You cannot imagine what the 1980s were like unless you were there. Once the SAS stormed the London embassy, everyone wanted an MP5—too bad it was a machine gun. Once “Die Hard” became the instant classic it did (and yes, it is a Christmas movie), everyone had to have the Heckler & Koch MP5 semi-automatic variant, the HK94. But the eye-watering prices demanded for them were too much for all but the most dedicated collectors.
Well, the ‘80s are gone (along with the hair styles, clothes and headlines) but you can have a semi-auto, MP5-clone pistol, and at a non-eye-watering price. Military Armament Corporation (MAC) has them, they are the MAC-5, and they are every bit as good as the originals.
That’s because they are made in the plant in Turkey that held—and still holds—the license to make H&K products to H&K standards, both for the Turkish military and other customers who want an H&K product. Except, the Turks went one step better. While it holds the license, and builds to the same specs as the original H&K products, MAC does not do it on half-century-old tooling. No, it uses the most modern tooling and measuring systems to be had in manufacturing the MAC-5, and it shows.
The MAC-5 is exact in all details, with the exception of not being an NFA item. So, it is semi-auto only, but in all other regards it is the same. It is built the same way, with a pressed-steel shell holding the receiver trunnion, and the barrel pressed into place in the trunnion. The sights are of the H&K diopter variety, with three apertures for different distances, plus a big notch for the closest distances. The front is a post protected by a sturdy loop. The handguard is the slimline, the original. Unless you really do have an MP5, and the budget to heat it up, you won’t need the Tropical handguard.
The ring-protected post front and rear diopter sights are, like most everything else, true to the original • Practical, but stylish, the case features custom-cut foam for the pistol and accessories • Familiar to MP5 aficionados, the prominent knob on the bolt handle is smacked smartly to send the bolt home • The barrel is threaded and a thread protector is included, as are a three-prong suppressor mount and a flash hider • Despite suggesting three settings, the selector switch has only two: safe and fire (semi-automatic), and is difficult to actuate • Two curved magazines are included with the pistol. They proved as reliable as the rest of the gun • A paddle ahead of the trigger guard allows the release of the capacious magazine.
The barrel is 8.9 inches long, button-rifled, with a fluted chamber and is chrome-lined. It is optioned better than the H&K models were. In addition to the three-lug suppressor mount, the muzzle is threaded 1/2×28 tpi for direct-thread suppressors as well. So, if you have a 9 mm can, but don’t have the three-lug mount, no problem. Plus, MAC includes a click-on flash hider should you feel the need. Disassembly is exactly as it is in the originals, so nothing new to learn there.
Now, being a faithful clone of the MP5/HK94 means you get the rest of the details as well. The MAC-5 will not lock open when the last round is fired. You’ll have to do the stylish “H&K reload” of locking the charging handle back, swapping magazines and then slapping down the charging-handle knob. The MAC-5 has both the magazine-release button and paddle, so you get to choose how you swap magazines. The receiver has the lugs for the clamp-on optics mount, but the original QD mount (if you can find one) will be fabulously expensive. However, SDS Arms offers a mount (not QD) that lets you install an optic. While the pistol grip is reasonably ergonomic, the safety lever is not. While it is marked S-E-F, it only offers safe and semi-automatic modes. The lever may be too short for a number of shooters—you need long thumbs to reach it and easily move it.
The trigger? Well, it is the expected H&K trigger: it has travel, and it registers 6 pounds, 12 ounces on my digital scale. Historically, this on the low end of issue H&K rifles, carbines and submachine guns. Considering that the MAC-5 weighs 88 ounces, a trigger pull that high isn’t a big deal.
One good thing about acquiring a MAC-5 is magazines. The MAC-5 comes with a pair of 30-round magazines. In the 1980s, magazines were only slightly less unobtainable than the H&K they were to feed. Now, you have many choices. Plus, there are a number of aftermarket makers of accessories, such as handguards, from which to choose.
The hardest part of shooting the MAC-5 is aiming. One way to have fun and get hits is to do it SAS-style: Use a length of sling attached to the rear cap sling swivel. Adjust it so as you extend your arms, the sling becomes taut at the proper aiming distance. Shooting from the bench, a 30-round magazine becomes awkward. I undertook the testing by loading single rounds and supporting the forearm and pistol grip on sandbags on the bench. The results? Well, the Turks make really good barrels. As things stand at publication, you can also get a pistol brace for your MAC-5, or spend the time and money to turn it into an SBR via that whole process and expense.
The MAC-5 comes in a suitcase-like, lockable case with two magazines, cleaning equipment, sling and flash hider. That’s a lot of quality gear for what was already a bargain. Now’s the time to get yourself back to the 1980s, at a reasonable 21st century price.
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