In the recent thread in the pistols section about guns we want but have no practical need for, I mentioned that I wanted an MP5. I've always thought they were cool, but until yesterday had never even handled one.

Last night, for the first time in my life, I actually got to shoot an honest-to-goodness MP5. Real H&K, collapsible stock, full-auto...the real deal.

Was it fun? Yep. Was it the awesome life changing experience that I'd built it up in my mind to be? Not really.

Let me start by saying that like every other H&K I've ever shot (with the exception of the VP9) it was a reliable and well-made gun. It's solid and confidence-inspiring, and didn't hiccup once for anybody during the entire range session, despite being filthy and getting passed around for numerous shooters to have their way with it.

The roller-delayed action is smooth, and not "bouncy" like a lot blowback PCCS that I've shot, but IMO it's not any better in this regard than the MPX or my CMMG RDB AR.

The gun is heavier that I thought it would be. No overwhelmingly so, but pretty dense for it's size. The safety selector is usable, but is stiff and a bit too much of a reach to fully manipulate through the positions. The AR selector is ergonomically superior.

The trigger was ok. Much better than the P90, about on par with a poor mil-spec AR trigger.

I could get used to the paddle mag release. It was smooth and easy to operate, and the mags locked in confidently.

The charging handle is dumb. Yeah, I said it. Sure, HK slap is cool, but it's an awkward motion and no LRBHO is stupid. And while we're on that topic, the chamber is so deep down inside the ejection port that it's hard to see if there's a round in there once you do lock it open, and I imagine if you did have a malfunction clearing it would be an absolute nightmare.

The sights are not my favorite. The MP5 actually had a riser with an MRO on it that was too high and awkward, but I also shot a HK53 with the factory irons, and didn't really care for the sight picture. The front post is huge, and getting it properly lined up with the rear notch was difficult. They're usable, and I'm certainly biased towards traditional aperture sights...given the time I could probably get comfortable with them, but especially in the era of optics the factory setup is limiting.

I had such high hopes that I'd love the gun that before I left the house I warned my wife that when I got home I'd likely be breaking into the savings account to buy one. But now that I've experienced it, I don't think I need one. I still think that it's an interesting piece of engineering, particularly for its time, and I'd happily shoot one again given the opportunity, but I actually like my CMMG 9mm AR better.

Now that Beretta 1301 that I also got to play with last night...I do need one of those. Holy crap that's an awesome shotgun!

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The gun is heavier that I thought it would be. No overwhelmingly so, but pretty dense for it's size.

IME, that is the case with all the HK rifles/SMGs. It always lends to a feeling of quality, IMO. Also, they're typically solid-feeling. As in no rattle, jiggle, or poor fitment of parts or furniture. They feel like "serious" kit. I am not an HK fanboy, but I am a fan. Same with KAC. Not fortunate-enough to own either, other than a P7 PSP.

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It always lends to a feeling of quality, IMO. Also, they're typically solid-feeling. As in no rattle, jiggle, or poor fitment of parts or furniture.

Agreed. They're definitely solid, well-made guns.

I first shot an MP5 a long time ago -- maybe in the late 1980s. I well-to-do gun collector brought it to the indoor range at which I frequently shot pistols. By that time I had shot a few ARs, but didn't yet own any. I was pretty excited to try the MP5. My thoughts:
- It was heavier than I expected. So it felt solid.
- Recoil was minimal and smooth. But then again recoil on my Wilson Combat 9mm PCC is minimal & smooth, too.
- The controls on an MP5 are not laid out as well as those on an AR.
- The MP5 sights suck. Big time. My accuracy has never been good with an MP5. The accuracy on my Wilson PCC is stunning.
- MP5 triggers are not good. They do not have the short, crisp break and great reset of my Wilsons.

Yeah, the MP5 is a cool gun with a ton of history.
There's no way in hell I'd take it over my Wilson Glock-pattern AR9.

The first time I shot a MP5 was during a training session with LE. The MP5 was select fire and suppressed. What struck me was how quiet it was, sounded like a typewriter as I only heard the bolt cycling. 3 rounds bursts were very controllable. At that time they were training the MP5 stock to be centered in your chest for point/shoot. This was late 90’s.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: xmod,

I was issued one back in the mid 80s while assigned to SWAT. I have very fond memories of all the brass I made with that thing. I absolutely HATED cleaning it though!

Have to remember that the MP5 is about 60 years old, and it was also developed from a 7.62 rifle design. It’s heavy, robust, reliable, and not really designed for optics. Its competition was guns like the UZI, S&W 76, Beretta M12, and so on. The MP5 was very much a product of the time period it was developed. That said, it’s still in production, which says something.

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Originally posted by fritz:
They do not have the short, crisp break and great reset of my Wilsons.

I know, right? My Tacoma just doesn't ride quite as nice as my Bentley.

Cleaning the receiver and chamber is a PITA, too. Of course, that's if you actually do it.

I happen to be very fond of the MP5 and that is not likely to change anytime soon. They get the job done.

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Originally posted by flesheatingvirus:

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Originally posted by fritz:
They do not have the short, crisp break and great reset of my Wilsons.

I know, right? My Tacoma just doesn't ride quite as nice as my Bentley.

So...a Tacoma can cost anywhere from $31k for the base model to $63k for the uber deluxe model, per dealers in my area.
Bentleys start at $210k around here, and they go a whole lot higher -- some models into the $400k ballpark.

Per Wilson's website, AR9-G carbines go for $2390 and pistols/SBRs for $2158.
Using your pricing analogy, I guess someone can can buy a new H&K 9mm MP5 for maybe $200-$500.
Yeah, great analogy. And I'll take my Wilson any day over an MP5, regardless of what a real MP5 costs.

So was at my local indoor range last year, and kept hearing some full auto in the stall next to me. Once it stopped and he was talking to his girlfriend I casually asked "hey, what ya shootin?" Turns out it was an MP5K with a suppressor. He does T&E for law enforcement and was an SOT and had a BUNCH of cool stuff. Next thing I know he asks if I want to run some mags through it. "You have some 9mm? If so let's load it up and light it up." Next thing I know I'm on full auto, which I have to say was FUN. Never really know what you will find at the range, but I did enjoy that trip.

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Originally posted by 94hokie:
So was at my local indoor range last year, and kept hearing some full auto in the stall next to me. Once it stopped and he was talking to his girlfriend I casually asked "hey, what ya shootin?" Turns out it was an MP5K with a suppressor. He does T&E for law enforcement and was an SOT and had a BUNCH of cool stuff. Next thing I know he asks if I want to run some mags through it. "You have some 9mm? If so let's load it up and light it up." Next thing I know I'm on full auto, which I have to say was FUN. Never really know what you will find at the range, but I did enjoy that trip.

Yeah, that's a good day at the range, lol. You'll never hear me say they're not fun, especially with a giggle switch! Unfortunately there's zero chance I ever get to own one of those, so my decisions have to based on the semi-auto aspects of the gun.

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Originally posted by fritz:

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Originally posted by flesheatingvirus:

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Originally posted by fritz:
They do not have the short, crisp break and great reset of my Wilsons.

I know, right? My Tacoma just doesn't ride quite as nice as my Bentley.

So...a Tacoma can cost anywhere from $31k for the base model to $63k for the uber deluxe model, per dealers in my area.
Bentleys start at $210k around here, and they go a whole lot higher -- some models into the $400k ballpark.

Per Wilson's website, AR9-G carbines go for $2390 and pistols/SBRs for $2158.
Using your pricing analogy, I guess someone can can buy a new H&K 9mm MP5 for maybe $200-$500.
Yeah, great analogy. And I'll take my Wilson any day over an MP5, regardless of what a real MP5 costs.

The only reply to this is what I physically did when I read it.

SIGH

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Originally posted by flesheatingvirus:
The only reply to this is what I physically did when I read it.
SIGH

Well good for you.

First true MP5 I shot was an MP5SD and I thought it was the bees knees.
Then a number of years later I got to shoot an MP5/10.
That began my love for the 10mm.

Still to this day. Someone says you can have one gun, no restrictions, MP5/10 all day long!!!
Such a great gun to shoot and they leave those nice stripes on the fired brass reminding you that you just got done shooting something one of a kind.

Honestly, I can understand why you wouldn't want a super light and precise trigger on a full-auto SMG. The likelihood of unintended bump-fire would go up drastically.

I've heard people say that the allure of the MP5 goes away when you make it semi-auto, and now I kinda get it. It would be a gloriously fun bullet hose, but since we peasants are not permitted such things, one has to consider it as a semi-auto platform and it's not really optimized for that at all.

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Originally posted by 92fstech:
Honestly, I can understand why you wouldn't want a super light and precise trigger on a full-auto SMG. The likelihood of unintended bump-fire would go up drastically.

My primary rifle describes triggers as "the go switch". A poor trigger will not lead to optimal results. I agree that a super light trigger pull isn't the way to go -- with the exception of a free-recoil benchrest rifle in what is essentially a ransom rest. But a full auto rifle ain't a bench rest rig. However, a precise trigger is another matter.

I shot one Colt M16 in which the owner did some nice stone polishing on the trigger. The break was crisp & consistent, not much over travel, and a decent reset. With the other full autos I've shot, I found it difficult to shoot precisely and to choose the number of rounds I wanted to fire in one string. Not with this M16. While on the fun switch setting, with just minor time on the rifle, I could fairly easily send 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 round bursts at will. Or just make a mag dump. I couldn't do this with the mushy and gritty triggers of other full autos.

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Originally posted by 92fstech:
I've heard people say that the allure of the MP5 goes away when you make it semi-auto, and now I kinda get it. It would be a gloriously fun bullet hose, but since we peasants are not permitted such things, one has to consider it as a semi-auto platform and it's not really optimized for that at all.

I absolutely agree that a semi-auto MP5 isn't the best platform for a PCC-type rifle/SBR. A number of more modern platforms do this better.

I'm jelly


A fed friend said he was going to take me to shoot his MP5 10mm full auto, we never got around to it because shortly after that they were replaced by M4s

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:
I've heard people say that the allure of the MP5 goes away when you make it semi-auto, and now I kinda get it. It would be a gloriously fun bullet hose, but since we peasants are not permitted such things, one has to consider it as a semi-auto platform and it's not really optimized for that at all.

A local University PD issues iron-sighted semiauto MP5 clones (Zenith IIRC?) to their officers as their patrol rifles.

I've had the chance to play around with some of theirs at the academy, and they're fun for plinking off a few rounds, but nowhere near as grin-inducing as full auto. And there's no way I'd want one as my go-to duty long gun.

My son just turned 21 and I have been promising him we would rent some full autos at our local range. I have never fired one myself, so I am looking forward to it as well and he's been waiting for 3 years since he found out he had to be 21 in order to shoot one. The one he really wants to shoot is a Thompson but I have my eye on the MP5. I have owned a couple clones in semi-auto and they were ok but to shoot one in full auto creates a cool memory.