“Ho, ho, ho, now I have a machine gun”…immortal words from American Hero John “yippee ki-yay” McClane.
But what machine gun was he talking about?
The MP5 of course.
HK’s MP5 is the luxury SMG of SMGs and has filled the arms rooms of elite police and military units for decades.
And its popularity has certainly been aided by its starring roles in movies, television, and video games.
But its role in high-profile incidents also pushed it to the forefront of public knowledge. The Iranian Embassy siege saw SAS members armed with MP5s — one of the most famous uses of the gun.
But not all of us can be Hollywood stars or Special Forces…so what’s a civilian to do? Well, buy a clone.
And today we’re going to walk you through some of the best MP5 clones out that you can buy…sort of. (Keep in mind that supply and demand may make some of these more difficult to find than others.)
Summary of Our Top Picks
Best MP5 Clones
1. ATI GSG 522
In the family of MP5s, the GSG was one of the first clones I ever became aware of. It should be said this was only a clone in looks — it’s a .22 LR rifle that doesn’t use a roller delayed system.
I owned one of these for years and found it to be a fun and reliable plinker. It mimicked most of the MP5ness — including the controls, diopter sights, and you can do the famous HK slap.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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There are pistol and rifle versions, but the rifle is much more popular than the pistol.
The rifle features faux suppressors to cover the 16-inch barrel. Honestly, it looks a little weird on an MP5. There are multiple configurations that include fixed stocks, folding stocks, collapsing stocks, and the famed SD model.
It’s also reliable, functioning with even generic and cheap .22 LR ammo. No need to buy the pricey CCI stuff to get this gun to run.
I mean c’mon, what other MP5 clones can I go out and hunt squirrels with?
Sure, a 10/22 is good – but it’s no MP5.
The GSG series has also created a somewhat small, but potent aftermarket that features a drum magazine, stocks, and other accessories to upgrade your GSG.
In short, the GSG 522 is a massively fun gun…perfect for kids and new shooters.
2. Zenith Z-5RS
I blame Zenith for the great MP5 revival. This Turkish company came out of nowhere and started selling Turkish-made MP5s for a great price.
The Zenith MP5s are made on original German HK tooling and come in a variety of configurations, including pistols, AOWs, and rifles.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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As far as I know, Zenith is the only company that produces the AOW model of the MP5K, the proper K model.
On top of that, they make guns with claw scope mounts in both standard and neutered K models. They also manufacture modern models with M-LOK handguards for those looking for something more modular.
Zenith guns come with cold-hammer-forged barrels with ½ x 28 RH threading, three magazines, and a Covert Carry bag that looks identical to the Elite Survival Systems bags.
I have one minor, completely stupid, and very annoying complaint. The pistol grip has finger grooves. Yeah, I know some MP5s have those, but the straight grip is vastly superior. Albeit that may just be my opinion.
The Zenith guns certainly won’t let you down, and they’ve teamed up with SB Tactical to give you out-of-the-box models ready for the range.
These MP5 clones are faithful to the MP5 design, while also offering more modern MP5 experiences.
3. PTR 9CT
PTR made their bones with G3 clones in just about every flavor you could imagine, so they are well experienced with the roller delayed design.
PTR is an American-based firm and the MP5 clones they produce feel very modern overall. Best of all they are quite affordable.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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In fact, these are the most affordable MP5s on the market.
The PTR models include a full-sized rifle, two standard pistol models with different muzzle devices, and a neutered K model as well. (By neutered I mean the K model lacks the forward grip.)
PTR clones come with M-LOK handguards for modular attachment of accessories of all kinds. Of course, they are completely compatible with SB Tactical braces. They also feature welded-on scope rails for optics.
The guns come with both the paddle and push-button magazine release as well a hard case with custom cut foam. And they sport multiple end cap options — including a sling point, brace, or even a backplate to accommodate MPX stocks.
Oh, and did we mention that PTR guns are ready for full auto sears if you just so happen to have one.
If you do, hit me up, we can hang out. If you don’t, there is always room to dream and flirt in the comments section.
4. H&K SP5K
You don’t suck, and HK doesn’t hate you, they are just in a tough spot. How tough? Well, German laws are notoriously fickle with exporting weapons, and importing the cool stuff is a hassle.
HK has also been burned numerous times by American law changes ending with warehouses full of guns just sitting.
However, even HK’s famed stoicism couldn’t ignore the MP5 demand. They finally produced one, the SP5K.
The SP5K is a neutered MP5K…kind of.
The gun brings some interesting design choices that MP5 fans have voiced opinions on…no paddle release, the gun cannot accept a full auto pack, and it has a super goofy forend. Oh, and the barrel isn’t even threaded.
Plus, the $2,700+ MSRP is a little tough to swallow.
That said, this is the way to get a proper HK MP5. As such, it is a ridiculously well-made gun. The German engineers at HK aren’t messing around. They take their reputations and their finely made arms very seriously.
The SP5K can be upgraded with an SB Tactical brace, and the scope mount allows for your favorite red dot or low-powered optic to have a home.
Recoil is nearly nothing and hosing a target with 30 rounds of 9mm is a blast.
Functionally the gun is a champ, and there are no complaints regarding reliability or even accuracy.
Using the open sight and a one-point sling, I had no issues consistently landing chest shots on a target. It is well balanced as a braceless pistol, more so than full-size non-braced MP5s.
It’s certainly a gun you enjoy more in your hands than looking at it on a website.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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What’s your take on the SP5K?
5. Dakota Tactical
If budget is a concern, you might want to skip this portion of the article.
Dakota Tactical is a small operation but if you’re an MP5 fan you’ve heard of them.
They make the highest-end MP5 guns on the market…painstakingly going over each and every firearm to ensure an accurate and high-quality rendition of the famed SMG. These guys really love these guns.
Like Nighthawk 1911s, the guys at Dakota Tactical know these guns inside and out. That knowledge gives them the ability to craft some awesome guns.
Dakota Tactical MP5 clones are not cheap, with the more affordable pistol model selling for $2,700.
They produce a core series of MP5 handguns and rifles and are now producing a classic line of MP5s.
These are hand-built guns…a truly made in USA MP5.
Additionally, they make compact and reverse stretch frames for the pickiest of consumers.
The downside is that as a small operation you may end up waiting for your gun if you order straight from DT. Ordering direct will likely save you a good deal of money, though.
If you want the best of the best, though, go with Dakota Tactical.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Final Thoughts
HK’s MP5 is a German classic, still capturing the public’s imagination. Luckily for us, there are a few gun makers out there catering to this need for a cool-looking gun that’s actually accessible to us regular folk.
What’s your favorite MP5 clone? Let us know in the comments below. For a deeper dive into the MP5, check out our historical look at this classic SMG.
12 Leave a Reply
I’m surprised if you were going to include a 22 LR that you didn’t actually includes H&K’s own 22 LR. I’ve had one for years. Would prefer the 9mm but whatcha gonna do….
Zenith is no longer selling the Turkish MP5 clones anymore and now they are supplied via Century Arms which is the same product renamed to AP5. Also, Zenith is making their own version of the MP5 and significantly more expensive than the original H&K tooled MKE plant in Turkey. I believe the MKE AP5 is the best original clone for this platform.
I recently purchased an Ap5 from Atlantic Firearms for $1050 a price more palatable than the $3300 for an HK sp5. I have only fired 100 rds thru it but it was 100% reliable! Super fun and accurate. Your information is correct about MKE.
"The MPX, MP7, and CZ Scorpion are better examples of what an SMG should be in 2019."
That is entirely subjective. The CZ scorpion is just a blowback, classic, ancient subgun: with a plastic shell around it.
The MPX is....well...by most accounts a piece of junk. Just get an AR based 9mm.
The MP7 is a fantastic firearm but not really a suppressor host.
The MP5 still 'does what it does' the best of all the 9mm PCCs. Which is be a low recoil, high reliability, suppressor host for heavier 9mm cartridges.
The Mp5 Clone industry started in late 98 with Todd Bailey and Special Weapons. They used Paki parts from POF: Pakistani Ord. Factory. Their guns originally had cast-steel receivers and were crudely painted, and some guns were prone to problems that the company was slow to address (bad customer service led to a cult of Todd Bailey haters) He didn't help himself by blasting back on all the message boards on the web at the time, mainly Subguns.com. He later put out some guns with proper stamped steel receivers and better parts. He ended up being such a toxic dude, he had to change names of his company many times over the years to operate; Cohaire, Top Notch, Omega, ACME, BCH, TWTA... I have actually talked to the guy and can confirm that he is is lacking in social skills, but I will say my 2 SW guns ran well. I put in some real deal german parts to complete the package. I wish I didn't sell them for 1k a piece in 04.
You can mark The PTR off that list. They will not back up your warranty if you use a suppressor which is really dumb considering it comes with tri lugs.
I agree. I was not aware of that warranty condition when I purchased my PTR 9 CT.
Fortunately I have several other hosts for my suppressors.
Hey PTR. “I have no intention of voided my warranty!”
“Voiding”
I handled a ptr rifle at a local shop (in NJ) and as impressive as it was, I wasnt able to do the slap because the clear polymer magazine with a 10rd block and the full length spring bound up inside and jammed the whole action, then the guys behind the counter couldn't even get the mag out. It also looked a little goofy with the long pointy barrel. I wouldn't mind having one though, maybe if I could get some shorter magazine springs...
The MP-/10mm was the consumate 100 yard subgun. A perfect city patrol carbine. Two problems showed up. One, the frame needed strengthening. Two, wimps doing the eval at Quantico said it kicked to hard. So they loaded it with the feeb 10mm light, bullets, completely defeating the greatness of a 10mm sub gun. Then the dea administrator at the time, with "baby dave", complained about the cost of 10mm ammo. Later democrat antigun shills in the dea were instructed to say that all full auto weapons were evil. Any tubular sights mounted on top of a gun made them more evil. Subguns were doubly evil, and the democrat puppeteers of the dea command staff, knew more about firearms, tactics, training, and equipment, than the experts on staff. They continue to decrease training, under equip their gun toters, and reduce the legal force continuum. Ammo budgets remain at 1993 levels. And except in rate circumstances, agents must buy their own tactical equipment. The days of the trained, equipped, gun toting professional federal law man, are gone.
Amen! There are no more Agents "to ride the river" with. And while the Rock Rivers are great guns, an MP-5, they ain't. The MP-5 is a great "car gun". It's size and handiness make it much more likely to be in hand, than a "frowned upon" long gun. But as with Miami 1986, those who forget history, are doomed to repeat it.
My man! SOCOM was my shit back in the day! I could play most of the missions in my sleep.