The MP5 is widely regarded as the best submachine gun ever made, and it has been widely copied. But only now has H&K released a semiauto civilian version of it in pistol form. Prior to the AWB, the HK94 was available as a semiauto carbine (with a 16″ barrel), but that was prohibited in 1988. H&K followed it with the SP89 from 1989 until 1993; a semiauto only version of the MP5K (which was originally designed without a stock). Today, with the popularity of arm brace attachments, pistol configuration versions of short carbines and submachine guns have become very popular and H&K is aware of that trend. They reintroduced the SP5K a couple years ago, and now offer the SP5, a semiauto pistol version of the classic MP5.
Light MGs
Pre-Production FG-42 (Type C)
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Accessories
Germany’s L26 Silencer for the K98k, G43, and StG44
https://youtu.be/ZJYPsUboKOI Patented in Germany as System Schätzle, the L26 was a departure from the copies of the Russian wipe-based silencer designs. The L26 used a set of six identical cone-shaped metal baffles inside a simple […]
Semiauto Rifles
Roth Haenel Model 1899 – The First Semiauto Sporting Rifle?
This rifle sold for $10,925 at Rock Island on December 2, 2018. While Karel Krnka and Georg Roth were in the process of developing the M1907 pistol, they diverted slightly to apply their patents to […]
A video on the MP5 D?
Thanks
Why would I buy this over a high end 9mm pistol like a Glock or any of several other great pistols, all priced around $500? Seriously, what is the main benefit, other than looks, that make this a better option?
Your remark popped in exactly as I was writing mine. Same thinking.
Fantasies of being in GSG 9?
“(…)Seriously, what is the main benefit, other than looks, that make this a better option?(…)”
Some advantages is that magazine capacity is higher considering standard magazines for both options.
Well, what’s the benefit of a reproduction Winchester rolling block rifle over a modern deer gun? People buy such guns for collection, historical value etc etc….MP5 ist an iconic gun, so it stands to reason some people just want one for whatever reason.
Little hard to imagine application for this version. It may not be of practical use for most security services (unless severe limitations for its use apply) and is way too bulky and expensive for pistol shooter, not to mention non-concealability. All considered, it appears as a fancy toy for true HK aficionados.
Apparently my thought was misconceived. According to this, there is a HUGE civilian demand for 9mm semi-auto carbine with HK logo on it.
https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2019/12/02/hk-sp5-heckler-koch-mp5/
That being said, MP5 seems less suited for “pistolization” rather than sub-machine gun in magazine-in-grip layout (or Uzi-layout if you wish to name it is). H&K itself produce MP7 which belong to this category, but it fire own cartridge, much less popular than 9×19 mm Parabellum.
“(…)way too bulky and expensive for pistol shooter, not to mention non-concealability(…)”
I would say MP5-derived automatic pistol seems greatly superior in that regards when compared to 7,62×51 NATO pistol. Yes such entities exist: https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/firearms/handguns/semi-automatic/.308-winchester-7.62×51-nato/
You realize that the “arm stock” is in reality intended to be used as a buttstock, and the whole thing is just a workaround to legally get a short rifle?
“(…)HUGE civilian demand for 9mm semi-auto carbine with HK logo on it.(…)”
Let me cite https://mpopenker.livejournal.com/2504656.html which title this automatic pistol: newest innovative novelty from Heckler-Koch
Add a brace (Brownells sells one) and it essentially is transformed into a much more practical SBR-like firearm. The price is steep, but being a child of the 80’s, I’m very tempted.
One main difference is the roller delayed blowback design… can’t get that in a glock.
That’s a feature, not a benefit. Why would a buyer care?
Recall that in the U.S. one can now buy 2-handed pistols that have “stabilizing braces” instead of buttstocks, which would make such weapons with barrel lengths under 16-in. an NFA “short barreled rifle” and subject to ATF regulations and extra tax forms.
So now every firearm company is falling over themselves to market a two-handed pistol SMG lookalike with the “arm brace” instead of a stock. HK didn’t want to be left behind, particularly as Turkish-produced and Pakistani-produced pistols like this made on German-produced machinery can be had for far, far less than the SP5 variant.
SIG has several variants, various other companies, particularly those manufacturing ARs for the soon-to-be-saturated-U.S.-market have hastened their designs, many using Glock pistol magazines, etc.
Recall that the FBI in the 1980s had MP5SF single-shot-only MP5s with short barrels, but full-size stocks for issue to field agents, using 147gr. JHP ammo from a 30-rd. magazine in a pistol-caliber carbine that would have been a “SBR” for U.S. civilians.
Who wants to pay the sheer $$$$ for one of these? That is another question.
In my humble opinion, the sheer coolness factor of the SP5 does not outweigh the awkwardness of treating it as a pistol. If you want it, you need to pay for it, and H&K stuff does NOT come cheap. And even then, how is the gun to be used? For any place other than a shooting range, it would look odd. Defend your house? Maybe, but it would be a handful to keep on the night-stand. Did I mess up?
The only purpose of these “pistols” is to circumvent the law as written. Also the importation of pistols is easier into the USA than complete rifles, because rifles must contain a number of Made in USA parts. You can thank US lawmakers and for this abomination.
Confession time I wanted one of these so bad I once swipped the broken airsoft mp5 of a friends son out of their garbage can just so I could shoot zombies on my computor
Yes my wife laughed at me
Why does every firearm need “a purpose?” Why can’t we just own a gun because it’s cool, historic or just plain fun to shoot? (Not that this H&K with a brace couldn’t serve as an effective home defense arm.)
I am wondering how this one would fared against B+T USW
https://modernfirearms.net/en/handguns/handguns-en/switzerland-semi-automatic-pistols/bt-usw-eng/
in some competitions?
If it’s true to the original HK, the sights need a special tool to adjust, the magazines don’t drop free and there’s no last round hold-open.
So there’s that.
So what?
-AK sights and others also need tools
-most magazines don’t
-not in this version no, but the MP5 in 10 mm and .40″ do have a bolt hold open
Are people in these comments really that ignorant to how these “pistols” are made solely to circumvent NFA restrictions on SBRs? Are you people really that unaware of the huge pistol caliber carbine market, and their popular use for home defense? This is not something intended to be carried and concealed like a handgun you goofs. Not to mention the massive legacy of this gun, no duh some people want to own it for zero practical reasons, it’s pure cool factor. Buncha fudds.
Sir, this is not the YouTube comment section
I want one because it looks cool and fun to shoot.