MP5 Reliability....How is it?

[I LIKE IT!]

I'll be a proud owner of my own NFA Mp5(push-pin gun) next year,(two years saving) and I wanted to know about the weapons reliability.

I've handled it and shot it plenty to love it but I've never had the chance to brake it down or learn about its performance characteristics/reliablity.

Hope to get some enlighting feedback, thank you.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Very reliable - if you use good ammo, keep it clean, and take care of the magazines.

Frank James wrote a book on the HK MP5 SMG. You can get it cheap from Edward Hamilton Bookseller. It's virtually lifted from the manuals we got at the Armourer's School.

 

[I LIKE IT!]

4v50 Gary

Thanks for the info... I usually clean my guns after every shoot(while watching the History Channel) so I have that covered.

What's life expectancy of the Mp5 if properly maintained?(That's a 20+ year old gun, wondering on this one)

Thanks agian 4v50 Gary

 

[4v50 Gary]

Life span was never discussed in school. It's dependent on how hard the gun is used, how well it's cared for, how good your ammo is. Now, what we were taught is how to swap out parts like extractors, springs, etc. We went into detailed disassembly of the gun and the function (for diagnosing malfunctions).

 

[TehK1w1]

Most guns of any type will last a lifetime if properly cared for. Parts may need replacing periodically, of course.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

The ones I have shot and seen have been VERY reliable.

 

[I LIKE IT!]

Thanks for the input folks, I can't wait!(literally 2009 elections)

I'll be 25 years old when I acquire my first machinegun, first SBR(colt M4LE 11.5") and first suppressor. 2008 is going to be one kick ass year. I have SBS covered, a Benelli M1 entry.

I'll have to stock up on some part kits too.

 

[AndyC]

I used one operationally - my favourite 9mm subgun, bar none. Reliability is superb if you do your part.

 

[nalioth]

My local range rents submachine guns and automatic rifles to customers. They've had an MP5 since the 70s and I believe the only problem they've had was the barrel wearing out.

H&K sends a guy out every so often to have a look at it. Evidentally, it's an MP5 that has had more rounds through it than expected or something.

 

[Crunker1337]

Every now and then you may have to replace or repair parts like the barrel or firing pin, but the actual receiver will most likely outlast your lifetime.

 

[inherentical]

The receiver is rather delicate compared to most other weapons I worked on, but I only remember that due a week long course on the MP5-N courtesy of Uncle Sam, the USMC, and the USAOCAS in Aberdeen, MD, about 15 years ago. I never had to work on them in the fleet, so take that for what it's worth. Dent the receiver, and it didn't seem to take much, and the weapon was out of action. That was one of the problem areas we focused on.

 

[MisterPX]

Reliability's alrerady been discussed. I'm curious why you're picking a reg. rec. over a sear gun? As far as pricing for next year, I think the MG market has stabilized for a while.

 

[I LIKE IT!]

I picked the Pin gun simply due to asthetics, I don't plan on hoping around a sear from gun to gun though it has crossed my mind.

Yeah the reciever strenght I find questionable myself, thanks for all the input folks!

 

[Correia]

From what I've seen they're very reliable. They aren't the be all end all of ultimate reliability like some of the HK fanboys who've never actually owned say on the internet, but they tend to run really well.

We've got a few right now. One has been excellent, though it has given me the single strangest malfunction I've ever seen. A fired case was extracted, and somehow fell into the trigger group. I honestly don't know how that happened. But I had to take the buttstock off when the trigger locked up, and smashed inside was a spent case. I have no explanation for that, whatsoever. Gremlins I suppose. Other than that it has been excellent.

Another one has had problems with small parts. Especially in the trigger group. I'm not the armorer, so I couldn't tell you what it was doing.

 

[Chipperman]

Correia,
The only way I can see that happening is if the lower was not locked in properly the last time the gun was reassembled. It is possible to put the lower on improperly and have the gun still function. This would allow a little more space than usual.
----------------
On mine I've replaced the extractor and spring, the ejector and spring, and the roller lock plate. All small relatively inexpensive parts.

It's a very reliable gun, but no gun is 100% reliable.

The receiver is thin sheet metal, but it will last forever unless you do something stupid with it. Even if you do, it could be repaired as long as the SN is intact.

 

[Correia]

Chipperman, I suppose that is possible. It was late at night, and I can't remember taking it apart in the dark before that, but maybe I did.

Either way, it was the weirdest malfunction I've ever had.

Wait, take that back. I have had a stove pipe with a 1911, went to clear it, only to discover that the case was from the guy shooting next to me.

 

[Trebor]

Wait, take that back. I have had a stove pipe with a 1911, went to clear it, only to discover that the case was from the guy shooting next to me.

I've had cases bounce off the divider walls at an indoor range and go right into the ejection port. I've never had someone else's case go into my gun though. That would be weird.

 

[BigdaddyG]

I have fired one that had in excess of 90,000 rounds through it. It ran just fine.

 

[30 cal slob]

they are certainly amongst the most ACCURATE of subguns to fire on full auto.

not too long a go, i personally saw a gent dump a full 30 round mag (continuous fire) into a very neat 3-4 inch diameter hole.

ye olde stance check.

 

[Bix]

Rented a rather dirty, gummy example in Phoenix a couple years ago at a bachelor party. For better or worse, it just kept running and running until everybody ran out of money for those expensive little sticks it eats........

 

[Mtdew]

We've got a few right now. One has been excellent, though it has given me the single strangest malfunction I've ever seen. A fired case was extracted, and somehow fell into the trigger group. I honestly don't know how that happened. But I had to take the buttstock off when the trigger locked up, and smashed inside was a spent case. I have no explanation for that, whatsoever. Gremlins I suppose. Other than that it has been excellent.

From what i've read it seems to happen every so often. I had a similar situation with mine, but with a live round