The MP5 was first introduced by Heckler & Koch in 1966, under the name HK54. This name comes from HK's old numbering system: the "5" designates the model as a submachine gun, while the "4" identifies it as being chambered for 9 ?? 19 mm ammunition. The current name dates from when it was officially adopted by the West German government for use by its police and border guard as the Maschinenpistole 5 ("Machine pistol 5", or MP5), in mid-1966. The GSG 9 (the counter-terrorist unit of the German Federal Police) then introduced the MP5 to other Western counter-terrorist units.

With the increased use of body armor, the future of the MP5 is uncertain. Several new trends in firearms design have begun to eclipse the submachine gun; small caliber personal defense weapons (PDW) like the new Heckler & Koch MP7 and the FN P90 and compact carbines such as the M4, AKS-74U, the G36C variant of HK's G36. The only major criticism of the MP5 has been its high cost - approximately US$900 for an MP5N (the United States Navy variant).Heckler & Koch has started to complement the MP5 series with the cheaper UMP, which is available in .45 ACP, .40 S&W and 9 mm Parabellum calibers. However, since the UMP uses a simple blowback action as opposed to the MP5's roller-delayed blowback, the two weapons may not necessarily be competitors among the most discriminating users. In addition, the lighter weight of the UMP makes it more difficult to control during fully automatic fire than the MP5.

One famous counter-terrorist operation involving the MP5 was Operation Nimrod. It took place on April 30, 1980 in the United Kingdom, when the Special Air Service (SAS), armed with MP5s, was deployed to assault the terrorists who had taken over the Iranian embassy in London.

The MP5's accuracy, reliability, and wide range of accessories and variations have made it the submachine gun of choice for military and law enforcement agencies worldwide for over thirty years. Users include counter-terrorist groups, special operations forces and police forces.

The Red Army Faction, a German left-wing millitant group, depicted a Heckler & Koch MP5 in their insignia.

Type Submachine gun

Place of origin Germany

Service history

In service 1966¡§Cpresent

Used by Various counter-terrorism, military and law enforcement agencies worldwide.

Production history

Designer Tilo M?ller, Manfred Guhring,

Georg Seidl, Helmut Baureuter

Designed 1964

Manufacturer Heckler & Koch

Produced 1966??

Variants MP5K, MP5K-PDW, MP5SD, MP5N, MP5/F, MP5/10, MP5/40, HK94 (see MP5 models)

Specifications

Weight 2.54 kg (5.6 lb) (MP5A2)

2.88 kg (6.35 lb) (MP5A3)

Length Fixed stock:

680 mm (26.8 in)

Retractable stock:

490 mm (19.3 in), retracted

660 mm (26 in), extended

Barrel length 225 mm (8.85 in)

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Cartridge 9 ?? 19 mm Luger, 10 mm Auto, .40 S&W

Action Roller-delayed blowback, closed bolt

Rate of fire 800 round/min

Muzzle velocity 270 m/s (886 ft/s)

Effective range 200 m (219 yd)

Feed system 15- or 30-round detachable box magazine

Sights Rear: rotary diopter; front: tritium hooded post.

HK MP5 SMG MOUNT MP5 SMG mount are design for all MP5 series, this mount give you ability to add scope or red dot sight to your MP5.

MP5 models

The MP5SD5 being fired

Unless noted otherwise, all MP5 variants are chambered for the 9 ?? 19 mm Parabellum cartridge. Generally, "A2" and "A4" denote fixed stock, "A3" and "A5" denote retractable stock, and "A1" denotes no stock, with a buttcap (or receiver cap) in place.

• MP5A1 ?? MP5 with buttcap/receiver cap; Navy/"SEF" trigger group.
• MP5A2 ?? Fixed stock, Navy/"SEF" trigger group.
• MP5A3 ?? Retractable stock, Navy/"SEF" trigger group.
• MP5A4 ?? Fixed buttstock, 3-round burst trigger group.
• MP5A5 ?? Retractable buttstock, 3-round burst trigger group; noted rifle-like accuracy at 100 meters.
• MP5SFA2 ?? SF denotes single fire, with full auto removed; fixed stock.
• MP5SFA3 ?? MP5SF with retractable stock.
• MP5N ?? Model developed specifically for the U.S. Navy. Navy trigger group, 3-lug/threaded barrel for attaching a suppressor, and retractable stock.
• MP5F ?? Model developed specifically for the French military. Rubber-padded retractable stock, ambidextrous sling loops/bolts and internal modifications to handle high-pressure ammunition.
• MP5K ?? The very short version of the MP5; "SEF" trigger group.
• MP5KA1 ?? MP5K with smooth upper surface and small iron sights; "SEF" trigger group.
• MP5KA4 ?? MP5K with 3-round burst trigger group.
• MP5KA5 ?? MP5KA1 with 3-round burst trigger group.
• MP5K-N ?? MP5K with Navy trigger group and 3-lug/threaded barrel for mounting of suppressors or other muzzle attachments.
• MP5K-PDW ?? Personal Defense Weapon; MP5K-N with added folding stock and 3-lug/threaded barrel for mounting of suppressors; Navy or 3-round burst trigger group. It was first introduced in 1991.

Older model MP5A3 with retractable stock

• MP5SD1 ?? Integrated suppressor (Schalld?mpfer), A1-type buttcap with sling loop; Navy/"SEF" trigger group.
• MP5SD2 ?? Integrated suppressor (Schalld?mpfer), fixed stock; Navy/"SEF" trigger group.
• MP5SD3 ?? Integrated suppressor (Schalld?mpfer), retractable stock; Navy/"SEF" trigger group.
• MP5SD4 ?? MP5SD1 with 3-round burst trigger group.
• MP5SD5 ?? MP5SD2 with 3-round burst trigger group.
• MP5SD6 ?? MP5SD3 with 3-round burst trigger group.
• MP5SD-N ?? MP5SD with Navy trigger group and KAC stainless steel suppressor; retractable stock.
• MP5/10 ?? Chambered in 10 mm Auto, available in various stock/trigger group configurations. It was made from 1992 to 2000.
• MP5/40 ?? Chambered in .40 S&W, available in various stock/trigger group configurations. It was made from 1992 to 2000.
• HK94 ?? American import model of the MP5 with 16-inch barrel and special safe/semi-automatic trigger group, designed for civilian use. It was made from 1983 to 1989, in three different configurations.
• SP89 ?? Sport Pistole M1989. Semi-automatic¡§Conly version of the MP5K designed for civilian use. It had a modified foregrip redesigned into a traditional handguard that did not allow the fitting of the MP5K's foregrip to make it compliant with the Semi-Auto Weapons Ban of 1989. It was made from 1989 to 1994.
• HK 54 ?? This was the original model that was produced in the mid sixties. It later became known as the MP5A1, a very slightly modified version.

Design

A typical MP5 fires 9 ?? 19 mm Parabellum ammunition from a curved, detachable box magazine; magazine capacity is 15 or 30 rounds.

As with most weapons produced by Heckler & Koch, the MP5's trigger group is a replaceable modular component. The trigger group has a fire mode selector, which may include various combinations of fully automatic, 3- or 2-round burst, and semi-automatic, in addition to a safe position.

MP5s were originally chambered for the 9 mm Parabellum cartridge, commonly used in pistols. In the late 1990s, more powerful variants chambered for the 10 mm Auto and .40 S&W cartridges (MP5/10 and MP5/40, respectively) were introduced. In 2000, however, both versions were discontinued in favor of the new UMP submachine gun.

The MP5 has a roller-delayed blowback mechanism tracing back to a mid-1940s German prototype known as the StG45(M) and further developed in the CETME rifle.The weapon fires from a closed-bolt position; when the trigger is pulled, the bolt is already locked forwards against the cartridge, which reduces the amount of mechanical movement when a round is discharged and therefore improves accuracy. This design feature makes the MP5 the favoured weapon for hostage rescue teams and special forces, who require extreme precision in neutralising antagonists without hurting hostages. It is common practice among elite units such as the Special Air Service to attach a second magazine to the one loaded using adhesive tape or small magnets to capitalise on this advantage and inhibit the barrel from "pulling up" during sustained or fully automatic firing.