Remington PSR / Need Help??

[RemCustom6]

The CSR (Compact Sniper Rifle) is/was built as a short action 308. The MSR (Modular Sniper Rifle) is built as a multi caliber 308, 300 Win Mag, 338 Lapua switch barrel rifle. Both were built off of the Remington RACS Chassis using a very nicely built titanium action. You could easily build up multiple other caliber barrels for each model. On the CSR you would need more barrel extensions and on the MSR you would need the correct extension as well as the correct bolt head per the case head/caliber you would want to add to the system. If you already had all 3 bolt head sizes, all you would need is the extensions.

 

[tridentsix]

If anyone knows, it will indeed be tactinstr1SFG...

The only thing I know about the PSR program - is that SOCOM apparently re-purposed some of the big S&B scopes, as seen on odd-ball platforms like M110s...
...and I could be wrong, but that Secret Service Sniper seen recently in DC seems to have one of those big tan S&B scopes on his Mk 13 Mod 7 type platform. Might be a coincidence, but I thought it was interesting to have that scope on that rifle. (I wonder if Crane also procures some gear for the USSS?). That's all I know.

A little late I don't normally add information. Still the Government agencies and military often work collaboratively...especially when expensive procurements are concerned. Noteworthily, I graduated USMC Scope Sniper school class 1/88 with several FBI HRT gents (Using the "OGA" other government agencies Unertl 10x non USMC marked) and even a couple Canadian snipers. Following my class or there about the C3 Unertl 10x was born.

 

[molonlave]

Does anyone happen to know what material was used for the bolt body? I believe the receiver is titanium. I'm assuming it was either 4140 or some type of stainless.

 

[kft101]

Bumping this thread with a related question, instead of creating a completely separate thread… since it’s related.

What, if any, accessories were made to attach to the top of the AWP/OPS UMQDS mount? At least the mounts that had the thicker top ring with channel and two threaded holes running down them. Definitely looks like they were intended to attach a diving board or other accessories.

Tan UMQDS mount with said top ring halves intended for accessories:

Black UMQDS with slick top ring halves:

 

[Random Guy]

Definitely looks like they were intended to attach a diving board or other accessories.

Presumably those holes are for a Picatinny rail. (This one is a Gray Ops part, but same concept is my best guess)

 

[kft101]

Presumably those holes are for a Picatinny rail. (This one is a Gray Ops part, but same concept is my best guess)
View attachment 8355562
View attachment 8355563

Yup, that’s what I’m figuring. Interested to know if they actually made any rails or other accessories for those obvious attachment points.

 

[macethetemplar]

AWP 8137-1 bridge mount is the only one I have ever seen. The one above is interesting for sure but it also could have been for levels or even holographic site mounts that were never produced

 

[TrickyPig]

Manual for disassembly question

I am looking for a manual that discuses the assembly and disassembly of the PSR/MSR Modular Sniper Rifles Stock and RACS system. Anyone know where I’d find that?

 

[macethetemplar]

These are snippets from the CSR manual that apply to both. The CSR was the short action of the MSR/PSR.

 

[TrickyPig]

These are snippets from the CSR manual that apply to both. The CSR was the short action of the MSR/PSR.

This is excellent, thank you! Don’t have a link to this manual somewhere? My basic Google-Fu is failing. lol.

 

[Frank Green]

There is only one unit in the US military to purchase and use the PSR, actually it was not the PSR, it was the MSR (yes they are different) and in that case they bought the rifles w/o optics and as stated above repurposed some that they already had.

Now, if you are talking about the actual USSOCOM PSR contract, it was awarded (to Remington) but was never serviced and ultimately canceled in favor of the pending ASR program (which Barrett won). Having said all that, I completely acknowledge that SOCOM could have awarded the optics side to S&B, but as I said the contract was canceled and no rifles were delivered (well a handful were as test platforms).

^^^^ he pretty much spot on but I will add.... (not about the scopes though... that I know nothing about)

All of the original MSR guns that went FT. Bragg... all our barrels and all replacement barrels have been ours. There where 100 guns ordered with 3 barrels per gun.... that was the initial order.

That being said after that we did make barrels for X amount of guns that went to Ranger outfits as well. I forget the exact number because sometimes I was told where they were going and sometimes all I got was a po. The qty was an easy say 300-400 more barrels but I do know guns went to other outfits as well.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels

 

[TrickyPig]

^^^^ he pretty much spot on but I will add.... (not about the scopes though... that I know nothing about)

All of the original MSR guns that went FT. Bragg... all our barrels and all replacement barrels have been ours. There where 100 guns ordered with 3 barrels per gun.... that was the initial order.

That being said after that we did make barrels for X amount of guns that went to Ranger outfits as well. I forget the exact number because sometimes I was told where they were going and sometimes all I got was a po. The qty was an easy say 300-400 more barrels but I do know guns went to other outfits as well.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels

So if someone wanted replacement barrels for an MSR, are you still able to furnish those?

 

[macethetemplar]

So if someone wanted replacement barrels for an MSR, are you still able to furnish those?

The barrels are just standard blanks so Yes they can. The trick is finding barrel-extentions and then reverse engineering how each barrel ext interacted with the barrel for each caliber. You need to find an original barrel and measure breech face to shoulder, barrel extension depth, and protrusion. I have been working with Tonyben from the m14forum to reverse engineer the 308 measurements. There were 4 different barrel extensions marked either 762, 300WM, 300NM, or 338LM.

 

[TrickyPig]

^^^^ he pretty much spot on but I will add.... (not about the scopes though... that I know nothing about)

All of the original MSR guns that went FT. Bragg... all our barrels and all replacement barrels have been ours. There where 100 guns ordered with 3 barrels per gun.... that was the initial order.

That being said after that we did make barrels for X amount of guns that went to Ranger outfits as well. I forget the exact number because sometimes I was told where they were going and sometimes all I got was a po. The qty was an easy say 300-400 more barrels but I do know guns went to other outfits as well.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels

So if someone wanted replacement barrels for an MSR, are you still able to furnish those

The barrels are just standard blanks so Yes they can. The trick is finding barrel-extentions and then reverse engineering how each barrel ext interacted with the barrel for each caliber. You need to find an original barrel and measure breech face to shoulder, barrel extension depth, and protrusion. I have been working with Tonyben from the m14forum to reverse engineer the 308 measurements. There were 4 different barrel extensions marked either 762, 300WM, 300NM, or 338LM.

View attachment 8542254

I have original barrels for 762, 300WM, and 338. I am mainly looking to not wear the originals out, and to be able to source some for future use.

 

[USMCSGT0331]

So if someone wanted replacement barrels for an MSR, are you still able to furnish those

I have original barrels for 762, 300WM, and 338. I am mainly looking to not wear the originals out, and to be able to source some for future use.

It's all about the barrel extension, which is something that Bartlein barrels doesn't make or sell. Frank can easily make you a barrel blank, but it would be on you to find a barrel extension for the barrel blank to use. As far as I know, there isn't anyone making the MSR/PSR/CSR barrel extensions (all of these rifles use the exact same barrel extension and bolt heads, I use a .338LM PSR barrel and bolt head in my small prototype CSR rifle). The only place I've ever found them for sale is on Gunbroker (unfortunately it's just this single type of barrel extension):

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1065620325

Frank will have have to let you know if you can send him the barrel extension to put on one of his Bartlein barrels, or if you'll have to take his barrel blank and the barrel extension to another gunsmith like in @macethetemplar's posts above. Your best bet is to shoot @macethetemplar a message and have him get you lined up with Tony Ben to have actual barrels for your rifle assembled. I'm not sure if Frank actually wants to go through this entire process of actually making MSR/PSR/CSR barrels with customer supplied barrel extensions, but as long as you have his barrel blanks, Tony Ben can put them together for you.

Don't be afraid to shoot your original barrels, I shoot mine any chance I can get. Some of the rare prototype barrels are irreplaceable, but other barrels are just Remington barrels that can be shot out and you can have the barrel extension reused on a new better barrel. As long as the barrel extension isn't damaged in any way, the extension can be reused an unlimited number of times on new barrels! So, if you burn out a barrel, remember to save the barrel extension for use on a new barrel. Also, grab some of the bolt heads on gunbroker if you need them, those really come in handy if you really want to switch up calibers. I'm sure that you already have some, but extras are always good too.

If you're having new barrels made for your rifle, you can also have them made in whatever calibers will fit your magazines, barrel extensions and bolt heads (such as 6.5 Creedmoor for the 7.62 bolt head, magazines and barrel extension). I think that @macethetemplar is even working with a company to have an integral silencer barrel custom made for his CSR rifle! That's a very interesting and unique barrel for these rare Remington rifles! As long as you have the barrel extensions and a gunsmith who's willing to work on the barrel, you can have just about anything made, so don't worry if Frank isn't working on compete MSR/PSR/CSR barrels at this time (hopefully he can give you a definitive answer though).

 

[SASSConcepts]

I'm picking up a PSR chassis in January. Here to connect and learn with whom I can to get all the facts. I have already had great conversations with numerous individuals.

 

[USMCSGT0331]

I'm picking up a PSR chassis in January. Here to connect and learn with whom I can to get all the facts. I have already had great conversations with numerous individuals.View attachment 8552943

Very nice chassis, that looks like the early type that Brownells sold on their website 5+ years ago for about $1,400 each. Unfortunately, that's one of the easier part of the PSR/MSR build to acquire (the barrels are easiest to find), so it's going to be an uphill battle from here. Acquiring an actual loose PSR/MSR receiver is next to impossible, same with finding the rest of the parts. Loose PSR/MSR have sold for $5,000+ on Gunbroker in the past few years. Take-off prototype/testing, commercial leftover and contract overrun PSR/MSR barrels can typically be found on Gunbroker and other sources. You want to also grab some of the loose barrel extensions and other parts as they pop up for sale. There's a lot of guys who have purchased PSR/MSR parts when JFE and other places started selling them a few years ago, so you have a lot of competition for the more rare PSR/MSR parts when they pop up for sale.

I hate proving bad news, and you're obviously very excited about acquiring this chassis and starting your PSR/MSR build, but it's going to be a long road ahead of you. I was the very first collector/cloner to complete a PSR/MSR build from scratch, and that took me many years trying to find the correct parts (which was also before everyone else started building these rifles). It is possible to do, but it gets more and more challenging as time goes on, so you'll have to remain extremely vigilant about searching for and finding these rare parts. You can expect to pay A LOT of money for the parts you need, since you have competition from everyone else who is doing what you're doing.

Back when Brownells was selling these early anodized PSR/MSR chassis on their site, people were buying them and reaching out to me with questions about their build. Back then I had publicly shared my PSR/MSR build and progress on the forums, so people incorrectly assumed that I had a bunch of spare parts or thought that I knew where to find all of the parts they needed for the build. I was honest with everyone about how incredibly challenging a PSR/MSR build is, and every single person who contacted me ended up returning their chassis to Brownells after talking to me. That's how difficult these builds are to do.

Just keep in mind that original PSR/MSR rifles with their full kits sell for $20,000+ on the low end. So if you find a receiver for $5,000 and a complete bolt for $5,000, that $10k is still substantially less than the price of an actual PSR/MSR rifle and all of its accessories! You might end up spending $15,000 on this build, but it will be the equivalent to spending $25,000+ on an already completed rifle with full kit. That price difference is massive, and that's the driving force behind everyone doing these PSR/MSR builds! This is some of the best advice that I can possibly give you, a $5k receiver and especially a $5k bolt sounds insane for a regular rifle build, but you're not building a regular rifle and the cost of your part at these prices will still be far less than the value of the completed rifle and full kit. So, those prices on single loose items are completely justified, and you'll just have to bite the bullet, purchase those very rare rare parts at very high prices, and move on with your build (and you'll still come out on top in the end if you do everything correctly).

You have to think in terms of how these rare/expensive loose parts are relative to the PSR/MSR rifles in general, not how these rare/loose parts compare to normal rifles. The way you think about this build and your understanding of it will be a factor in your success. If you understand this concept, you'll immediately purchase a $5k receiver and $5k bolt when they pop up for sale, as opposed to thinking that the price is way too high and that you'll wait around for cheaper parts to pop up for sale. I can promise you that you'll never find PSR/MSR parts that are cheaper than what they sell for right now, and you don't want to pass anything up when they finally come up for sale. This is an aspect of the PSR/MSR build that you'll usually never hear from anyone else, but it's an extremely important part of completing one of these builds!

I wish you luck on your journey, and I really hope that you're able to complete your PSR/MSR build! It's going to take you a lot of time, money, and effort to get this rifle together, but the build is technically possible to complete (although it might take you many years and well over $10,000 to do). I hope that I'm not too discouraging, but I'm not going to sugar coat things or lie to you, this is going to be an extremely difficult and expensive build. I'm one of the very few people to successfully build the PSR/MSR rifle and full kit feom spare/loose parts, so I'm trying to give you good information that's based on my own experiences and from what I've seen in the collector/cloner market over the past 5+ years.

If you're able to pull it off and complete the PSR/MSR build, it will be one hell of an amazing accomplishment and you'll have an amazing rifle for your collection! You're a new guy on this forum, so please get to know the regulars who post here, and get an idea for what different forum members specialize in. Please ask any questions you might have, and we'll do what we can to give you good and honest advice. You might want to start your own PSR/MSR build thread in this Vintage Section, as opposed to continuing to post in this specific thread. That way you can have all of the information that's specific to YOUR build all in one place, and it helps the rest us keep track of your questions and responses.

There's a lot of amazing people on this forum, especially here in the Vintage Section, and we're all willing to help where we can. It's an amazing community and we're always helping each other out in some way, so you definitely joined the right forum and posted in the right spot! I hope you enjoy it here and I hope that we can help you with this build in some meaningful way (by providing information and/or by helping you find rare parts). Remember to keep an eye on the Equipment Exchange on this forum, sometimes very rare parts pop up for sale and you don't want to miss out on them!