The MP5 was a great gun in 1964 and even up into the 1980s. It delivered a closed bolt system with a roller-delayed blowback system that ensured it was both controllable and reliable. However, it's now 2022. These days the MP5 is a bit old and quite expensive. The lack of an LRBHO device and the annoying way to reload just makes it way less desirable, at least to me. Tossing an optic on isn't easy, and the mags are pricey. Sure Die Hard was cool, but in 2022 we have lots of MP5 alternatives.
When picking the top five, I did have some rules to follow. It had to be a pistol caliber. Second, it had to have some form of delayed blowback. These MP5 alternatives needed to be a noticeable improvement on the MP5 platform and address some of the critical flaws of the MP5. With that in mind, I've found five worthy MP5 alternatives.
1. The CMMG Banshee
CMMG developed an ingenious delayed blowback system that made use of the AR platform. This resulted in the Banshee series of firearms. The system is known as the radial delayed blowback, and radial delayed blowback uses the AR locks in an interesting way. They are slightly ramped and lock into the chamber. When the weapon fires, the bolt has to rotate slightly to unlock.
The end result is a weapon that recoils very softly. It doesn't have the same violent recoil as a straight blowback weapon. It's soft and sweet, very controllable, and a ton of fun to shoot. The Banshee series come as both SBRs and braced pistols. They also use a variety of magazine types and calibers, from 9mm to 10mm and beyond.
The CMMG Banshee is a very modern AR platform with an LRBHO device, a flat top, optics ready upper, and an M-LOK handguard. It's a modern solution to modern problems.
2. The Sig MPX
Sig's MPX swings in as both a rifle and pistol and comes in 9mm. This PCC-style weapon uses a short-stroke gas piston system, one of the few PCCs to do so. This results in a very soft shooting platform that is also super reliable and easy to use. It allows for a ton of barrel lengths and muzzle devices without issue. It does lend to the weapon's cost, and another downside is the high price of the magazines.
The Sig MPX offers outstanding controls that are completely ambidextrous and mock the AR layout. It's easy to move from a 5.56 AR to a 9mm MPX without missing a beat. The MPX also scores very high in the accuracy department and makes tiny groups in an exceptionally consistent way.
The MPX comes in numerous configurations that verge from standard rifles to platforms with eight or 4-inch barrels down to the ultra-small Copperhead. There is something for every role out there.
3. The JP Rifle JP5
The “5” in JP5 is a reference to the MP5. Much like the MP5, the JP5 uses a roller-delayed blowback system. Unlike the MP5, the JP5 is an AR platform. It's designed to be the top-tier PCC for competitions. It's an incredibly smooth shooter, easily the smoothest, lightest recoiling PCC platform on the market. The JP5 feeds from Glock magazines and comes configured for speed and accuracy.
Everything from the cycling speed to the low recoil inspires you to shoot fast. The ultra-light trigger and stainless steel barrel ensure you produce ultra-small groups. I'm talking super small groups that make this gun competition accurate and ready to win. The JP5 also mixes in oversized controls that are ambidextrous.
The JP5 uses MP5 locking pieces that allow the platform to function reliably with any length of barrel. It's optics ready, and as an AR, it can use whatever handguard, stock, muzzle device, or whatever you want to change.
4. Angstadt Arms MDP-9
The JP5 provides you with a competition-ready MP5 alternative, but what about something designed more to be a compact subgun for duty or self-defense use? Well, Anstadt Arms swings in with the MDP-9 to grant you a more subgun-like option. The MDP-9 is a roller-delayed platform that uses Glock magazines, and its AR like, but not completely.
While the overall layout is very AR-like, the charging handle is all MP5. The rest of the controls are AR-15 style and familiar to any AR user. Across the top is an optics rail, and the handguard is M-LOK for adding all the accessories you want.
The MDP-9 features a barrel just short of six inches, and it weighs a little less than four pounds in total. It's super small, almost concealable. At the rear sits a 1913 rail ready for any brace or stock if you take the SBR route.
5. Ruger PCC and Charger PC
Last but not least, we have the Ruger PCC and PC Charger. They use an interesting blowback system known as the dead blow blowback system that utilizes a tungsten weight on the bolt that shifts back and forth. This prevents the bolt from slamming so violently back and forth and reduces weight significantly.
This system results in a very effective firearm that forgoes the recoil of a blowback gun but also doesn't break the bank. The Ruger PCC is a rifle variant, while the PC Charger is a pistol option. The magwell of the weapon can be changed and swapped to accommodate different magazines. Ruger ships the gun with a Ruger and Glock magwell, and aftermarket companies have produced additional options for P320 and CZ magazines.
These rifles and pistols come in various configurations and are great MP5 alternatives. They are accessory and optics ready and even break town into a handy takedown design.
The MP5 Alternative For You
If you like your MP5, you can keep your MP5. However, if you are ready to join us in the land of 2022, any of the above options will treat you right. We are up to our neck in subguns and PCCs these days, so you have nothing but options. A modern subgun can be a ton of fun at the range and plenty capable for self-defense. What's your favorite MP5 alternative? Let us know below!
Read this article in its entirety at The Mag Life.
The above described arms are full automatic or selective fire types, correct me if I’m in error, and therefore, while interesting, are not generally available to the ordinary citizen.