I bought a GSG-522 carbine over a year ago. I was very excited about it when I picked it up at the shop. I then became even more excited when I discovered all the fun accessories that could be fitted, and I proceeded to purchase quite a few. By the time I was done with it, the rifle looked incredible.
The rifle functioned very well out of the box, and was a pleasure to shoot. However, after a couple months, I was surprised to notice that my rifle had changed color! The receiver and cocking tube assemblies went from a nice matte black to a dull gray that actually looked a sickly green at times. This has been documented by other owners on this forum as well. A green MP5 clone just didn’t do it for me.
I contacted ATI and was told to send the rifle back to have replacement parts fitted. I sent back the applicable parts instead. Weeks elapsed without hearing back, so I called ATI and was then informed that the replacement GSG-522 parts were not available, and there was no anticipated ETA for their arrival. I was to be notified when they became available. In the meantime, my original parts were sent back to me. They arrived a bit scratched and banged up, which I was not very pleased with. I had packed them well when I sent them in.
The rifle had functioned well, so I decided to just live with the chameleon like color changing. Then other issues began to crop up. Every single time I would clean the rifle (after 100-200 rounds), the bolt jacket screws would always be loose. I tried blue lock-tite, and even various lock washers. No matter what, they would come loose again. I upgraded all the screws on the rifle… they still came loose on the bolt. I also had the barrel rotate itself slightly which caused ejection problems. It did seem to remain tight after applying lock-tite. The magazines would also start to spread apart vertically when fully loaded. The mag loading thumb-slider also needed lock-tite on the screw, as my original mag fell apart. Also, if the magazine was bumped during firing, it would fail to feed properly.
I decided to once again contact ATI in regards to the color changing. I received no response. So, apparently the parts still aren’t available 10 months later.
I have since sold the GSG and have replaced it with the Walther made MP5 A5 22lr. I am very satisfied with it and have yet to have a single issue with it.
- The fit & finish is superb.
- It is easier to clean.
- The magazines are better (they have clips along the front and back so the mags don’t spread apart when fully loaded like the GSG mags can). They also have a 25rd capacity.
- The plastic parts seem more solid (trigger housing & hand guard).
- The sights are better and have a matte finish instead of shiny which made the GSG sights difficult at times.
- No screws have come loose or needed to be replaced with aftermarket screws.
- The all metal collapsible stock is excellent. If this stock was an aftermarket GSG accessory, it would probably cost $150 - $200.
- And… the rifle is still black!
I enjoyed the GSG-522, but in the end, the issues I had with mine became too much of a hassle. I would still consider a GSG-5 PK. Perhaps in the future the issues will be ironed out.