I don't have person experience, but I've heard TPM Outfitters does a good job. Maybe someone here would be more familiar with them.
I don't have person experience, but I've heard TPM Outfitters does a good job. Maybe someone here would be more familiar with them.
"Sapiens dicit: 'Ignoscere divinum est, sed noli pretium plenum pro pizza sero allata solvere.'" - Michelangelo
I have been thinking of buying a zenith pistol to SBR but I know within two years HK will be selling their classic long guns "made in the USA" and my zenith will not be worth shit. But I might just have to take one for the team
I don't have a stake in this either way since I don't own any mp5 clones but looking at Zenith VS Brethren Armament a MP5 pistol they are within about $100 of each other. I'm drawn to the Brethren Armament pistol believing there is more quality there (If I'm wrong tell me). The gun is cerakoted, features new American made hammer forged barrels and bolt carriers made by RCM and has the very nice welded low profile pic rail.
Anyone have first hand experience with Brethren Armament MP5s?
If I was going to head down the roller locked road, I would go hang out at HK Pro and do some reading. The HK clone market is a world of it's own. There are many options, custom builds from part kits to having a builder work on a rough Century gun. The MKE and Zeinth products usually need to be tuned by a builder to run F/A or suppressed. There is a reason HK dropped roller locks in favor of gas guns; HK produced over 50 different locking pieces for different guns and barrel lengths to create reliable cycling. JLD / PTR has certainly had it's ups and downs, but some of their builds are outstanding. Atlantic Firearms gives additional discounts to HKPro members, if you ask.
For real German parts, look to Robert at RTG.com for the best prices. http://www.robertrtg.com/store/pc/home.asp
Adam of HK Parts has a wider selection. https://www.hkparts.net/shop/pc/view...p?idcategory=9
Gordon at HK Specialist is a good vendor as well. https://www.hkspecialiststore.com/
For builds, HKPro has a supporting vendor section. http://www.hkpro.com/forum/forum.php Dig into the threads and there is plenty of info on many builders. HKPro member GhillieBear, Jeff, is Parabellum Combat. He would be my first choice to get a gun running. He is well loved by HKPro forum members, kinda like Tony and Tom for Kydex here. Michael's Machines is outstanding as well. Brethren is relativing new to the market, but has built a good rep. Arizona Response Systems,http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.com/index.html not listed on HKPro, is one of the few who cut and recrown a barrel without pulling it from the receiver.
Most of these builders are one man shows and results vary with the ups and downs of personal lives.
Last edited by Alembic; 05-09-2017 at 03:44 PM.
Some of the early Zenith imports had problems with magwell dimensions that caused spent shell casings to fall into the trigger pack and disable the firearm (mine demonstrated this problem and was promptly repaired by Zenith). I understand Zenith corrected the issue on the firearms sent back to them and fixed the issue with newer firearms. Another issue was that the coating on their 3-lug adapter was interfering with some suppressor mounts. While my AAC Ti-Rant 3-lug was a snug fit, I never had a problem installing or removing it on my sample, and my Z5-RS has run reliably suppressed and unsuppressed with a variety of ammunition. The majority of my shooting is suppressed with 147 grain ammunition.
I'll note that at this point my Zenith (now SBR'd) has a variety of parts (US parts in the trigger pack for 922R compliance, genuine HK trigger housing and stock, HK magazines). Any SBR MP5 clone is going to be a parts gun to some extent due to 922R.
Last edited by JSGlock34; 05-09-2017 at 06:54 PM.
"When the phone rang, Parker was in the garage, killing a man."
I have 2 Zeniths - a Z5P and Z5RS. Both purchased about a year ago and SBR'ed ahead of 41P. The Z5P's trigger pack was sent back to Zeneith within 50 rounds due to reset issues every 3rd or 4th round. It now has about 1000 trouble free rounds through it. The RS has been reliable out of the box but has only 600 rounds through it. I mainly shoot Federal 147 grain AE or HST.
When it comes to suppressors, about half of what I shoot is through an Obsidian with SC Octane 3-lug adaptor. The 3-lug adaptor was a bit tight but loosened up after a while. I've not had any reliability issues suppressed, but I stick to the heavier grain weights.
Both guns do fine with HK or MKE mags. Some of the American mags will not fit in the Z5P.
Overall, I'm pleased. However, I'd give the SP5K a hard look if looking today. There are ways to add the paddle release (the biggest oversight of the century), but it will cost you.
Last edited by Sensei; 05-10-2017 at 12:35 AM.
I like my rifles like my women - short, light, fast, brown, and suppressed.
Hey guys, just a heads up I called and spoke to Jeff at Parabellum Combat. Extremely generous guy, eager to help in anyway he can. He chated with me for about 20 minutes about MP5s and the in's and out's about specific parts etc. He clarified numerous questions and misconceptions I had about the syste. He can build exactly what you want and for a price that will probably surprise you. He even pointed me towards his competition for certain needs. He basically operates solely on word of mouth and has for quite a while and business is strong. There is a 13 page thread on HKpro in the supporting vendors section highlighting every different roller lock build imaginable. His builds are very clean and easily rival HK as far as welds go. And his turn around time is stellar.
Needless to say he impressed the hell out of me and earned my near future business. Just passing this along.
ETA:
Hers that thread I was talking about,
Parabellum Combat Systems
Last edited by Serpico1985; 05-17-2017 at 06:06 PM.
Being half German I naturally love VW, bratwurst and HK's.
The army let me use HK53's and MP5's, I would love a personal MP5 as a fired case maker. But, all the clones sold here come from countries I would not buy a car from, and in their pat of the world hey cost under $500 so why would I want to pay nearly $2K for one.
Instead, till HK sell their classic collection direct I have an MPX, its nice.