HK MP 5

CLASSIC12 · #1 01-30-2020, 07:36 AM

I have the opportunity to acquire one of the two MP5 here under, either an A3 made in Germany for $ 1800, or a Turkish MKE MP5 k for $ 2500. I am in Switzerland btw.

Buying both is not an option, as I am already buying two other fun toys from the same seller.

I have shot an MP5 k once at the Scottsdale Gun Club, fantastic gun, I absolutely fell in love with it. I guess the A3 is almost as much fun.

I don’t distrust the Turkish made MP5 made under license, I’m sure they are fine. But I’d rather have a German made HK, so there’s the dilemma.

The third option would be to buy none, and wait to find the German k of my dreams.

Opinions ?

The A3

The Kurz

Murdock · #2 01-30-2020, 08:10 AM

Without question, buy the German A3. Having used both I suggest you will find the A3 more fun to shoot, and easier to hit with at any distance. And it's German, which you indicate is of interest. And it's less expensive. And more iconic.

Speaking of cost, Americans have not seen prices like the ones you state in well over 20 years, and legislation to make us all "safer" has put all of these submachineguns beyond the reach of ordinary humans. You are going to cause fits of weeping and incontinence to those American shooters reading this post.

BAM-BAM · #3 01-30-2020, 08:31 AM

20 years ...... more like 50 the 1968 act was a game changer...... I was only 15 ...... Dad had his toys in the Dept Armory.

ContinentalOp · #4 01-30-2020, 08:56 AM

I have experience with neither, though I did see a demonstration by a firearms instructor several years ago with a semi-auto version of the MP5k (SP89, I think...?).

If I were faced with your choice, I'd go with the A3, if for no other reason than I like it's appearance better; to me, the A3 is more iconic. I think that the A3 being a German model would be a plus.

Andyd · #5 01-30-2020, 09:10 AM

With the shoulder stock, the A3 is very controllable, especially in short bursts but I have to admit that I have not shot the Kurz version. I would choose the A3.

LPD256 · #6 01-30-2020, 09:31 AM

In the states we buy our Model 29 and learn lines from Dirty Harry movies. If you can buy an HK A3, you will need to learn verbiage from the original Die Hard movie such as “ Yippie-ky-yay.....”. I hate to admit it but I have to say “Go ahead, make my day” every time I take the 29 out of the box. Childish? Yes! But fun. Buy the A3.

03hemi · #7 01-30-2020, 09:36 AM

You just love doing this to us, I'm moving to Switzerland for the guns and watches. Personally, and I have zero experience with either, but I'd go with the HK.

BAM-BAM · #8 01-30-2020, 09:52 AM

German A3 all the way.....................

a decade ago both my boys had MP-5 airsoft guns......... fun in Penn's Woods.......

Here in the states... we/I have to make do with Beretta CX4 16" barrel and semi- auto only ( though I don't see full auto as a "got to have" as I don't do a lot of suppressive fire.) But at least we can get 20 and 30 rd Factory and Mec-gar magazines.

HardToHandle · #9 01-30-2020, 09:58 AM

I have shot an A3 but presently have a US-made K clone. The K clone is cool, but the short forearm is less comfortable to shoot. That is a pretty common issue, even for average sized people. The balance point is also “wrong” on a K, as the longer standard barrel seems to keep the balance point between the trigger and the magazine well. The K balance is less stable.

Both Ks and standards have that awesome recoil impulse. I really don’t discern a difference. Not as nice as a Ruger 10/22, but pretty impressive sewing machine like function.

Me? The legit H&K is worth it and the longer A3 is more enjoyable to shoot.

29aholic · #10 01-30-2020, 10:19 AM

My self I would save up for an MP-5 SD.

Alpo · #11 01-30-2020, 10:30 AM

I, personally, did not like the K I played with. Just - felt wrong.

I also don't like the collapsing stock. Fortunately it's an easy swap, and the solid stocks are cheaper.

Go with the A3.

italiansport · #12 01-30-2020, 11:46 AM

You're a lucky fellow. An MP5 here would run upwards of $40K. Enjoy the one you buy. I've never owned one but had opportunities to shoot them and they are enjoyable guns.
Jim

mckenney99 · #13 01-30-2020, 12:07 PM

First I have not shot a "K" model but do have an A2 model and it shoots like a dream. I would always prefer the actual German made gun as I believe they hold to tighter tolerances and QC than anything Turkish made. I assume they are both used, so no matter which one you chose, make sure you have the "bolt gap" checked before purchase, as it critical to function and to prevent damage to your receiver. Not sure what your availability of parts is, but I had to spend a bit of cash to get mine back in spec after finding my "bolt gap" was out of spec. (Method for checking the bolt gap can be found on line) Again, no matter which you get make sure to replace the bolt recoil spring. A weak recoil spring can result in "bulges" to the rear of the receiver from the rollers being forced outward at the end of the bolts rearward travel.

colt_saa · #14 01-30-2020, 12:42 PM

The Turkish guns appear to hold up just as well as the German guns, but there is always that leaning toward German workmanship

The choice I would make in your shoes is to buy the MP5 now and enjoy it while you are waiting for a German MP5k to come along.

The MP5 can always be sold at a later date.

My MP5s are in calibers that I do not believe were ever sold in Europe.

I have an MP5/10 which is chambered for the 10MM Auto cartridge. I fell in love with this firearm when the first ones came in to the FBI oh so long ago. I can not recall how many cases of ammunition we went through in that first week

These days, my MP5/357 gets more trigger time. This is chambered in 357SIG and is just a Hoot to Shoot

I have had a few Forum members visit Florida and provided them with range time on the
MP5s

MP5s are like Mr Potato Head, lots of things can be changed.

The MP5 in your photograph is wearing the slim forend. Most folks like the wide forend better as seen in my second photo

Also, the fixed stocks are relatively inexpensive and provide for better shooting. For more compactness, the end cap that is shipped as standard on the MP5k can replace the shoulder stock on a full size MP5

Both of those Firearms are wearing the SEF Fire Control Group:
S = Sicher
E= Einzelfeuer
F= Feuerstoß

Or as translated into English:
S = Safe
E= Economical
F= FUN

HK also offers 4 position FCGs that offer Safe, single fire, 2 shot burst, full auto. The other FCG has a 3 shot burst in place of the 2 shot burst.

The FCG is the same across many HKs with just the housing being different.

The MP5 in your photograph is wearing the flash suppressor usually found on the G3 rifles. It can easily be rotated off and replaced with a three lug suppressor

Many suppressors are offered for the HK 3 lug quick mount.

Now after all that, do not forget to show us some video of you and your buddies shooting whichever one you chose

Here is how you run through 30 rounds of 357SIG is just a couple of seconds

Unfortunatly, I had not realized someone had moved my tripod

bigwheelzip · #15 01-30-2020, 12:58 PM

You sure come across some drool worthy stuff. Too bad I can't shop like that in the Duty Free at the Zurich Flughafen.

I like the A3.

Muley Gil · #16 01-30-2020, 02:37 PM

When I was recruited for Afghanistan as a police advisor, my group was told we would be issued Glocks and M4s. When we arrived in-country, we were told we would be getting Berettas and M4s. When we did get to the armory, we were told they were out of handguns and rifles, so we got the Turkish MP5 copies. The armorers told us to shoot them at our first opportunity, as half of them didn't function correctly and would jam.

Months later, we got Berettas and a month or so later, M4s. Mine was a Bushmaster with the 3 shot capacity.

Buy the German!

CLASSIC12 · #17 01-30-2020, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 29aholic

My self I would save up for an MP-5 SD.

The SD seems to be in another league financially, just saw two for sale, an Enfield made for 10 grand and a German one for 12 grand. There’s also an original HK silencer for sale at $ 1500.

CLASSIC12 · #18 01-30-2020, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03hemi

You just love doing this to us, I'm moving to Switzerland for the guns and watches. Personally, and I have zero experience with either, but I'd go with the HK.

Just sharing the passion with the brothers

CLASSIC12 · #19 02-03-2020, 09:27 AM

Thanks to all for replies and opinions / experience

I decided to make an offer on the A3 for a few reasons

Price is right, even here you hardly ever see any MP5 below $ 2500 or 3000, and a German K probably goes for $ 4-5000. I think the reason the Turkish one is more expensive is because Ks are either more sought after here, or just rarer.

I’d rather own an original German made HK

No one knows how long we can freely buy those toys in today’s social and political climate. The 19th May election was a huge blow to gun enthusiasts, with no benefit against terrorism.

It seems the A3 might be more practical and controllable / accurate as a range toy.

CLASSIC12 · #20 02-03-2020, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mckenney99

First I have not shot a "K" model but do have an A2 model and it shoots like a dream. I would always prefer the actual German made gun as I believe they hold to tighter tolerances and QC than anything Turkish made. I assume they are both used, so no matter which one you chose, make sure you have the "bolt gap" checked before purchase, as it critical to function and to prevent damage to your receiver. Not sure what your availability of parts is, but I had to spend a bit of cash to get mine back in spec after finding my "bolt gap" was out of spec. (Method for checking the bolt gap can be found on line) Again, no matter which you get make sure to replace the bolt recoil spring. A weak recoil spring can result in "bulges" to the rear of the receiver from the rollers being forced outward at the end of the bolts rearward travel.
YouTube

Thanks for infos and video link, very useful

CLASSIC12 · #21 02-03-2020, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colt_saa

The Turkish guns appear to hold up just as well as the German guns, but there is always that leaning toward German workmanship

The choice I would make in your shoes is to buy the MP5 now and enjoy it while you are waiting for a German MP5k to come along.

The MP5 can always be sold at a later date.

My MP5s are in calibers that I do not believe were ever sold in Europe.

I have an MP5/10 which is chambered for the 10MM Auto cartridge. I fell in love with this firearm when the first ones came in to the FBI oh so long ago. I can not recall how many cases of ammunition we went through in that first week

These days, my MP5/357 gets more trigger time. This is chambered in 357SIG and is just a Hoot to Shoot

I have had a few Forum members visit Florida and provided them with range time on the

MP5s

MP5s are like Mr Potato Head, lots of things can be changed.

The MP5 in your photograph is wearing the slim forend. Most folks like the wide forend better as seen in my second photo

Also, the fixed stocks are relatively inexpensive and provide for better shooting. For more compactness, the end cap that is shipped as standard on the MP5k can replace the shoulder stock on a full size MP5

Both of those Firearms are wearing the SEF Fire Control Group:

S = Sicher

E= Einzelfeuer

F= Feuerstoß

Or as translated into English:

S = Safe

E= Economical

F= FUN

HK also offers 4 position FCGs that offer Safe, single fire, 2 shot burst, full auto. The other FCG has a 3 shot burst in place of the 2 shot burst.

The FCG is the same across many HKs with just the housing being different.

The MP5 in your photograph is wearing the flash suppressor usually found on the G3 rifles. It can easily be rotated off and replaced with a three lug suppressor

Many suppressors are offered for the HK 3 lug quick mount.

Now after all that, do not forget to show us some video of you and your buddies shooting whichever one you chose

Here is how you run through 30 rounds of 357SIG is just a couple of seconds

YouTube

Unfortunatly, I had not realized someone had moved my tripod

Thanks for post, photo video and infos. Amazing guns you’ve got there. I have pistols in 10 mm and .357 Sig, so that would be dream guns. I read abt the 10, but never heard abt the 357. Oh and I like Florida a lot, been there many times

.

I guess the forend can be easily swapped without modifications ?

And do you know if the FCG can be also easily swapped for a semi auto only and if those can be found ? I know it sounds counter intuitive but here semis can be used at most ranges, whereas full autos need special conditions.

4T5GUY · #22 02-03-2020, 09:54 AM

Another vote for the German A3.

There’s so many parts available. Many are still brand new and can be bought for pennies on the dollar from what they were. You know HK will fit on HK.

It’s like Legos for “adults “.

Jim