HK SP5K / MP5s

[freeride1]

Turkish made will never be better than, nor the equal to German made. If you want a MKE, buy the MKE. But don’t for a moment consider it the equal of a German MP5.

The MKE has a paddle mag release and threaded/3-lug barrel. I wish HK had done the same. But I will still choose HK over MKE, POF, or any other. There are myriad reports of QC issues from both MKE and POF. The 3-lugs are also not timed. I would prefer to spend the extra cash and own the HK.

It’s not brand snobbery. I shoot my MP5s frequently and don’t baby them.

I don't buy most of the hysteria around the latest Zenith imports. It's the same few people shit posting on multiple forums, honestly some are really disingenuous guys. I own two and they are 100%, I'm totally satisfied with them. In the unusual event you have a problem, Zenith is extremely responsive and stands behind their work. Also, my three lug is timed perfectly fine.

I own an SP5K and as you say it's better. Fit and finish is noticeably better. It's a good value if you like the stock configuration, particularly with the ambi lower. Most newbies are shocked to learn they have to spend $500 to get the classic pictogram lower for their Zenith.

However, I really prefer the full size configuration. It's the most versatile and the best shooting of them all. H&K doesn't currently offer one, and HK94 prices have gone absolutely insane. I have a Zenith Z5RS and I'm very happy with it. The fit and finish are not as nice as the SP5k but it's been every bit as functional for me.

The real problem with the SP5K is that when you do it right, as you noted you will have an heirloom quality gun. But you've spent close to $4,000, which is way too much money for someone new to a platform.

[Bret]

Here's my Zenith Z-5RS.

[SteyrAUG]

I would absolutely never recommend a non-Hk roller delay if an hk is available at a reasonable price. Zenith and POF are licensed copies, but made in Germany by Germans they are not. Their QC/QA leaves much to be desired. Just as good as HK they are not. Made in Turkey or Pakistan will never be the equal of HK.

The SP5K is available and at a pretty reasonable price compared to what an SP89 cost before the SP5K was released. Add a B&T MP5K-N barrel, send to TSC Machine for barrel swap, paddle mag install, remark to MP5K-N, and refinish and you have an heirloom quality HK MP5K-N. The SP5K also has the F bolt head upgrades, a tungsten-filled carrier, and an ambi/Navy FBI type lower.

Re: ammo, my MP5-N and MP5K-N both eat any full power 9x19 so long as it’s not a truncated bullet. Speer Gold Dot 124gr and 147gr are my preferred carry loads and both of my MP5s feed/function great with both.

Maintenance is easy. I clean every 1000-1500 rounds. I used to go longer intervals but had so much carbon in the roller recessed of the trunion on my K-N that it was affecting bolt gap and giving me failures. The extractor spring design is the weak link in the MP5, so stock up on factory HK made extractor springs because when you remove the extractor spring you want to replace it per HK recommendations. You should not need different roller sizes any time soon unless you change your bolthead (don’t) or change your locking piece (#28 was designed for 147gr subsonic use, but is not a necessity imo unless you’re shooting fullauto). But it’s a good idea to pick up different rollers in anticipation of the future.

Recoil is negligible, less in my opinion than a Colt type AR15/M16 9mm.

Everyone needs at least one MP5. If you’re only going to own one, make it a German HK.

Agree with everything, even though I'm very happy with my early import MKE MP5 and MP5k SBRs. Only thing I wouldn't do is bother with a barrel swap. To me a k/PDW platform is meant to be compact so I don't really need it to be suppressor ready. I have full size MP5s for that.

Still want to lay my hands on a cheap POF just so I can justify a "green furniture" MP5. My MKEs were second shipment / first imports (mine were specifically the MKE 94P and 94k) and seem to be better quality than the ones that were recently imported, they also make nice bang around guns for things that I wouldn't want to do with my pre86 dealer samples.

For the 94k all I had to do was register it and add a folding stock, for the 94p I had to cut, crown and three lug which I had done by S&H Arms who are probably the best in the biz when it comes to doing three lug adapters, the barrel threads run all the way through the adapter just like factory HK guns.

But if anyone is looking to just "get one" today, the SP5k is clearly the way to go.

[jh9]

Appreciate the feedback, all.

I doubt adding a can is in the future. But SBRing almost certainly is.

[NongShim]

Appreciate the feedback, all.

I doubt adding a can is in the future. But SBRing almost certainly is.

If adding a can isn’t a consideration, Sp5K all day.

I had an original MKE import and I actually found it to be inferior in build quality to my more recent Zenith import. I no longer own the original one, and my current Zenith has an improperly timed three lug. That being said, it’s been fine shooting. The gun has functioned 100%. If the gun isn’t going to be a sear host, and you want a full sized gun the Zenith will likely suffice. It’s also the only game in town. HK94 prices are wild and the MKE is a contract gun which makes it a real gun, despite its lower pedigree.

That being said, Josh talked me into buying a Sp5K. I hate to admit it, but it’s nicer. Compared to beaten up work Mp5 the MKE seems nice enough. Compared to a new HK it’s garbage.

Take that with a grain of salt, but I own both.

[JoshNC]

Appreciate the feedback, all.

I doubt adding a can is in the future. But SBRing almost certainly is.

In that case, buy the SP5K, install paddle mag, eForm-1, add requisite US parts for 922(r), add stock of your choice. Done.

[ccosby]

Big thing with mp5's is to keep extractor springs on hand. Its a weak point on the gun and they shouldn't be reused if you pull the extractor. I'd prob have an extractor on hand as well although they don't wear out that often.

I would absolutely never recommend a non-Hk roller delay if an hk is available at a reasonable price. Zenith and POF are licensed copies, but made in Germany by Germans they are not. Their QC/QA leaves much to be desired. Just as good as HK they are not. Made in Turkey or Pakistan will never be the equal of HK.

The SP5K is available and at a pretty reasonable price compared to what an SP89 cost before the SP5K was released. Add a B&T MP5K-N barrel, send to TSC Machine for barrel swap, paddle mag install, remark to MP5K-N, and refinish and you have an heirloom quality HK MP5K-N. The SP5K also has the F bolt head upgrades, a tungsten-filled carrier, and an ambi/Navy FBI type lower.

Re: ammo, my MP5-N and MP5K-N both eat any full power 9x19 so long as it’s not a truncated bullet. Speer Gold Dot 124gr and 147gr are my preferred carry loads and both of my MP5s feed/function great with both.

Maintenance is easy. I clean every 1000-1500 rounds. I used to go longer intervals but had so much carbon in the roller recessed of the trunion on my K-N that it was affecting bolt gap and giving me failures. The extractor spring design is the weak link in the MP5, so stock up on factory HK made extractor springs because when you remove the extractor spring you want to replace it per HK recommendations. You should not need different roller sizes any time soon unless you change your bolthead (don’t) or change your locking piece (#28 was designed for 147gr subsonic use, but is not a necessity imo unless you’re shooting fullauto). But it’s a good idea to pick up different rollers in anticipation of the future.

Recoil is negligible, less in my opinion than a Colt type AR15/M16 9mm.

Everyone needs at least one MP5. If you’re only going to own one, make it a German HK.

Agree. Its worth saying at least in MKE's case they were a licensed factory, they no longer are which is why their guns don't have the updates that the HK ones do. I wouldn't buy their K gun, I'd go with the SP5k. Now if you want a full sized gun the zenith is worth considering although if I did it again I think I'd go with a dakota tactical or pcs build. My zenith full sized has been good although like almost every zenith I've seen the 3 lugs were painted and it causes issues with 3 lug suppressors. Fit and finish on the gun though is nothing compared to my sp5k or my hk94s. I'd agree on having TSC Machine do the work as well if you want a barrel swap on a sp5k. They are easily some of the best in the industry and are great people as well.

As far as recoil goes not much can compare to the mp5. Most of the guns are direct blow back and just don't shoot as well due to the extra mass of the bolt moving around. Haven't shot the B&T guns which use a hydraulic buffer but they are said to be close. The MPX actually is very soft shooting as well. In semi auto this isn't as big of a deal, in full auto you really notice it.

Edit: Friend shooting my sp5k.


That is actually the first sp5k TSC Machine got in. Sat for a little while waiting on a B&T barrel. Ended up having him refinish it to the burnt bronze later in its life and gave him another sp5k to do correctly(1/2x32 b&t barrel, remarked, etc). The first one I didn't have Mike remark before I form 1'd it and regretted it.

[MadAngler1]

Last year I purchased a Zenith Z5 rifle, and was terribly disappointed to find that their picatinny rail did not line up with the sights. Huge bummer, and I wound up selling it.

Bought a SP5K and did the TSC MP5k conversion with a threaded 3 lug B&T barrel. Worth every darn penny, especially when Zeniths are over $2k to begin with.

I got my form 1 back and there is now a B&T stock. I love my SP5k and it runs great suppressed.

Unless you want a standard sized MP5, there is no reason to not buy a HK SP5K.

[eodinert]

I think all of this has already been addressed, but this is the internet, so here is my opinion.

There are a few reasons to get into MP5s, so like an AR, my first question would be 'what do you want to use it for?'. If it's going to be a sear host, or suppressed, those might drive you in a certain direction.

I have several MKEs, a POF, a DJ Getz, an early Vector, an Omega and a Micheal's Machines gun in my pile of roller locks. Many years ago I had a genuine HK 94, '93, and '91 which regrettably I no longer have, but I have seen what 'right' looks like.

-A Glock is a better idea than a semi auto MP5 for 'bumps in the night'
-It's OK to buy guns because they are cool
-Get the one you think is cool
-MP5Ks don't need three lug mounts
-MP5s are fun

Both of my MKEs are great, but they've been a bit scarce lately, and the price has edged higher on the entire line. An MKE clone is much closer to the price of a proper SP5K than it used to be, so right now, I think that would be the way to go if you can swing it, if you want a K.

FWIW, the first batch of SP5Ks had the occasional hole in the receiver where they cut the shelf for the scope mount, so all the talk about HK quality should be tempered with a bit of reality.

[Chase45]

MP5 is the best of the PCCs

Id either look at a Zenith, or if you are a bit handy you can build one

Homebrew SD