Sent one of the guys at the gun store a text, the H&K model is the SR9T. Dont know if that will change anything or not.
Im not too knowledgable in semi's, but have been wanting to buy/build one for a while, and Im finally in a position to get started, just dont want to go the wrong way in the end, but like both of the rifles and general variants of the two specifically in question.
Well an SR9(T) is nowhere even close to the PSG-1 by any measure of accuracy, performance, capabilities, etc. The SR9 series rifles were more or less one of HK's neutered transitional period/ban era solutions to the import ban on the HK-91 that began in 1989 and produced until the Clinton era ban which began in 1994. It is a sporting rifle with features changed/modified/added to comport with the ban, including the basic SR9 having the thumbhole stock, 19.7" (1:11 twist polygonal) plain-muzzle barrel (i.e. - no threads for FH, etc.), "sporting" forend/handguard which, unlike the HK-91 would not easily mount a bipod, no bayonet lug, etc., etc., etc. The basic SR9 (from which
ALL SR9(T) and SR9(TC) rifles were made/altered into) was a the entry level model in the lineup and, as you would imagine, was the model in which the most numbers were produced. The SR9(T) and SR9(TC) were altered models which adopted less "sporting" features and more "target shooting" oriented features, but which still met BATFE approval to remain able to meet the "legitimate sporting purposes" mandate of the ban. The SR9-T model added the MSG-90 buttstock assembly (which I personally prefer to the PSG-1 stock) as well as the PSG-1 trigger pack and grip, but retained all the other features of the basic SR9. The SR9-TC went a step further and added the PSG-1 buttstock assembly. Those that were upgraded were hand-struck/stamped (usually very lightly) with the upgrade letters T and TC after the SR9 marks on the L side of the receiver above the magwell. Thus, it is VERY difficult if not next to impossible to determine a "genuine" HK factory T or TC model from a basic SR9 rifle that was modded after the fact on the civilian side with the upgraded parts I mentioned above. HK can't (or otherwise won't) confirm the provenance of the T and TC rifles...only whether your serial number may or may not fall within the range in which the upgraded models were produced (again, making the aftermarket rifles easy to pawn off as the real deal).
The value of the SR9(T) is not even close to the ballpark of the PSG-1. Most, assuming excellent or better condition (as VERY few are actually NIB) go for no more than ~$3500 or so (without optics, mounts, addt'l mags, etc.). I know of one example that is more or less as new as you can readily find them these days, in like new condition, that is properly marked (caveat emptor as to the legitimacy of the marking aside from it is within the date code range), and comes complete as it would have from HK USA...its been for sale for MONTHS, including during all the recent craziness, and the seller can't for the life of him get the $3995 asking price he wants for it if that tells you anything. The SR9 series rifles were capable for what they were designed to do. Again, with a shooter that knows what they are doing, and with quality match ammo (and preferably reloads designed for the rifle within mag limitations), they can be better than MOA capable if you get a good one. Most hover around MOA with respect to the upgraded models and the basic models around 1.5MOA or so (worst I have seen with an SR9 was ~2MOA...still nothing to sneeze at for a battle rifle in sheeps clothing
).
In this day and age, with all due respect to the HK and the MIA options you are considering, if you want a high quality, accurate .308 gasser...you owe it to yourself to go with a large-frame AR platform rifle and be done with it, especially for the money you are looking to drop on what will ultimately be an inferior product and potentially a disappointment for you, especially for use out to 1k. By way of example, a basic DPMS SASS as one factory production rifle that is readily available right now, brand new in the box, can be had for under $2k. Add a quality optic suitable for your end game, mount/rings, a stack o' mags, a bipod, etc. and you'll have a sub-MOA capable rifle, setup and ready to roll for likely a bit less than you'll spend on the HK just for the rifle minus all the other trimmings unless your guy store guy is willing to cut you a steal of a price or he knows he's got a basic SR9 parts gun upgraded to SR9(T) configuration by Joe Bob in his basement.
If you really want an education on the SR9 series rifles and their capabilities, pros/cons, estimated values, etc., head over to HKPro's forums and have a read through a multitude of threads over there re: the rifles. More info than you could ever want. Again though, and I wouldn't be doing my job for you as a fellow Mountaineer if I didn't say it once more...do yourself a HUGE favor and skip both the rifles you are considering for your stated purposes and buy (or build) a quality, large-frame AR platform rifle. You'll thank yourself for going that way down the road...trust a certified HK-o-phile on that one (especially one who owns a factory SR9TC and an MSG-90 clone who is telling you to go a different direction)!!
