Those who have spent any appreciable amount of time in search of an MP5 on sale know three things. Two are that they are extremely hard to find in the first place and that even when you can find them, the prices tend to be sky-high.
The last is that there are a lot of alternatives to actual HK MP5 subguns, which take the form of MP5 clones and other MP5 lookalikes.
Most of these MP5 clones are made with roller-delayed blowback actions, just like the real thing. Some, however, are made with direct blowback actions. There is no comparison between the two even though they both functionally do the same thing, which is to produce autoloading operation.
Even so, if you’re going to shell out the cash for an MP5-inspired platform, make sure you get one that has a roller delayed blowback action, not one with direct blowback. Here are just a few of the many good reasons why you should.
The Authenticity
First, if you are going to get a subgun that actually retains fidelity to the platform that inspired it, you’re going to want to stick with roller delayed blowback operation if only for the authenticity.
The real HK MP5 is a roller delayed blowback platform. Anything you get that looks like it should feature the same operation.
It’s like this. If you were going to get a Garand clone, you’d get one with the same or a similar gas system, right? A rifle that looks like a Garand but which is recoil-operated or which is a bolt action just isn’t right.
It’s Cleaner
To be fair, many autoloading actions are a lot dirtier than their repeater counterparts, and it’s not that roller-delayed blowback is objectively clean, so much as that it is cleaner than direct blowback.
With a direct blowback platform, the chamber pressures remain a lot higher even once the action starts to open, which sprays fouling-laden gas everywhere. With a roller delayed platform, the pressure drops significantly before the action unlocks and opens.
There’s still a lot of fouling compared to a repeater, but the spray effect is not as violent as it would be with direct blowback.
It’s Smoother Shooting
Direct blowback operation is renowned for its punchiness, and direct blowback platforms typically produce a lot of both port and muzzle pop.
They also produce a more recoil and are a little jerkier during operation. Roller delayed blowback operation is considerably smoother, resulting in a more enjoyable shooting experience, not to mention less wear and tear on parts.
It’s More Compatible with Suppression
Lastly, roller-delayed blowback operation is more reliable when running a suppressor, which makes it preferable to direct blowback. You’ll get less hot gas vented back in your face than you would with direct blowback, too.
Where to Find a Lookalike to an MP5 on Sale
There are many alternatives to an HK MP5 on sale, but one of the best of them is Zenith Firearms ZF-5 (or one of their other patterns), which use roller-delayed blowback operation and which keep most of the other identifying features of the original HK intact, at a much lower price point.
Visit their website for more information or get in touch with them if you have questions about their platforms.
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