Semi-auto MP5 series rifles?

[heypete]

Are semi-auto-only MP5 series (i.e. MP5, MP5K, etc.) classified as a "rifle" or a "pistol", being that they're chambered for pistol ammunition?

It would appear that the only actual firearms (not airsoft ) I see on GunBroker are made by third-parties as "clones" -- Bobcat Weapons and whatnot.

Are semi-auto only MP5 firearms made by HK for sale to US civilians, or are "clones" the only ones available? I haven't seen any in local stores, but then again, I'm in California. There's nothing in the state AWB about them (AFAICT), so I'm not sure if they're sold here or not.

All the ones I've seen have fake suppressors that bring the barrel to the minimum legal length but do not actually suppress sound. Without being able to see the construction of said fake suppressor, I have no idea if it's simply attached to the outside of the barrel as a cosmetic feature, or if the barrel actually ends where the fake suppressor starts and it simply is a tube through which the bullet flies.

What I'm trying to get at, in my usual roundabout and vague way, is this: I am interested in purchasing a semi-auto MP5 variant (until I move out of California and can purchase an NFA-compliant full-auto MP5), but have several questions. Are there any recommended resources where one can find information about the availability of such firearms, their quality, etc.?

Cheers!

 

[CleverNickname]

Whether they're a rifle or a pistol depends on whether the gun in question was manufactured with a rifle stock or not. If it never had a stock, then it can be a pistol (an SP89 clone). If it has a stock, then it's a rifle and needs a 16" barrel.

Semi-auto MP5s are not currently importable, due to different laws for imported firearms vs. domestically made firearms. H&K MP5s that were imported prior to 1989 are still able to be sold without any additional restrictions, it's just that they can't import any more. All the clone manufacturers are domestic, so the import rules don't apply to them.

All of this is a moot point, for you at least, because any MP5 or MP5 lookalike is going to be considered a California assault weapon, and not available for sale.

 

[billwiese]

Sorry, Pete...

... you're gonna have to wait til you move out of California into a free state.

[For more California guns info, discussions, etc. see http://www.calguns.net ]

The closest things to what you want from HK would be the HK94 (9mm carbine) or SP89 (9mm pistol roughly similar to HK PDW etc). There's also the 'clones' from Special Weapons, Vector Arms, etc.

As I recall, HK91, 93 and 94 were specifically mentioned/banned by the 1989 Roberti-Roos Assault Weapons Control Act. This law only banned these guns by specific name + model.

The HK clones by Vector, Special Wpns, etc. are not banned by name/model, but were banned by the 1999 "SB23" enhancements to prior Roberti-Roos AWCA law: these enhancements also ban 'generic' guns by evil features (pistol grip + detachable mag, etc.)

This latter SB23 law would also ban the HK SP89 pistol since it's a semiauto pistol w/detachable mag in front of grip, and there's a front handguard on it.

And, as you might know, you can't import hicap magazines into CA after 1/1/2000, so even if you had the gun(s) they'd not be that useful.


Bill Wiese
San Jose, CA

 

[Vitamin G]

I'm also interested in an MP-5 clone, preferably without a mock silencer, and I live in PA.

Can anyone point me toward some dealers, in or out of PA that would carry them? (If it doesn't have the mock silencer, it would be a SBR, right?)

 

[PMDW]

(If it doesn't have the mock silencer, it would be a SBR, right?)

No, It'll just look really stupid.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

(If it doesn't have the mock silencer, it would be a SBR, right?)

You can make it a SBR and chop of the barrel to make it look better. Given the price of these copies, they simply are not worth the money. When all is said and done, you have a semi-automatic 9mm carbine and there are many better and cheaper carbines on the market.

 

[Domino]

When all is said and done, you have a semi-automatic 9mm carbine and there are many better and cheaper carbines on the market.

Well said and very true, I agree with you 100%. Everyone and there Momma wants an MP5, but even the semi-auto ones are expensive and impractical for ANYTHING other than looks.

Bieng in California, the ONLY semi-auto 9mm carbine that you will be able to buy would be the Ruger PC9.

 

[jobu07]

I would go for one if it were SBR'd. Even if semi-auto, it'd be a neat and fun toy to have. Plain and simple, that's all that matters. That's what most of my guns are anyway, toys.

So, here's my little side question in the thread. If one were to buy a 16" mp5 clone, and you submitted the class III paperwork to have a short barrel on it, could you just swap out a new proper length barrel after the paperwork comes through? Or is this a cut and recrown job?

 

[Bwana John]

Heres a real select fire MP-5 for you to dream about (untill you leave CA).

 

[Hkmp5sd]

Who needs dreams??

PS: It is not a fake suppressor.

 

[Zach S]

I wouldnt mind having a semi-auto supressed version. Its several thousand bucks less than a really cool one.

I hate the collapsable stock though.