The most iconic PCC in history is the H&K MP5 and, by extension, its civilian variant the H&K SP5. Few firearms, and certainly no other PCC, can match the global impact of the MP5. Its worldwide adoption by military and police units, reputation for sterling performance and quality, and outsize cultural influence on movies, television, and video games make it the undisputed king of the PCCs.
While the MP5 is now more than 60 years old, it rocketed to prominence in the 1980s thanks do its central role in dramatic rescue operations and other missions by the British SAS, Navy SEALs, FBI Hostage Rescue Team, the Secret Service, Germany’s GSG 9, and other elite military and police units. The 1988 movie Die Hard cemented its status as the coolest submachine gun of all time.
Rise of the Clones
While true H&K SP5s still say “Made in Germany” on their stamped sheet metal receivers, a large number of MP5/SP5 clones are produced by companies in Turkey and other places. These clones address the main drawback of the German made originals — their hefty cost.
Though most PCC fans aspire to owning an H&K, not everyone can afford the price of admission. For these shooters the MP5 clones are a godsend.
For about half the price, one can acquire a Turkish knock-off that has the same operating system and feature set as the H&K and, for this reason, the firearms sold by Century Arms and MAC are wildly popular. (There are also domestic H&K MP5 clones by Zenith and PTR worth checking out as well.)
H&K SP5 Shortage?
The clones might also get a boost from H&K’s recent letter to dealers, distributors, and sales teams that the company is temporarily pausing SP5 orders in 2026. While the company will fulfill current SP5 orders on the books, H&K said, “due to unprecedented customer demand across global markets, combined with the ongoing impact of international conflicts and the resulting pressures on production capacity and supply chains” they are declining to take more orders for MR556 and SP5 products.
Though there’s no reason to think this will be permanent, it might make acquiring a new SP5 more difficult and costly for the near future.
OG SP5 versus Turkish Clones
Comparing the H&K SP5 to its knock-offs hinges on price versus quality and performance. Is the German-made original so superior as to justify the cost, or are the Turkish versions comparable despite the price difference?
The video above goes into depth on this, but the answer depends on one’s perspective.
H&K SP5
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Pros
- Iconic design
- Excellent performance and reliability
The German-made SP5 is the civilian semi-auto version of the legendary MP5 submachine gun, prized for its smooth roller-delayed blowback action and top-tier build quality.
Out of the box, the SP5 is clearly a better firearm than either the Mac 5 or Century Arms AP5-P we tested during our large PCC evaluation this year.
It runs smoother, has better fit and finish, and scored higher in terms of its reliability and ergonomics. A good example of the latter is the pronounced curve in the safety switch that is contoured to better work with the shooter’s thumb.
The SP5 is also easy to upgrade. We removed the butt cap it came with and installed a collapsable brace from SB Tactical. We also added an H&K Optics Rail Mount so we could run a red dot — in my case an Aimpoint Micro T-2 MOA with an AR height mount.
Century Arms AP5-P
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This is a good alternative to the H&K SP5 for someone who wants to get into the MP5 ecosystem on a budget.
The fit and finish is rougher than the H&K for sure. But this is also a great platform for incremental upgrades. This specific gun we tested, owned by Outdoor Life senior staff writer Tyler Freel, sports an aftermarket handguard, fire-control group, and brace.
Overall, we were very pleased with the performance of the AP5-P. It was reliable and we had no issue running it with the different MP5 magazines and 9mm loads we had on hand.
Compared with many of the direct blowback PCCs we tested that are around the same price, the AP5-P was flatter shooting and directed less gas back toward the shooter’s face.
MAC 5
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Cons
- Only worked with supplied magazines
- Couldn’t get it to run with a brace
We enjoyed shooting this H&K MP5 clone as well, though our experience was tempered by the fact that we weren’t able to upgrade it with an SP5-pattern brace, nor were we able to run it with magazines other than the ones it shipped with.
When we tried to add the brace, the pistol locked up and wouldn’t cycle. I suspect that with the application of a Dremel and some elbow grease we could have fixed this issue, but it was a useful demonstration of the problems you can encounter with clones.
Roller-Delayed Blowback Action Explained
The defining feature of the H&K MP5/SP5 is the roller-delayed blowback operating system. This design is noticeably smoother with a lighter recoil impulse compared to the more common and basic blowback action — and is a main reason the MP5 and its variants are so coveted.
With a regular blowback action the only thing countering the recoil force generated by the cartridge is the mass of the bolt and slide assembly and the strength of the recoil spring. While simple and affordable to produce, this adds bulk to a gun and makes for a harsher, clunkier recoil impulse.
A roller-delayed blowback action employs two rollers that jut from the bolt and sit in recesses in the action when the bolt is in battery. The rollers keep the bolt from recoiling for a slight fraction of a second when the cartridge is fired. By the time the rollers disengage from the recesses the chamber pressure has dropped from its peak, and the bolt cycles. This allows for a bolt with less mass and a lighter recoil spring.
In addition to shooting softer, roller-delayed blowback actions are also known for their reliability and durability.
History of Roller-Delayed Blowback Actions
The first roller-delayed blowback action was fielded by the German army in World War II with the MG 42 machine gun. Known as Hitler’s buzz saw for the sound made from its rapid rate of fire, the MG 42 was noted for being relatively soft-recoiling, reliable, and less expensive than the MG 34 it replaced. Using stamped and spot-welded parts, it set the stage for the MP5 which was developed two decades afterward.
H&K MP5 Outdated Qualities
While it is easy to gush about the MP5/SP5, it isn’t without some drawbacks. The platform is now 60 years old, and shows its age.
The lack of an integrated Pic rail for optics is one of its biggest shortcomings. While the receiver has indents to accommodate an aftermarket rail, that type of connection will never be as secure as a rail that’s integral to the firearm. Plus, like other H&K accessories, they tend to be costly.
One of the things that’s most fun about running a SP5 is slapping the bolt down to chamber a round — but the fact that you have to manually lock the bolt to the rear to insert a new magazine is anachronistic. It doesn’t require a lot of training to gain fluency with the MP5 manual of arms, but that feature is a throwback to another era of firearms design.
Final Thoughts on the H&K SP5 and Its Clones
Yes, the MP5 platform is a bit long in the tooth, but it is still the preeminent PCC made today. It isn’t for everyone, however. Those looking for the most affordable PCC can find bargain-basement direct blowback models that cost much less than even the Turkish clones. Shooters who like to compete at high levels with PCCs will also be better served with other systems that are optimized for those formats.
That said, the H&K MP5 and its semi-auto variants have a cool factor that are unmatched. Its legacy is also beyond reproach. Pretty much every top tier military and LE unit in the last half century has fielded the MP5 — and many continue to do so. Only a select few other firearms can claim as impressive a resume.
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The desire to tap into that heritage and experience the magic of the MP5/SP5 continues to draw people to the gun. Whether you want to buy-once, cry-once for an official German H&K or get a clone that you can upgrade as your budget and imagination allow is up to you.
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