TFB Review: MKE MP5 Style Retractable Buttstock

In my opinion, the MP5 A3 has to be one of the most iconic and aesthetically pleasing firearm designs of all time. The A3 configuration is the configuration with the sliding stock. It was prolific in many action movies of the 80s and 90s, and many video games as well. Chances are you’ve seen the MP5 A3 configuration on the big screen. Unfortunately, Heckler & Koch stopped production of the MP5 A3 stock and transitioned to the new style A3F stock. This left individual buyers with a finite amount of true HK A3 stocks available for purchase. MKE of Turkey took it upon themselves to manufacture the classic A3 style sliding buttstock, to give consumers more options. I have one, and here’s my review.

Style

The MKE MP5 style retractable buttstock performs well in the style and aesthetics department. I don’t have an authentic HK MP5 A3 stock, but I have compared the MKE to the HK ones via online listing photos. The MKE looks correct from the online images I have seen. The locking mechanism, the angle of the buttpad, the position of the sling loop, the style of the butt pad, the style of the arms, and just the general construction of the stock look very similar to the original. The MKE version looks to use a replica of the same buffer, and locking mechanism as the original. I’m sure there are some minute differences between the MKE and HK stocks, but I think it would take a serious studier of HKs to spot the differences. Personally, I have a hard time telling the two apart aside from some stampings.

Performance

My MKE MP5 buttstock has performed really well. It installed easily, it deploys quickly, and hasn’t worn the finish on my firearm. It locks up tightly in the closed and extended position. It is heavy and balances the firearm very well. When the stock is extended, it does not have any wiggle. It is solid. The stock has two positions – opened and closed. The stock is set up to use the classic MP5 3-point sling. I haven’t noticed any wear issues on the stock or the rails. It seems well-built, sturdy, and dependable.

Final Thoughts

If you are looking for an A3 stock for your MP5, or MP5 clone, I’d recommend checking out the MKE-manufactured one. I personally have an MKE-manufactured AP5, instead of an HK-manufactured firearm. It wouldn’t make sense for me to purchase a clone-correct HK buttstock at 3x the price. When I shoot this platform in competition, I use a fixed stock. If I used an MP5 platform for serious duty and needed the sliding stock capability, I’d probably opt for HK’s latest design – the A3F. I think the MKE A3 buttstock was created for enthusiasts and collectors to have a taste of the classic MP5 A3 design at a more approachable price point. I think it achieved that.

While we all wished we could have the exact HK MP5A3 that Bruce Willis had in Die Hard or the one Charlie Sheen wielded in Navy Seals (with a 3-point sling and silencer), it’s nice to have the option to buy a comparable stock at a lower price point. Also, you don’t have to worry about beating up an investment-grade, ultra-rare collectible stock while at the range.

I don’t think we can complete this conversation without mentioning the MP5SD. The MP5SD3 also uses the same type of sliding buttstock as the MP5A3. The MP5SD is considered to be an ultra-rare firearm in civilian hands and is shown very often in movies and TV. When I think of this type of buttstock on an MP5, I always think about the movies Sicario and Extraction. If you really want to scratch the Siccario MP5 itch, Silencer Shop sells a silencer that can convert your MP5 or MP5 clone to an MP5SD. It is the B&T MP5 SD RBS-M 9MM.

I don’t believe this suppressor includes everything you would need to convert your MP5 or MP5 clone to an SD, but it is the suppressor that would allow you to go that route. You would need to convert your firearm by cutting, porting, and re-threading the barrel. This would require a competent gunsmith. I don’t think I would be able to complete it in my garage. You would also need a new handguard and the MKE MP5 style retractable stock, or other A3 type stock. This conversion would make all ammo subsonic, and give you a realistic replica of the MP5SD, which would be the dream.

A fun fact about the movie Sicario, they used both an MP5SD and MP5A3 in the border crossing scene. If you’re not an HK buff, you might have missed it. I would love to recommend the suppressor used on the MP5A3 version, but I’m told it was a vintage Gemtech Raptor and was discontinued probably 15 years ago. Silencer Shop does have a few options for modern suppressors in stock if you want to equip your MP5A3 with a suppressor, and don’t want to go through the conversion process of making an SD model.

The Resilient Suppressors RS9 is a good option for the MP5 platform. The RS9 is a dedicated PCC silencer specifically designed for backpressure-sensitive hosts, including the MP5. I’m told you don’t even need to adjust your locking piece or adjust rollers/headspace with the RS9. The RS9 can mount via a YHM HD 3-LUG Adapter, to give you the classic vibe that you just can’t get with anything other than an MP5 platform.