AR or MP5... looking to build

[jocmurph]

I am looking at putting together an assault / tactical rifle. I am very new to this, and would like any info on where to look, websites, books, etc. I assume I can find some stuff on Youtube and the internet, but I want some real persons input, not just some info from a website trying to sell stuff. I don't know what is good and what is bad. I am not looking for something very expensive. I want something fun to shoot, and that will hold up with proper cleaning and maintenance. I was also thinking about a 9mm carbine or something. Let me know what you all think. Thanks.

 

[midget]

This upper on a standard lower w/ block: JP - GMR-12™ Rifle and Upper Assemblies

 

[NHT3]

USDS has classes to build your own upper and lower.. $20 3-4 hours with Pizza and drinks furnished. Really enjoyable class.


[FONT=&amp]NRA Life Member~~ [/FONT][FONT=&amp]GSSF member[/FONT][FONT=&amp]
[/FONT]Gunsite graduate[FONT=&amp] ~~[/FONT]Certified Glock armorer
NRA Certified pistol instructor[FONT=&amp] ~~[/FONT]1911 Mechanic

 

[jd4320t]

What is your budget? Do you plan to SBR it?

 

[Destro]

being new, your best bet is to stick to the AR platform. MP5's are a completely different animal

 

[Disposable Heart]

Destro hit it on the head. I was looking into the MP5 route years ago and realized... I can change the oil in my car, assemble an AR15, fully build a 1911, but those things are a nightmare unless you know EXACTLY what you are doing. HK rifle armorers aren't made, they are born...

 

[sloughfoot]

Luckily for you there are companies that build rifles and sell them to the public. I know, its really amazing but true. If you buy one and maintain it properly, you could pass it on to your grandchildren.

Some good ones are PSA, DPMS and Rock River Arms. There are many more. You might go to your local gun store and look at one. There are usually people in these stores that know what they are talking about and can advise you further. Isn't free enterprise amazing?

 

[Hop]

You can build an MP5 but it won't be cheap and it won't be easy. One of these days I'll build one... maybe...
Here's where you should look to get an idea on parts and prices.
MP5 Parts Kits

Building an AR is cake.

 

[jocmurph]

I don't even know what SBR means.

 

[jocmurph]

USDS has classes to build your own upper and lower.. $20 3-4 hours with Pizza and drinks furnished. Really enjoyable class.


[FONT=&amp]NRA Life Member~~ [/FONT][FONT=&amp]GSSF member[/FONT][FONT=&amp]
[/FONT]Gunsite graduate[FONT=&amp] ~~[/FONT]Certified Glock armorer
NRA Certified pistol instructor[FONT=&amp] ~~[/FONT]1911 Mechanic

Where can I find this info?

 

[stephen87]

I don't even know what SBR means.

Short Barrel Rifle; a rifle with a barrel of less than 16".

Where can I find this info?

US Defense Solutions is a forum advertiser here, go to their subforum.

 

[strokin7.3]

I don't even know what SBR means.

Short barreled rifle, to legally build a short barreled rifle you have pay uncle sam $200 and wait 6 to 8 months for his approval.

I hate acronyms as well
I especially hate how technology is more advanced than ever, and people are getting so lazy they can't spell words out with technology that makes it easier.

 

[bat54r]

I don't even know what SBR means.

short barrel rifle, while these can be cool it requires an NFA stamp which is more money/paperwork. Without going into to much detail it's a barrel under 16 inches, if it were me I would stick with 16 plus. Do some research and narrow down your options but I do agree with those on here that say stick with an AR platform, simple and fairly inexpensive to build/buy.

 

[echoagain]

You can build an MP5 but it won't be cheap and it won't be easy. One of these days I'll build one... maybe...
Here's where you should look to get an idea on parts and prices.
MP5 Parts Kits

Building an AR is cake.

Hop, Very interesting site for the HK parts! Couple questions I'm hoping you can answer.....are the MP5 build kits the remnants of old/used military &/or police trade-ins? If someone buys a kit and one of the 'flat-pattern' receivers, I assume that the builder is in violation of the law once they bend/weld the receiver and assemble the kit unless they are licensed to manufacture class III? I love the idea of building of building an MP5, but that whole prison/forced-sodomy thing doesn't sound very nice.

 

[duffman0286]

if your thinking about the hk route you can throw out the concept of affordable kits alone start at $1500 and nearly an additional 1k for semi and 922r parts... still can be built with common tools yet bending jigs for flat builds are highly recommended i made a g3 a few years back cost more than what a complete one sells for but it was a fun build.... AR-AK route for your very first build cost the same ak tools being what brings them near the same price. I a huge ak fan built over 20 and have about half that still waiting to be built but its a good way to build those un common clones every one wants tabuks, kyber pass, ak100's series, rpk74's, ect... yet still a difficult build id considered a FAL over a hk build i had plenty of issues building my g3 but i learn a lot and learned to correct them whatever you pick you will pick up a lot and gain a greater appreciation for the weapon....

but theres tons of options i started with a Sten mkIII as my first kit build

 

[jocmurph]

Thanks for the info. I think I will stay with 16"+.

 

[Glocker1986]

Hop, Very interesting site for the HK parts! Couple questions I'm hoping you can answer.....are the MP5 build kits the remnants of old/used military &/or police trade-ins? If someone buys a kit and one of the 'flat-pattern' receivers, I assume that the builder is in violation of the law once they bend/weld the receiver and assemble the kit unless they are licensed to manufacture class III? I love the idea of building of building an MP5, but that whole prison/forced-sodomy thing doesn't sound very nice.

I'm not hop but I can share some info. Yes, most every parts kit is a demilled
mil/leo gun. I sent my flat to Ident marking for sbr engraving. I figured I would rather
trust the post office with a $200 flat than my $1500 upper. When the flat came back
from Ident I had my mp5 built as a pistol by Jeff and gave the stock to a friend until my for
form 1 to come back. There is plenty of information out there about making your own
short barrel rifle via ATF form 1 so I'm not going to go into that but
it is perfectly legal. As far as parts kits go I would try to get one from
lsc manufacturing. They include a flat and weld kit with their mp5 parts kits and are
still considerably cheaper than hkparts.net, the only downside is
you dont get a mag with their kits. hkparts.net is a good resource for hard to
find items but it is the last place I look due to them being very expensive.
I try to buy hk items at rtg parts or gunshows. feel free to message
me if you have any questions. my mp5 clone is the 3rd
most expensive in my safe and my favorite gun by far.

 

[ryknoll3]

I think the main consideration is the money. You're going to be in the 2k to 2.5k range for a good MP5 clone. I've shot both the MP5 and AR's chambered in 9mm, and in my opinion, the MP5 is better, hands down. Much smoother shooting gun. Unfortunately, the MKE's are imported any longer, as you used to be able to get into one of those for around $1,100.00.

If you had the money, I'd go MP5. If you don't, or really want to do the building yourself, AR is the way to go. To build an MP5, you need the parts kit, a receiver flat, bending jigs and you have to have access to a 20-30 ton press and be a halfway decent welder. Then it still has to be finished.

 

[ryknoll3]

Here's a picture of my MKE that I SBR'd, with an Octane 9 suppressor.

 

[TheWabbit]

Here's a picture of my MKE that I SBR'd, with an Octane 9 suppressor.

The inner Die Hard in me can only say, "Yippe Kai Yay." That thing is beautiful.