HK 53 / MP 5 Clones - Need Opinions

[Huntzman]

V53 Pistol

Lurker

It's the V53 Pistol (unfortunately can't SBR here in Illinois).

Originally I was inclined towards the MP5 myself. But I opted for the 53 because it gave me the same configuration, with the more potent round. I'm a member of a number of boards, so it's sometimes hard for me to remember where posts occured but I recall this being brought up and how .223 frangible rounds give power without the over penetration worry.

There was also the consideration of shtf / ammo supply. Pretty much .223 is plentiful anywhere you go. You can also get the same fore-end with light attachment for the 53. I'm still iffy on those for "home" defense. Personally, I know my home and where everyone is supposed to be. I figure in my home darkness is my friend.

Now, the question is try finding a MP5 9mm clone.......... They are drying up PDQ. Not sure if BW is producing anymore, and Vector supposedly only got 200 receivers, and thats it.

 

[jason10mm]

Lurker, you have it backwards. While it "makes sense" that the 5.56 would penetrate more walls than the 9mm, FBI testing shows just the oppposite. The reason is that 5.56 will tumble and fragment after hitting drywall, drastically reducing it effectiveness. 9mm OTOH will stay intact and can penetrate more walls. That is one of the primary reasons why entry teams are going back to the 5.56 for CQB work. They get more stopping power with the rifle round and less overpenetration than with a pistol caliber. Of course thay comes at a price. The muzzle blast is much greater with a rifle caliber, especially with a SBR, but those guys can run suppressors if desired.

Personally I would use which ever you had. Pick a good self defense bullet and train with the rifle. Put your shots in the bad guy and overpenetration isn't an issue.

 

[lurkersince03]

Hmm. You have a good point there. The problem for me occurs with the inevitability of a miss in a situation where there could be a fire fight. A 9mm JHP is more likely to be wedged in household framework than a .223/5.56 JHP. And if we're getting into military ball, the ballistics effect is compounded.

I'm not worried so much about over penetration of a bad guy; that was simple a somewhat exaggerated but entirely possible scenario. What I'm worried about is the possibility of being seen from an armed intruder and fired upon, giving cause for me to lay down wild return fire all without hitting the intended target -- entirely possible. No one knows what will happen when there's an armed intruder in your home because then it simply becomes the potential for a fire fight, and fire fights are a whole can of spam that can't be predicted in anyway. I mean whistfully speaking, in terms of stopping power, I'd love to have a USC/UMP .45 SBR or maybe a .50 Beowulf upper for home defense, but then again I may as well use the Tromix converted Saiga 12 shotty with an 8-round +1 capacity with 4 buck. I give my props to .223/5.56 NATO but I dunno... I'm playing with the idea, and as I mentioned, it all goes down to that age old debate about the suitable weapon/caliber for the individual with the immediate home defense needs.

Yeah seriously. If I can even find a BW-5 these days. There's one in the shop but I don't think it's going to be there too long. Though with a price tag of $1,495 maybe it will....

 

[salty]

+1 for Vector - worth the wait.

 

[Huntzman]

Prices

I don't think your going to see any lower prices any time soon. We were just having a discussion about this at the shop the other day. Gun prices are up across the board because of the increases in metaal prices.

That price tag doesn't seem to out of line. I think thats about the going price for a Vector, but those might not even be around now. They got 200 reeceivers, but those are apparently being spread out over three different versions.

 

[Hk91 Fan]

My experience with the Vector 53 copy has been positive.

Fit and finish was very good. Welds were good, and not gross like on other copies such as the SW. Mags fit tight. I like the paddle-mag better than the push on my JLD 91. My lower has the thumb/fingergroove and not the straight pistol grip. Well put together. I hear people talk about SW, as I have done above. Yet, I think that their parts are just fine, if put together by a reputable company. I like these rifles alot and would get another.