The HK MP5 needs little introduction to those who keep up with military and law enforcement weapons systems. Introduced in 1965, long before many people had even heard of Heckler & Koch, the German Polizei first adopted it.
The MP5 operates on the delayed roller block system, the same system that the German G-3 rifle operates on. H&K says that there are over 120 variants of the HK MP5 available. Various stocks, barrel lengths, forearms, and trigger groups allow semi-auto, 2-round bursts, 3-round bursts, and full-auto. The modularity involved guarantees and enables all of these various configurations.
In 1980, the HK MP5 made a splash on the world stage when the British SAS stormed the Iranian Embassy in London to rescue hostages from terrorists. Until this time, most of the world hadn’t seen the MP-5. Then suddenly, it was being wielded by black-clad, hooded figures who exhibited a wild amount of skill in storming a burning building and rescuing hostages.
At one time, the MP-5 series was used by almost every major military and special police unit worldwide. Today, let’s take a look at eight MP-5 variants.
The 8 Major HK MP5 Variants
1. HK MP-5
The original HK MP5 weighs around 5.5 pounds, and the fixed stock version is 27 inches. On telescoping stock models, the retracted length is around 21.5 inches.
All MP-5s are fed by either a 15 or 30-round box magazine. The rate of fire is 800 rounds per minute.
2. MP-5A2
The MP-5A2 is 26.77 inches long with a barrel length of 8.86 inches. It weighs 6.01 pounds. The listed rate of fire is the standard 800 rounds per minute. H&K shows this model as having a fixed stock, so we are to assume that this is the original configuration for this SMG.
3. MP-5A3
This model, the A3, features a telescoping stock. The length of the MP-5A3 with stock retracted is 21.69 inches. The weight is 6.45 pounds, which is slightly heavier than the fixed stock A2 version. All the other specifications are basically the same as earlier models, including the rate of fire.
4. MP5K-PDW
The MP5K-PDW is a seriously compact Personal Defense Weapon that delivers actual performance. How compact? 14.53 inches long. It can be concealed easily with a barrel length of 5.51 inches and a weight of 6.49 pounds. For this reason, it has been a favorite of protection teams in guarding dignitaries, and the Secret Service has also used it for their work.
The rate of fire for the PDW is listed as 900 rounds per minute, which is faster than the standard HK MP-5’s rate of 800 rounds per minute.
Rather than a telescoping stock, this particular unit folds to the side and is comfortable when forming a cheek weld. It also features a front, vertical hand grip, contributing significantly to control.
5. MP-5K
The MP-5K is the smallest version of the HK MP5, weighing 4.4 pounds and less than 13 inches long. A big bang from a tiny package. Mounted to a short receiver is a 4.52-inch barrel. The “K” is derived from the German word, Kurz, which means Short. And short it is!
They come standard with a butt cap but can be fitted with the same side folding stock as the PDW, making this an even more versatile SMG. The rate of fire is 900 rounds per minute.
The MP-5K can be set up to fire from inside a special briefcase. It is also a favorite with Protection Teams.
6. MP-5SD
This particular configuration of the HK MP5 has an integral suppressor. Additionally, Heckler & Koch‘s website lists eight trigger group configurations available for this submachine gun. They range from safe and semi-automatic; some have various burst mechanisms (two and three-round bursts), bursts, and full auto combinations.
When used with subsonic ammunition, this weapon is amazingly quiet. The applications for military and police special units are apparent.
Firing from a closed bolt, it is one of the most accurate submachine guns in the world, with an overall length of 31.77 inches. The barrel length is 5.75 inches. Weight is 7.48 pounds. The rate of fire is 800 rounds per minute.
7. SP5K-PDW
This is the civilian version of the MP-5K in semi-auto. Retail, at the time of this writing, for these is $3,279, which, in my opinion, does not represent a bargain. But man, the cool factor on this one is white hot!
The specs on this one are very close to the MP-5K, except it will not fire fully automatic. It is configured as a pistol and so can be purchased by civilians.
8. SP5
Basically, this one is an MP-5 without any buttstock attached. In short, it’s a pistol. H&K included the Navy barrel and threaded tri-lug adapter. The price on this one from H&K, at the time of writing, is $3,279.
The total length of the SP5 is 17.8 inches, the barrel length is 8.86 inches, and the weight is 5.1 pounds. That’s a pretty substantial pistol! Note that buttstocks can be purchased for this should the buyer intend on filling out all the proper Federal Class III paperwork and jumping through the requisite hoops to turn it into a Short Barreled Rifle.
It’s pretty much a stockless, semi-auto MP-5, which is pretty damn cool. But, of course, you have to have the big bucks to play with the big boy toys. Like all the other H&Ks, this one accepts the standard MP-5 magazines.
In Conclusion on the HK MP5
Now you have an overview of the H&K MP-5 variants, including a few you can own!
It’s hard to believe it’s been around since the mid-1960s. Sadly, the Submachine Gun (SMG) has largely been overshadowed by the carbine/assault rifle due to the carbine’s more effective rifle rounds. Then, the SMG was a specialized, close-range weapon. Now the rifle/carbine rounds can fill that bill and reach out farther and penetrate body armor that the SMG cannot.
Despite that, I believe we’ll be seeing the iconic image of the H&K masterpiece for quite some time.
