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MP5 Stocks- Pro's and Con's

27K views 14 replies 11 participants last post by  TK502 
#1 · (Edited)
It took me a while to assemble the collection of stocks that I have and to to thoroughly test them to come up with a brief assessment of each. This is just my opinion of actual observation and study. Please add anything that is helpful from your own experiences.

The MP5 or HK9x series of rifles have a variety of different stocks and accessories to help the shooter in a variety of situations. I tested 4 types of stocks with an MP5SD to help me determine the Pro's and Con's of each. To best describe me, I am a civilian shooter. No military needs. No police needs. No operator needs. No security needs other than for myself and close loved ones. I'm not assessing the attributes for an "engagement" or "shoot out". At best, this is just for me to experience and enjoy the shooting sport so don't take this as the keyboard warrior mall ninja tactical assessment. I just enjoy testing things!

I used an American made pistol end cap of unknown manufacture, an Hk made 1IH date coded A2 fixed stock, an Hk made 3JC date coded retractable stock and a Brügger & Thomet foldable polymer stock (part number 20155). (It should be noted that I was using a single point quick detachable sling.)


In terms of cost, the end cap was the cheapest followed by the A2 fixed stock, then the B&T folding stock and finally the retractable stock.

In terms of simplicity of design (my opinion), the A2 fixed stock is the simplest design to uses. No moving parts. No buffer. Nothing to loose or take apart other than the large stock take down pin. A neat thing about this stock is that it offers a storage slot for the take down pin. Otherwise, having been made from polymer, the fixed stock was very light compared to a wooden stock of the same size and shape. (No, I don't have a wooden Hk stock to actually compare it to, but I do have a walnut shotgun stock that I've been working on and it is much heavier even though its smaller that than the A2.) The A2 stock solid once pinned to receiver with no flex and offers a comfortable cheek weld when aiming down the sights. Unlike the other 3 stocks, it does not have a buffer in the end of it. The stock performs in the same manner as most common rifle stocks and allows me a firm engagement of the butt to my shoulder with a comfortable marriage. As the butt of the stock is robust, the footprint spreads out over more body area and there is little (if any) discomfort when shouldering the weapon. The A2 fixed stock earns the highest points in standard rifle shooting posture as its 3rd point of body contact allows for higher accuracy.


2nd is the pistol cap. Having a rotating sling swivel, a buffer and a retaining nut, the mechanics involved in the design of the end cap were only slightly more than the A2 stock. While cheaper, lighter and having a better performing sling attachment, I regard the end cap to be less desirable than the A2 stock as it does not provide any extra stability when shooting. While a pistol (according to the BATFE definition) is designed to be fired with one hand, the size and weight of the MP5SD I was using would be better suited with a second hand and a third point of contact like that which a shouldered stock offers. The end cap does provide for easier sling capabilities and easy acquisition and storage when moving the weapon from a firing position to a slung stowed position or to be able to be pushed behind me for easier access to a hip holstered side arm or other long gun. because of the extreme compact size of the end cap, it gets the highest points from me for mobility. Without a sling attached, it can be easily carried or maneuvered in sitting, standing, and kneeling positions. With a sling attached, it can be easily stowed out of the way to free up both hands for other activities. While the A2 stock was also able to the slung on the back and out of the way, the stock still has bulk that can be... a nuisance.


3rd up is the A3 style retractable stock. This stock makes the MP5 look fantastic. Hollywood looks with practical applications. The silhouette of an MP5 with an A3 stock is a wonderful thing! The A3 stock allowed me to shoulder the weapon for increased stability when firing but it lacked a comfortable cheek weld. While there was still cheek contact and my accuracy was good, the discomfort was a slight nuisance for me. Its like having a rock in your boot... if you can get the rock in the right spot between your toes, you can do okay. But if the rock gets under your sole or starts rubbing your toe knuckle, your not going to have as much fun. So the collapsible stock looses some of its comfort after about 30 rounds and by 90, my cheek was sore. Not hurt or bruised mind you, just sore. The sling I have easily attaches to the bar on the rear of the receiver cap and is a sturdy mount. With the stock collapsed mobility is increased but at an expense. The ability to grab the pistol grip and 'pistol' fire the weapon while the stock is collapsed is complicated by the butt of the stock being relocated to the wrist area. It is in the way of my forearm to have a straight comfortable grip because it is blocked by the lower portion of the stock. When the stock is extended, the butt is near the shoulder area and out of the way. The one thing that is important for me to note is the overall mechanics of the A3 retractable stock are its weakness. If everything works good and correct, the stock performs as it should but if dirt and small rocks get in the mechanical area of the locking lever, it can be a nuisance. (I am using the word nuisance to indicate that something is just out of the realm of comfort. The mechanics will still operate and function but will be gritty and more likely to have a malfunction. I didn't bury mine in mud in some kind of torture test, but the locking mechanism did fail to fully engage in the open or close position more often when it was dirty.) Over all, the collapsible stock is my favorite to look at, but because of the number of pieces and the mechanics involved and the sore cheek I got while shooting, I would prefer the A2 style stock when enjoying my shooting but attach the A3 when showing it off.


Lastly, the Brügger & Thomet foldable polymer stock. This stock quickly became my favorite when shooting. When extended, it offers a solid lock up mechanically speaking. It offers a solid marriage to my shoulder and is as comfortable as the A2 stock both on my my shoulder and to the cheek weld. Seen here is Former U.S. ARMY Specialist "Wookie" (MOS 45 Kilo with the 299th Cavalry Support Regiment- props for our service men and women) shooting the MP5SD. You can see the cheek weld/sight alignment and 3 points of contact being made while shooting in a standing position.

When folded, the B&T stock folds to the right side of the weapon and offers increased mobility like the A3 stock, but allows for better pistol grip acquisition as the stock is completely out of the way. Also being less expensive and less having less parts than the A3 retractable stock, there is less pieces to get dirty and it is less likely to have failures to engage in proper lockup. The only time lock up was a problem was when there was loose clothing or when the sling was draped over the folding mechanism. The polymer design is light but the stock was rigid and firm and hand no flex or loosness to it. In my opinion, one thing that B&T could do to improve the design is to add a magazine holster to the design so that you can carry an extra magazine in the void of the stock. Other than that, its large release button to allow the stock to fold is easy to operate, even while wearing thick gloves. The swivel sling mount allows for easy attachment of a sling and the fact that it swivels allows for increased maneuverability where as the fixed position of the A2 stock does not.


Lastly, I will leave you with a video of one 'smooth "AK lovin' operator" using the B&T folding stock on my beloved MP5SD. You can see at the end when he tries to work the charging handle with his pinky just how practiced he is with the AK and out of practice he his with the HK! (I'm working on getting him to come to the Hk side...)B&T Folding MP5 Stock - YouTube
 
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#5 ·
I have a lot of fun when I start comparing things. Each type has its advantages and it took feel a few trips to really test things. I didn't have any assistants until this last weekend so there aren't any more pictures... but I will work on fixing that. I greatly enjoy the actual testing!
 
#7 ·
That was great , now I'm more confused on what to put on mine . I wanted the A2 fixed to keep it og . But I like all of the options. Thanks
 
#8 ·
I am glad to add to the confusion! I will say that if you are on a budget, the A2 is great and will meet your shooting needs- you can't go wrong with it. But, if you have a few extra dollars, the folding stock will offer the same stability as the A2 but the coolness factor is multiplied!
 
#9 ·
Thanks mp5s , great write up.
 
#13 ·
SmokeyWhisper, thank you for the excellent summary. I'm closing the deal tonight or tomorrow on that SD with an A2 stock and my very first purchase was going to be the retractable stock. Now, I'm going to wait to try one and I'll probably end up getting the B&T instead. Rarely does a 5 minute read save me a few hundred bucks, but I think you just did. Thanks for taking the time to do this. You da man.
 
#15 ·
I have a B&T folder for my SD, only problem is that it didn't come with a sling swivel. Does anybody know where I could find one that fits? I've looked around for specifications on the swivel but haven't found any. Any help would be appreciated.
Chris
 
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