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Posted: 8/23/2026 6:26:14 PM EDT
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I'm considering going with a AP5-N for a pcc and parting with my CMMG banshee which has been a frt host. Are the AP5s good to go now, or do they still need parts changed out like i read? |
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Great guns! I have thousands of rounds through my SBR'd AP5 and AP5P. Both suppressed with YHM R9's and the 5P has the 90 deg locking piece. Both also have a Rare Greed FRT. They are accurate, reliable (with the right mags), and the 5P is my favorite gun. I shoot cheap 115 to 147s, suppressed and unsuppressed. If you get one, you'll want to make sure you break them in with 124 gr NATO spec ammo for roughly 500 rounds (per MKE). As indicated in an above post, you may or may not need HK-made parts with some FTE's, etc. I put in HK extractors when I replaced mine after 2k rounds or so. HK springs weren't much more money. I also changed out the lower to the SEF Navy as I like the grip on those. I had to do a little hand fitting (on the lower, definitely not my upper) and they fit and function fine but fit is a bit tight. Mags can be hit and miss. Every HK, MKE, and Mora mags I have are great. KCI gen 2 mags are OK, and all the others I've tried are meh at best. YMMV on mags. |
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I went with an AP5 SD. It has been fantastic. I fired 100 rounds of 124g NATO through it and then direct threaded a YHM R9 and put another 200 through it. Then tried a few different 147s, oh boy are they a lot more quiet. Looking to make it a little more quiet I changed the locking piece to a 90 degree. It was a bit more quiet but I had my first few malfunctions with the subsonic 147s. I want reliability so I put the factory locking piece back in. I ran a few mags of 124g hollow points through it, no problem. Bought an Exigent Defense Rico309 and direct threaded that. Even quieter and a lot less back pressure. A bit longer than the YHM but well worth it. Form one was approved so added an MKE A3 buttstock. Then woke it up with a Rarebreed FRT. I guess my trigger housing is slightly out of spec so I needed to shim the trigger pack in the housing to get it to function. Not difficult, it just took a little time with some foil tape. It presently has around 1500 rounds through it. I was cautioned to buy some spare parts so I bought some RCM extractor springs and an extractor. All I've given it is a three cleanings, lube and ammo. Easily one of my favorite guns. |
Know Guns, Know Peace, Know Safety...No Guns, No Peace, No Safety
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At this point, the AP-series is pretty safe. It seems the most common problems tend to be solved with simple things like extractors, extractor springs, or recoil springs. For my purposes I have an AP5SD that underwent the full-SD conversion and an AP53 that has been SBR’ed. I needed a new extractor and recoil spring in the SD post-conversion but given how much of a change that is to the gun, probably not fair to count that as a failure. Runs 100% now with 115gr. I had to swap the AP53’s recoil spring since the OEM setup is married to the butt cap and not compatible with an A3 stock. Other than that, mine is perfectly behaved both suppressed and unsuppressed. Very loud unsuppressed though.  I’d say go for it. Kinda want one of the new-ish AP5 Navy models but I already have two PTRs that are built out like that. Don’t need another. I can quit whenever I want. 
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The opinions expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer or their customers.
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I have an AP5. Runs perfect with all ammo that I’ve tried. No issues. Dead center bolt gap. Supposedly the OEM locking shoulder is a 120. I switched to a RCM 90 to run with a suppressor and FRT. Still 100% with all ammo suppressed and unsuppressed, seems like it runs a little softer with the 90 than the OEM. I have it paired with a Rugged Sub9 and it’s a perfect match. I’m waiting on the ARHK for FRT. I Form 1’d it and I have the AC Unity folder on it, but I’m considering switching to the Haga HDA3. Running a Holosun 510c on the MKE pic rail and that runs great. Installed a Magpul lower to shorten the reach to the safety and that’s gone good too. I have the Magpul handguard to mount a light and VFG, but I’m considering switching to the UTG Pro. It’s only about a 2oz difference over the weight of the Magpul handguard and factory Pic rail that it would replace. |
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I recently bought the MKE AP5 Navy, and just took it out to the range over the weekend. I couldn’t source any 124 grain 9mm at the local store so I ended up bought 200 rds of Winchester 115 grain, and 50 rds of Blazer 115 grain. I shot 200 rds of Winchester with no issue, but then the Blazer will FTE every 2-3 rds. All shooting done with the two MKE magazines. I ordered 500 rds of Winchester 124 grain and they should be here sometime this week, so I am planning to go back to the range this weekend. Hopefully I don’t have to go down the rabbit hole too far .The HK SP5 extractor and ejector lever are out of stock everywhere online. I don’t mind to spend a couple of hundred to get the AP5 run reliably. |
| I have an AP5 Navy and it has been problem free with the exception of feeding flat nose or JHPs. It fed 9mm NATO and similar rounds fine, but choked on, usually, the last round in magazine of various rounds with flat nose profiles such as Federal HSTs, Speer GDHPs, and Federal Syntech PCC 130gr FMJs. I replaced the original magazine catch with a new H&K catch and that solved the issue. Side by side and measured with a micrometer there was a noticeable difference in the size of the two parts, that was enough to raise the magazine enough to solve the feeding issue. I also haven't had any issue with stocks fitting the receiver. That said, I feel like buying an AP5 is a bit of a roll of the dice with fit and reliability issues. Considering my AP5 cost less than half that of an SP5, I was willing to take that chance and lucked out. The gun is a blast to shoot and I'm glad I got it. |
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GTG from my experience. I have roughly 500 rds through my AP5-K, all 115 rds FMJs from Magtech, S&B, Federal, no issues. Using both MKE and Mora Arms magazines, they all worked fine too. I've also fitted 2 AC-Unity polymer mags (filing down the front 'hump' to fit) they are nice and tight in the gun, ran just fine. The only replacement part was a Timney trigger pack. BTW, the inserted 30 rds mag is Mora Arms, fine magazine as others here have said. Attached File |
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Originally Posted By Chowser: Good to hear about the AP5s. I'm also thinking of parting with my banshee and getting an ap5. The only reason I am considering it is because I’m starting to hate the Glock mags I’ve been running for a while. I have mine set up with C3junkie/amphibians ARS. Been running it for the last year with a kabuto FRT and it’s been working great, minus the ejector springs I have to change out. I was going to upgrade it with one of his uppers but I’m not sure I want to now. A couple of my friends have SP5s and like them, and have been telling me to get one. It’s been maybe 12 years since I shot a MP5. Mostly I just want it for the FRT host. |
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Originally Posted By jsha22lr: They seem to have some issues. Zenith guns to do too from what I see online Yes. The zenith guns are trash. I tried a few, and gave up on them. As stated, MKEs may have issues but likely won’t, and if they do, the parts I listed will solve 99% of the issues. |
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Originally Posted By mini14jac: I will probably replace the ejector if H&K ever starts shipping them to America again. https://imgur.com/a/mke-hk-LNi5vvG |
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My AP-5 fullsize has been terrific. I have had it for about 4 years now and have put approximately 5,000 rounds through almost all suppressed. I too did the HK ejector, extractor and springs, but it now has the stock MKE ejector back in it. Mine has been an SBR from day 1, I have used my cast reloads in it for the majority of my shooting, but have put plenty of 124 fmj through it too. Only have shot a little 115 gr without issues, it does not like truncated cone slugs and I have not finished experimenting with HST slugs, it did have a few failures with those. |
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Originally Posted By jsha22lr: I'm considering going with a AP5-N for a pcc and parting with my CMMG banshee which has been a frt host. Are the AP5s good to go now, or do they still need parts changed out like i read? It’s a Turkish gun. It’ll always need parts swapped out. Extractor spring, ejector lever, locking piece, and rollers are my minimum for reliability. The Turkish trigger packs are terrible too. Reset on them sucks. Used an SEF lower and HK semi trigger pack (when the post sample pack isn’t in it). My AP5SD couldn’t make it through a mag without choking 10 times right out of the box. Replaced these parts and it is perfect now.Attached File |
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Originally Posted By cms81586: It’s a Turkish gun. It’ll always need parts swapped out. Extractor spring, ejector lever, locking piece, and rollers are my minimum for reliability. Your personal experience is not indicative of everyone else’s. My ap5sd (and many others) has been 100% reliable both suppressed and un-suppressed straight out of the box. 2k rounds so far. |
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Originally Posted By LineHaul: Your personal experience is not indicative of everyone else’s. My ap5sd (and many others) has been 100% reliable both suppressed and un-suppressed straight out of the box. 2k rounds so far. Do some searching. MKE has some serious QC issues. Lots of people had the same issues I did and fixed them the same way. They use an older style ejector lever and crappy ejector springs that doesn’t do them any favors either. Typical symptom is super weak ejection. The A3 stock I bought with the gun didn’t have the pin holes milled to final diameter either. Fixed that myself. I’m not saying they’re junk. But be prepared to either send stuff back or fix it yourself. |
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Originally Posted By cms81586: Do some searching. MKE has some serious QC issues. Lots of people had the same issues I did and fixed them the same way. They use an older style ejector lever and crappy ejector springs that doesn’t do them any favors either. Typical symptom is super weak ejection. The A3 stock I bought with the gun didn’t have the pin holes milled to final diameter either. Fixed that myself. I’m not saying they’re junk. But be prepared to either send stuff back or fix it yourself. Originally Posted By cms81586: Originally Posted By LineHaul: Your personal experience is not indicative of everyone else’s. My ap5sd (and many others) has been 100% reliable both suppressed and un-suppressed straight out of the box. 2k rounds so far. Do some searching. MKE has some serious QC issues. Lots of people had the same issues I did and fixed them the same way. They use an older style ejector lever and crappy ejector springs that doesn’t do them any favors either. Typical symptom is super weak ejection. The A3 stock I bought with the gun didn’t have the pin holes milled to final diameter either. Fixed that myself. I’m not saying they’re junk. But be prepared to either send stuff back or fix it yourself. The general idea with these guns seems to be "you may not have problems, but be prepared to spend a few bucks on some parts". At least the guns that have problems seemed to be fixed with the same formula 99% of the time. |
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Originally Posted By Marksman14: The general idea with these guns seems to be "you may not have problems, but be prepared to spend a few bucks on some parts". At least the guns that have problems seemed to be fixed with the same formula 99% of the time. The good news is other than a slightly crooked cocking tube or SD shroud now and then, the barreled receivers are solid. ETA: forgot…the front pushpin was missing n my AP5SD. Atlantic sent me another… mine was sort of a basket case. Must have been made during Ramadan or something. |
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Attached File Purchased in early 2023. Replaced an extractor spring as a precaution, but my actual problem was the trigger snapped in half during firing. Replaced with US made billet version. |
Put not your trust in princes, in sons of men in whom there is no salvation.
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My PTR had the hammer snap in half at about 1K rounds, that I replaced with a G3 milsurp hammer. My MKE is a K and no problems and no parts exchanged yet. I'd have thought the MKE would have had the problems over the US guns. In general, the gun industry puts out a surprising number of turds, I have never had any other interest of mine need so much work and care as guns. |
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I picked up a MKE AP5 Navy yesterday - first one so I don't know a whole lot other than things I read while researching, but no apparent blemishes and the sight post is straight I put a couple hundred rounds through it yesterday (not the complete 500 round suggested break in) with no issues including roughly half suppressed (EA Sonus 9). This was a mix of 124gr reloads (1100 and 1200fps from a Glock) and 147gr subs. A couple of the guys at the store have AP5s and told me (matching what I read online) to go shoot it and if have any issues replace the ejector and extractor. I'll likely go ahead and get a few parts ordered to have just in case. They also said most of the reliability issues are related to the K series from what they have encountered. |
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Originally Posted By ishootglocks: I picked up a MKE AP5 Navy yesterday - first one so I don't know a whole lot other than things I read while researching, but no apparent blemishes and the sight post is straight I put a couple hundred rounds through it yesterday (not the complete 500 round suggested break in) with no issues including roughly half suppressed (EA Sonus 9). This was a mix of 124gr reloads (1100 and 1200fps from a Glock) and 147gr subs. A couple of the guys at the store have AP5s and told me (matching what I read online) to go shoot it and if have any issues replace the ejector and extractor. I'll likely go ahead and get a few parts ordered to have just in case. They also said most of the reliability issues are related to the K series from what they have encountered. If it’s a range toy shoot it until it breaks. If you may depend on it for self defense I’d otherwise preemptively replace some parts to ensure reliability. |
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Originally Posted By Hanz: I went with an AP5 SD. It has been fantastic. I fired 100 rounds of 124g NATO through it and then direct threaded a YHM R9 and put another 200 through it. Then tried a few different 147s, oh boy are they a lot more quiet. Looking to make it a little more quiet I changed the locking piece to a 90 degree. It was a bit more quiet but I had my first few malfunctions with the subsonic 147s. I want reliability so I put the factory locking piece back in. I ran a few mags of 124g hollow points through it, no problem. Bought an Exigent Defense Rico309 and direct threaded that. Even quieter and a lot less back pressure. A bit longer than the YHM but well worth it. Form one was approved so added an MKE A3 buttstock. Then woke it up with a Rarebreed FRT. I guess my trigger housing is slightly out of spec so I needed to shim the trigger pack in the housing to get it to function. Not difficult, it just took a little time with some foil tape. It presently has around 1500 rounds through it. I was cautioned to buy some spare parts so I bought some RCM extractor springs and an extractor. All I've given it is a three cleanings, lube and ammo. Easily one of my favorite guns. I think this is the issue with mine. I changed the locking piece at the same time as I added the B&T stock and attributed the malfunctions to the stock but now I think it was the locking piece. I run super weak 147gr exclusively so hopefully the 120* won’t cause any receiver damage. |
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If you get a Turk MP5 that doesn't have issues with its receiver, dimensional or otherwise, consider yourself lucky. Everything else is just parts, which can be replaced. I would NEVER buy a Turk gun of any sort sight-unseen. I would ONLY buy a Turk gun as a last resort, based on past personal experience. |
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Originally Posted By Stahlgewehr762: If you get a Turk MP5 that doesn't have issues with its receiver, dimensional or otherwise, consider yourself lucky. Everything else is just parts, which can be replaced. I would NEVER buy a Turk gun of any sort sight-unseen. I would ONLY buy a Turk gun as a last resort, based on past personal experience. Guess myself and many, many others are just lucky. |
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Originally Posted By cms81586: It’s a Turkish gun. It’ll always need parts swapped out. Extractor spring, ejector lever, locking piece, and rollers are my minimum for reliability. The Turkish trigger packs are terrible too. Reset on them sucks. Used an SEF lower and HK semi trigger pack (when the post sample pack isn’t in it). My AP5SD couldn’t make it through a mag without choking 10 times right out of the box. Replaced these parts and it is perfect now.https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/2980/IMG_8256_jpeg-3823085.JPG I'm going on 9 years and 10K + with my Zenith imported MKE gun, and have yet to swap a single part (with the exception of PD surplus furniture, and a smooth, stainless thread protector I use when mounting 3-lug "devices")...... although I may throw in a new recoil spring this year. The mushy reset on the MKE's is easy to fix ..... they leave the "neutered" FA sear in the pack ....and it constantly rubs on the hammer. Slightly radius/chamfer the contact surface of the sear, and polish the contact surfaces on the hammer, and it makes a night&day difference. I have had a grand total of 6 malfunctions with it ..... FTF and FTE on the last 2 rounds in a single 59 year old HK straight mag ...... which has been relegated to "display purposes" Lots of folks new to HK's, specifically MP5's, tend to subscribe to the "If it aint broke, fix it till it is" philosophy.  |
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Originally Posted By Mblades: I think this is the issue with mine. I changed the locking piece at the same time as I added the B&T stock and attributed the malfunctions to the stock but now I think it was the locking piece. I run super weak 147gr exclusively so hopefully the 120* won't cause any receiver damage.  |
Know Guns, Know Peace, Know Safety...No Guns, No Peace, No Safety
| Sample size of 1 but my P has been flawless. Ran a few hundred of various bullet weights in pistol configuration, then SBR'd and switched to a 90 degree locking plate. Ran 500 or so, mostly FRT. Not a single failure and I am extremely happy with it. |
"During the second 100 days, we will design, build and open a library dedicated to my first 100 days." -Barack Obama, May 9 2009
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Originally Posted By AR4U: Sample size of 1 but my P has been flawless. Ran a few hundred of various bullet weights in pistol configuration, then SBR'd and switched to a 90 degree locking plate. Ran 500 or so, mostly FRT. Not a single failure and I am extremely happy with it. This is a MUCH more common experience than those with all the issues. There is no question a few turds slip out of MKE and yes, I am sure more so than the real German sp5’s but likely no different than any other mass production firearm. |
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Originally Posted By Hanz: Mine has no damage and runs fine approaching 1500 suppressed 147gr. Just because I can't leave well enough alone, I installed a 100 degree on Saturday after a cleaning. It then ran fine fully semiautomatic. Originally Posted By Hanz: Originally Posted By Mblades: I think this is the issue with mine. I changed the locking piece at the same time as I added the B&T stock and attributed the malfunctions to the stock but now I think it was the locking piece. I run super weak 147gr exclusively so hopefully the 120* won't cause any receiver damage. I think the 100* may be a good compromise. I thought I had the 90* but after looking at my order receipt from RIM it’s the 80*. Even thought it’s 147gr ammo a YHM R9 silencer I don’t think it’s strong enough to cycle. Originally Posted By LineHaul: Originally Posted By AR4U: Sample size of 1 but my P has been flawless. Ran a few hundred of various bullet weights in pistol configuration, then SBR'd and switched to a 90 degree locking plate. Ran 500 or so, mostly FRT. Not a single failure and I am extremely happy with it. This is a MUCH more common experience than those with all the issues. There is no question a few turds slip out of MKE and yes, I am sure more so than the real German sp5’s but likely no different than any other mass production firearm. I had a HK Sp5k and the fit and finish was definitely better but functionally they were indistinguishable. |
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