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Heckler & Koch HK MP5


Submachine Gun (SMG) / Machine Pistol


Germany | 1966



"The German Heckler & Koch HK MP5 Submachine Gun has proven exceedingly popular for its compact and reliable approach to close-quarters combat."

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Heckler & Koch HK MP5. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.
660 ft
201.2 m | 220.0 yds
Max.Eff.Range
800
Rounds-Per-Minute
Rate-of-Fire
1,300 ft/sec
396 m/sec
Muzzle Velocity
Physical
The physical qualities of the Heckler & Koch HK MP5. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.
680 mm
26.77 in
O/A Length
225 mm
8.86 in
Barrel Length
5.73 lb
2.60 kg
Weight
Roller-Locked Delayed Blowback
Action
9x19mm Parabellum; 10mm Auto; .40 S&W
Caliber(s)
15-, 30- or 40-Round Detachable Box; C-Mag 100-round support
Feed
Iron Front and Rear; Optional Optics.
Sights
Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Heckler & Koch HK MP5 Submachine Gun (SMG) / Machine Pistol family line.
HK54 - Original Company Designation (becoming the MP5A1.
MP5A1 - Initial Production Model
MP5A2 - Fixed plastic stock; single/full auto fire modes.
MP5A3 - Telescoping metal stock; single/full auto fire modes.
MP5SFA2 - Fixed stock; single-fire only
MP5A3 - Collapsing stock; ; single/full auto fire modes.
MP5SFA3 - Carbine form of MP5A3; collapsing stock single-shot fire only.
MP5A4 - Fixed stock; 3-round burst fire
MP5A5 - Collapsing stock; 3-round burst fire
MP5N - US Navy model with Navy trigger group; threaded sound suppressor support; collapsing stock.
MP5F - French Army model; collapsing stock; internal revisions.
MP5K "Kurz" - Shortened, compact MP5; sans stock; forward hand grip; shortened barrel and forend; single/full auto fire modes.
MP5KA1 - Cleaner upper receiver; compact iron sights; single/full auto fire modes.
MP5KA4 - MP5K with 3-round burst fire
MP5KA5 - MP5KA1 with 3-round burst fire
MP5K-N - US Navy variant with threaded suppressor support; Navy trigger group.
MP5K-PDW ("Personal Defense Weapon") - MP5K-N with folding stock; threaded suppressor support; Navy trigger group; 3-round burst fire.
MP5SD1 - Silenced variant; integral suppressor assembly; sans stock; single-shot/full-auto fire modes.
MP5SD2 - Silenced variant; integral suppressor assembly; fixed stock; single-shot/full-auto fire modes.
MP5SD3 - Silenced variant; integral suppressor assembly; collapsing stock; single-shot/full-auto fire modes.
MP5SD4 - Silenced variant; integral suppressor assembly; sans stock; 3-round burst fire.
MP5SD5 - Silenced variant; integral suppressor assembly; fixed stock; 3-round burst fire.
MP5SD6 - Silenced variant; integral suppressor assembly; collapsing stock; 3-round burst fire.
MP5SD-N1 - Silenced variant; integral suppressor assembly; US Navy model with Navy trigger group; suppressor manufactured by Knight's Armament Company.
MP5SD-N2 - Silenced variant; integral suppressor assembly; US Navy model with Navy trigger group; fixed stock; suppressor by Knight's Armament Company.
MP5/10 - Chambered for 10mm Auto cartridge
MP5/40 - Chambered for .40 S&W cartridge
HK94 - American civilian model; semi-automatic single-shot fire only.
SP89 - Sporting civilian model based on the MP5K
T-94 ZSG - European sporting civilian model of MP5
MP-10 - Variant manufactured by Special Weapons
SP-10 - Civilian-minded variant of MP-10
MPT-9 - Iranian license-production copy of the MP5
Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 02/09/2023 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

One of the most popular submachine guns ever produced, the Heckler & Koch HK MP5 ("Maschinenpistole 5") became a common sight throughout the latter Cold War years. The type was adopted by many special forces groups as well as security elements for its sound design and utmost reliability in close-quarters actions, proving a major market success for the German concern. While having shown its age since (the firearm was designed in the 1960s), the MP5 continues widespread service today (2013) although it has been long superseded along Heckler & Koch lines by a more modern offering - the HK UMP (Universale Maschinenpistole), a lightweight, less expensive platform made fully modular by incorporation of accessory rails about the design.

Design work on the original MP5 product began in 1964 and spanned into 1966 while being officially attributed to the collective minds of Tilo Moller, Manfred Guhring, Georg Seidl and Helmut Baureter. The original working model was then known as the "HK54" to which this eventually became the "MP5A1" mark. Production commenced under the Heckler & Koch brand label in 1966 and, amazingly, continues even today (2013). Success of the series could be attributed to HK's use of its existing and proven automatic rifle components which became widely successful in previous company offerings at the military level. Basic construction of the MP5 involved use of steel and plastics for a lightweight end-product which was also compact - key qualities for any submachine gun. Basic models were available with simple single-shot and full-automatic fire modes while a three-round burst function was eventually introduced into the family line. Military variants then appeared with integrated suppressors fitted over the barren for reduced sound operation (to produce the "SD" - "Silenced" - line) and this version went on to be used with tremendous success, alone producing six major sub-variants under the SD designation. Various optics and accessories could be mounted along the receiver or forend of standard MP5s as needed, considerably broadening the tactical reach of the operator in-the-field. Basic iron sights were standard forward and aft.

While primarily chambered for the 9x19mm Parabellum pistol cartridge, HK eventually released MP5 models chambered for the 10mm Auto and .40 S&W. The standard 9mm form was fed from a 15-, 30- or 40-round detachable box magazine though other variants could make use of the 100-round Beta C-Mag ammunition drum. The action consisted of a roller-delayed blowback system utilizing a close bolt arrangement - the same as featured on several full-length HK automatic rifles - proving itself both accurate and reliable. Rate-of-fire, loaded/empty weights and effective ranges all varied depending on the chambering and production model in question.

The first definitive MP5 form became the MP5A2 with its fixed solid shoulder stock featuring single-shot and full-automatic fire modes through a clearly-marked selector switch along the side of the receiver. The MP5SFA2 was similar though with only a single-shot, semi-automatic firing capability. The MP5A3 brought about use of a collapsing shoulder stock with support for single-shot or full-automatic fire. The MP5SFA3 became a carbine version of the MP5A3 complete with collapsible stock and single-shot, semi-automatic fire. The MP5A4 utilized a fixed stock with a 3-round burst firing function while the MP5A5 was given a collapsing stock with burst fire mode. The MP5N was a specialized US Navy variant with Navy trigger group (showing fire selection through bullet symbols instead of the usual "SEF" text), collapsing stock and threaded sound suppressor support. The French Army received specialized MP5s as the "MP5F", featuring a collapsing stock and revised internals for their special ammunition requirements.

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One of the most popular MP5 production models became the MP5K (K = Kurz for "Short") which took an already compact firearm and made it more so through use of a shorter barrel and forend and lacked a stock. The fire selector allowed for single- and full-automatic fire only and the front end of the weapon was supported through a rubber-encased vertical grip handle mounted just ahead of the magazine well. All other MP5 functions remained the same. The MP5K eventually produced its own sub-set of variants: The MP5KA1 was given a cleaner upper receiver with single-/full-auto firing function and more compact iron sights. The MP5KA4 featured a three-round burst fire capability while the MP5KA5 was the MP5KA1 though with three-round burst capability. The MP5K-N was a US Navy model with Navy trigger group and threaded suppressor support. The MP5K-PDW ("Personal Defense Weapon") was the MP5K-N with three-round burst support, forward vertical grip and hinged folding stock. The MP5/10 was a specialized form chambered for the 10mm Auto cartridge while the MP5/40 fired the .40 S&W cartridge. The MP5 was imported in civilian guise to the United States as the HK94 and another civilian offering became the SP89 intended for sport shooting and to conform to the 1989 Semi-Automatic Weapons Ban. European civilians had access to the T-94 ZSG (Zivile Sportgewehr) model.

One of the more identifiable MP5 production models was its silenced - or "SD" - form which, like the HKMP5K, produced its own sub-set of variants: the MP5SD1 was the initial model and lacked a stock though fitted with single-shot/full-auto fire capable and integral suppressor (as opposed to threaded). The MP5SD2 sported a full fixed stock with integral suppressor with single/full auto support. The MP5SD3 was given a collapsing stock and retained the built-in suppressor. The MP5SD4 lacked the stock but retained the suppressor and included a three-round burst fire mode. The MP5SD5 was a fixed stock version with suppressor and three-round burst capability. The MP5SD6 sported a collapsing stock with suppressor ad three-round burst fire. The MP5SD-N1 was an American Navy modification with collapsing stock and stainless steel suppressor, the latter developed by Knight's Armament Company. The MP5SD-N2 was similar though with a fixed full stock.

The HK MP5 eventually became the logical weapon of choice for most North American and and European special forces groups and police. It proved extremely successful as a close-quarters man-stopper and was utilized by the notable likes of the United States Navy SEALs, the German GSG9 and British SAS.

The HK53 was more or less the HK MP5 though chambered for the American 5.56x45mm rifle cartridge - though marketed as a variant of the full-length HK33 Assault Rifle.

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Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Heckler & Koch HK MP5. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): Heckler & Koch GmbH - Germany
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[ Albania; Argentina; Australia; Austria; Bahrain; Bangladesh; Belgium; Brazil; Bulgaria; Cameroon; Canada; Chile; China; Costa Rica; Croatia; Czech Republic; Democratic Republic of Congo; Denmark; Egypt; El Salvador; Estonia; Finland; France; Georgia; Germany; Ghana; Greece; Honduras; Hong Kong; Iceland; India; Indonesia; Iran; Iraq; Ireland; Italy; Jamaica; Japan; Jordan; Kenya; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Malaysia; Malta; Mauritius; Mexico; Netherlands; New Zealand; Niger; Nigeria; Norway; Pakistan; Philippines; Poland; Portugal; Qatar; Romania; Saudi Arabia; Serbia; Singapore; Slovakia; Slovenia; South Africa; South Korea; Spain; Sri Lanka; Sudan; Sweden; Taiwan; Thailand; Turkey; United Arab Emirates; United Kingdom; United States; Uruguay; Vatican City; Zambia ]
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Image of the Heckler & Koch HK MP5
Actor Gary Sinise takes aim with his HK MP5 submachine gun; note tubular stock
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Image of the Heckler & Koch HK MP5
Right side view of the HK MP5 submachine gun; note solid stock
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Image of the Heckler & Koch HK MP5
Close-up view of the HK MP5 submachine gun; note solid stock
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Image of the Heckler & Koch HK MP5
Troops take aim with their HK MP5 submachine guns
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Image of the Heckler & Koch HK MP5
Close-up view of an HK MP5N submachine gun
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Image of the Heckler & Koch HK MP5
Right side view of an HK MP5N submachine gun
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Image of the Heckler & Koch HK MP5
Left side close-up view of a Navy SEAL HK MP5N submachine gun
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Image of the Heckler & Koch HK MP5
Right side view of the HK MP5N submachine gun
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Image of the Heckler & Koch HK MP5
Right side view of the HK MP5N submachine gun; note collapsible stock
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Image of the Heckler & Koch HK MP5
Right side view of the HK MP5N submachine gun sans magazine

Going Further...
The Heckler & Koch HK MP5 Submachine Gun (SMG) / Machine Pistol appears in the following collections:
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