Owners of Vector Arms V94!

[Vodoun da Vinci]

I have been smitten with the HK MP5 style rifle bug...I handled a Walther built MP5 A5 in .22 and managed to shoot one at a local range and was just smitten with the gun style. I'd buy a .22 version but .22 is still really hard to come by 'round here and I can't load my own. What I really wanted was an HK94 in 9mm.

Originals are unbelievably expensive so I started researching clones and came upon Vector Arms V94. The fit and finish looks pretty good and the price is right *but* reviews seem very mixed. Older reviews have them ranging from complete junk to pretty good but the reviews mostly go back at least 3 years.

Does anyone here at THR have one of these that is a recent purchase? Can I get some opinions from folks who actually own one/have owned one and shot it? I'm trying to purge the "I gotta get me one of these" with a reality check and wanna hear the experience from folks who have one.

Thanks in advance!!

VooDoo

 

[B!ngo]

I have been an admirer of the HK94 (MP5) for more than 25 years. The cool look, the smooth roller lock operation, the ability to run forever all make for the iconic design that backs it up with performance.
The .22 version of the MP5 has absolutely nothing to do with all of those good things I just said about the gun. Save your coins.
I was lucky enough to run in to an MKE AT94 a few years ago. They are exact clones (except for one thing) of the MP5/94. Built in Turkey at a licensed H&K plant on H&K machines supervised by H&K staffers. The 'just one thing' is that the mag well and internals are modified so that they cannot be fitted with a 30 round mag and cannot be modified to accept the auto sear. Many people modify the mag well to accept the 30 round mag after they take ownership. I don't know if the internals could be modified for automatic operation but that will get you a long time in a small cell anyway.
They were running $1300 or so some years back and now I see them for $2000. I would focus my looking on one of those as they are as close to the real thing as can be. Most of the other clones and the like are reputed to be problematic. Not the MKE.
B
To wit: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=405395847

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Thanks, B!ngo!

Yeah, I was aware that the .22 version's action is nothing like the originals.....it still has the really cool handling and fun to shoot factor. I'd rather spend more money and get 9mm and more authentic action.

But the "No 30 round mag for you!" is a deal breaker. The MKE AT94 looks like a well built clone though. Maybe my best/only option is to buy components and build my own...I had hoped the Vector Arms units had "matured" recently and solved any problems they had. I'd really like to test run a new one but I'd probably have to buy it to do that.

VooDoo

 

[barnbwt]

Building one is always a possibility, I think there are still kits around (probably about a grand just for the parts minus receiver, though)

TCB

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Yeah...it's not a "cheap" or inexpensive option to build one but I'm finding parts kits from about $2100 and have a local guy who may be able to assist me in the build. There are a number of reasonably priced and seemingly well built HK94 clones out there but reviews (most of which seem a few years old) are really spotty.

I don't mind spending the money but I'd not be a happy camper if I had to spend another $1000+ to make it run properly as that would put me in the range of building my own.

Which is a whole 'nuther level of cool anyway....

VooDoo