History The concept for the MP5k was first spoken off when the HK South America division called on the need for a small, powerful and fast firing submachine gun, for use in protecting important people. Without causing suspicion in carrying them. The first MP5kA1 was produced in 1976, and had a semi automatic or fully automatic operation. To give it its full title: Heckler and Koch MP5 Kurz a1 close quarter 9mm submachine gun.

Three of the later models, although there are more, are the MP5kA4, basically the same as the first model, although with a rubberised foregrip, and the same set of iron sights as the rest of the MP5 series. The MP5kA5, which had a three shot burst option, as well as semi and full auto. One of the more famous, the MP5 K PDW (personal defence weapon) included a side folding stock, and a large flash suppresser.

Performance The first thing you think when you hear "MP5K" is short barrel. This SHOULD mean it's inaccurate, however, for some reason, its as accurate as an Mp5a5, or a similar sized AEG. Why? Marui magic pixie dust is all I can think of. You can hit a man sized target at 40 meters without much difficulty, and if you have the hop set up correctly, you can get people at as far as 50 meters!

The ROF is impressive, about 14 rounds a second, and with a 28 round standard mag… Not much of a problem, 2 200 round hicaps will do you nicely for a skirmish, despite complaints from all the trigger happy nutters out there, god bless em. Or, if the long mags aren't to your taste, you can use the double short mags, which look like 2 short mags clipped together. A clever feature, on the side that doesn't go into the magwell, two fake 9mm bullets can be seen, push them back to reveal the 120 round reservoir, the other 120 are stored in the other mag, making a 240 shot capacity. This AEG is the ultimate CQB weapon available, with a good mag capacity, small size and good looks and ROF.

The MP5k stripped, with battery, mag and foregrip removed

Upgrades/addons Although the mp5k has very few of the same parts as its bigger brothers, it is still very upgradeable. Aside from the internal upgrades, such as an m90 or m100 spring, metal bushings or other such technical mumbo, you can get a lot of very useful and also good looking dress up parts. A vast range of silencers, muzzle breaks, flash suppressers and thread adapters are available, to either house an extended barrel or deaden the sound, or even just to look good.

You can get a very useful foregrip that houses a torch or a laser, made by Smokey's Gun Works, and most of the Marui mp5 sight accessories will fit the k, such as scopes and the front sight mount for laser/torch. There is one problem with the k; the lack of a stock. Although it reduces its mobility, it triples the comfort and accuracy. PDW stocks are like gold dust, so many people use m4 style stocks, I have also done this. It looks very tactical, and is simple to attach. I will explain in a separate section (see below). The mp5a4/sd5 stock can be fitted, but it requires quite heavy modification to fit properly, and is to large for the k, making it look odd.

Conclusion

This AEG is an excellent skirmish weapon, it is as good as most AEGs, and can hold its own in CQB better than most. Although the battery and stock problems are annoying, they are a minor gripe, and the stock can be sorted with a few bolts and an old springer. The k makes an excellent snipers backup, and the perfect CQB weapon. It is also very good looking, and can be used in any situation.