HK 53 / MP 5 Clones - Need Opinions

[Huntzman]

Hi everyone. I am looking to purchase a HK Clone and have narrowed down my choices to either the Vulcan V94 (MP5 Clone) or the Vector V53 (53 Clone). Right now I am seriously leaning towards the V53.

What I'd like is some members who might have these (or any others) that would like to comment on them. I have always believed that real world opinions beat the hell out of company advertising claims.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[NMshooter]

In my experience .223 is much more pleasant to shoot out of at least a 14.5" barrel, and a 16" barrel with a flash hider is still plenty manuverable.

Hope that helps.

 

[Slimjim]

Hi everyone. I am looking to purchase a HK Clone and have narrowed down my choices to either the Vulcan V94 (MP5 Clone) or the Vector V53 (53 Clone). Right now I am seriously leaning towards the V53.

What I'd like is some members who might have these (or any others) that would like to comment on them. I have always believed that real world opinions beat the hell out of company advertising claims.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Run fast from anything that says Vulcan on it. Your best mp5 clone, is going to be a bobcat weapons Mp5 clone.

 

[Huntzman]

.223 & Bobcat

Yeah, I like the idea of having the rifle in a nato round. Besides, while I truly like the MP5, I like the stopping power of the .223 a lot more.

In regards to the Bobcat, I have heard 50/50 stories about the quality.

 

[Slimjim]

Yeah, I like the idea of having the rifle in a nato round. Besides, while I truly like the MP5, I like the stopping power of the .223 a lot more.

In regards to the Bobcat, I have heard 50/50 stories about the quality.

Your gonna hear worse about vulcan..aka hesse.

 

[Kurush]

Both Bobcat/"Special Weapons" and Hesse/Vulcan are crap. Also any MP5 clone is going to have a serious case of anteater unless you get it SBRed.

 

[Slimjim]

Both Bobcat/"Special Weapons" and Hesse/Vulcan are crap. Also any MP5 clone is going to have a serious case of anteater unless you get it SBRed.

Well, seems you know everything there is to know about them

Anyway, check the ARFCOM HK forum, they seem to perfer the bobcat weapons over anyone, except maybe ohio rapid fire.

 

[Chris Rhines]

No firsthand experience with either Bobcat or Vulcan HK94 clones, but I did have a Vector V53 come through the shop not too long ago. To be brief, it was the most unfriendly rifle I've ever fired. The ergonomics were irredeemably horrible, the controls were poorly positioned, the rear sight was a half-assed kludge, and the trigger broke at somewhere north of 12 pounds (my scale topped out.)

Build quality was very high, but not a well-designed rifle at all.

- Chris

 

[iamkris]

it was the most unfriendly rifle I've ever fired. The ergonomics were irredeemably horrible, the controls were poorly positioned, the rear sight was a half-assed kludge, and the trigger broke at somewhere north of 12 pounds

Ahh, yes, welcome to the wonderful world of HK rifle design. The most overhyped brand (for rifles) in the firearms world...


Flame suit on!

 

[Commissar Gribb]

while I truly like the MP5, I like the stopping power of the .223 a lot more.

MP5 = subgun in pistol calibers yes? .45 and 9mm?

 

[Huntzman]

HK Clone Dilemma

Somehow I was afraid that this might happen

I wish that the HK cost was not so prohibitive, I'd just purchase an original. But that would greatly impact my ability to shoot if I couldn't afford the ammo !!

I'm really skittish about the MP5 clones, especially with the "love-fest" that seems to be going on between the makers / customers. That is something I have not been accustomed to. I saw that there was new a MP5/40 cal. version then researched the company and found that it was SW operating under a different name. That really concerns me.

At this point I am leaning towards the Vector. I really do appreciate all the help / comments.

 

[boofus]

The Vulcan is not a clone of the HK94. It just looks like one on the outside. The internals are completely different. The real HKs use a roller locked bolt, the Vulcan is a straight blowback bolt.

There are some California Dept of Justice HK94s that recently got dumped into the market. Last price I saw was $2400 for one of those.

 

[Chipperman]

I am very happy with my V53.

 

[Huntzman]

Vulcans & Vectors

Thanks to everyone for the posts. Yes, I understood the mechanical differences. My clone reference was aimed more at the external, but thanks for pointing the internal aspect out.

I also appreciate the info about the KDOJ (I still get a kick out of the "California" references) models. Still $2400 is a little high for my tastes, thats why I was learning towards the clones.

Being a retired LEO, I'm more interested in long guns now then sidearms. Thats one of the reasons I was looking to expand upwards and away from the handgun cartridges.

On a side note, being a newbie to this group I really appreciate the responses and the willingness to share information.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Vulcan = Hesse = Crap.

Vector, OTH, has a reputation for very good quality. If I had the bucks and one of Vector Arms' products scratched an itch, I would't hesitate to buy.

 

[yellowcarbon]

Be patient, Vector is coming out with a MP-5 clone in .40S&W and 10mm. They may or may not get one in 9mm. I am not sure if they are building them or merely resaling them. But either way there service & warranty is great. So they will back up what they sell, even to the point of paying return shipping to them.

They also just came out with a compact HK-51 clone in .308. Which I believe they do build. Check vectorarms.com for details.

 

[hartzpad]

Be patient, Vector is coming out with a MP-5 clone in .40S&W and 10mm. They may or may not get one in 9mm. I am not sure if they are building them or merely resaling them. But either way there service & warranty is great. So they will back up what they sell, even to the point of paying return shipping to them.

They also just came out with a compact HK-51 clone in .308. Which I believe they do build. Check vectorarms.com for details.

I second waiting for Vector, they should be out by next year they say. While Vector may or may not build and sell an MP5 in 9mm, they did have one at Knob Creek, someone on another forum posted pictures of a Vector 9mm MP5 along with a .40 and some .308s.

 

[The Grand Inquisitor]

Vector has a history of making very good firearms and backing up their products with good service. I'm planning on buying one of their RPD's in the future (after I make a few other rifles).


Vulcan Arms has a long history of making absolute garbage and NOT backing up their products with good service. Do yourself a favor and avoid anything marked Hesse or Vulcan (Hesse changed it's name to Vulcan about a year or two ago because of how many people where compalaning about the quality of Hesse firearms).

 

[Huntzman]

Vector Arms Information

Once again, I certainly appreciate all the information being offered up. I had seen the Vector MP5/40 listed on the companies home page and I think doing a 9mm version is something that will interest a lot of people. Apparently there are many unhappy shooters that have purchased inferior ones.

It's pretty much a lock for the V53. It's gonna make an awesome Christmas present !! Maybe next Christmas the MP5 clone will find it's way to my humble abode. I have always had a soft spot in my heart for them, ever since the first time I fired one in Germany.

But I am also a realist, and even though I have a friend who is a GS, I still like to know that the company stands by it's products.

Many thanks to all who have taken the time to post here.

 

[Gordon]

Of all the guns I've sold and regretted the HK94 16"and UZI A model are two I've never regretted dumping (for $1500 for the HK back then and $1000 for the UZI in 1993!). Too much weight and size for too little power I've had fun shooting the buzz gun versions though, in AZ. (free America) and could see that as a justifacation for their existance.

 

[Huntzman]

Caliber Sizes

That's my primary reason for opting for the .223 version. I have fired just about every configuration of the MP5, and to me it's just a fun shooter. But I have never been a fan of the .9mm for anything more than practice and plinking. IMHO it's fine as an inner-city sidearm caliber, but given the choice I would prefer bringing something a little heavier into the fracas. So the 53 gives me the look, with the increased caliber. Seems to me to be a win/win.

 

[Gordon]

Well my HK 93a2 IS my favorite .223!

 

[Huntzman]

H&K's

Yeah, I wouldn't mind an H&K myself, but that extra 1k or so buys a lot of ammo and or extras. Besides, my wife has her little heart set on an AK, so I have to keep that ticket price in mind as well.

Married to a blonde who loves guns.......... does life get any better !!!!!

 

[Huntzman]

Took a little longer...

I was aiming for Christmas, but it finally made it's way to my doorstep !!!

 

[lurkersince03]

Good looking weapon there, Huntzman. Is that a pistol? Or an SBR with no stock attached yet?

Not to take away from the topic or from the original poster, but I've been thinking about the validity of a BW-5 (MP5 clone) SBR for home defense complete with the fore end with the incorporated light for night purposes. But then there's the whole debate about a proper caliber for home defense that is too broad and controversial to get into. I think a +P+ 9mm JHP is just fine, while a .223/5.56NATO round would simply give way to over penetration -- even if your shots are sure enough to be placed in the center of mass of another human, they can still carry enough inertia to go through another few layers of drywall to hit an innocent in the face or something. But uhhh... maybe I'm just over thinking it. If I had a choice between an AR and a HK91 or some other semi auto MP5 clone, I'd probably choose the 9mm MP5 variant. Bigger caliber, heavier bullet, and with options for +P+ and JHP for more devastating expansion. What do you think?