"MP5 going out of style?" Topic

Seems MP5 is seriously out of style of late, HK still makes them. but for who?

Most Special forces(those that used to use them) Have gone for some sort of ultra short barrle AR15 platform, be it M4, 416 or C8.

While I understand it, a 9mm can never be compeard to a 5.56 in power. and since the 2000s, they have resolved the problem with short barrle 5.56 weapons not working properly with new types of 5.56 ammo.

The only problem I do have is noise, even the most silent 5.56 ammo and best silencer is not as silent as a good sub sonic 9mm and good silencer.
Let alone a UMP .45

I mean if you fire a 5.56 with in 30 yards of some one even with a silencer you will hear it.

"Civilianised" MP5s are still the go-to choice for many police forces.

The SCAR platform seems very popular with operators right now. Still 5.56, but I know they use a lot of MP7s too. My best friend's brother in law is a SEAL, and looooooves the MP7 for MOUT, but in Afghanistan and I.

I think the MP7 has become the successor to the MP5 with quite a few operators, but they get to use pretty much anything they want. The SEAL armorers have a big, full toy box.

Maybe the MP5s are going to nations that do not want to drop the cash for state of the art systems. Probably also a lot of police forces around the world using them as well. SCARs, MP7s etc are expensive weapons.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MP5

The SCAR is beeing faced out, some unit will keep the SCAR H in 7.62mm, but the SCAR L is beeing faced out, only Rangers still use it, and even they are getting rid of the L version.

SEALs and Delta now use the 416 in verious versions.

The MP7 is indeed supose to take over from the mp5

I know the MP5 is still very popular with police forces. From what I understand, the MP7 has a higher chance of punching through the original target which raises the chances for hitting hostages.

Interesting seeing the no armor/armor trend flip flop over the years (millennia really) and what adaptations are made regarding weapons and tactics.

MP5 are my favorite- I love all the variations. Not very familiar with MP7 but it has a futuristic vibe.

I've been prodding Wargames Factory to put an MP5 in a plastic kit ever since the male survivors were released.

Yes. I have noticed the same Mathias.

I think the resurgance of bodyarmor has something do do with most of our wars are in dry deserts, even warm deserts are ok to use bodyarmor, but jungles are death, thats why US army never used flakjackets in vietnam, a small chance of getting hit by shrapnel vs 100% chance of dying og dehydration and heat stroke ect.

Even today, modern soldiers don't use mody armor in jungle places.

Also soft bodyarmor(kevlar) has gotten commen and relatvily cheap, which means cops and NATO forces might meet some one with soft armor be they gangbangers in an american city, or terrorists in Afganistan.

And thats why the P90 and MP7 was deveolped, as well as the .357 sig caliber.

The problem is, that the calibers for both P90 and MP7 have lo leathality and alot of over penitrtion. and while 357 sig also over penetrates it has atleast alot of power behind it.

And the whole thing is kinda odd, if you want to get through soft body armor, use a 5.56 or 7.62, they will glide through soft armor like a hot knife through melted butter.

And given that most Special forces now don't seem to use Full auto at all anymore, then the whole thing about light caliber weapons are better for controlled full auto gets kinda mute.

Oh, and just how 'civilianized' those police MP5s varies with the buyer.

Another good reason for the decline of the MP5 is the sheer pricetag. H&K charges a pretty penny for them, and you can get a 16" (or shorter) barrel AR for less than half the cost (sometimes less than a quarter of the cost, depends on which make versus which model of MP5).

Then you get into same-basic-training things, where there's no need for extra training on the different weapon.

Having carried (and used) the MP7 in action and canvassed the views of colleagues who have also done so, I consider it a horrible little weapon.

While it will make a neat little hole in almost anything, the problem is that the bullet keeps going, making a neat little hole on the way out and frequently leaving the person (who is now rather annoyed about having holes in them) capable of continuing to shoot back at you.

Jurgen

Mp5 is like a Porsche 911. It will always be cool.

MP5 is my favorite of all guns. Had a chance to buy one a few years back. Not fully auto of coarse. Also, it wasen't the standard 9mm but .22. They still wanted $1,500 USD for it. If it was the 9mm version, it would be $3,000 USD or more.

The Philippine Marines couldn't afford the MP5, so they pulled the M# greaseguns out of storage, put $50 USD-100 of work into each and got
YouTube link

No its not, my 28mm reaction force (guns for hire by the Oilkahns) looking after the Burn Streak oil station in Mangola province up north still have the MP5, but then the rebels are still using the venerable AK.
Reports are that they appreciate the weapon still as it doesn't get in the way of everyday activities at the station like drinking beer and playing golf. Wink.

Good to know Jurgen … I've never been a big fan of anything under .45 …

Jurgen, might the differing views on the MP7 be due to who uses it? I too have heard the SF community like it due to its compact, ergonomic design, accurate round with a low noise signature, especially when supressed and large magazine capacity. Then again these operators often surprise and outnumber their opponents, measure their missions in minutes and will quite happily fire most of a magazine into a target go for the full auto version of the Mozambique technique or a close range head shot.

Although I am unaware of the circumstances you used an MP7, I can't but wonder if its unique qualities do not suit the typical (if there are any) engagement scenarios a battalion commander of armoured infantry might face. Unless they have bailed, or been ambushed and have only their PDW to hand, in which case surely it is superior to a handgun?

Milites,

As with all weapons, I think that you are correct that the context in which it is used is very important.

For the type of special forces operation that you describe, I agree that the MP7 would be quite suitable.

In my case, it was my issued weapon and proved to be completely hopeless in an engagement with the Taliban. The lack of stopping power of the round was quite alarming so I soon swapped it for something a little more substantial as I was a very involved battalion commander who quite liked the idea of having a weapon that could actually put my target down with one shot.

Jurgen

So that would be a G36 or Pzf-3 then!

The Milan seemed to meet the need rather well:). However, I made do with a G36.

Jurgen

Indeed …

I imagine the last MP5 will leave service a few weeks after the last AK.