Heckler & Koch HK MP5

History

The Heckler & Koch HK MP5 ("Machine Gun 5") was one of the most popular submachine guns of all time, becoming a common sight in the final years of the Cold War. Due to its robust design and extremely high reliability in close combat operations, the type was adopted by many special forces and security forces, which proved to be a huge market success of German concern.

Although the MP5 is obsolete (the weapon was developed in the 1960s), it is now (2013) widely used, although following the Heckler & Koch line, it has long since been replaced by a more modern offering - the HK UMP (Universal Submachine Gun). A lightweight, low-cost platform that is fully modular by integrating accessory rails into the design.

Design work on the original MP5 product began in 1964 and continued until 1966, while officially credited to the collective thinking of Tilo Moller, Manfred Guhring, Georg Seidl and Helmut Baureter. The original working model was called "HK54", which eventually became the "MP5A1" brand.

Production started in 1966 under the Heckler & Koch brand and continues amazingly to this day (2013). The success of the series is due to HK's use of its existing and proven automatic rifle components that have had widespread success in previous military-grade company products. The basic construction of the MP5 involves the use of steel and plastic to create a lightweight end product that is compact - a key quality of any submachine gun.

The base model offered simple single-shot and fully automatic fire modes, while the three-shot burst capability was finally introduced to the family line. A military variant followed with an integrated muffler for noise reduction in the wasteland (production "SD" - "Silenced" series), which was a huge success, only six main sub-variants were produced under SD specified. Various optics and accessories can be mounted along the front of the receiver or standard MP5 as required, greatly extending the operator's tactical range in the field.

The basic iron sights are standard front and rear sights.

While HK was originally designed for the 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge, HK was eventually released for the 10mm Auto and .40 switches. Standard 9mm magazines are fed by 15-, 30- or 40-round detachable magazines, but other variants can use 100-round Beta C-Mag drums. The operation includes a roller-delayed recoil system that utilizes a tight bolt assembly - the same as found on several full-length HK automatic rifles - that has proven to be both accurate and reliable.

Rate of fire, loaded/unladen weight, and effective range vary by chamber and production model.

The first definitive MP5 form became the MP5A2, which had a fixed solid shoulder rest, single-shot and fully automatic fire modes via a clearly marked selector switch on the side of the receiver. MP5SFA2 is similar, but only has single-shot semi-automatic fire capability. The MP5A3 results in the use of a foldable shoulder rest, supporting single-shot or fully automatic fire.

The MP5SFA3 became the carbine version of the MP5A3, with a collapsible stock and single-shot semi-automatic fire. The MP5A4 uses a fixed stock with 3-round burst capability, while the MP5A5 uses a folding stock with burst mode. The MP5N is a special U.S.

Navy variant with a Navy trigger set (fire selection displayed via bullet notation instead of the usual "SEF" text), a foldable stock and a threaded silencer bracket. The French Army received a dedicated MP5 designated "MP5F" with a foldable stock and modified internals to meet their special ammunition needs.

One of the most popular MP5 production models was the MP5K (K = short for "Short"), which took an already compact gun and made it easier to use a shorter barrel and front end and no stock It is more compact. The fire selector allows only single-shot and fully automatic fire, and the front end of the weapon is held in place by a rubber-coated vertical grip mounted to the front of the magazine. All other MP5 features remain the same.

The MP5K eventually spawned its own subset of variants: the MP5KA1 gained a cleaner upper receiver with single/auto fire capability and a more compact iron sight. The MP5KA4 has a three-shot burst capability, while the MP5KA5 is the MP5KA1, but has a three-shot burst capability. MP5K-N is a US Navy model with Navy trigger set and thread suppressor support.

The MP5K-PDW ("Personal Defense Weapon") is the MP5K-N with three-round butt assist, vertical foregrip and folding stock. The MP5/10 is a special shape for 10mm auto cartridges, while the MP5/40 uses .40 S&W cartridges.

The MP5 was imported into the US in civilian form as HK94, and another civilian product became SP89, which was intended for sports shooting and complied with the 1989 ban on semi-automatic weapons. European civilians have access to the T-94 ZSG (civilian sporting rifle) model.

One of the MP5 production models was its silent or "SD" form, and like the HKMP5K, it spawned its own subset of variants: the MP5SD1 was the original model, although equipped with single-fire/full-auto fire capabilities and integrated Suppressor (as opposed to thread). The MP5SD2 has a fixed stock with an integrated single/automatic auxiliary silencer. The MP5SD3 received a foldable stock and retained the built-in silencer. The MP5SD4 lacks the stock, but retains the silencer and includes a three-shot burst mode. The MP5SD5 is a fixed stock version with a muffler and triple burst capability.

The MP5SD6 has a collapsible stock with a silencer and three-round bursts. The MP5SD-N1 is a US Navy modification with a collapsible stock and stainless steel silencer, the latter developed by Knight Arms. The MP5SD-N2 is similar but has a fixed full stock.

The HK MP5 eventually became the weapon of choice for most North American and European special forces and police. It proved very successful as a close-range shooter and was used by big names such as the US Navy SEALs, the German GSG9 and the British SAS.

The HK53 is more or less the HK MP5, although designed for the US 5.56x45mm rifle cartridge - although marketed as a variant of the HK33 full-length assault rifle.

Specification

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Changes