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Infantry Small Arms / The Warfighter

Heckler & Koch HK MP5K (Kurz)


Submachine Gun (SMG) / Personal Defense Weapon (PDW) / Machine Pistol [ 1991 ]



The HK MP5K is known as the Room Broom because of its compact size and automatic nature.



Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 12/21/2020 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

GO TO SPECIFICATIONS [+]
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The Heckler & Koch HK MP5K ("K" = "Kurz" meaning "short") was developed to specifically meet the needs of special forces, law enforcement and security personnel requiring a compact and concealable firearm with a proven action and capable man-stopping qualities. The German concern therefore developed the MP5K from its full-sized submachine gun - the ubiquitous HK MP5 series - which went on to become one of the most famous submachine guns of the Cold War and still retains wide-scale use today. The HK MP5K was debuted by the firm in 1991.

The MP5K design was decidedly Heckler & Koch with strong clean lines and the requisite black finish. The weapon featured a deep receiver containing the required internal components and a shortened forend housing the barrel assembly. The pistol grip and trigger unit were integrated as a single unit with the easy-to-read fire selector set over the thumb area. There were three modes of fire - Safe, Semi-Automatic and Full-Automatic, these marked as "S", "E" and "F" respectively and actuated with a simple flick of the selector lever. The MP5K featured an optional collapsing shoulder stock to retain its compactness yet offer up a conventional "three-point" support as needed. Additionally, a forward vertical rubber grip was set ahead of the magazine well as there was a no handguard present. The magazine well accepted the typical curved HK magazines containing 15 x 9x19mm Parabellum cartridges (this could be substituted with the more traditional 30-round magazine as needed). A drum-type iron sight was fitted to the rear of the receiver with a hooded front post above the muzzle. Internally, the HK MP5K was largely a copy of the full-size MP5 submachine gun before it. In an effort to keep the design compact, the barrel, cocking handle, bolt, receiver and primary (15-round) magazine were shortened though, despite its length, the receiver of the HK MP5 could be adapted to accept various optical mounts. However, its lack of a protruding muzzle meant that no muzzle attachments could be fitted.

The MP5K line was expanded to include four distinct models beginning with the base MP5K itself. The MP5KA1was completed with a smooth upper surface and smaller iron sights to prevent snagging when drawing the weapon from a holster (in the machine pistol role for example). The MP5KA4 was given a three-round burst capability while the MP5KA5 was similar to the MP5KA1 though with the same three-round burst capability of the MP5KA4. The MP5KA5 also lacked the shoulder stock of prior marks. The MP5K and MP5KA4 were also given open adjustable sights while the MP5KA1 and MP5KA5 were finished with fixed open sights.

The MP5K line was broadened in 1991 with the arrival of the MP5K-PDW - "Personal Defense Weapon". This mark brought about more commonality with the full-sized HK MP5A2 submachine gun. It featured an optional folding stock constructed of synthetic materials for a lightweight - yet durable - finish. The Personal Defense Weapon designation afforded it the qualities of a full-automatic firearm with the compactness of a machine pistol and, therefore, no drop in the level of firepower being brought to bear.

The SP89 was a civilian market variant of the HK MP5K though limited to semi-automatic fire. This version also lacked the identifiable vertical foregrip, this now being replaced by a handguard.

The HK MP5 was respectfully known as the "Room Broom" for its high volume fire and compact size.©MilitaryFactory.com
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.
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Specifications



Service Year
1991

Origin
Germany national flag graphic
Germany

Classification


Submachine Gun (SMG) / Personal Defense Weapon (PDW) / Machine Pistol


Heckler & Koch GmbH - Germany
(View other Arms-Related Manufacturers)
National flag of Australia National flag of Austria National flag of Bangladesh National flag of Canada National flag of Czechia National flag of Egypt National flag of France National flag of modern Germany National flag of Indonesia National flag of Malaysia National flag of Pakistan National flag of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia National flag of South Korea National flag of Turkey National flag of the United Kingdom National flag of the United States Australia; Austria; Bangladesh; Canada; Czech Republic; Egypt; France; Germany; Indonesia; Malaysia; Pakistan; Saudi Arabia; South Korea; Turkey; United Kingdom; United States
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
Special Forces
Qualities of this weapon have shown its value to Special Forces elements requiring a versatile, reliable solution for the rigors of special assignments.


Overall Length
368 mm
14.49 in
Barrel Length
115 mm
4.53 in
Empty Wgt
5.51 lb
2.50 kg
Sights


Iron rear rotary drum; iron front hooded post


Action


Roller-Locked Delayed Blowback

Blowback Operation
Gas pressure from the rearward movement of the ignited cartridge case provides the needed bolt movement, ejecting the spent case and stripping a fresh case from the magazine.
(Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information)


Caliber(s)*


9x19mm Parabellum

Sample Visuals**


Graphical image of a 9mm pistol cartridge
Rounds / Feed


15- or 30-Round Detachable Box Magazine
Cartridge relative size chart
*May not represent an exhuastive list; calibers are model-specific dependent, always consult official manufacturer sources.
**Graphics not to actual size; not all cartridges may be represented visually; graphics intended for general reference only.
Max Eff.Range
656 ft
(200 m | 219 yd)
Rate-of-Fire
900
rds/min
Muzzle Velocity
1,230 ft/sec
(375 m/sec)


HK MP5K - Base model
HK MP5KA1 - Features smaller iron sights and smoother finish on upper chamber.
HK MP5KA4 - HK MP5K with three-round burst capability
HK MK5KA5 - HK MP5KA1 model with three-round burst capability.
HK MP5K-PDW (Personal Defense Weapon) - Appearing in 1991; based on HK MP5A2 capabilities; optional side-folding synthetic stock; Navy trigger; tritium front post sight.
SP89 - Civilian market semi-automatic fire only variant.


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Images Gallery



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Image of the Heckler & Koch HK MP5K (Kurz)
Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
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Image of the Heckler & Koch HK MP5K (Kurz)
Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
3 / 3
Image of the Heckler & Koch HK MP5K (Kurz)
Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.


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