I just recently purchased a Umarex HK MP5 A5 for $499.99 ($526.99 including tax and the $2 fee to the VA State Police).




























































 

 

 

 
 

 
 






 

 

cant wait to see it more in depth review. Im seriously considering adding one of these to my lineup as a fun toy plinker.

Can't wait to see the rest, there are not a whole lot of reviews on these mainly because Carl Walther the manufacture is just so damn slow with production. I was supposed to receive mine about about a month ago, but the first one the men in brown managed to break in about 3 pieces along the way. From what the dealer told me when he received it,  there were clear tread marks on the box from where it appeared to have been run over more than once. So they sent that one back, and I received my new one last weekend. From my first impressions the rifle is very well made especially when compared to the GSG. It actually seems heavy compared to its given size, compared to an actual MP5 in 9mm they seem to be about the same weight. I took mine to the range last weekend and put about 500rds of Federal 36gr HP HVs though it, it performed flawlessly, not even one hiccup, which is more than I can say for some of my friends GSGs. The GSGs usually work after a while but they take a little tweeking to get running well. Which if I am going to pay close to $500 for something I expect it to work great right away, not require tweeking IMO. I think the take down with the pins is a very good system compared to the multiple screws of the GSGs.

According to my dealer there have been three price increases since the original production date. I ordered mine as soon as I found out they were coming out and it took this long. Due to the quality compared to the GSG my dealer immediately put an order in for three more, another dealer that I frequent also ordered one for himself after seeing it. I paid $485+tax for mine out the door, although I am a very good customer of my particular dealer so I probably get as close to wholesale prices as they give and still make some money. I saw what the rifle cost the dealer, and they normally only charge me between 5-8% above cost, they have a business to run and I understand they have to make money too. So even $499 is a good deal IMO.

As far as the weight difference between the Umarex HK MP5 and the GSG-5, I have seen other threads online that attribute the weight difference to the Umarex rifle having more metal parts than the GSG-5.  However, I have only handled GSG-5s at gun shows and have not had an opportunity to to take one apart to compare it against the Umarex product.





 

Thanks for going through the trouble to begin to put this review together.

That bolt adjustment for speed is awesome!  Go ahead...talk me outta getting a GSG lol

Also on a side note these guns are not made by Umerex they are the importer, just like ATI imports the GSG firearms. Umerex does make airsoft, and have the ability to import firearms as they are for other firearms. Carl Walther is the manufacture under license of HK. The reason this is obvious is because of the low production numbers which sadly to say Carl Walther is famous for, being very slow to produce stuff, even when in great demand. If Umerex did make them  there would be many more in peoples hands than there are. So hopefully in the future people will start stating the Carl Wather gun and not the Umerex gun.

How's the trigger? Can you measure the trigger pull weight?

I found the trigger to be smooth and crisp, but don't have the weight of pull.

The trigger felt very smooth when I took it to the range yesterday.  I don't currently have a scale to measure the pull, but the factory spec sheet listed the trigger pull as between 6.5 to 8.4 lbs.

 

I handled one of these at a local gun show last weekend.  It was very tempting.  I think it would be a fun plinker.

Thanks for the in depth review. Has anyone tried mounting the Primary Arms GSG5 scope mount to one of these? I assume it will fit fine, but what to double check before I spend money on it.

It was a blast to shoot.  The only real issue I ran into was with my hearing protection.  With the sliding stock, it was really pushing on my muffs.  Once I switched over to ear plugs, the issue was gone.  I'm hoping to order the fixed stock in the next couple of weeks and possibly the scope mount (though I might have to wait a month on the mount depending on budget since I have a new generator being shipped later this month).  I am also eyeing a couple other types of .22 ammo I'd like to pick up to run through the rifle.

 

I recently had a chance to run some rounds through one of these as well. It feels and handles like the MP5's I used while overseas. The trigger seems to be about the same feeling as well. It was 100% reliable with every type of ammo I tried, subsonic, bulk as well as quality stuff. The magazines worked well but the rounds would sometimes get off center and protrude out the windows in the side.

The one I shot was the SD version. And as I said it felt the same with the weights being very, very close if my memory serves me well.

There were a few things I did not like. One thing I didn't like was the rear sight. It was loose even when tightened down. It doesn't move enough to change the point of aim but it did move some, almost like a rattle.
I also do not like the barrel setup. I was discussing the possibility of threading it with the owner. He said to unscrew the shroud and take a look. The barrel is literally pencil thin at .309". There is a small shround over the barrel that is .468" then the faux suppressor over that. As you tighten the shroud it tensions the barrel and provides decent accuracy.

I think even if you could put an larger extension on the barrel and thread it the barrel is so thing it would droop dramatically, especially with any suppressor.

When he was asking about what to do I told him if it were my gun and I absolutely had to have a suppressor I would machine the barrel block where the barrel is held for a larger shank and use a larger diameter barrel. Drill and thread it for a larger barrel then thread it for the suppressor. Not sure if that would work as I haven;t disassembled the gun more than take the faux suppressor off.

Overall I really like it and it is much better than the GSG versions.

Dolomite

wow I feel like I got a steal, I picked mine up from buds for $425 out the door brand new

mine has ran flawless as well, good throw on the saftey. I ran about 500 rounds of 3 year old bulk pack, new bulk pack, golden bullets, mini mags, stingers, federal auto match, and thunderbolts

no problems what so ever, it ate everything

now i just need more mags!!

Awesome review!!!  Great job!!  Question for OP and one for anyone interested in answering:

1)  Jacknife, are you happy with the results of the cleaning process you outlined in the review?  The lack of further breakdown concerns me with the possibility of buildup in the hard to reach areas.

2) Torn between the SD and A5 models.  I know it's personal preference but just would like to hear arguments for/against one or the other version.

Thanks!

1) Well it is possible to break it down further, but you risk losing the warranty.  As far as the cleaning method goes, the biggest concern will be how much faster I will go through cleaner.  Use the straw tip to get the spray into all the nooks and corners, then let it sit for a few.  After it has had time to loosen stuff up, soak it down good till the run off looks clean.

From what I saw when looking at the two different models, the SD weighs a little more than the A5. The forearm is also going to be larger overall on the SD due to the handguard around the 'suppressor.' Other than that, I believe they are exactly the same.

As was stated, the only other difference might be a limit on railed forearms. I know that the actual 'suppressor' screws off leaving the barrel and handguard. I don't know if the handguard can actually be removed on the SD.

Also, here's the official breakdown and cleaning video.

Thanks OP. This is really cool.

I am looking to order the sight rail soon for the rifle.  The Umarex low profile scope mount costs $99.95 thru HKParts.net.  However, I noticed that AIM Surplus has a HK Low Profile Picatinny Rail for only $19.95.   This rail is listed as Low Profile Picatinny Accessory mount for most MP5 and G3 type Rifles. Includes all tools/parts needed to install.   The way I see it, this is supposed to be a licensed .22lr copy of the MP5, so hopefully I can get various MP5 accessories to work with this rifle (hopefully with little to no modifications necessary).  If the rail doesn't work, I'm only out about $20 since shipping isn't too big of an issue since I need a couple things from AIM Surplus anyways.  Besides, if it doesn't work, it just gives me an excuse to buy another rifle that it will work on later.



As for sights, I'm am still unsure which I will try first.  I am currently working on a trade with my uncle to get some sort of red dot.  I have no idea of the brand or appearance of the red dot, but we both have Hi Point 995 carbines.  His is pretty much stock but the previous owner removed the rear iron sight and installed a red dot.  My carbine is in the ATI stock and has the full top rail, thus I am no longer using my rear iron sight.



However, I've also been looking at the SPARC and Strikefire from Vortex for my AR or possibly some sort of 1-4 or 1-6 scope.  Which ever route I go, I will also try that scope with the MP5.

Thanks for the responses.  I assume ATF is OK with the Umarex shroud versus the GSG's original one?

Yes they are okay with it there is now way to make it into a suppressor that I can see.

As buying parts for the HK MP5 22LR don't forget to check out Umarex's website under firearm accessories, they seem to a have a decent selection and fairly inexpensive, I think they want around $40 a piece for extra 25rd mags.

Great review from the OP!

I picked up one several weeks ago. I wanted something fun to bring out camping that would be a hoot to shoot and was cheap on ammo. I stopped taking my big boy guns with me because I crindged every time I passed on my rifles to my buddies and thier kids. love to share my toys but watching the dollor signs fly out of my ejection port upon every pull of the trigger while in anothers hands was killing me. All though I like them, I was not a big .22lr fan so I wanted some thing that would make me smile just looking at it. This little .22lr does exactly that, makes me smile just looking at it!

I mentioned getting this HK MP5A5 to a shooter I know. He blasted the Umarex MP5 .22lr saying that he would never consider getting one and touted his GSG as being the best HK .22lr copy on the market. He said that he had heard nothing but bad reviews on it and how the GSG was so much better. I responded that he must have been reading about the Umarex Colt .22lr M-4. I understand that they had their problems but the HK version (MP5 & M-4) was improved.  I asked him if he had fired or seen the HK version up close. He had no real life contact with one, Neither have I.  I crossed my fingers, trusted the few reviews "I had read"  and purchased one.

My Umarex HK MP5A5 runs like a champ!!!!!!! I oiled her up and put 500+ rounds through her without a single hick-up! I have no issues with the sights, they adjusted and zeroed in perfectly. I bought a couple boxes of CCI "AR Tactical" .22lr ammo. It is said that this ammo was designed for these types of rifles. It was more expensive but I wanted to give my little HK every oppertunity to run well. My buddie gave me a brick of some super old "Sears" .22lr  ammo. It ate that up as well as the expensive CCI specialty ammo.

My only issue is the pencil thin barrel sleve. It would be a perfect rifle it it had a solid barrel that was more than just a liner. It is very accurate for normal plinking but how long will the barrel last is in question. I don't know what the life expectancy is on a barrel liner so I will hope for the best. My only other issue is that aftermarket parts are not in full swing yet. I bet that it will only be a matter of time before this HK version is the top seller over GSG and all the new MP5 .22lr stuff will be tooled to for it or at least made to fit both the GSG and HK version.  

This rifle has peaked my interest in .22lr's. Next stop is a ProMag Murader kit for an old and well used Ruger 10/22 I just picked up for cheap!  Then I just might have to save up for the HK MP5 SD .22lr. It was a hard choise A5 vs SD, I think I need both!

Considering that it only has 2 pins holding the upper to the lower, like an AR, it would be nice if the would allow you to purchase a seperate upper have so that you could have both the A5 and the SD top halves.  



I was hoping to use this week to run some more ammo testing on the rifle, either a few more ammo types or possibly torture test to see how many rounds till it starts to malfunction, but the wife wants me to finish some more things on the honey-do list.  So, depending on how long it takes to roll insulate under the house, put up a backsplash in the kitchen, possibly change out a bathroom vent. fan, and maybe a couple more, I might not get to make it to the range this week.

Jackknife:

Where did you purchase your H&K MP5 A5?

Thanks

I purchased mine at Dance's Sporting Goods in Colonial Heights, VA.  



I still plan to change the buttstock to a fixed and test out the sight mount AIM has for around $20, but work and decorationg for Christmas have side tracked some things at the moment.

Thanks.  I live locally here in the Tri-Cities area myself.  Been wanting to get this H&K also, just trying to save up the funds.  Hopefully after the 1st of the year things will be right.  
I'm very familiar with Dance's, have done some business with them in the past, good place.  I had actually called  Dance's a couple months ago and the guy I talked to acted like he never heard of that particular weapon.  I'll give them another try once I get my money right.  Thanks again!!!

I found it there out of pure luck.  They had just gotten mine the day before and hadn't even taken it out of the box yet.  It was kind of cool knowing 10s of other random window shoppers hadn't had the chance to paw mine over before I bought it.

 

Nice review- I've picked up one my self.

As for after market parts if you're looking:

I picked up the UTG rail which was a direct drop in no mods needed and is snug and fit - you can find it on amazon for $46

and for attaching a red dot you can use this mount which will let you co-witness a micro aimpoint or aimpoint with low-pro mount ring

happy shootin

Thanks for the tip on the rails, I'll have to look into those after Christmas.  I'm planning on using Christmas money to buy a Kindle Fire.  So, if I get the Fire, I'll be subscribing to Amazon Prime for content.  You get free second day shipping on most things from Amazon as a Amazon Prime subscriber.

Ok well I received the the UTG lo-pro optics rail from AIM Surplus.  So far, I have not been able to get it to mount properly however.  It is a claw style mount, and the claws keep slipping off as I attempt to tighten them.  I will try mounting the rail again later when I have more time (preferable when my 2 year old is asleep).

Any news on this? Did you manage to get it on?

I've been contemplating ordering the Primary Arms setup but have hesistant since they can't confirm if it fits the Umarex MP5/22s. If they are the same dimensions as the GSGs it should work, but I didn't want to be the guinea pig.

I still haven't had any luck on the UTG mount.  I will feel like I'm getting it, then when I switch to the opposite screw, the claw on the previous side slips off.  I am considering taking the upper loose from the lower so that I can hold the claws in place with clamps so that they can't move as I switch from screw to screw.

Would a actual hk mount work correctly?  If so I may go with that route.  I just purchased a A5 on Thursday for my soon to be 10 year olds birthday next month and I would love to get a red dot mounted on it before I gave it to him.  It's wonderful being able to buy my son a present that I will enjoy as well.

That sounds like way too much work for something that just should just clamp on. When I get some free cash I'll order up one from Primary Arms and see how it works out.

Great write. I'm a fan of fun .22lr plinkers...
For bore patches, just cut your 2"x2" into quarters...

Thanks

I just engraved mine yesterday and will be SBR'ing it next week. I'll post some pics when it's done.

btw-They are a major PITA to fully take apart, I would not really recommend it to anyone.

I'm definitely interested in seeing how these will look SBRed.  After hearing that I can use standard MP5 handguard, I've been looking at a couple different handguards on HKParts.  They have one model that is similar to the stock grip, but it is slotted.  I've been debating on that grip or tri-rails.  I would really like to switch to the fixed stock, but I also saw a nice side folder that caught me eye.  

I don't want the Emperor's prize damaged...I will test it first, on Captain Solo.

does the stock on it rattle?

Mine doesn't.

I finally got a chance to put some rounds down range with mine today.  I am thoroughly impressed.  I put 150 trouble free rounds down it today and it felt great.  It was very comfortable and was accurate enough for a plinker.  It functioned smoothly and was all around enjoyable to use.  So far I will recommend this rifle to any one.

The reliability of this rifle is one of the things that really has impressed me.  I've read about other "tactical" .22s that couldn't run on bulk Remingtons, but I had no problem with them.  As I mentioned in my review, I only had a real issue with Winchester Super X.  The one feed issue I had with the CCI Mini Mags was most likely the fault of the gun getting dirty since they were the last rounds I tried, and I was already put like 400 or 500 rounds down range that day

 

I'm really thinking against the GSG 522 after reading this.  The price though that is easy to find on the GSG is only about $300.  Is the price difference worth it?

Yes the price difference is definitely worth it. I know several people including myself that sold there GSGs after seeing or holding the HK version. The feel, quality, and reliability are are worth it IMO.

Based on my experiece with Umarex customer service I'd say avoid Umarex at all costs. It's too early to type all the saga, but I'll sum it up by saying they
make airsoft toys, not firearms and it really shows. If you ever need to send your rifle to them for repair....well...you were warned.

These rifles are not made by Umarex. They are made by Carl Walther of Germany. Umarex is just the importer. Although I do agree that service issues could be a bitch if you have a problem sometime down the line.

I think he knows that. The question above was if these rifles were worth the extra cost over the Umarex. I certainly think they are worth the extra $150 over Umarex. But that is not to say they are built really, really well. I would pay twice as much to have them really built the right way rather than cast zinc action, sandwiched in plastic.