Best MP5 Clones [Buyer’s Guide]

“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.)

MP5 Clones Comparison Chart

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

Best .22LR Clone

Heckler & Koch MP5, .22 LR

$499

at Sportsman's Warehouse

Prices accurate at time of writing

$499 at Sportsman's Warehouse

Firearms Depot (see price)

Palmetto State Armory (see price)

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

Best MP5 Clone

HK SP5K

$2499

at Battlehawk Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$2499 at Battlehawk Armory

GrabAGun (see price)

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

Runner-Up MP5 Clone Pick

Zenith Z-5 Series

$1708

at Palmetto State Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$1708 at Palmetto State Armory

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

Most Modern MP5 Clone

PTR 9CT

$1744

at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$1744 at GrabAGun

Guns.com (see price)

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

Top Tier MP5 Clone

Dakota Tactical D54

$3899

at Dakota Tactical

Prices accurate at time of writing

$3899 at Dakota Tactical

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