MAC MP-5 Clones

[psalms144.1]

Do we know anything about these yet? I have an irrational love of the platform, but would hate to invest a grand into something that was inherently a POS...

[Tokarev]

https://youtu.be/LiCIfk-tn80?si=EF6ySbB9VFlNWctu

[Sig_Fiend]

It's hard to find a straight answer anywhere on these but, everything I've read suggests these are not CHF barrels and not nitrided. They are chrome lined though, so there's that. Whether that actually matters or not, who knows but, it was the one major difference that stood out to me compared to most of the other clones currently out there.

[HeavyDuty]

I’ve avoided even looking at MP-5 clones, but under a grand shipped? Oooof.

[Screwball]

I don’t like that after about 20 minutes of hard searching, I cannot easily find out where this gun was produced. That tends to be an issue, in my eyes… especially with the HK platform.

My full size MP5 is a PTR 9CT Classic… which didn’t have the rail welded on. Very happy with it. I did an MP5 class earlier this year and no issues with the gun (did have some with the aftermarket trigger… swapped in the OEM and it was good to go).

I am debating about doing a PDW build in the future… but also don’t want the PTR rail. Heard more mixed reviews from Zenith than PTR, so have been looking at an MKE gun thru Century. 922r isn’t a big deal… US trigger pack is 4 parts, then the stock and forend completes it. All my magazines, with the exception of the one 20 rounder, are MKE magazines.

But have another suppressor and double barrel SBS on deck before that…

[helothar]

I don’t like that after about 20 minutes of hard searching, I cannot easily find out where this gun was produced. That tends to be an issue, in my eyes… especially with the HK platform.

My full size MP5 is a PTR 9CT Classic… which didn’t have the rail welded on. Very happy with it. I did an MP5 class earlier this year and no issues with the gun (did have some with the aftermarket trigger… swapped in the OEM and it was good to go).

I am debating about doing a PDW build in the future… but also don’t want the PTR rail. Heard more mixed reviews from Zenith than PTR, so have been looking at an MKE gun thru Century. 922r isn’t a big deal… US trigger pack is 4 parts, then the stock and forend completes it. All my magazines, with the exception of the one 20 rounder, are MKE magazines.

But have another suppressor and double barrel SBS on deck before that…

iirc this is also a turkish gun

[HCM]

I don’t like that after about 20 minutes of hard searching, I cannot easily find out where this gun was produced. That tends to be an issue, in my eyes… especially with the HK platform.

My full size MP5 is a PTR 9CT Classic… which didn’t have the rail welded on. Very happy with it. I did an MP5 class earlier this year and no issues with the gun (did have some with the aftermarket trigger… swapped in the OEM and it was good to go).

I am debating about doing a PDW build in the future… but also don’t want the PTR rail. Heard more mixed reviews from Zenith than PTR, so have been looking at an MKE gun thru Century. 922r isn’t a big deal… US trigger pack is 4 parts, then the stock and forend completes it. All my magazines, with the exception of the one 20 rounder, are MKE magazines.

But have another suppressor and double barrel SBS on deck before that…

They’re made by Mertsav, a Turkish defense contractor who is a the largest small arms parts sub contractor for MKE. So if you have an MKE gun (like a century) it has Mertsav parts in it.

Mertsav started out making shotguns and they have been a defense contractor/subcontractor since 1997.

https://mertsav.com.tr/en/home-page/

https://mertsav.com.tr/en/otomatik-tabancalar/

I’ve seen at least three videos on these that mention who they’re made by including the shot show intro video from SDS/MAC. A quick google search showed it’s also posted over on the HK pro forum. So it’s not like they’re trying to keep it a secret.

My understanding is part of the price point on these guns is that they are not using a CHF barrel. But otherwise, they are as likely to run (or not) as any other Third World MP 5 clone.

I’ve had three Century MP5 clones -A full size that ran 100% both suppressed and unsuppressed and two K models.

My first K model was a bit problematic. It ran with ammo and magazines that it liked but the mag well was super tight as was the rear of the receiver. Swapping out end caps and braces problematic.

I wound up getting rid of that Kodel and getting another K model for my buddy that seemed to be in spec and ran 100%.

[HeavyDuty]

Every day I get three or four emails flogging these. Must stay strong…

[bofe954]

If Atlantic is still running their sale on these in a few weeks and I can't find any horror stories on the web by then, I'm going to order one. The K doesn't seem to be around yet.

[GlockenSpiel]

https://atlanticfirearms.com/mac-5k-9mm-pistol

Well here's the K version

[Screwball]

They’re made by Mertsav, a Turkish defense contractor who is a the largest small arms parts sub contractor for MKE. So if you have an MKE gun (like a century) it has Mertsav parts in it…

A quick google search showed it’s also posted over on the HK pro forum. So it’s not like they’re trying to keep it a secret.

Word. I looked on their website and the few of the original reviews… zero mention of it. When I posted, was at work; couldn’t watch the videos on it.

Between the MAC and MKE guns on Atlantic… it’s about $150 difference. I feel that’s worth it for the CHF barrel. I’ll likely order one of those in the near future.

[HCM]

Word. I looked on their website and the few of the original reviews… zero mention of it. When I posted, was at work; couldn’t watch the videos on it.

Between the MAC and MKE guns on Atlantic… it’s about $150 difference. I feel that’s worth it for the CHF barrel. I’ll likely order one of those in the near future.

If your not in a hurry, TISAS and MAC are basically the same company and TISAS has a good LE/MIL discount program.

These are new so I’m not sure if they have any discounted yet, but they will.

[bofe954]

Any opinions on the full size vs K?

Main purpose is range toy and leaning towards the full size mainly because Die Hard, and possibly more likely to be reliable.

[Screwball]

Any opinions on the full size vs K?

Main purpose is range toy and leaning towards the full size mainly because Die Hard, and possibly more likely to be reliable.

Full size is easier if you want to mount lights and stuff. The K’s forend is short.

Reliability, at least what I saw at a MP5 class, as long as you got the right locking piece in the K… it should be good. The full size… it will run.

My first was a full size (PTR Classic version). A2 stock is the most comfortable… A3 looks cool and the UMP style folder bridges the two.

My next will be a K with the vertical grip and Choate stock. I was tossing the reverse stretch as an option, but like the PDW footprint better.

[Tokarev]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMygPA1l1Pk

[johnson]

I purchased the MAC 5 (full size) from Dahlonega Armory for $917 shipped the other day. There's been a few reports of the bolt gap being less than minimum spec (.010‐.020, .018 being ideal) and other QC issues that had to go back to the importer SDS for warranty. With prices dropping under $1k I expect to hear more issues in the coming weeks/months once people besides youtubers get their hands on them.

FWIW it was a chance I was willing to take to save $250-$300 over getting an MKE sample. As far as this being button rifled vs CHF, I don't plan on shooting tens of thousands of rounds through it to make a difference. I do plan to use an Otter Creek Labs Lithium suppressor once it gets approved and eventually SBR it with a B&T folding stock.

[bofe954]

I purchased the MAC 5 (full size) from Dahlonega Armory for $917 shipped the other day. There's been a few reports of the bolt gap being less than minimum spec (.010‐.020, .018 being ideal) and other QC issues that had to go back to the importer SDS for warranty. With prices dropping under $1k I expect to hear more issues in the coming weeks/months once people besides youtubers get their hands on them.

FWIW it was a chance I was willing to take to save $250-$300 over getting an MKE sample. As far as this being button rifled vs CHF, I don't plan on shooting tens of thousands of rounds through it to make a difference. I do plan to use an Otter Creek Labs Lithium suppressor once it gets approved and eventually SBR it with a B&T folding stock.

I'm not a barrel expert, but I google'd around and I don't care about the CHF either. Seems like the MAC's get 2 mags and the MKE's only 1, so there is a few more bucks. I also wondered if SDS might be better to deal with than Century if you do have issues.

Only thing I saw that I liked better about the MKE was the ability to direct thread a suppressor vs the 3 lug. The MKE has a thread protector in front of the 3 lug.

[johnson]

I'm not a barrel expert, but I google'd around and I don't care about the CHF either. Seems like the MAC's get 2 mags and the MKE's only 1, so there is a few more bucks. I also wondered if SDS might be better to deal with than Century if you do have issues.

Only thing I saw that I liked better about the MKE was the ability to direct thread a suppressor vs the 3 lug. The MKE has a thread protector in front of the 3 lug.

SDS seemed to be responsive from the posts I've read.

I didn't even realize that the SP5 or MKE was threaded since I've no experience with the platform but the MAC 5 is threaded as well after going back to look at the pictures. I was planning on getting a Bixler 3 lug mount instead of a traditional quick detach 3 lug adapter but I guess I'll run the suppressor directly threaded for a while and save some money while I'm at it. From the posts below, the Bixler mount still uses 3 lugs but uses a threaded nut to lock it in place instead of a spring system. Pros are a solid lockup, there are no springs to wear out, doesn't get filled with carbon, and you won't have compatibility issues with fitment. Cons are it is not a true quick detach, adds length, and may not be pleasing to the eye. On the other hand most 3 lug adapters take up substantial space in the blast chamber so you lose efficiency and you regain some of that back with this type of mount, similar to having it direct threaded.

https://c3junkie.com/?page_id=777
https://c3junkie.com/?page_id=553

https://www.ar15.com/forums/armory/HUB-Tri-Lug/20-551280/&page=2

https://www.shawarms.com/products/thundercan-41182-11646-5176

https://hansohnbrothers.com/shop/hansohn-brothers/accessories/3-lug/hansohn-3-lug-adapter-bixler-style-hub/

https://atlanticfirearms.com/mac-5-9mm-pistol#

https://atlanticfirearms.com/media/cache/sylius_shop_product_original/product/mac-5-9mm-pistol-5.jpg

https://atlanticfirearms.com/media/cache/sylius_shop_product_original/product/mac-5-9mm-pistol-6.jpg

https://atlanticfirearms.com/media/cache/sylius_shop_product_original/product/mac-5-9mm-pistol-7.jpg

[johnson]

Well, count me in as a beta tester. I picked up the MAC-5 from my FFL yesterday and my bolt gap measures .005". I would not recommend buying right now. Here's the Otter Creek Labs attached with direct threading while I was there.

I've no experience with the platform but fit and finish was decent. The safety lever is a bit stiff. Inserting mags takes some force but locks into place with an audible click. Taking the mags out is much easier. When pressing in the side mag release button, the mags go in and out smoothly so I'm thinking the latch on the bottom is not at a good angle or the spring is a bit stiff but like I said, I don't know anything about MP5s to know how they're supposed to feel.

124899

[bofe954]

Well, count me in as a beta tester. I picked up the MAC-5 from my FFL yesterday and my bolt gap measures .005". I would not recommend buying right now. Here's the Otter Creek Labs attached with direct threading while I was there.

I've no experience with the platform but fit and finish was decent. The safety lever is a bit stiff. Inserting mags takes some force but locks into place with an audible click. Taking the mags out is much easier. When pressing in the side mag release button, the mags go in and out smoothly so I'm thinking the latch on the bottom is not at a good angle or the spring is a bit stiff but like I said, I don't know anything about MP5s to know how they're supposed to feel.

124899

Are you just sending back to SDS?

[johnson]

Are you just sending back to SDS?

I submitted a warranty request to SDS on the morning of 10/10 and received a quick response from a rep who asked me to send a copy of my driver's license and that they will get a shipping label for me. I have not heard back since then so tonight I ordered an RCM (Rim Country Manufacturing) 100 degree locking piece (and +4 size rollers just in case) to see if it's a quick fix without sending it in. I was planning to get the locking piece anyway since I've read that the MKE AP5 comes with a 120 degree LP. I've no way to measure it with any degree of accuracy so I wanted some piece of mind from a known good part. It's not genuine HK but it was also $35 vs $90.

https://rimcountrymfg.com/product/rcm-hk-style-mp5-9mm-locking-piece-100-deg/

For the magazine insertion issue, I believe that the magazine catch (top right in second picture) either wasn't grinded at enough of an angle or that it sticks out too far. Unlike an AR magazine that has a gradual slope from the feed lips to the mag catch notch (unsure of the correct terminology) the MP5 is more like a radiused 90 degree bend so it has to overcome the mag catch spring tension. Either way it seems like a simple fix.

https://files.elfsightcdn.com/10f57fcd-29bb-4da4-9c09-61ea49a5bf6e/9578817c-6335-44f0-91fb-28baa4daa503/20241010_071858.jpg

https://files.elfsightcdn.com/10f57fcd-29bb-4da4-9c09-61ea49a5bf6e/f8871df0-f0e6-4af0-905a-5ae1784f4a4d/20241010_071911.jpg

I've found that this video (and channel) was great at explaining why bolt gap matters and how the roller delayed action works for a newbie like myself.

Teufelshund Tactical Heckler and Koch Bolt Gap Review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDUu_PRl_zg

[bofe954]

Wound up ordering the MKE instead. Atlantic has a bare bones package now-

https://atlanticfirearms.com/mkecentury-ap5-lt-pistol

Seemed like the accessories were kind of junk anyway, and I had already ordered a couple HK mags. We'll see how it goes.