barrel nut. Notice the rifles have the NF Mil-Spec ATACR 7-35 w/ zero hold turrets sitting in a Geissele 3-27 Mount. The S&B 3-27 was the previous optic used on the CAG MSR's.

Remington PSR - just posting this for context. You can see the update kit shown in the previous CAG PSR photos is to bring the MSR into the later PSR hardware.