MP5: The Action Hero
The MP5 is a legendary sub-machinegun and a perfect counter terror weapon. This weapon earned its reputation with the high rate of fire and successful counter terror operations. The forces that weld this weapon shaped its identity as the lawful good. This ISa gun for the good guys. But,how did it gain its heroic reputation? What makes it such a good counter terror weapon? And what’s with the slap in the end of a reload?
The MP5 is a German weapon manufactured by H&K (Heckler and Koch). It fires the 9X19mm standard NATO parabellum pistol rounds. At first H&K used to make machine parts and precision metal parts. But in 1956 the West German Government put out a tender for a new rifle for the Bundeswehr. H&K submitted their G3 design which had a huge success. Encouraged by the G3s success H&K designed several variants of the G3 design made for different roles. One of them was the MP5. The originally called the HK54 was designed in 1964. The weapon functioned in a roller delayed blow-back mechanism. Quite a simple yet effective function similar to the G3 design. The first design originally known as the HK54 had a straight magazine. But a small revision in 1977 gave the gun its distinctive look and was named MP5A1. The H&K MP5 is now manufactured in several countries
The MP5 is truly a configurable weapon with a bunch of different variants. There are bunch of variants, and few common ones are;
· The original HK54 or MP5A1 without any stock
· Fixed stock MP5A2 and A4
· Retractable stock MP5A3
· Sliding stock MP5A5
· With an integral suppressor MP5SD
· The MP5K or Kurz in the smallest package possible
Even higher caliber modes like;
· MP5/10 which fires the 10mm auto rounds
· MP5/40 which fires the .40 Smith and Wesson
A flexible weapon then, and its favored by many Police forces and special forces as it can be configured for whatever role its about to play.
In 1980, the MP5 achieved iconic status as a result of its use on live television by SAS commandos in Operation Nimrod. A siege on the Iranian Embassy, 6 terrorist, 26 hostages, the capital of UK a populated urban area and a live television broadcast. A really tensed position. On the 6th day one hostage was killed. This prompted the British Special Air Service (SAS) to take immediate action. 17 munities within their 1st breach 5 terrorist were killed. One was captured and all the 25 hostages were rescued. This event saved SAS s reputation as a deadly special force. And made a perfect advertisement for the MP5 as it was one signature weapon for the breach. To this day the weapon is seen used in different close combat situation.
No doubt that the MP5 is a weapon for the good guys. Its distinctive on-screen presence and heroic status makes it a perfect choice for the silver screen. Any game or movies that depicts such forces must to have this signature weapon. And surly it shows up in hundreds of movies. Mostly seen in the hands of the good guys. A flagship weapon of the rainbow six series. But often seen more outside of its counter terror role with noticeable appearances in ‘The Matrix’ ‘and ‘Die Hard’ fancies which are inspired by classic action movies. Games like ‘COD: Modern Warfare’ and ‘Max Payne’ takes on a faster paced use of the SMG far from tightly controlled disciplined use by the special forces.
The infamous HK slap during its reload is actually recommended by H&K themselves. One open handed tap on the cocking handle after inserting a fresh magazine, sending in the bolt forward and chambering around. It seems reckless but a softer approach might not drive the bolt home properly. So surprisingly it’s a recommended procedure. Afterall this rough working weapon surly can take a little rough housing. In games like Call of Duty the MP5 can be used in a more spray and pray tactics. It wastes a lot of ammo. But more empty mags mean more cool reloading ending with a slap.
There are now a lot of SMGs which tend to replace the 50-year-old MP5. H&K themselves offer the UMP-45 with a higher caliber and MP7 with the armor piercing power. But the classic 9mm MP5 is still loved by those who welded it. The perfect counter-terror weapon and always cool on the crisis. The MP5; configurable, confident, Counter Terrorist win!
