MKE/Century Arms AP5K "Core" Models

JRHorne

JRHorne

Super Larpio Brother
Life Member
Multi-Factor Enabled
Joined
Mar 8, 2017
Messages
3,702
Location
Raleigh, NC
Rating - 100%
83   0   0
I've been wanting the HK SP5K PDW for a while, but absolutely refuse to pay over $3,000 for one. These popped up 2 weeks ago on Atlantic Firearms, so I ordered one. Here's the details:

AP5-P Core Pistol on SALE - AtlanticFirearms.com

Century Arms AP5-P Core Pistol HG6035A-N. 9MM semi automatic compact roller delayed pistol for range fun or home defense. 787450829565
atlanticfirearms.com atlanticfirearms.com
$1,179 before shipping, so $1,209 shipped.
century-ap5-p-hg6035a-n-1.jpg

Comes with one mag and a clamshell case. Here are my initial observations. Haven't shot the thing yet.
1: Atlantic shipped super quick! Great service.
2: Build quality looks pretty good. I had a full size MKE from Zenith and now have the SP5. Is the SP5 finish overall better? Absolutely. But it's also twice the price of this gun (yes, I got my SP5 for $2525 brand new out the door from another LGS 2 years ago).
3: The action seems excellent with an empty chamber with or without mag inserted.
4: The selector is AWFUL. Really hard to flip either direction. Likely going to take it apart and see if I can improve it some. Maybe it'll get better with use, but out of the box is is atrocious. Lots of play in it too, in that you can push past each setting a bit, and it's hard not to when you have to apply so much force to move the selector. Maybe the Magpul lower will work...

I pleased with the purchase on initial inspection. Hoping to get to the range to test function with my Omega 9K and R9 this week or next.
PXL_20220708_180409028.MP.jpg
 
So much for the rebate deal. This is the better buy IMO. I don’t care for the cleaning kit, along, flash hider, and other little extras.

As for the Magpul lower, no it will not work on a K (1-pin), only on full size (2-pin) guns. I had one, I mocked it up and contemplated cutting the tail off to make it work but decided against it. The Magpul safety does make a big difference but you could also polish the detent a bit if you wanted.
 
What are the most reasonable priced mags? - I've held off buying a PCC; originally was going to get a KP9 but have since held off. This looks like a good option too but kinda waiting for more reviews.
 
IrishCannon said:
What are the most reasonable priced mags? - I've held off buying a PCC; originally was going to get a KP9 but have since held off. This looks like a good option too but kinda waiting for more reviews.
Click to expand...
KCI Gen 2s
 
IrishCannon said:
Ah nah dawg. The only other option vs factory is Korean trash?
Click to expand...
No you asked what is the most reasonably priced mag. KCI is the answer. They have run 100% in my 2 Zenith MKE clones and my HK SP5. But what do I know.

MKE mags will cost you what HK mags cost. POF are hit or miss and are always rough and cost more than KCI.

Don’t be a dick. I run KCIs at the range all the time. I see no need to drop $75 HK mags on the ground to shoot cardboard and steel but if you do go for it.

Also the MKE guns have been coming in for years they just changed importers the guns have not changed. The biggest difference is that zenith did better QC in the states then you can expect from Century.
 
Last edited:
shackleford said:
I'm seeing the MKE mags $10-$20 cheaper than HK, and they are supposedly "just as good". But for such a small difference, I'd still go HK in that price range I think.
Click to expand...
That’s my basic point if you shop smart you can get HK mags for just a bit more than MKE.

KCI are 33% less they used to be 50% less. The best deal on HK mags is Primary arms when the are having. 12-15% off everything sale.

I am not a fan of ETS MP5 mags. Only mag that has ever failed in my SP5
 
Last edited:
JRHorne said:
I've been wanting the HK SP5K PDW for a while, but absolutely refuse to pay over $3,000 for one. These popped up 2 weeks ago on Atlantic Firearms, so I ordered one. Here's the details:

AP5-P Core Pistol on SALE - AtlanticFirearms.com

Century Arms AP5-P Core Pistol HG6035A-N. 9MM semi automatic compact roller delayed pistol for range fun or home defense. 787450829565
atlanticfirearms.com atlanticfirearms.com
$1,179 before shipping, so $1,209 shipped.
View attachment 496300

Comes with one mag and a clamshell case. Here are my initial observations. Haven't shot the thing yet.
1: Atlantic shipped super quick! Great service.
2: Build quality looks pretty good. I had a full size MKE from Zenith and now have the SP5. Is the SP5 finish overall better? Absolutely. But it's also twice the price of this gun (yes, I got my SP5 for $2525 brand new out the door from another LGS 2 years ago).
3: The action seems excellent with an empty chamber with or without mag inserted.
4: The selector is AWFUL. Really hard to flip either direction. Likely going to take it apart and see if I can improve it some. Maybe it'll get better with use, but out of the box is is atrocious. Lots of play in it too, in that you can push past each setting a bit, and it's hard not to when you have to apply so much force to move the selector. Maybe the Magpul lower will work...

I pleased with the purchase on initial inspection. Hoping to get to the range to test function with my Omega 9K and R9 this week or next.
View attachment 496299
Click to expand...

Solid deal if I did not have a Zenith import of the same gun I would buy one. I swapped the safety with an HK extended lever.
 
JRHorne said:
I've been wanting the HK SP5K PDW for a while, but absolutely refuse to pay over $3,000 for one. These popped up 2 weeks ago on Atlantic Firearms, so I ordered one. Here's the details:

AP5-P Core Pistol on SALE - AtlanticFirearms.com

Century Arms AP5-P Core Pistol HG6035A-N. 9MM semi automatic compact roller delayed pistol for range fun or home defense. 787450829565
atlanticfirearms.com atlanticfirearms.com
$1,179 before shipping, so $1,209 shipped.
View attachment 496300

Comes with one mag and a clamshell case. Here are my initial observations. Haven't shot the thing yet.
1: Atlantic shipped super quick! Great service.
2: Build quality looks pretty good. I had a full size MKE from Zenith and now have the SP5. Is the SP5 finish overall better? Absolutely. But it's also twice the price of this gun (yes, I got my SP5 for $2525 brand new out the door from another LGS 2 years ago).
3: The action seems excellent with an empty chamber with or without mag inserted.
4: The selector is AWFUL. Really hard to flip either direction. Likely going to take it apart and see if I can improve it some. Maybe it'll get better with use, but out of the box is is atrocious. Lots of play in it too, in that you can push past each setting a bit, and it's hard not to when you have to apply so much force to move the selector. Maybe the Magpul lower will work...

I pleased with the purchase on initial inspection. Hoping to get to the range to test function with my Omega 9K and R9 this week or next.
View attachment 496299
Click to expand...
You can reduce the stiffness of the selector by bending the detent a bit.

If you want to stop by the farm, I’ll show you how and you can shoot it on my range.

I’m in New Hill about 30 miles SW of Raleigh.
 
wvsig said:
No you asked what is the most reasonably priced mag. KCI is the answer. They have run 100% in my 2 Zenith MKE clones and my HK SP5. But what do I know.

MKE mags will cost you what HK mags cost. POF are hit or miss and are always rough and cost more than KCI.

Don’t be a dick. I run KCIs at the range all the time. I see no need to drop $75 HK mags on the ground to shoot cardboard and steel but if you do go for it.

Also the MKE guns have been coming in for years they just changed importers the guns have not changed. The biggest difference is that zenith did better QC in the states then you can expect from Century.
Click to expand...
Not being a dick, I just don't trust em. Guess it's factory mags. Surprised MP doesn't make something.
 
The cost of mags has what kept me away from a mp5 clone thus far. But if I can get the gun for $1200 I wouldn’t mind spending another $800 on mags to get me going 🤔
 
KCI Gen 2s have also been 100& in my SP5 and I will definitely be trying them in the AP5K. I have the polymer Unity mags and they are not great. Very picky. I've pretty much stopped using them.
 
IrishCannon said:
Not being a dick, I just don't trust em. Guess it's factory mags. Surprised MP doesn't make something.
Click to expand...
There’s not enough room for the thickness needed to make a polymer mag. Pretty sure Magpul stated this a few years ago.
They’d have to do a hybrid and that’s Lancer’s thing.

I got MKE mags for 20-25% less than HK. MKE gun, MKE mags, no issues so far but I haven’t shot it very much yet, admittedly.
 
Jerzsubbie said:
There’s not enough room for the thickness needed to make a polymer mag. Pretty sure Magpul stated this a few years ago.
They’d have to do a hybrid and that’s Lancer’s thing.

I got MKE mags for 20-25% less than HK. MKE gun, MKE mags, no issues so far but I haven’t shot it very much yet, admittedly.
Click to expand...

ETS make polymer mags but I don't know many people who recommend them .

HKMP5-40-2T.png


The other thing you have to remember is that in the MP5 Clone/Copy world it is often the magwell that is not in spec. The biggest complaint you will hear about the MKE guns is the poor spec and QC in the magwell. That was the #1 reason guns went back to Zenith when they were the importer. Even on a HK made gun there is some play and if the tolerances stack in the wrong direction then you have an issue. That is why lots of people say this mag works 100% for me and the next guy can't get through a mag. HK in general has the best QC and tolerances so their mags run more reliably in a wider range of guns.
 
JRHorne said:
KCI Gen 2s have also been 100& in my SP5 and I will definitely be trying them in the AP5K. I have the polymer Unity mags and they are not great. Very picky. I've pretty much stopped using them.
Click to expand...

The other thing I would point out is that there are 2 Generations of KCI mags. The Gen 2s are the ones you want. If you have issues they will swap them out not questions asked and even pay shipping both ways. The KCI rep hangs out on the HK forum and they seem to support their product.
 
wvsig said:
ETS make polymer mags but I don't know many people who recommend them .

HKMP5-40-2T.png
Click to expand...


Yeah, I know about ETS but I’m glad you brought that up as an example. The polymers used by ETS and Magpul are very different. Magpul has to be a little thicker. This is one reason ETS could make pistol mags for non-glock pistols that otherwise had to use sheet metal mags, like M&P and Shields.
 
MKE mags for $50 + shipping

gunmagwarehouse.com

Century Arms OEM 9mm AP5 MP5-Clone 30-Round Magazine

Head to the range or defend your home with reliable firepower using the Century Arms® 9mm AP5 30-Round Magazine from GunMag Warehouse. Favored by collectors on a limited budget and tactical shooters, the Century Arms AP5 is a faithful, Turkish-made
gunmagwarehouse.com gunmagwarehouse.com
 
wvsig said:
The other thing you have to remember is that in the MP5 Clone/Copy world it is often the magwell that is not in spec. The biggest complaint you will hear about the MKE guns is the poor spec and QC in the magwell. That was the #1 reason guns went back to Zenith when they were the importer. Even on a HK made gun there is some play and if the tolerances stack in the wrong direction then you have an issue. That is why lots of people say this mag works 100% for me and the next guy can't get through a mag. HK in general has the best QC and tolerances so their mags run more reliably in a wider range of guns.
Click to expand...

Given a known good HK magazine, is there any rule of thumb for how a seated mag should feel in a good vs. bad MKE magwell? I've got a full size MKE but I have no basis for comparison of how much play there usually is.
 
shackleford said:
Given a known good HK magazine, is there any rule of thumb for how a seated mag should feel in a good vs. bad MKE magwell? I've got a full size MKE but I have no basis for comparison of how much play there usually is.
Click to expand...

Generally the complaints are there is too much play and the mages wobbles. Some people report visible gaps from poor welds. Some mags fit better than others even the HK mags. Older Pre-Ban HK mags have more play. Current HK mags are tighter. I am not a MP5 expert but the mag should wobble slightly with the bolt open less when the bolt closed. Some amount of play is needed to keep the weapon function properly allowing for debris to get out of the action.

A good way to check bolt function is to push and hold the mag forward and shoot a full mag. Then pull and hold the mag back and shoot a full mag. If the gun can feed reliably at both extremes and neither position interferes with the bolt carrier travel, you should be good to go.


MbQ3eYN.jpg
 
Excellent info in this thread, thanks. Will definitely be trying KCI mags for beater/range use.
 
JRHorne said:
But this thread isn't about HK guns, it's about the CLONES!
Click to expand...

Yeah and current production HK Mags are not collectible. The vintage ones which match vintage guns are the ones that drive up pricing.

Rex-And-Clone-Army.png
 
Last edited:
JRHorne said:
But this thread isn't about HK guns, it's about the CLONES!
Click to expand...
Talking mags. I have a ton of straight mags and curved and you'll never lose money buying either. KCIs are trash and will hold value accordingly.
 
Last edited:
wired said:
Talking mags. I have a ton of straight mags and curved and you'll never lose money buying either. KCIs are trash and will hold value accordingly.
Click to expand...
There are literally 6 people in this thread saying KCIs run 100% for them, and only you talking about them being trash. So I agree with the first part of your statement, but the second one is just wrong.
 
Also, if you do not have a good brush set for cleaning, get yourself a 591 E&L Brush set. This is needed to properly clean your MP5. Or you can buy the same kit from HK in a HK bag for $150 if you can find them.


The below video shows these tools in use at 27:10 mark and beyond:
 
wired said:
Talking mags. I have a ton of straight mags and curved and you'll never lose money buying either. KCIs are trash and will hold value accordingly.
Click to expand...

Right but you aren't making money either. I have my fair share of HK mags but I use KCIs at the range and like I said they have work 100% for me and the steel and cardboard targets can't tell the difference. Also as an aside HK mags have stayed the same price over the last year KCI mags went from about $28-$30 a pop to $49. So there's that. LMAO
 
Last edited:
JRHorne said:
There are literally 6 people in this thread saying KCIs run 100% for them, and only you talking about them being trash. So I agree with the first part of your statement, but the second one is just wrong.
Click to expand...
And no one ever calls HK mags trash. When KCIs , which barely work in my guns, were 30 bucks sure they made sense. At 50? No way. I have never seen anyone ever argue that KCI mags were in any way equivalent to HK mags.
 
Last edited:
wscato said:
Also, if you do not have a good brush set for cleaning, get yourself a 591 E&L Brush set. This is needed to properly clean your MP5. Or you can buy the same kit from HK in a HK bag for $150 if you can find them.


The below video shows these tools in use at 27:10 mark and beyond:
Click to expand...


^^^ This. No better tools for cleaning an MP5 IMO.
 
Glad to see some discussion here with actual experiences. I'm saving my pennies for one of these.
 
I’m ready to pull the trigger so to speak but can’t find one in stock. I really don’t want to buy one from Atlantic firearms but they are about the option I can find for a preorder.
 
Bigdave0924 said:
I’m ready to pull the trigger so to speak but can’t find one in stock. I really don’t want to buy one from Atlantic firearms but they are about the option I can find for a preorder.
Click to expand...

Did you have a bad experience with Atlantic previously? I've ordered a couple times from them with no problems.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom