Thinking of picking up one of the MP5 clones that are available and somewhat affordable from Zenith, Century, or any other company you guys may have experience with. Any info and suggestions would be much appreciated, Thanks
Posts: 227 | Location: NC | Registered: February 11, 2005
The Zenith guns used to be MKEs imported from Turkey, but they severed that relationship a few years ago. Now Century is importing the MKEs, and Zenith is going to make new ones in the USA. My 2018 Z-5RS is fine, but there were some quality complains about the last group of Z-5RSs. Out of spec mag wells, bad welds, etc.
Posts: 3447 | Location: South FL | Registered: February 09, 2007
Timely question! I received my Century/MKE AP5 from Atlantic Firearms last week and put 150 rounds of mixed FMJ and HP factory and handloads through it. Only thing it choked on (FTF) was the Winchester "Active Duty" M1152, which has a pretty large meplat. Fun gun, and I'm very happy with it.
I also ordered an AP5. Was delayed a bit as Century sent the incorrect brace, but looks like it's processing now. I wanted a PTR, as it includes the rail, but I have heard conflicting things about them with suppressors.
Posts: 2081 | Location: TX | Registered: October 28, 2010
The last HK clones I’ve bought are the Omega MP5SD & MP5K I’ve been very happy with the fit & function of both. The only thing I didn’t like was they had a glossy finish, but that has dulled with use. The big selling point to to me is that they come sear ready and on top of that, they sell the barreled receiver separately from an entire weapon. The only parts it didn’t come with is the grip frame and fire control parts or mags. I already had an MP5 and I have a registered sear so I had an extra parts bin. So far as the only issues I’ve had with either has been ammo or mag related, even when new I didn’t have a break-in period.
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I've got a PTR and am very pleased with it's quality and price. I've availed myself to quite a few of the custom offerings and what I saved by going with the clone allowed me to customize and SBR my version with as little (financial) pain as possible.
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Posts: 10279 | Location: The Free State of Arizona | Registered: June 13, 2007
Never had one in hand, but always liked the MP5. Curious, if anyone doesn't mind sharing. What's the price range on these, from decent clone to real HK?
Odds are, my first PCC will be a Scorpion of some flavor, but the MP5 fits that 'grail'/always wanted spot.
Originally posted by P250UA5: Never had one in hand, but always liked the MP5. Curious, if anyone doesn't mind sharing. What's the price range on these, from decent clone to real HK?
Odds are, my first PCC will be a Scorpion of some flavor, but the MP5 fits that 'grail'/always wanted spot.
The Century imported MKE clones are about $1600, and I think the PTRs are about the same price. MSRP on the HK SP5s is close to $3000, but it takes a bit of work or luck to find one near that price. Usually once someone gets one in at near MSRP, it sells out in minutes. The easier to find ones are usually marked up hundreds of dollars over MSRP, especially the SP5K-PDWs.
Posts: 3447 | Location: South FL | Registered: February 09, 2007
By the way. I was in Cabelas today, and it appears Zenith, the previous importer for MKE AP5s has finally got their US made MP5 clones up and shipping. They were in the pistol format with one mag, sling, and zipper bag for $2399. No 922r necessary. However they could just be new old stock. Not 100%. If so, the Century is the far better deal.
(After looking at the Zenith Website, I believe the multiple copies at Cabela's are new old stock and 922r is still an issue)
If Century didn't have the $200 mail in rebate, I very likely would have gone the Zenith route. Apparently the US made Zenith clone is available at the Zenith website for $2,489, which seems a bit high in comparison to Century.
Posts: 2081 | Location: TX | Registered: October 28, 2010
Originally posted by hrcjon: Century doesn't have the best reputation on other platforms. Is their MP5 clone decent? I'm not in the market so I am not researching it.
Century makes nothing on the AP5. They are strictly the importer.
That being said, it's not the whole story. As, if there were issues with the pistol, Zenith had the ability to make repairs. Century's ability to repair these remains to be seen.
Posts: 2081 | Location: TX | Registered: October 28, 2010
The Century clones are MKE guns. They are made on original HK tooling licensed from HK back in the 70's. They are as close to the real HK as you can ever get with a "clone". The only difference from the MKE to current HK guns would be any manufacturing updates made since the original HK tooling were sent to MKE. From what I have read it is not that big of a difference.
I just bought the AP5 and the AP5-P. Have not had a chance to get any rounds in on either, but just from handling, they are damn near perfect cosmetically. Will know more on function when I can shoot them.
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Posts: 1150 | Location: The Republic of Texas | Registered: April 11, 2008