History of the Design
With the popularity of the MP5 platform, H&K licensed the platform to several countries over the years. One of the major licensing deals was with MKE in Turkey, a nation that has thrived at building German-designed firearms for over a century.
As the MP5 started to age and was replaced in military service, the MKE factory sought to continue production of the design for the domestic American market. These clones have been around for a while and were previously imported by companies like Zenith, but Century Arms began importing them more recently. MKE firearms are built on licensed tooling with good quality, all while coming in at an affordable price.
The MP5SD
The MP5SD was an integrally suppressed MP5 marketed to special operations groups like the U.S. Navy SEALs. The barrel was designed with a series of ports and baffles encompassed by a sleeve that worked to slow the ammunition to subsonic levels while capturing expanding gas. Even standard 115-grain ball ammo produced quiet, subsonic performance from the platform.
Unfortunately, due to the restricted nature of suppressors over the years, there was never an effort to introduce a domestic version of the firearm. With the increase in suppressor interest, the coming elimination of the tax stamp, and the common use numbers of suppressors in circulation, the environment for more integrally suppressed firearms is rapidly changing.
Century Arms AP5SD
Now, the Century Arms AP5-SD is not a true MP5SD clone. The AP5 version is designed to visually mimic the original without the hassle of NFA paperwork. The AP5-SD is built on a normal AP5 receiver and sold as a pistol, again simplifying the ownership process. The design includes an improved Magpul pistol brace blade that mimics the function and look of a retractable MP5 stock. The lower grip module has the visual markings of a real MP5, will all the selector positions marked on the side, but the safety only has “semi” and “safe” modes.
The real “SD” part of the gun has to do with the barrel and the handguard. MKE includes a 5.75-inch barrel threaded at 1/2x28 with a tri-lug adapter, sitting under a polymer handguard that has the knurling of the original H&K SD design. The barrel ends in a faux suppressor/barrel extension, making the pistol look like the real thing. For anyone looking to add a previously unobtainable classic design to their collection, this handgun scratches that itch.
On the Range
While the aesthetic of the fake suppressor looks the part, I was not about to let the threaded tri-lug go to waste. Thanks to our friends at SilencerCo and Silencer Central, we had an Omega 9K tri-lug and a Banish 45 to add to this handgun.
The AP5 is one of the smoothest PCCs out there, thanks to the classic H&K roller-delayed action. Even with the faux suppressor, the gun seems quieter because the cone of the barrel extension directs the gas and sound forward. Of course, a suppressor makes this an even more enjoyable shooting experience.
The Banish 45 threads on traditionally, and while it’s a .45-caliber can, it does a great job of dropping the decibel level. The length of the Banish 45 fits the aesthetic of the real MP5SD. The Silencer Co. Omega 9K is a different style of suppressor that showcases the benefit of the tri-lug system. While there is a tighter seal on direct-thread cans, there is something to be said about the speed and simplicity of a quick-detach design. The H&K tri-lug is one of the oldest, simplest quick-detach systems on the market.
With some pressure and a quarter-twist, the Omega 9K is seated and significantly reduces the sound signature. It’s impressive for such a short can. The short aesthetic of the Omega 9K stays true to the intended nature of the MP5, keeping it short and compact.
