“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.)
THE QUICK LIST
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Best .22LR Clone
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Best MP5 Clone
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Runner-Up MP5 Clone Pick
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Most Modern MP5 Clone
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Top Tier MP5 Clone
MP5 Clones Comparison Chart
| Caliber | Barrel Length | Overall Length | Weight | Capacity | Price | |
| H&K MP5 .22 | .22LR | 8.5″ | 18.2″ | 5.9 lbs | 25 | $499 |
| H&K SP5K | 9mm | 5.83″ | 13.80″ | 4.20 lbs | 30 | $2,672 |
| Zenith Z-5 | 9mm | 8.9″ | 17.9″ | 5.5 lbs | 30 | $1,708 |
| PTR 9CT | 9mm | 8.86″ | 17.60″ | 5.05 lbs | 30 | $1,687 |
| Dakota Tactical D54 | 9mm | 8,85″ | N/A | N/A | 30 | $3,899 |
How We Tested the Best MP5 Clones
For this article, the writing and editorial staff at Pew Pew Tactical put our heads together to come up with some MP5 clones we’ve personally shot. The entire Pew Pew Tactical team, as well as freelance writers, contributed to this review to offer different opinions based on ergonomics, size, and experience.
Guns we happen to have a review on will be linked and undergo a set of strict testing protocols. Every review gun undergoes 500 rounds of practice and defensive-style ammo at 5, 7, and 10 yards. Additionally, we use a Lyman Digital Trigger Gauge to measure the average trigger pull for all guns.
Best MP5 Clones
1. Best .22LR Clone – H&K MP5 .22
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Pros
- MP5 controls
- Compact
- Inexpensive ammo
Cons
- Limited applications
Specs
- Caliber: .22 LR
- Capacity: 25+1
- Action: Blowback
- Length: 18.2”
- Barrel Length: 8.5”
- Weight: 5.9 lbs.
While there are a few options for clones from other companies, H&K also created one of their own similar to the SP5K, but in .22LR. Take a look at the MP5 .22!
Here is an MP5 that isn’t restricted, is pretty easy to find, and won’t require a second mortgage. You could think of it as a trainer, or simply use it as your favorite John McClane range toy.
This version of the MP5 is pretty faithful to the original. The controls are largely the same, and it comes with a 25+1 capacity magazine that still empties out too fast.
We added a few parts to punch up the fun. First, we added a picrail to the end of the receiver so we could add a pistol brace.
In addition, we added a Primary Arms SLx MD-25 optic for sighting. Finally, we topped it off with a suppressor because the threaded barrel demanded we plink away like ninjas–check out the full review here.
2. Best MP5 Clone – H&K SP5K
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Pros
- Well made
- Closest thing you can get to an MP5
Cons
- No paddle release
- Cannot accept full-auto pack
Specs
- Caliber: 9mm
- Capacity: 30+1
- Action: Semi-Auto
- Length: 13.80”
- Barrel Length: 5.83”
- Weight: 4.20 lbs.
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.
What’s your take on the SP5K? Rate it below!
3. Runner-Up MP5 Clone – Zenith Z-5 Series
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Pros
- Lots of variety and configurations
- Modern options with M-LOK
Cons
- Previous models had grooved grips (now have straight grips)
Specs
- Caliber: 9mm
- Capacity: 30+1
- Action: Roller Delayed Blowback
- Length: 17.9”
- Barrel Length: 8.9”
- Weight: 5.5 lbs.
I blame Zenith for the great MP5 revival. This company came out of nowhere and started selling clones 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.
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.
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.
4. Most Modern Clone – PTR 9CT
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Pros
- Very modern design and take on the MP5
- Affordable
- Compatible with full-auto sears
Cons
- A little heavy and awkward to shoot
Specs
- Caliber: 9mm
- Capacity: 30+1
- Action: Semi-Auto
- Length: 17.60”
- Barrel Length: 8.86”
- Weight: 5.05 lbs.
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.
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 as 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, and we can hang out. If you don’t, there is always room to dream and flirt in the comments section.
5. Top Tier MP5 Clone – Dakota Tactical
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Pros
- High quality
- Accurate
Cons
- Pricey
Specs
- Caliber: 9mm (but other calibers available)
- Capacity: 30+1
- Action: Roller-Delayed
- Barrel Length: 8.85” (other lengths available based on model)
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.
Why Trust Pew Pew Tactical
Pew Pew Tactical author Travis Pike led the research and testing for this article. Travis spent a lifetime shooting as a kid and later joined the United States Marine Corps, where he spent five years as an infantryman. In the middle of his Marine Corps career, he began writing and never stopped. He has thousands of articles to his name with a variety of publications, including Pew Pew Tactical. Travis uses extensive research paired with hands-on time during testing, media events, and writer functions to create lists like this.
Pew Pew Tactical Content Producer Sean Curtis edited and added to the original article. Sean has been shooting since childhood but began to delve into guns more during his law enforcement career. He spent over two decades in law enforcement, where he became a POST-certified handgun instructor and NLEFIA Red Dot Instructor and received CLEFIA Advanced Firearms Instructor Training and AR-15 armorer training. He has since attended a variety of training, including Tactical Performance Center Handgun Mastery & Carbine Mastery, and earned USCCA rifle instructor certification. Aside from training and prior to joining the Pew Pew Tactical team full-time, Sean wrote for several gun publications evaluating and testing guns and gear and has written hundreds of articles. Sean hands-on tested the HK MP5 .22 LR and added his experience to this article.
Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers. She is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. With 2,000+ articles to her name, she uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical. Jacki has had hands-on time with various MP5 clones through media events during her career.
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.
Latest Updates
- December 2024: Removed ATI GSG-522 due to it being discontinued.
- November 2023: Added HK MP5 .22LR
24 Leave a Reply
False, the new SP5K and SP5 have Paddle magazine releases. Please fix the article.
Bought the Turkish clone, not Zenith but nice finish and no malfunctions on 9mm 124gr and suppressed 147gr. Didn’t test the Turkish clone?
I was just getting ready to reply the same thing. Love my AP5 with the Hux Ca$h 9k. It’s a reliable soft shooting tack driver.
Wow!!! The prices that are listed are WAY off!!! You can get all these guns for a LOT LESS on Gunbroker.
Damn… you guys have sold your souls. Zenith? Really? They no longer import the MKE and they sell a substandard US manufactured clone. It is crap. If you’re looking for a quality MP5 clone, look to Century Arms.
I have a century AP5 and they are not that great. QC issues plague these guns with the extractor spring, and bolt gap specs being out of wack just to name a few. On top of that they only warranty the gun for 1 year after purchase.
The PTR is affordable? Really??
I honestly feel like this site caters to cheaper companies and unfortunately leads people to buy subpar parts/optics. Kind of upsetting that its the top of every gun related google search when I'm looking for legitimate high end parts options.
Hey there, we do our best to bring a variety of products to our readers, including budget items that might be a bit more affordable (especially with inflation). But I hear what you're saying and we'll strive to bring more picks at a variety of price points in the future. Thanks for reading!
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.
Totally Agree. They missed the Ap5. I bought the K version to SBR as it is actually more of an original MP5 than the HK civilian version because of the “neutered” aspects described in the article. The Century Arms AP5 (I.e. MKE MP5) is made by a licensed HK manufacturer on HK tooling who sells MP5s to governments and military users all over the world. MKE USA sells the fun switch version here in the U.S. and does not sell to the public. This is the HK that German law won’t allow HK to send us, and it comes in among the least expensive available. I upgraded mine with an original HK MP5K fore grip with the vertical grip and hand stop included, a B&T Stock, a modified Magpul 3 position lower grip module (offered exclusively by HKParts for the K version), Magpul ambi safeties and a U.S. made 3 lug mount and I am still in it for less than an HP SP5K. (That may even include the cost of the tax stamp ). My dream is to get a trigger pack for it and when I found out the actual HK couldn’t take one, the choice was easy. Given the cost of transferable trigger packs, that may never happen, but the AP5 K keeps the dream alive!
"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.
Agree on all points. Although I have an MPX and it’s been good. It is on the heavy side. And it’s not just because it is a forged receiver. I have a 9mm AR SBR that is lighter. But the Sig is fun. The MP7? Hell yeah I’d love one, but there isn't a civilian version even available and if HK ever makes one it won’t be the same because of the German law modifications. No threaded barrel, no foregrip and different receiver. Add unobtanium ammo. I don’t think it should be on this list as it is a true SMG only, and thus unavailable to mere mortals. I like my Scorpion, but the blow back operation makes it feel like a shotgun next to my MP5K.
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.
They still exist but like to keep a low profile. Type SOG US Marshals in YouTube’s search bar
My man! SOCOM was my shit back in the day! I could play most of the missions in my sleep.