Looking for a compact MP5 variant but want to buy American and save some money on the whole ordeal?
There’s no better option on the market right now than our very own ZF5-P. Here’s what you should know about it.
A Compact Package, Smooth Roller-Delayed Blowback Performance
Like our other roller-delayed blowback firearms inspired by the HK MP5 platform, the ZF5-P is chambered in 9mm, built around the aforesaid roller-delayed blowback action, and made with some upgraded features, such as an improved feed ramp for better reliability with hollow points and an upgraded selector lever that most shooters remark is easier to engage intuitively.
It’s also the prime choice if you’re looking for a more compact, smaller, lighter model that’s better in close-quarters, and which is easier and more discreet to pack and transport.
It’s also been reviewed by some well-respected industry leaders, including 704 Tactical and Garand Thumb. Here are some notes they observed in their reviews.
What Shooters Have Observed
One of the nice things that 704 Tactical noted about our ZF5-P is that, despite the fact that many MP5 clones are made of a bunch of welded, not bolted, components, the ZF5-P, while it has a break-in period, breaks in fairly quickly.
Whereas it was noted that many other MP5 clones not only had extended break-in periods but also experienced relatively frequent jams during that period, our tolerances mean that there’s a much accelerated break-in period for a Zenith Firearms ZF-5 or variant, like the ZF5-P.
It was also observed that the entire gun is very tightly put together, from the action of the charging handle to the insertion of the MP5 magazine. More than one reviewer has said this but in 704 Tactical’s review, it was underscored how the entire platform just “feels tight.”
The same reviewer also noted that our MP5 magazines limbered up fairly nicely after just a few rounds were put through them.
While it’s true that it’s advisable to break in the magazines and the gun’s action with +P 124 grain ammo, 704 Tactical ran a whole bunch of 115 grain ammo through it without a single issue. They even commented that “this thing runs like a sewing machine.”
After limbering up the gun and the action a bit, the reviewer was even able to get the mags in on a closed bolt.
Garand Thumb also reviews the ZF-5 and ZF5-P, and put several thousand rounds through the ZF5-P. He was quick to laud the overall quality and finish of the gun, and he also vindicated the use of a 9mm subgun beyond the nostalgia. One of the main things he said he appreciated about the platform was the low flash signature and relatively low noise, both of which are advantageous in close quarters and confined spaces.
Like 704 Tactical, Garand Thumb also loved the fit and finish of the ZF5-P as well as the fidelity of the platform to the original HK MP5.
Another aspect of the ZF5-P that Garand Thumb lauded was the smoothness of the action, even going far enough to say that there’s effectively no recoil – or, to take their words directly, “it feels like nothing.”
The cold hammer forged barrels of our ZF5-P subguns were another aspect that drew the praise of Garand Thumb, upholding a high degree of accuracy and enabling precise shot placement even at intermediate ranges as far off as 200 yards.
While the tropical handguard is nice, Garand Thumb also appreciated that we make an M-LOK replacement handguard for the ZF5-P, which offers a great deal more value because it enables expansion through a variety of shooting attachments like lights.
The weight was another thing that Garand Thumb lauded about the ZF5-P, which is just over 5 lbs, making them lighter than other comparable platforms.
We appreciate Garand Thumb for also calling out that there are two ways to engage the magazine release – the button on the side of the gun and the paddle at the base of the magwell. This twofold approach makes it easier for operators to drop mags based on their preferred grip.
For More Information on This Review of the ZF5-P, or About the Platform
At the end of the day, reviewers unanimously agree that the ZF5-P is a smooth-shooting platform that has a place as a defensive or sporting platform, depending on your intended applications. For the full 704 Tactical review or to hear everything Garand Thumb had to say about the Zenith ZF5-P, see the previous links.
You can also learn more about the ZF5-P platform on our website, where you can also explore other roller-delayed platforms including the ZF-56, a 5.56-chambered roller-delayed AR-style platform.
For more information on any of our models or MP5 accessories, get in touch with us directly and we will help you out.