[duncan]

Guys, I know several of you have this carbine chambered in .22lr that resembles an HK MP5.

I know it's made by a German airsoft company.

BUT there is a lot of good feedback on this carbine and few of will ever have the chance to buy a real $4,500 HK94 - civilian version of the MP5.

Conversely, I hear some people are replacing the screws with better hex screws and also installing push pins for easy takedowns and also an improved buffer.

Would be a great present for my 13 year old son.

Seems that if you mount a red dot on top, the irons are useless?

Should I look for the GSG-5 which caused HK to sue GSG for trade dress infringement?

Or go for the revised GSG-522 which notably has different sights, a different selector, different grip, and an awkwardly placed sling mounting point. But it does have a Picatinny rail integrated on top. It is cheaper going for under $400.

What do you guys think and what have you experienced?

 

[Alaskapopo]

I would get the Smith 22 AR instead. Better built gun in a similar price range.
Pat

 

[duncan]

Thanks.

But . . .

1. I already have a Spikes Tactical ST-22 AR-15 rifle fully tricked out with a YHM free float forearm and a Spikes fake suppressor A3 flat top with a Primary Arms M3 Style Red Dot on top.

Even with an adjustable collapsible stock fully compressed, he has problems reaching the trigger and holding the forearm correctly.

So I need some other weapons platform for a kid.

AND

2. I wanted the MP5 look. My teenager plays a few battle combat games and loves that gun in his games.

 

[Gallium]

I have two Duncan. One of the earlier models which was (is) very solidly built, and a newer model which came out after the lawsuit dust settled, which is a bit flimsier (I'm too lazy to do anything to it).

Yes, adding a red dot typically blocks your iron-sight picture.

I got these for when I teach the NRA Basic Rifle / Rifle Instructor course. I use 2 x Ruger 10/22, these two, and if needed a couple of "AR-22LR" rifles as well.

'Drew

 

[duncan]

I have two Duncan. One of the earlier models which was (is) very solidly built, and a newer model which came out after the lawsuit dust settled, which is a bit flimsier (I'm too lazy to do anything to it).

Yes, adding a red dot typically blocks your iron-sight picture.

I got these for when I teach the NRA Basic Rifle / Rifle Instructor course. I use 2 x Ruger 10/22, these two, and if needed a couple of "AR-22LR" rifles as well.

'Drew

So Drew, if you could do it all over again, would you buy the pre-lawsuit GSG-5 or the less expensive revamped GSG-522?

 

[Gallium]

So Drew, if you could do it all over again, would you buy the pre-lawsuit GSG-5 or the less expensive revamped GSG-522?

Even with the initial reported trouble the earlier pre lawsuit unit had, I still prefer the fit and finish of the earlier model. Nothing on mine cracked, nothing fell off the gun :shocked:, so I'm a happy camper.

'Drew

 

[Kcolg]

Didn't HK come out with their own version recently or maybe it was Uramex under HK? I know I heard something about it and it has HK markings and looks pretty much identical to the real thing. I think it can even use the HK colapable stocks and such. Haven't heard or seen anything else about it in a month or so though? Might be another option for ya as well.

 

[mixflip]

Me personally, I am not going to invest any of my hard earned money in an Umerex product. They may run flawless for most people but from what I have read and what I have seen in person I just choose not to. I could be making a big mistake and missing out? Oh well.

I lagree with Alaskapopo, the S&W M&P2215 is by far the best 22 replica on the market right now with its fully functioning "last shot bolt hold open" feature. And its made by S&W who really knows firearms and is not an airsoft company just now branching into the firearms market.Thats the deal breaker for me personally.

I have heard too many stories of parts breaking after a few 1000 rounds and the customer service just sucking at Umerex. S&W is right here in America and so far my expeience with S&W CS has been great. They gave me 2 free magazines!!!

 

[Gallium]

Mixflip,

The 1st time my teenage son saw my GSG rifle, he literally fell to his knees in worship. I'd already had a safe full of ARs and shotguns.

The GSG rifle with the red dot on top completely had him, particularly because an MP5 is not something we (up here behind enemy lines) behold everyday.

If one of GTs regulars asked about a 22lr rifle for training, the GSG would not be my 1st, or even third choice. But for a responsible teenager is a great gun.

'Drew

 

[mixflip]

Ah I see. I have to admit it is very cool looking. Its hard to beat the MP5 in 22lr in the cool factor. It should be just fine for a kid to go out and have a good time.

 

[duncan]

Mixflip,

The 1st time my teenage son saw my GSG rifle, he literally fell to his knees in worship. I'd already had a safe full of ARs and shotguns.

The GSG rifle with the red dot on top completely had him, particularly because an MP5 is not something we (up here behind enemy lines) behold everyday.

If one of GTs regulars asked about a 22lr rifle for training, the GSG would not be my 1st, or even third choice. But for a responsible teenager is a great gun.

'Drew

Guys, this is not a question on a .22lr AR platform or the venerable Ruger 10/22.

I have both including a half dozen AR-15s in every popular caliber REALLY. I know S&W makes some darn good guns. Have several Series One revolvers in oh snap calibers. And the 10/22 is a must have for every 22 shooter.

I'm just trying to get honest feedback on the GSG-5.

The fact that they also make airsoft guns is no big deal. I can tell about a manufacturer who left the aerospace industry making airplane parts and now many of our AR-15 receivers are quietly made by a company only a few of us have heard of. No prior firearms manufacturing experience at all and they do make some of the finest receivers out there. With enough engineering, CNC, desire, hired talent, and money, many things can be done well.

So let's talk GSG guys.

 

[17445]

I really wanted one of them GSG-5 when it first came out but I was disappointed in how heavy it was for a 22LR and how expensive the accessories are. It's like they priced it like it was a real HK and they hate us.

The new Umarex HK copy doesn't look any better. IMHO, waste of money for a 22LR that costs way too much and has expensive aftermarket support.

Go with a Colt M4 type 22LR or better yet, just get the Ruger 10/22. Millions of Americans can't be wrong!

 

[Alaskapopo]

Guys, this is not a question on a .22lr AR platform. I already have a half dozen of this in every popular caliber REALLY. I know S&W makes some darn good guns. Have several Series One revolvers in oh snap cailbers.

I'm just trying to get honest feedback on the GSG-5.

The fact that they also make airsoft guns is no big deal. I can tell about a manufacturer who left the aerospace industry making airplane parts and now many of our AR-15 recievers are quietly made by a company only a few of us have heard of. No prior firearms manufacturing experience at all and they do make some of the finest receivers out there. With enough engineering, CNC, desire, and money, many things can be done well.

So let's talk GSG guys.

But I prefer their 10mm and 45 ACP revolvers. They don't support the gun

I guess you will have to be the Guinea pig. I like the concept of these guns but I am scared off by the Airsoft quality of manufacture. Tell us your impressions after you buy it.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I have the early GSG-5, SIG 522 and S&W M&P 15-22.


Since you are set on the GSG-5, I'll just tell you I just have four problems with the rifle
1. The early ejectors weren't riveted in place and mine has come loose.

2. You must get a special rail to mount a Red Dot, etc. (search the internet, they can be found for about $15)

3. Screws must be removed to clean the gun and it's not easy to give the action a through cleaning. Because of this I seldom shoot the GSG-5 anymore.

4. The last I saw, the magazines still cost more than the other rifles.

Another problem with most 22 semi autos is they may not like certain ammo.


All that said, I think your Son will have a ball with the gun.

 

[17445]

I guess my problem is still the cost of the parts and accessories. At least with the M4 22LR stuff, you can take them off and put them on your 5.56mm later when you make that transition.

With the GSG-5, it all goes with the carbine if you ever dump it. For some people, it's not an issue, since they keep their guns forever, but it is nice to have compatibility and also similarity in function when you transition to a centerfire, unless you plan on getting a HK94 or MP5 later.

NRA Magazine this month has an excellent article about these so-called "tactical" 22LR rifles and they covered every maker of M4 style 22LR rifles, including the Umarex, Ruger, and a few others that I have never heard of. They talk about how each one had or didn't had features in common with a real M4 such as a functioning charging handle, so you can transition the training over later.

I see quite a few GSG-5's being dumped on CalGuns regularly. Nobody has any complaints... but they all come with a lot of nice accessories, I tell you what!

 

[ScrappyDoo]

Most of the real well respected posters in this thread are all spot-on with their points.

Alaskapopo, lawman, and of course my man mixflip all have great points . This was one of my MUST HAVES when I first laid internet-eyes on it and I decided I HAD TO HAVE IT... And I admit fully, I don't really care what *other people* would want, an HK MP5 would be one of if not THE weapon I would want in the worldwide weapon draft (in fantasy land of course).

But I bought the S&W M&P 15-22 purely for fun and on all GT recommendation maybe, April 1st? It's amazing. PERFECT. I could go on and on, but it's just an amazing .22LR rifle with as much quality as Fun Factor, which is hard to do!

The Umarex, no way. Colt not only screwed up by doing their .22LR that way, I would bet they even lost AR-15 sales to owners of a new 15-22 that said, now I want an AR, I will get the 15-22's big brother M&P15 but, had the Colt/Umarex been better, they might have been shooting their new Colt LE/M4 etc. to go along with their Colt .22LR. Didn't pan out at all.

Still would like one deep down, but there's just so many other things I could USE or really WANT that make much more sense, practical and financial and otherwise. But hey, they are probably a lot of fun to shoot and look at.

But I don't think I've seen a whole lot of people NOT raving about their 15-22, so thats a pretty good reco if you ask me?

 

[17445]

The first thing and the one thing that sticks in my mind about the GSG-5 is that it is really really ****ing heavy for a 22LR!

I can singlehandedly wield a Ruger 10/22 in each hand so I can dual-wield weapons to unleash 40 grains of unholy leaded round nose death from both hands!

With the GSG-5, impossible.

The GSG-5 also comes bone stock with nothing cool. You gotta buy the MP5SD silencer shroud to cover up that fake ATI silencer tip, retractable stock, and a mag coupler to clip those $45 22-shot 22LR magazines together so you look SAS or GSG9!

 

[srt-4_jon]

$45 mags? You are getting ripped off.
http://www.cdnninvestments.com/gs2222gemagn.html

Not to long ago, they had a BOGO sale as well. Those are legit GSG mags, not Promags.

 

[HushH]

My 13 y/o was asking for one of these little tactical .22s for Christmas as well. He was looking at the 15-22, GSG-5, and 522. I knew nothing about these rifles, so I just let him pick. He ended up going with the 522 based on nutnfancy's review. I've done a little research since then, and one of the pluses of the 522 is that they don't seem to be too finicky about ammo.

A note on pricing, CDNN seems to have about the best prices right now. The 522 was $379 and comes with one of their Target Sports red dots. I also asked about the GSG-5 and was told it was $279. That almost changed my mind right there (although I wonder if they weren't mistakenly quoting the price for the GSG-AK).

 

[H&K 4 LIFE]

The only complaint I have is that it is a pain to take apart to clean, but I don't even do that very often and the rifle still runs great.

Our GSG-5 (first gen) has had quite a bit of ammo through it. When we finally managed to crack a piece on the bolt carrier I contacted ATI. They sent me an email schematic and had me pick out the parts I needed. Just three days later I got the replacement parts (new carrier w/ screws), installed them and the rifle works great again.

Buy with confidence. This is a company that backs up it's products. :thumbsup: