“The MP5 feels like it’s
struggling to get out of your hands
as it bounces around with a proper
‘clacker, clacker, clacker’ sound”
of the foresight, and with no muzzle to
speak of this prevents the use of add-on
suppressor units. The pay-off for having
such a short weapon is its effective
range, which is only about 25 metres.
However, because it is built using a
lighter bolt it has a higher rate of fire
than that of a normal MP5, at around
900 rounds per minute. The Kurz is light
too, weighing in at slightly less than 2kg
without magazine. A 15-round magazine
was designed specifically for the K to
help keep it as compact as possible, but
it was still possible to use the standard
30-round mag as well.
In the 1990s H&K developed a
derivative of the basic MP5K, called the
MP5 K-PDW (Personal Defence Weapon)
which was intended for issue to military
personnel who were usually issued with
a pistol. That is an article for another day
though…
Classic Army Sportline
B&T MP5 K
Classic Army has been around for some
years now. The company originally made
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December 2011
accessories and metal bodies for Tokyo
Marui MP5s and Armalites. However, it
has been making AEGs in its own right for
over 10 years now, and started off with
just seven models in its range. From there
Classic Army has gone from strength to
strength – today it has more than 80-
odd models in its top of the range Pro
Line Series alone. Then along came
the Chinese clones, and cheaper guns
became the name of the game.
It wasn’t long before Classic Army
fought back with the introduction of
the Sportline Series. The concept was
to have good quality internals but in
less costly ABS/plastic bodies. The M15
Sportlines were hugely successful on
their release, and since then Classic
Army has launched AUGs and AKs
as well as the MP5 A2 and A3. The
Sportline series has been specifically
aimed at people on a very tight budget
(that’s nearly all of us these days!)
and those just getting into the sport.
Although launched a while ago the
Sportline MP5K hasn’t been available
for some time, so when I finally got the
chance I grabbed one to review.
First impressions of the Sportline
MP5 K are good. It is well presented in
its box and comes with a value pack –
this means you also get a 200BB hi-cap
magazine, a European 2-pin battery
trickle charger, an 8.4v 1100mah NiMh
stick type battery, a sling, some safety
glasses and a small bag of 500 0.20g
BBs. Personally, I would throw away the
sling and also buy a higher mah battery
for skirmishing with, and keep the one it
comes with as a spare. But then, that’s
just me!
The gun itself is just what you would
expect from a Sportline. It’s really nice
and light, weighing in at just 1.35kg
without a battery or loaded mag, making
it absolutely ideal for running around
your local CQB venue with. Even better
with a pair!
Apart from the end cap, foresight,
cocking lever and paddle mag release,
the receiver is of ABS construction.
Do not be put off by this fact: it’s still
robust enough to take a normal bash or
drop. Based on the original style A2/A3
receiver, it has the SEF selector, located
on the left hand side of the receiver
(unlike the TM MP5K which had the A4
ambidextrous fire selector switch). The
selector gives a definite, audible click
when it engages into whatever position
you are after. Classic Army is licenced by
Brugger & Thomet of Switzerland, which
makes the real MP5, so you will see the
logos on the receiver. Overall length is