M4A1 | MP5A2 | MP5SD2 | M1 Super 90 | 1911A1

Heckler & Koch MP5A2

-Overview of the MP5A2

The MP5 select fire submachine gun has been the weapon of choice for numerous anti-terrorists and special police units around the world since the 1970s.  The MP5 was born in 1964 under its original name, HK54.  The submachine gun is based on H&K's G3 assault rifle and is chambered for the 9x19mm NATO pistol cartridge.  The MP5 first gained popularity in the 70s when British SAS operatives accompanied the German GSG9 during the Mogadishu airline high jacking.  The SAS was very impressed with the MP5 and quickly adopted it, and naturally almost every other western anti-terrorists unit followed the SAS.  In general what makes the MP5 so popular is it's superb accuracy, durability, and ruggedness.

The MP5 fires from a closed bolt in all modes of fire which makes it both accurate and protective from such conditions as water, dirt, and sand.  The MP5's exterior is finished in a matte black baked enamel which is very resistant to things like salt water.  The MP5A2 is the variant preferred by LAPD SWAT.  The MP5A2 features a 'fixed stock' which is made of a high strength polymer and can be fired in either the semi-automatic or fully automatic mode of fire.  When being fired in full auto the MP5 can achieve a rate of fire of 800 rounds per minute (RPM) allowing it to lay down substantial firepower in a short period of time.

The MP5s used by LAPD SWAT are fitted with a dedicated Surefire flashlight system and is fully integrated into the forearm.  The flash light is powered by a 6-volt lithium battery which produces 15,000 candle power.

The MP5A2 is 27.25 inches long, weighs five pounds unloaded, and is outfitted with the Trijicon tritium 'glow in the dark' sight and a three point tactical sling.  All of these features make the MP5 an extremely formidable weapon in CQB.

-Primary Ammunition: 9x19mm NATO Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP)

The 9mm 147 grain JHP is designed to expand upon impact. The muzzle velocity of the hollow point is 1010 feet per second; muzzle energy is 333 foot pounds.

-Secondary Ammunition: 9x19mm NATO Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)

The 9mm 115 grain FMJ bullet emphasizes penetration over expansion. This type of bullet is useful when the situation calls for shooting through media such as non-reinforced walls and glass. Muzzle velocity is 1190 fps; muzzle energy is 362 ft lbs.

-Game play with the MP5A2

The MP5A2 is basically an all-around descent weapon.  It and its suppressed variant have the highest rates of fire of all the five weapons to choose from at 800 RPM.  While the MP5 is not as potent as the M4A1 it can fill a target with a lot more lead faster which can be a very important feature.  However since it shoots at such a high rate of fire it can consequently empty its magazine within 2.25 seconds so go easy on the rock and roll.  Another advantage to the MP5 is that it can be loaded with FMJ rounds which have better penetration than the standard JHP.  However the wound is less traumatic and has less stopping power but obviously it has an easier time penetrating armor or shooting through corners in walls.  However use caution when using FMJ rounds because they often tend to over-penetrate and could hit a hostage, civilian, or team member. 

However since the MP5 only shoots a 9mm cartridge it has a relatively low amount of punch to it.  So even though the MP5 shoots faster, assuming you don't go for head shots (which are preferred but more difficult to get), the engagement time with a suspect in body armor will still be longer versus using an M4A1.

Despite its lack of punch the MP5 is a nice compact weapon which inherently has very good control and is easier to get rounds on target in rapid maneuvers than all the other primaries.  I personally prefer the M4 because of its brute force, but the MP5 does have a lot of finesse and superb controllability.  So if you prefer a nice fast weapon the MP5 is probably the weapon for you.

M4A1 | MP5A2 | MP5SD2 | M1 Super 90 | 1911A1