HISTORY
Developed in the 1960s, the Heckler and Koch (H&K) MP5 became one of the most widely used and recognized 9mm submachineguns in the world. Adopted by the German Federal Police and Army Special Forces, its value as a close quarters offensive firearm became evident. Later, other military forces such as the United States Green Berets and British Special Forces adopted it as well.
Two Guys One Gun, Episode 8: Is the MP5 Still Relevant?
Century Arms knows a winner, and it began to import the AP5 as a near-identical copy of the original MP5 in legal pistol form. The AP5 is manufactured by MKE in Turkey on machinery set up by H&K. It is a very close copy of the famous submachinegun in semi-auto form. This is my gun for testing today, and it looks like it will be a blast!
MY IMPRESSIONS
Having fired the select-fire H&K MP5, I am impressed with how true a copy the AP5 is. Hefting it, I feel it to be solid despite the polymer lower receiver. The upper receiver is made from heavy stamped steel and houses the bolt, bolt release, and threaded barrel.
The pistol grip is shaped nicely to accept my hand, and the forearm grip is stippled to afford a solid grip. This pistol just begs you to fire it from the hip! Short and stockless, it’s convenient to carry in my truck or my backpack.
The AP5 is designed to be intuitive in operation. I can move the safety catch and release the bolt quickly without looking. The safety is for right-hand operation, but the magazine release and bolt release can be reached by left-handed shooters equally well. The supplied 30-round 9mm magazines are quality steel and insert positively with a loud click.
Holding the AP5 out front like a conventional handgun will not work stockless; however, it can be stabilized with a simple strap or sling over the shooter’s shoulder. Of course, firing from the hip is instinctive and accurate at close range.
The AP5 fires from a closed bolt, which uses roller-delayed bearing surfaces to keep the action closed a moment until the bullet exits the barrel. This system is best for reducing felt recoil and allowing the shooter to stay focused on target. It is much preferable to a simple blow-back action.
SIGHTS
The rotating rear diopter drum sight is simple, effective, and aligns well with the post-in-circle front sight. Most shooters want more than iron sights, and the AP5 is thoughtfully equipped with a 5-inch Picatinny rail. This is the customizable feature that I like, because it allows me to add a red dot sight, long eye-relief pistol scope, or laser as needed.
My AP5 is equipped with a Riton X1 Tactix ARD red dot sight. What a difference it makes in aiming! Simply put the 1 MOA red dot on target and squeeze. The brightness knob on the right side is easy to reach and conveniently turns the sight off between settings – no need to run the dial up from 1 to 6 to find my desired brightness. It is already there. The lenses are clear, allowing me to pick up the dot quickly and acquire a target. I like that.
SPECS
- Weight: 5.5 pounds
- Overall Length: 17.9 inches
- Barrel: 8.9 inches, threaded muzzle with quick-release flash hider
- Sights: Rear rotating diopter drum and fixed front post
- Trigger: 7.9 pounds, single stage
- Construction: Polymer lower and steel stamped upper receiver
- Action: Roller-delayed closed bolt
- Magazine: 30 rounds, all-steel double stacked/double feed
- 5-inch receiver-mounted Picatinny rail
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MSRP: $1,359
SHOOTING THE AP5
There are plenty of 2-liter root beer bottles here at Area 51, and the challenge will be to hit them all with this funky stockless lead squirter! I have a mix of PMC Bronze Full Metal Jacket ammo and Magtech Jacketed Hollow Points. Hollow points can cause some handguns to misfeed and jam.
Wrapping the strap on my shoulder is a bit clumsy, but once there I can fire from the hip and extend the pistol for a solid hold. My first root beer jug vaporizes with a hollow point hit, as do the ginger ale cans. No jams, and nothing but explosive power hitting at 10 yards.
Center hits on my steel target make for a decent group, and the flapper is hit many times consistently at 10 yards. My bottle-shaped target at 40 yards is more of a challenge. Pulling my strap tight and using my Riton sight allows me to ring steel reliably. This optic is a good match for the AP5.
QUIET TIME
Century Arms has added a most useful detachable flash hider that reveals a threaded muzzle. It conveniently fits my SilencerCo Hybrid 46 suppressor. Once attached to the AP5, I can reduce the sound signature to that of a .22 rimfire.
I am pleased to see that accuracy has not changed, and I can still reliably hit the 40-yard steel plate. Even a root beer jug at 40 yards is taken out with a single shot. Not bad for a stockless handgun fired off-hand! No jams, misfires, nor failures to eject or feed were encountered in today’s test.
PROS & CONS
Pros:
- Near-exact copy of the Famous H&K MP5
- High quality
- Reliable
- Lightweight and compact
- 30-round all-steel magazine
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Adaptable to many optics
Cons:
- Stockless design is difficult to stabilize
- Bolt does NOT stay open after last shot
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Pricey (but you get what you pay for)
FINAL THOUGHTS
This is a niche gun that does not appeal to everyone. However, it is well made and a faithful replica of one of my favorite submachineguns in semi-auto form. I can see a possible use for it in 3-Gun competition, personal defense, and as an all-around truck gun for shooting pop cans for lots of fun!
Of course, you have the option of registering with the ATF, paying the $200 tax stamp, and attaching a solid folding stock. The result will be the closest thing to a real MP5 without the select-fire switch for a fraction of the cost.
Too bad you could not be there with me today, Bruce Willis. I had a blast shooting your gun and it passed all my tests. Yippee Ki Yay!
