Sear ready. PTR. Not worried about sear and even cheaper, MKE.

 

I just returned to this site after twelve years away from the MP5 weapon family but I recently purchased a Century AP5 LT from Atlantic Firearms. It is full-sized, with 1/2-28 threaded 8.8" barrel,does not have the tri-lug barrel but at $849, who cares as I don't use tri-lug devices . I'll know Tuesday, after it arrives, if I chose correctly. 😉
I'd considered the MAC5 but it's barrel is button rifled, not cold hammer forged and not a manufactured by a known entity like MKE. And the MAC5 is $899-$999.
I can always buy more accessories, mags etc, even a tri-lug adapter and still be dollars ahead. I CAN'T change to a CHF barrel. And a past Century G3 I had was decent enough to take the gamble.
This forum is full of brand comparisons so I used these to help gauge my decision. Your mileage may vary, but I set my budget based on spare discretionary funds, current prices vs. past/future prices, potential tariff wars, and potential availability. My past MP5 was a Special Weapons clone, not a (former)-licensed manufacturer and it was a reverse-engineered guesswork at what the weapon should be. Jams, stovepipes, FTF, you name it. OEM parts made it work eventually but it was picky. Hope you avoid this scenario.
Sorry for the long reply.
Good luck.

Jeff

 

I just ordered a couple of those MKE AP5’s. $850 is a crazy deal!

 

Let’s hope they function just as well as the real deal ones with that price…🤞🏽

 

Can't beat the MKE ones for the price. The only thing is is that the magwells can be a bit funky from one to the next (some looser/tighter than others)

 

Funny about that. I have an AP5, & AP5-P. As delivered on one the mag was a tight fit. On the other, the mag was a little loose. I swapped mags from one gun to the other, & now both are a perfect fit. GARY

 

Century/ MKE AP-5 8.9” owner here. I’ve only had it for 6 weeks and have ran 2000 rounds no issues. I love it. I ordered a Lee Sporting lower And it should be here in the next 6 weeks. I’m thinking about doing a cerakote RAL 8K paint job after I get the UTG pro rail.

 

I've had the AP5 which had perfect mag fitment and the AP5-P which had tight fitment. My friend has and AP5 with very loose mag fitment, so out of 3 examples (all tested with the same HK mag), fitment was not consistent from one AP5 to the next. They all still ran great though, no issues there

 

The AP5‘s that are on sale for $850 is the best deal going.

 

I have a zenith I bought about 6 years ago. I have been very pleased with it. My wife loves shooting it too. I’ve heard zenith fell out with mke and has gone downhill but as far as their older clones they are awesome

 

Correct, Zenith previously imported from MKE, but now makes their own in house in the USA. Century Arms is the new importer from MKE, with the AP5 line.

So basically those older Zeniths are the new AP5s. Word is Zenith did great QC on their imports. But having to design tooling from the ground up for their US venture is going to have some trial and error for sure.

 

Another vote for the $850 AP5-LT

Century Arms AP5 LT Pistol

MKE/Century Arms AP5 LT/T94 Pistol HG8321-N. Roller delayed blowback 9mm semi automatic pistol with 8.9" cold hammer forged threaded barrel.

atlanticfirearms.com

 

I've had my HK SP5 for a few years now but if i'm being 100% honest and I had to do it all over again I'd probably go with MKE. I paid covid tax on mine so it was $3.3k OTD and for that money you could get BOTH AP5 & AP5P +handful of HK mags +HK ejector, extractor, springs, etc...

The most important rule would be to thoroughly inspect the clone millimeter by millimeter before taking ownership from the ffl that way you save yourself the headache of dealing with warranty issues.

 

As a newbie to the platform, my AP5 LT should be arriving tomorrow. What should I be looking for when I pick it up at the shop? What would be the "red line" to cross to have them send it back? Thanks!

 

Yea this is also something I am interested in hearing about. One of the reasons I haven’t bought an AP5 with it being on sale is because I simply am not familiar enough with the platform to quickly judge the quality of my purchase.

 

Save 100% when you buy nothing.

 

To be honest I didn't go too crazy when I got my first ap5. I looked it over, maybe cleaned/lubed it, checked the bolt gap (was on the lower end, but still in spec) then took it to the range. Fired one bullet, didn't explode in my hands so loaded a mag up and went to work and had fun.

My ap5p, same story, but experienced ftf/fte/df, etc. Thought it had to break in but nope....ended up changing out the extractor (w/spring), ejector (with spring) and it functioned flawlessly afterwards.

My ap5 SD, looked it over and had trouble getting the end cap off, or braces on/off and saw some other issues. I still sent it off to get a barrel swap in the hopes the "issues" will sort itself out or wear itself in but....that remains to be seen.

No need to get too paranoid but I'd recommend at minimum just checking that the basic functions work (unloaded) like any other firearm. Things like racking/unracking the bold smoothly without binding, checking the trigger action (that it fires and resets, and doesn't fire when on safe), mag inserts, locked up, only comes out when you push paddle or button.

Specific to this platform, IF you have feeler gauges, just check the bolt gap (plenty of instructions available online but happy to link here if you need it), although probably most people don't even know what that is and "send it" with no problems 😄.

Probability says you'll receive a fine functioning sample.

Now if cosmetics bother you (finish coatings, scratches, etc) then your SOL and probability isn't on your side.

If you have any issues when firing, report back to use what the issues are and chances are you can get plenty of helpful diagnostic advice or, worst case scenario send it back under warranty.

 

I appreciate the advice from all. I don't have feeler gauges, so I will keep my fingers crossed regarding the bolt gap!

 

You should be able to pick some of those up for cheap at a hardware store or home depot for cheap. Wouldn’t be too inconvenient

 

For what it’s worth. I REALLY like my AP5. Idk if I just won the lottery and got a perfect one but I liked it enough to sbr.

 

Thats great to hear and happy for you man. AP5's are well made clones since they're the only one to be made using HK tooling.

 

Deleted duplicate post of below...

 

I picked my AP5 LT up the other night. Welds and coating finish are smooth and consistent. Action seems dry but bind-free. Disassembly and magwell is tight enough to just feel precise. Pins pop out with a bit of force but hole alignment of components is very good. Bolt gap = .017" (re-measured it again)
It came with hard padded case, 1 30 round mag and a sling.
At $879 shipped from Atlantic, its shows promise of good value.

 

Nice! Thats awesome bro, and sounds like you got a perfect specimen. That price is phenomenal!

 

The AP5‘s that are on sale for $850 is the best deal going.

Be careful- those Predator-barrel MP5s might not be CHF.

They are not using the correct part, and if there is one cost-cutting-crap part on there that is made to a price point, there are likely others.

The other thing is to run 124 grain 9MM NATO during break in period. It cycles the best.

M882 is the correct ammunition for an MP5-type that is made to spec.

It is important to use the correct ammunition during break in, and after that to ALSO use the correct ammunition.

Your car, for example, does not say to break it in with 93 octane and then switch to 87 octane after 5,000 miles.

I don't have feeler gauges, so I will keep my fingers crossed regarding the bolt gap!

Follow the military maintenance procedure- never let anyone go near your weapon with Feeley Gauges... unless you are trying to diagnose a specific malfunction and bolt gap is a potential factor.

Just Blaze. 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥

 

Be careful- those Predator-barrel MP5s might not be CHF.

MKE has always had CHF/CL 16" barrels. This is one of the 2011 ATI imports.

 

Just to confirm the AP5 LT has the MKE Hammer Forged barrel , The only diffrence in the LT from the standard AP5 Core pistol is the lack of the 3 lug.

 

Just to confirm the AP5 LT has the MKE Hammer Forged barrel

Thanks for that confirmation.

At least they are still making them right for the econo model- hopefully the standard tri-lug barrels are the same on their AP5s and their professional weapons for the world market.

 

I just purchased by first mp5 and the best bang for buck has got to be the AP5 and then if you want something nicer the general consensus after that is just go SP5

 

Apparently the Mac5 comes with chrome lined barrels too... must be nice...

 

AP5 after its break in period with 124 grain and lubing the hell out of it runs fantastically. SBR’d, suppressed and slapped.

 

While on the subject of tight cash, I just found/ordered the SB Tactical SBT5 brace on sale for... $93.
$97.99 less 7% for first time accounts.
www.gorillamachining.com
Hope this helps someone out there. Meanwhile, mine is cleaned, lubed and ready to be shot as soon as snowstorm is clear...

Jeff

 

While on the subject of tight cash, I just found/ordered the SB Tactical SBT5 brace on sale for... $93.
$97.99 less 7% for first time accounts.
www.gorillamachining.com
Hope this helps someone out there. Meanwhile, mine is cleaned, lubed and ready to be shot as soon as snowstorm is clear...

Jeff

That's actually a pretty good price! Wait nvrm lol I thought this was for the PDW brace...