Heckler & Koch MP5

Heckler & Koch MP5
Heckler & Koch MP5
	File:1113198457 IMG 4440-crop.jpg An MP5N (retractable stock, navy S-E-F trigger group)
Type	Submachine gun
Place of origin	Germany
Service history
In service	1966–present
Used by	Various counter-terrorism, military and law enforcement agencies worldwide.
Production history
Designer	Tilo Möller, 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
Mass	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)
Cartridge	9 × 19 mm Luger
Action	Roller-delayed blowback, closed bolt
Rate of fire	800 round/min
Muzzle velocity	270 m/s (886 ft/s)
Effective firing range	200 m (219 yd)
Feed system	15- or 30-round detachable box magazine
Sights	Rear: rotary diopter; front: tritium hooded post.

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The Heckler & Koch MP5 is a family of closed bolt submachine guns developed by German weapons manufacturer Heckler & Koch (HK) in the 1960s.

History

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 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).^{[citation needed]} 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 terrorist group, depicted a Heckler & Koch MP5 in their insignia.

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.^{[citation needed]}

Variants

File:Mp5k.jpg

MP5KA4 with 3-round burst trigger group and 15-round magazine

Heckler & Koch has made many general improvements to the MP5 over the years since its introduction; both internal and external components changed considerably from the earlier models to the present design. The original MP5 was available with a fixed (A2) or retractable (A3) stock, and in various trigger group configurations.

The next major development was the MP5SD series (SD1–SD6), introduced in 1974. This model had an integrated suppressor and a special barrel which reduced the muzzle velocity of its ammunition to just below the speed of sound. The MP5SD's integral suppressor dramatically reduces the weapon's sound signature and muzzle flash, making the weapon a favorite choice of many police and military special operations forces in situations requiring stealth.

File:Mp5k brief.jpg

MP5K with standard "SEF" trigger group in briefcase

The MP5K ("K" standing for kurz, meaning "short"), which is only 325 mm long, was introduced in 1976 at the request of a HK South American sales representative who saw the potential for its sale to bodyguards as a concealable, but fully automatic weapon. It has a vertical foregrip to reduce muzzle rise and aid in automatic firing and it can also be fired from inside a special briefcase. Additionally, a version without the diopter sights but a smooth upper surface and small pistol sights was developed to reduce the likelihood that the weapon would snag during the draw.

A further development of the model by the U.S. division of HK was the MP5K-PDW (Personal Defense Weapon), in 1991. This model was built for United States Air Force pilots who needed a compact weapon. Unlike the original, the PDW adds a folding stock and can accept a suppressor and laser sight. All variants of the MP5K are available in the similar configurations as the original weapon.

Semi-automatic versions of the MP5 and MP5K, known as the HK 94 and SP89 respectively, were offered prior to the 1989 Import ban (a modification of the 1968 Gun Control Act [18 USC 925(d)(3)]. Under provisions of the 1934 National Firearms Act and prior to the 1986 federal ban on future sales of new machineguns to civilians, some of these semi-automatic models were legally converted to submachinegun form (after proper BATFE paperwork which includes fingerprinting, a FBI background check, serial number registration and payment of a $200 federal excise tax) by either modifying the lower receiver to take a select-fire trigger mechanism or adding a drop-in/registered (transferable) auto-sear.

Under a special contract from the United States Navy, Heckler & Koch developed the MP5N ("N" standing for "Navy") variant for the Navy's elite special operations units (including the U.S. Navy SEALs). The MP5N is a standard MP5 with a fully ambidextrous Navy trigger group (with safe, semi- and fully automatic modes), a retractable stock, and a threaded barrel for mounting stainless steel suppressors.

The latest in the MP5 line is the MP5F ("F" standing for French), developed in 1999 specifically for the French military. The MP5F is an MP5 with some new internal parts modifications design to handle extremely powerful 9 mm ammunition. The changes to the MP5F are subtle. Externally, the only noticeable differences between the "F" model and standard MP5s are a new buttstock that has a two-inch thick rubber buttpad, a sling loop on the right side of the stock for left-handed shooters and dual front sling bolts.

The MP5/10, chambered in the 10 mm Auto cartridge, was Heckler & Koch's first attempt to increase the power of the MP5 series. In 1994, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) adopted the MP5/10 as their standard submachine gun. Despite the discontinuance of MP5/10 production and the agency's adoption of the .40 S&W cartridge for pistols, the FBI recently solicited HK for the purchase of an additional fifty MP5/10. ^{[citation needed]} The name MP10 has been incorrectly used by some to indicate the MP5/10. This error was popularized by Tom Clancy's book, Rainbow Six.

MP5 models

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.
MP5J — MP5F with some internal improvements that increase durability. Model developed specifically for the Japanese special forces.
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.

MP5SD1 — Integrated suppressor (Schalldämpfer), A1-type buttcap with sling loop; Navy/"SEF" trigger group.
MP5SD2 — Integrated suppressor (Schalldämpfer), fixed stock; Navy/"SEF" trigger group.
MP5SD3 — Integrated suppressor (Schalldämpfer), 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–only 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.

External links

Video links