The Umarex-HK MP5 in .22 LR: “Hardcore and Heavy Duty”

Most of us wouldn’t mind owning an MP5, would we? Be honest now. Well, our options recently expanded with the HK-licensed MP5 in .22 Long Rifle from Umarex. Umarex has a good reputation and their partnership with HK makes me confident that the new gun is a quality product. In the video linked below, YouTube’s Todd the Gun Guy gives us a quick rundown of the HK MP5 22lr Umarex features and tells us what he thinks of it.

YouTube’s Todd the Gun Guy says Umarex “knocked it out of the park” with the .22 Long Rifle MP5 clone.

Before we get into that, though, let’s take a look at the specs from the HK website:

  • Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
  • Magazine Capacity: 25 or 10
  • Barrel length: 16.1 inches
  • Overall Length: 26.4 to 32.3 inches depending on how you set the telescoping stock
  • Width: 2.3 inches
  • Height: 11 inches
  • Weight (empty magazine): 7 pounds
  • Action Type: Blowback
  • Trigger: Single-stage
HK MP5 22lr Umarex
Todd says the Umarex is “flawless” and that it eats everything you put through it.

“It is flawless.” That’s one of the first things Todd says about the HK MP5 22lr Umarex, so I’d say we’re off to a good start. The gun has pretty much the same weight and dimensions as the actual MP5 and includes some nice features. It ships with one 25-round magazine (or a 10 rounder if you find yourself unfortunate enough to live behind the Blue Curtain) which is equipped with a thumb assist. That’s a nice touch.

 magazine thumb assist
The 25-round magazine includes a thumb assist, which is nice. No word on whether the 10-rounder has one too, but it’s likely.

There is a right-side mag release button and an ambidextrous paddle-style release underneath, just aft of the mag well. Todd says the mag well is a little tight, but it will likely loosen up with use.

The Umarex-HK MP5 LR magazine releases
You can use either mag release: the right-side button or the underneath paddle. Not fully ambidextrous, but close.

It has the famous MP5 charging handle so you can slap it to your heart’s content, though Todd says the slap is more difficult if you mount an optic on the Picatinny rail up top. The gun comes with standard MP5 sights, so you don’t have to if you don’t want to.

The Umarex-HK MP5 sights
You can use the included iron sights, install an optic, or both, as Todd did. Just keep in mind the optic makes it harder to do the cool guy slap on the charging handle.

The Umarex is classified as a true rifle, thanks to the 16.1-inch barrel and the telescoping stock, so no NFA BS. It’s also available in a pistol configuration, though with the current ATF shenanigans, it remains to be seen how that one will play out. The barrel is equipped with a faux suppressor, but you can put a real one on if you want. Todd just says it looks goofy because it’s a pencil barrel. You can also suppress the pistol version if you want.

telescoping stock catch
The telescoping stock on the HK MP5 22lr Umarex is easily manipulated with the catch underneath.

The faux suppressor makes the 7-pound gun very front-heavy, but Todd says it shoots great. The single-stage trigger has some take up with a heavy wall. For all that, Todd says it’s a nice trigger. “I’ll tell you what,” he says, “this thing is a shooter. I mean it is awesome!” The price isn’t bad either, going for around $479.

HK MP5 22lr Umarex
The HK MP5 22lr Umarex is less than 500 bucks? Not bad.

“She’s a keeper in my book for sure…Umarex knocked it out of the park.” Sounds like Todd likes it. What do you think? Does an HK-sanctioned .22 Long Rifle MP5 for under 500 bucks interest you? Let us know why or why not. Happy shooting, y’all.