MrGunsNGear Reviews the Century Arms MKE AP5 SD: Is It the Best MP5 Clone?

Roller-delayed blowback has a cult following for a reason, and the platform that keeps pulling new shooters into that cult is the HK MP5 lineage — or, more realistically for most budgets, one of its clones. MrGunsNGear’s latest look at the Century-imported, Turkish MKE-built AP5 SD digs into exactly that question: is this the clone that finally earns “best MP5 clone” bragging rights?

MKE AP5 SD Review: The Best MP5 Clone? Watch on YouTube — MrGunsNGear

The short version of what he covers: a trip to the range shooting the AP5 SD both suppressed and unsuppressed, a walkthrough of what actually separates the SD variant from a standard AP5, and his honest read on fit, finish, and function against the rest of the MP5-clone field.

Here’s our take. The SD designation matters more than people give it credit for — it means the barrel is already sitting at the length and thread spec suppressor use expects, so you’re not stuck drilling, tapping, or swapping barrels down the road if a can is part of the plan. That’s a real cost and hassle saver over buying a standard-length gun and retrofitting it later. Pair that with Century’s price point relative to a genuine HK build, and it’s easy to see why MKE’s roller-delayed guns keep showing up in more range bags every year — you get into the ecosystem (magazines, optics mounts, slings) without the ecosystem’s usual price of entry.

If you’re leaning toward picking one up, our own AP5 SD is in stock, and there’s a brace-equipped version too if you want it ready to shoulder out of the box. Either way, grab a couple extra 30-round AP5 magazines — you’ll want them.