DESIGN
The MP5 was developed by Heckler & Koch
for the German Bundeswehr as the MP-54. It
had to a 9mm sub machine gun based upon the
roller locking system of the G3, which was
developed by Heckler & Koch some years
earlier. The oldest MP5 had very slim handguards
and used straight magazines which could only
be loaded with full metal jacket rounds.
When the curved clips were introduced the
decision was made to restyle the forearm.
The new forearm is much wider, easier to
hold and gives more heat protection after
sustained firing. The roller delayed blowback
system made the MP5 a very accurate and quick
firing sub machine gun. The MP5-K was available
since 1976, but was not sold a lot. When
in 1991 a foldable stock and three lug barrel
were added, the MP5-K PDW, the sales raised.
The MP5/10 was developed with FBI funds.
The 10mm round increased the lethality tremendously.
When the .40 S&W was introduced the MP5/10
was refitted to .40 and was called the MP5/40.
The MP5/40 was sold more often than the MP5/10,
but it still wasn’t a success. Both MP5/10
and MP5/40 are no longer manufactured. The
MP5 could be fitted with a lot of accessories.
All versions, except MP5-K and MP5SD, could
be fitted with an easy to attach silencer.
Lasers and lights can be mounted on all versions.
The MP5 can be fitted with a forearm with
built-in silencer or laser. A wide variety
of optics can be mounted on top of all variants
using special clamps. Not only attachments
can be fitted, the weapon itself can be modified.
All trigger groups can be detached and changed
and can even be switched between variants.
The stock of the MP5 and MP5SD can also be
changed. Because of all those possibilities
Heckler & Koch developed an ingenious
‘Ausfürungen’ or ‘versions’ system. The names
of all versions are followed by and ‘A’ and
a number explains what version it is. |
| The full-size MP5 was found to be too large
in certain situations by German special forces.
They requested a shortened version, which
could be used as a secondary weapon for snipers
and machine gunners and as a weapon for close
quarters combat. The MP5-K has a higher rate
of fire, no stock and a shorter barrel. Because
of the shorter barrel the MP5-K had to be
fitted with a vertical grip. It was one of
the first weapons to be fitted with a vertical
grip and because of the grip, the MP5-K has
become one of the most popular firearms.
‘K’ stands for ‘Kurz’, meaning ‘short’. |
| The MP5-K was found to be too short. The
American division of Heckler & Koch developed
a foldable stock for the MP5-K. A fixed stock
would diminish the effect of stealth and
a retractable stock could not be fitted.
The MP5-K PDW has a slightly longer barrel,
which can be fitted with silencers. The MP5-K
PDW (Personal Defence Weapon) was developed
to be used by bodyguards and other security
personnel, who needed a small and powerful
weapon. |
The basic MP5. It is one of the most widely
used firearms ever built. Although the basic
MP5 is not as popular as some other variants
it’s used a lot more than all others variants
together.
| MP5 A2 |
0-1-F |
fixed stock |
| MP5 A3 |
0-1-F |
retractable stock |
| MP5 A4 |
0-1-3-F |
fixed stock |
| MP5 A5 |
0-1-3-F |
retractable stock |
|
A MP5 fitted with an integral silencer. It
is one of the most silent weapons
ever made.
Its stealth is only matched by
silenced .22
weapons. Opposed to other silenced
weapons,
the MP5SD doesn’t need subsonic
ammunition
to function properly, although
subsonic ammunition
is recommended and increases
its effectiveness.
‘SD’ stands for ‘Schalldämpfer’
or ‘silencer’.
The versions without stock are
developed
for the same role as the MP5-K.
Because the
barrel is not shorter, the SD1
and SD4 have
no vertical grip. The MP5SD5
and MP5SD6 are
the most used MP5SD’s.
| MP5SD1 |
0-1-F |
no stock |
| MP5SD2 |
0-1-F |
fixed stock |
| MP5SD3 |
0-1-F |
retractable stock |
| MP5SD4 |
0-1-3-F |
no stock |
| MP5SD5 |
0-1-3-F |
fixed stock |
| MP5SD6 |
0-1-3-F |
retractable stock |
|
| The MP5 in the 10mm cartridge. The 10mm is
much stronger than the 9mm. The MP5/10 has
more recoil, but is more accurate and has
a much wider effective range. This variant
didn’t make a lot of sales. The MP5/10 used
orange, translucent 30 round magazines. The
‘Ausfürungen’ are identical to the basic
MP5. |
| The 10mm was found to be too heavy to fire
at such a high rate of fire and the market
turned away from the 10mm cartridge. Therefore
the MP5/10 was converted to the .40 Smith
& Wesson. The .40 is a lighter bullet
than the 10mm, but is still stronger than
the 9mm. Just like its bigger brother is
this variant not widely used. The ‘Ausfürungen’
are identical to the basic MP5. |
PERFORMANCE
For decades the MP5 has been by far the most
popular sub machine gun. The MP5 uses the
same sighting system as the G3: diopter sights.
Diopter sights allow the user to quickly
aim and calculate where the bullet will impact
even when the sights are not good aligned,
thus allowing quick firing. The MP5 is very
accurate and very controllable while firing
at a high rate of fire. The MP5 will not
jam, just like its big brother: the G3, and
its magazines will not cause jams. The MP5
can use 100 round Beta magazines. The trigger
groups are ambidextrous and very reliable
and can be used on any variant. When the
three shot burst is selected and only one
or two shots are fired, the gun will fire
up to three times the next time you pull
the trigger. That is a great advantage over
the M16 weapon types, which will only complete
its three round burst.
USE
- The German SEK and GSG-9 both use the MP5-K,
MP5 and MP5SD.
- The German KSK uses the MP5-K as a backup
weapon and the MP5SD to make silent kills.
- The MP5 and MP5SD are used by the Dutch
BBE and commandos.
- The FBI Hostage Rescue Team has the largest
quantity of MP5’s in 10mm.
- Another user of the MP5/10 is the police
of Rotterdam.
- The US Navy SEAL’s use the MP5 A3, called
MP5 ‘Navy’. The MP5-K and MP5SD are also
in use.
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