MKE AP5SD Review: Better Than The Original?

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I hit the range to test the AP5SD, Century Arms/MKE’s clone of the famous H&K MP5SD.

Talk about getting your head spun.

I was very excited When I heard rumors about Century Arms importing a new MP5SD-style pistol from MKE in Turkey. Then, I listened to some further details and was disappointed. Then I got one, and my opinion did a complete 180.

Allow me to explain why.

MKE AP5SD Specs:

Country of Origin: Turkey
Cartridge: 9x19mm Parabellum
Action: Roller-lock delayed blowback
Barrel Length: 5.75 Inches
Weight: 6.7 Pounds
Overall Length (From brace to end of handguard): 19 Inches (collapsed) ; 24.25 Inches (extended)
Muzzle: 1/2×28 threads and tri-lug
Muzzle Device: Removable faux suppressor
Capacity: 30
Sights: Rotating diopter drum (rear) ; Hooded post (front)
MSRP: $1,800 (braced model)

H&K MP5SD Vs. MKE AP5SD

If you’re not familiar with the original H&K MP5SD, it’s an integrally suppressed variant of the company’s iconic MP5 9mm submachine gun introduced in the mid-1970s. What makes it so special isn’t that it features a suppressor shrouded underneath a purpose-built handguard, it’s that its barrel is ported.

These ports vent off gas to reduce the muzzle velocity of standard-spec 9mm NATO ball ammunition to subsonic levels. The advantage of this is that, unlike most other suppressed 9mm SMGs that require special subsonic ammo to be as quiet as possible, the MP5SD could use just about any ammo and do the same thing. That’s a neat trick.

In turn, when the AP5SD was announced, a lot of shooters were hopeful the Turkish clone would come with the proper ported barrel. As it turned out, it didn’t.

Given this, many early purchasers scrambled to find companies to convert them to true SDs. I considered doing the same, but after further research, I concluded not only that it wasn’t worth the effort, but that the AP5SD is likely the superior configuration for most American shooters today.

Portless

While original ported MP5SDs are still very cool, the design has distinct disadvantages. Namely, it will only function with a special SD-style suppressor. Plus, from what I’ve heard, this configuration gets very dirty very fast.

The AP5SD, on the other hand, features a normal 5.75-inch barrel. That’s about the same length as the AP5-P (MKE’s clone of the MP5K-PDW) and the end of the muzzle is recessed about 1.5 inches inside the handguard. Topped off with both a 1/2×28 threaded muzzle and a tri-lug, the result is that you can install any standard 9mm suppressor that will fit inside the handguard and it will give the appearance of being a true MP5SD (though some suppressors will look more like the original than others).

The AP5SD comes with a faux suppressor installed that looks the part. Let’s not kid ourselves, though, if you’re buying one of these, you’re going to put a real suppressor on it.

That all said, this is why I think the AP5SD's configuration is better than the MP5SD-style ported barrel–you have a wider variety of suppressors options, a cleaner system and better ammo choices. As civilians, we do not exist within a military supply chain–we can simply buy subsonic ammo when we wish to shoot subsonic.

Another downside of the MP5SD, its porting always reduces a bullet’s velocity, like it or not. Sometimes, faster and louder is better. The AP5SD gives you this control.

Originality is cool, especially for collectors of military small arms, but I’m convinced that for the average American shooter the AP5SD is perfectly designed.

Setting Up The AP5SD

The AP5SD is available with or without a Magpul MP BSL brace. If you order the braced model, it will still come with the original end cap with a Picatinny rail and a sling loop. Two mags, a cleaning kit, a sling and an optics rail are included, all shipped in a hard case to round out the package.

My setup was as follows: Leapers’ new UTG Pro Claw Mount, Aimpoint PRO, UTG Pro M-LOK Light Mount and a Streamlight ProTac Rail Mount HP-X Pro. Shout-out to HKParts for supplying the mounts and other accessories like their dual magazine clamp. The sling is a Vickers SMG sling, a slightly lighter version of my favorite carbine sling.

The most important accessory for the AP5SD was a suppressor. I used a Rugged Obsidian45 on a tri-lug mount for this test, however, I have an Omega 36M on the way that will be this gun's dedicated can.

Finally, the ammo—I was primarily shooting HSL 147-grain subsonics. It’s remanufactured ammunition, but has so far proven very reliable for me.

On The Range With The AP5SD

I initially put a couple of mags through it with the faux suppressor just to try it out. It shot just fine, but this gun needed the real deal.

With the Obsidian45 installed, it finally felt right. MP5s are already known for being incredibly soft-shooting, but with a suppressor, the AP5SD felt like a BB gun. With the subsonic ammo, it was about as quiet as one, too. While shooting this without ear pro was a pleasant experience, it’s still a good idea to wear them. Hearing damage can be gradual and sneaky.

Needless to say, the AP5SD is an amazing shooter. As a suppressed semi-auto MP5 clone it handles exactly as you’d expect. There’s a reason why the MP5's reputation precedes it and why so many armed professionals around the globe have favored it for decades.

Regarding reliability, I experienced two failures to extract in the first 100 rounds but otherwise had smooth sailing for the next 400 or so. I’ll chalk those up to break-in.  

People have mixed opinions about the MP5 diopter iron sights, but I’m a fan. That said, with the Magpul brace installed, I found it hard to get behind them. The brace is comfortable enough to shoot with, but I found it much easier to aim with a tall red dot installed on a riser.

With the Aimpoint PRO, it was effortless to make hits. The lack of recoil means the point of aim stays solid, making follow-up shots a breeze. Even at 100 yards, it was relatively easy to ring a half-size steel silhouette. Of course, guns like this are designed for closer-range work, and that’s where the AP5SD truly shone.

While practicing target transitions on an array of steel plates, my only complaint was a very common one of semi-auto MP5s—I wished it could go faster.

All MP5 triggers are known for being long and mushy, but it’s not as big of a deal for full-auto models. Those of us stuck with semis can try to squeeze that trigger as fast as possible, all we want, but it will never be as fast as what you can do with even a standard AR-15 trigger. The AP5SD’s safety, again like any MP5 safety, also doesn’t hold a candle to the AR’s ergonomics. While it may not be the fastest or easiest to use by modern standards, the replica 4-position pictogram ambi lower does look really damn cool. A trade some will be happy to make.

Parting Shot

I’m absolutely in love with the AP5SD. It’s my first 9mm roller-lock, and I already feel a growing itch to get one of MKE’s other MP5 clones.

All of my complaints with this gun are either endemic to the MP5 design or are minor nitpicks.

As for the nitpicks, the rubber handguard came with some molding artifacts along the seam. You can clean these up yourself with a knife if they bother you, but it would have been nice if they did a better job removing those at the factory.

Also, while I always like getting extra goodies along with a new gun, the included sling and optics mount aren’t of great quality. I’d recommend not messing with them and just buying better aftermarket replacements. Finally, if you want to attach a suppressor via a tri-lug, it’s a good idea to install a thread protector first for a tighter fit. If there’s one thing I wish the AP5SD came with, it’s a thread protector.

All the other weak spots of this gun are just because it’s an MP5 clone. Namely, the trigger and safety. Thankfully, however, companies are now making MP5 lowers that can take AR-15 triggers, safeties and pistol grips. Being able to shoot the AP5SD faster will be worth sacrificing some classic aesthetics for me, so I plan on trying one of those next.

As most already know, the MP5 reload process is also much slower than an AR’s. A positive aspect of that is it results in the very fun and iconic HK slap, but you should consider that you’ll need to learn a new, slower and more complicated manual of arms before buying your first MP5-style gun.

So, should you get an MKE AP5SD? That depends on what you’re after. If you want the fastest, most tactical 9mm PCC available today, the MP5 isn’t the platform for you. If you want an MP5 but want to be able to modernize it as much as possible, the AP5SD specifically isn’t for you, but a standard AP5 or AP5-P would be what to look at.

If, however, you’re like me and have drooled over the MP5SD since you first saw one in a movie as a kid, there’s no easier way to own one than with the AP5SD. And as you can see with mine, modernizing it with an optic and light is possible. Despite being a bit retro, this still feels like a supremely practical gun to me. With how quiet, compact and easy to shoot this is, I think it will be spending a lot of time next to my bed.

Palmetto State Armory	$1,667
Battlehawk Armory	$1,700

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