5 Best MP5 Clones In 2024 PLUS A Bonus .22LR Option

Introduction

Who doesn’t love a good MP5? I know I do. During the late 90s and early 2000s, I spent many hours playing Counter-Strike on my computer. One of my favorite guns in the game was the MP5.

If you’ve paid attention to American pop culture over the last 40 years, you have probably seen an MP5 used in a movie or show. For example, take Die Hard, which is one of the best Christmas movies ever made. The main character, John McClane, carries an MP5!

We here at Gun Made sought out the best MP5 clones to give you plenty of options. Say your favorite John McClane quote and get to reading to learn which MP5 clone made our list.

“Yippee-Ki-Yay….” let’s keep it PG and stick with “Welcome to the Party, Pal.”

Best MP5 Clones

Best Overall – HK SP5

Specifications

Pros & Cons

The SP5 is Heckler & Koch’s submission for a civilian ownable, semi-automatic MP5. While most of us will never be able to own a pre-1986 select fire MP5, that doesn’t mean we can not own a HK-manufactured MP5.

For many years, HK resisted calls to produce an MP5 for the American market. It was focused on military contracts and other firearms for the civilian market.

Any good business person knows that if there is a considerable demand for a product, and you are the best one to fill that demand, you can make a lot of money. That was the case with the SP5. HK finally came around to producing an MP5 clone to meet the demand in the market.

The SP5 is precisely what you would expect from Heckler & Koch. It is one of, if not the highest-quality, MP5 clones available. The SP5 is manufactured at HK’s factory in Germany, and the fit and finish are top-notch.

The MP5 is not a new firearm design. I recently shot one that was over 40 years old, and it functioned flawlessly. HK has been producing MP5s since the 60s. The SP5 benefits from this long production and the lessons HK has learned.

The receiver, action, and production quality combine to make a reliable and durable firearm.

If you decide to get the SP5, you will pay for it. On top of getting a high-quality firearm, you will also pay for the name Heckler & Koch. Whether the firearm you receive is so much better than the alternatives to make it premium price will come down to personal preference.

If you decide to pay the price for an HK SP5, rest assured you are getting your money’s worth and can expect it to be one of the prizes of your firearms collection.

Best Value – Century Arms AP5

Specifications

Pros & Cons

The Century Arms AP5 is the most affordable MP5 clone on this list. The affordable price of the AP5 does not mean it’s cheaply made. It’s not. It’s the only non-HK firearm on this list made on HK tooling.

When I was searching for an MP5 clone to purchase, I wanted to get as close as I possibly could to the real deal. The HK SP5 was not in my price range when I was shopping, so I decided to research the Century Arms AP5. My research gave me confidence in purchasing an AP5.

Produced by MKE in Turkey and on old HK tooling, it could be argued that it’s the most faithful reproduction of the 1960s and 1970s MP5. The AP5, as a result, checks the aesthetics box and then some.

A few changes to the firearm, like using surplus and aftermarket parts, can turn the AP5 into a dead ringer for a classic MP5.

There have been some reported quality control issues, minimal numbers, with the AP5, but Century Arms has shown they will make it right if those occur. But, compared with HK’s lifetime warranty, the one-year warranty is disappointing.

Despite the reported quality control issues, the AP5 is a reliable and durable firearm. MKE has been producing firearms since the 1950s. MKE’s experience producing firearms combined with using HK’s proven MP5 design and machines make the AP5 a solid firearm.

I have shot hundreds of rounds through my AP5. It has been excellent. I am a huge fan of 124-grain NATO spec 9MM loadings, and my AP5 ate that loading without a hiccup. It also ate 115-grain ammo without issue. Considering 115-grain ammunition is the main practice ammo for many shooters, that is important.

I frequently run my AP5 suppressed with 147-grain FMJs and 147-grain Federal HST hollow points. It has run flawlessly with both of those ammunition types. I even used HST ammunition with the suppressor to hunt a raccoon attacking my chickens.

Check out my Century Arms AP5 review if you want more in-depth information on our favorite value MP5 clone.

Zenith ZF-5

Specifications

Pros & Cons

The Zenith ZF-5 is a relatively new American-made MP5 clone. Zenith Arms was the importer of the MKE’s MP5 clone under the name Z5-RS. Zenith was not content to ride off into the sunset when that relationship ended, so it used the knowledge it gained while working with MKE to produce its own high-quality MP5 clones.

The ZF-5 is the first American-made MP5 clone on this list. It is also the first firearm on this list not produced on HK tooling.

While not made on original HK tooling, it’s still an excellent MP5 clone. The ZF-5 is solidly made with quality welds and machining.

Roller-delayed firearms have been in production for many years. While less prevalent than it once was, the roller-delayed design is proven. Zenith did not try to reinvent the wheel with the ZF-5 but instead stayed with what works, combining that with quality American workmanship to produce reliable and durable firearms.

Original and aftermarket MP5 accessories work in the ZF-5, and Zenith worked hard to ensure its MP5 clone is up to the standards of being called an MP5.

One thing to note is that the ZF-5 is heavier than the other firearms on this list, but that extra weight helps moderate the already light-shooting MP5.

Our time with the Zenith ZF-5, an MP5 clone, was an experience marked with excitement and satisfaction (check out our ZF-5 review here). Despite a minor hiccup with the magazine dropping out during our session, the reliability of the ZF-5 was commendable, showing excellent performance with a variety of ammo.

There are many aspects of the ZF-5 that we admired during our testing. Its accuracy was surprising, both with and without adding an optic, allowing for easy transitions between targets.

The overall feel of the gun, complemented by its sturdy retractable stock, gave us the confidence to tackle any challenge. We found its improved controls to be a significant improvement on the original MP5, especially with the user-friendly safety feature and convenient mag releases.

The gun’s sights were impressive and easily adjustable, featuring a rear rotary drum sight for added precision.

If you want a quality MP5 clone and a firearm made in America by a company with a solid track record, the Zenith ZF-5 is worth a look.

PTR 9C

Specifications

Pros & Cons

The PTR 9C is an American-made MP5 clone. PTR made a name in the American firearms market by producing high-quality HK91/G3 clones. Its experience producing the larger and older brother of the MP5 helped PTR enter the MP5 clone market and be successful.

Much like Zenith with the ZF-5, PTR used its years of experience working with roller-delayed firearms to create this clone of the MP5. That experience has paid dividends, as the PTR 9C is an excellent MP5 clone. The 9C shoots and shoots well.

The PTR 9C is a faithful representation of the MP5, and PTR ensured that the 9C was compatible with both surplus and aftermarket parts. This compatibility allows you to change a myriad of parts on the 9C, including the forend, stock, and internal components.

There are some reports of the 9C not liking cheap mags and cheap-range ammo, but that is true for many firearms, including the other MP5 clones on our list. Doing a proper break-in period with the firearm goes a long way to ensuring the proper function of the 9C.

Like the ZF-5, PTR did not try to reinvent the wheel with its MP5 clone. Quality American manufacturing, experience producing roller-delayed blowback firearms, and the proven MP5 design combine to make the 9C a durable and reliable firearm.

Dakota Tactical D54-N

Specifications

Pros & Cons

Dakota Tactical is the smallest manufacturer of MP5 clones on this list. The Dakota Tactical D54-N is not generally available for purchase from major retailers, and the firearm currently has a lead time of 24 months. Dakota Tactical can follow this business model since its MP5 clones are known for being very high quality.

Dakota Tactical makes MP5 clones for those who want to drop a registered auto-sear into their MP5 clone. Considering the price of a civilian transferable auto-sear, knowing your firearm is ready for full-auto fun is essential.

You will not risk a $40,000+ auto-sear in a sub-par quality firearm. Dakota Tactical knows this. The proper time is spent to ensure the firearms are made right—this attention to detail results in a durable and reliable firearm. Anything less wouldn’t be acceptable.

Dakota Tactical’s D54-N is not your run-of-the-mill MP5 clone, but if you are looking for an MP5 clone and aren’t interested in getting the HK SP5, then you should give Dakota Tactical’s D54-N a look.

Best MP5 Clone in .22LR: Heckler & Koch MP5-22

Specifications

Pros & Cons

.22LR is one of the best cartridges for having fun with firearms. The light recoil, plentiful supply, and low prices make it a cartridge you can take to the range and shoot all day without going broke. Heckler & Koch partnered with Umarex of Germany to make an MP5 clone in .22LR to take advantage of this excellent cartridge.

Mimicking the iconic MP5 design, the MP5-22 is excellent for introducing people to firearms. The MP5-22 makes you feel like you are shooting its bigger 9MM brother while not overwhelming the shooter with the recoil and sound of a 9MM firearm.

.22LR is a relatively simple cartridge to make firearms for. Most failures with .22LR firearms come from the ammunition instead of the gun. Where .22LR firearms usually fail is when they get dirty from shooting without cleaning. If you maintain your MP5-22 properly, the firearm will give you lots of fun at the range.

Another positive for the MP5-22 is that it is the cheapest rifle on this list and shoots the cheapest ammunition.

It is accurate, reliable, and easy to use. If you are looking for an MP5 clone that doesn’t break the bank, grab an MP5-22.

How We Chose Our Top Picks

I wish I could say the number of MP5 clones was so great that I spent hours pouring over various manufacturers’ firearms to find the best six. Unfortunately, that is not the case with the current MP5 clone market.

Thankfully, the companies manufacturing MP5 clones are dedicated to making quality firearms, and creating this list did not require compromising the list’s integrity by adding sub-par firearms. Every MP5 clone listed here belongs.

The choices were easy when selecting the top MP5 clone and the best value MP5 clone. The HK SP5 is a civilian legal MP5. It is made by Heckler & Koch in Germany. If you want an MP5, then look no further.

The Century Arms AP5 is also a no-brainer for the best-value MP5 clone. The firearm is made by MKE using HK tooling. You can question the condition of that tooling and whether it is still the original tooling, but we know that MKE made MP5s under license in Turkey, and no other company can make that claim.

The AP5, despite its cheaper and sometimes much cheaper price, is a genuine MP5 that has been slightly modified for the civilian market.

We at GunMade have had the opportunity to shoot and own several of the MP5 clones on this list. We are familiar with the platform and firearms in general. We are very confident in the quality of these firearms.

We always recommend talking to someone with personal experience so you can buy confidently.

Buyer’s Guide

Selecting the right MP5 clone can seem overwhelming, especially if you can’t easily afford the HK SP5. All of the firearms on this list function essentially the same. They have the same controls, use the same magazines, and can use the same aftermarket and surplus parts.

Selecting which MP5 clone is right for you will likely come down to price, warranty considerations, and whether the use of HK tooling and if it is made in the USA is important to you.

The fact that the PTR 9C and Zenith ZF-5 are made in the United States means that if you have issues, your firearm will be going back to the people who manufactured your firearm for repairs. Conversely, the Century Arms AP5 is made in Turkey, and generally, warranty work is done by Century Arms in the United States.

When buying an MP5 clone, there are many things to consider. Do you want the classic MP5 look, or do you want a firearm that has been brought into the 21st century with Picatinny rails and M-Lok handguards? Do you plan to turn your MP5 clone into a short barrel rifle (SBR), or will you leave it as a pistol?

The MP5 is an outstanding suppressor host. All the MP5s on this list, and the full-size version of each, will suppress well. Each company also offers smaller versions, some of which cannot have a suppressor attached. Make sure you know which one you are buying and select the one that best suits your needs.

FAQs

Conclusion

Selecting the best MP5 clone is simple. If you can afford it, then grab the Heckler & Koch SP5. If the SP5 is not an option, things get much more interesting.

The Century Arms AP5 can claim to be made on HK tooling and is the most affordable. Both the PTR 9C and the Zenith ZF-5 are high-quality, made-in-America examples that their owners will love.

Check out some of the reviews on Gun Made. Select the MP5 clone that you feel best suits your particular situation, and then shoot the heck out of the gun. You likely won’t be disappointed with your choice, regardless.

Plus, you can drop your favorite Die Hard quotes next time you go to the range, and everyone will understand.

Have a question, comment, or favorite quote? Leave it below.

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