DESCRIPTION
The ZF-5 is a semi-auto MP5 style firearm featuring a roller-delayed blowback operating system, Pic rail, & a cold hammer-forged barrel. The American Made ZF-5 is a full-size close quarters pistol that pairs the versatile 9mm cartridge with a performance maximizing barrel length, sight radius, and tropical wide forearm. While the ZF-5 is a perfect base for short-barreled-rifle conversions, it is also a highly effective pistol that affords iron-sight accuracy at distances exceeding 100 meters. It is covered by a limited lifetime warranty, and ships in a high-quality carry case with a Picatinny optics rail, 3-lug flash hider, three magazines, premium 2-point sling, a cleaning kit, and a user manual.
Whats included
- 3-lug flash hider
- (3) 30 round MP-5 magazines
- Custom 2-point sling
- Picatinny optics rail
- High-quality carrying case
- Cleaning kit
- Made in the USA
- Limited Lifetime Warranty
Specs
| Caliber | 9 x 19 mm parabellum |
| Operating system | roller-delayed blowback |
| Mode of fire | semi auto |
| Magazine | 30-round steel |
| Trigger pull | 6-8 lbs. |
| Safety | manually actuated lever |
| Weight, firearm without magazine | 5.5 lbs. |
| Magazine weight, empty | 0.4 lbs. |
| Magazine weight, full | 1.2 lbs. |
| Length | 17.9 in. |
| Height | 8.3 in. |
| Width | 2.3 in. |
| Barrel length | 8.9 in. |
| Barrel | cold hammer forged 4150 cmv, 3-lug, ½ x 28 rh threaded |
| Rifling | 6 grooves, rh twist, 1:10 in. |
| Sights | fixed hooded front; adjustable rear with 4-aperture rotary drum |
| Sight radius | 13.4 in. |
| Forearm | tropical wide |
Cameron (verified owner) –
This pistol was my first introduction to the roller delay system! Being that the extent of my experience on this platform came from Tom Clancy novels, man did I have a learning curve. The main reason that I went with Zenith for my first roller delay platform was simply the customer service. Both Kevin and Caleb asked me what my intention was with the pistol and actually talked me out of a P and going with a full size. We had this conversation through email for about a month before I “pulled the trigger”.
Long Live 9mm, Long Live Zenith.
Michael Cooper (verified owner) –
Been wanting for awhile now and finally pulled the trigger. Looking forward to owning and passing down this amazing firearm.
Ernie Naranjo (verified owner) –
I have run 850 rounds through my ZF-5 without any issues. Great finish and and craftsmanship. Definitely would buy another. Customer service was excellent on answering any questions that I had prior to purchase.
Morris Smith –
This is a good MP5 Clone, I SBR’d it and run a SilencerCo specter 9 on it with a rugged suppressor Trilug. It looks good shoots straight and just plane runs. There is nothing that I can think of to complain about at all.
Connor (verified owner) –
800 rounds in it’s been a great firearm. No issues so far, shoots smooth and has been fun to use at the range. My friend has a CMMG Banshee around the same price point and the Zenith feels so much smoother in comparison.
Tighe Smith (verified owner) –
I couldn’t be happier with this platform. It performs flawlessly and is just simply amazing! The price and functionality make it a purchase you will not regret!!!
Nathan –
Great price and great firearm! The ZF5 shot great right out of the box, with everything you need to start setting it up!
Brandon (verified owner) –
Zenith had my ZF-5 shipped to my FFL in what seemed like record time! Their customer service was top notch the entire way. The ZF-5 shoots like a dream (especially suppressed and shooting subs). Everyone wants to shoot it when I bring it to the range!
Nathan –
This gun is worth every penny. I’ve had it for a little over two years, and it has been nothing but amazing. I’m already looking to buy another product from them because of the craftsmanship. The Pelican-like case is rock solid. I still use it to transport the gun, and although it has certainly taken some abuse, it remains as solid as the day I first bought it
J –
Purchased this last year. Comes with everything shown in the picture. The case is of good quality and is on wheels. The gun runs ball ammo flawlessly, but is a bit touchy with different subsonic loads. The blunt nosed rounds seem to like certain mags better than others. This gun is a great suppressor host. Everyone that shoots it loves it.
Blair R Belli (verified owner) –
After shooting a friends HK I started looking at the different clones available. After doing some research I decided on the ZF-5 and I’m glad I did. The fit and finish is superb and it shoots every bit as good as the HK I tried. At first I had an issue attaching the picatinny rail and contacted customer service. They understood the issue and sent me out modified picatinny rail retainers which solved the problem. Excellent firearm and superior customer service.
Isaiah Schmitmeyer (verified owner) –
I love this zf-5 I’ve had absolutely nothing but good things to say about this gun
Ismael Roman (verified owner) –
Extremely accurate and reliable. Very fun to shoot!!
Tony G. (verified owner) –
Stared at this for 2 years before making the purchase. love this gun. once oiled up it has run flawlessly for me from the start. and has turned into one of my favorite firearm’s. I will say that the Picatinny optics rail is a little tricky to get on but huge game changer once it’s there.
Steve M (verified owner) –
I’m extremely happy with my Zenith. Probably 500 rounds so far without a single malfunction. The premium package is a no brainer too- highly recommend
tp6589 (verified owner) –
Absolutely astonishing.
Compared to my genuin H&K sp5 and honestly I shoot this one more. Tri lug adapter works great with a few different cans as well. And given the option to direct thread is nice too.
Iron sights are very accurate out to 100 yards. Do wish they were tritium though. And maybe options for co.whitness red dots in the future would be nice.
Tyler Baeurle (verified owner) –
Absolute 10/10. Quality firearm, cycles without troubles, couldn’t be happier with my ZF5.
Jeffery (verified owner) –
I had been wanting one for awhile, when they went on sale I decided nows the time. A quality gun. as a side note the hard case is one of the best ones I’ve ever seen
David W –
Well made frame and components. Tidy welds and American made. Also a fan of Zenith made magazines.
I plan to make use of the tri lugs as well, as soon as the United States passes the Quiet act that removes suppressors from the NFA.
This weapon will provide years of great target practice.
Jim Willette –
Amazing gun worth every penny. Been wanting this gun since I saw Die Hard as a kid, and thanks to Zenith I was able to afford one!!
Brandon Stubbs –
This gun is amazing. Very fun to shoot. Easy to clean. If you pick one up, get the premium package it’s a must. The case it came with is our best case.
Salvatore (verified owner) –
Great product, the fit and finish is probably the best out of all the clones on the market. Gun ran perfectly out of the box. It’s also become a gun that always comes to the range with.
Jim c –
Great buy added a red dot on rail provided solid as a rock added a sd brace added single point sliding have not had a malfunction shooting 8 different types and 115 and 124 gr looking to add a suppressor mext
Wayland Hamlin –
Very Pleased with the craftsmanship and quality, looking forward to taking to the range.
Rob Wil (verified owner) –
I personally own two ZF-5s. One was a blem and my second was the premium package. I’ve put easily 1k rds through them both and they performed great. My only advice it to read the FAQs and use the recommended bullet grain and break in period to get the best results. Once it made it past that period it has been more than perfect, even suppressed.
Brendan Titus (verified owner) –
Extremely happy with my ZF5! Have had zero issues, shipped super fast, and everything is exceptional quality (including the case!)
Andrew Held –
2000 rounds of 124 & 147gr ammo and not a single failure to feed! Very, very accurate, too!
Reaper22 –
Similar to the comments by Tactical76, the MP5 was at its pinnacle as a go to CQW during my childhood. Movie after movie featured this phenomenal work of art. A buddy introduced me to the ZF option and after a bit of research and speaking with customer support, we both ordered our premium packages.
Three things I will never skimp on are mayonnaise, peanut butter and firearms. (Reveal on those later!)
I opted to stay with a no optics version and right out of the box this thing delivered! The paper target received a good grouping center mass so from there we made the pivot to the plate rack. Six 10” plates dropped in 4 seconds at 25 yards!
The quality build and superior support sealed the deal on my decision. Great folks to work with.
Remember, if you buy a cheap weapon, you will own a cheap weapon. Buy once, cry once has never been so applicable (being a frugal shopper, I did get mine on one of the ZF sponsored great sales).
For the curious folk, Duke’s, JIF and ZF
Why are you waiting? Go order now!
Thomas McDonald (verified owner) –
If you’re in the market for a high-quality MP5-style firearm, the Zenith ZF-5 is an outstanding choice. This American-made masterpiece stays true to the classic design while incorporating modern precision and reliability.
The craftsmanship of the ZF-5 is impeccable. The fit and finish are top-notch, with a durable stamped steel receiver and a beautifully welded construction that rivals even the original German models. The firearm feels incredibly solid in hand, and the action is buttery smooth, thanks to its precision machining.
Shooting the ZF-5 is an absolute pleasure. The roller-delayed blowback system delivers a smooth, low-recoil experience, making follow-up shots effortless. Whether you’re running subsonic or supersonic ammo, this firearm eats through everything with flawless reliability. I’ve put over 1,000 rounds through mine without a single malfunction—something you don’t always get with clones.
Zenith includes a great hard case, three 30-round magazines, a cleaning kit, and a Picatinny optics rail, making this package well worth the investment. The firearm also comes ready for suppressor use, with a threaded tri-lug barrel, which is a fantastic addition for those wanting to run it suppressed.
The controls are intuitive, and the classic MP5-style trigger group feels fantastic. The HK-style drum sights are precise, and mounting an optic is a breeze with the included rail. The weight distribution is well-balanced, making it easy to maneuver in tight spaces.
The Zenith ZF-5 is one of the best MP5 clones on the market today. It delivers German-quality performance at an American-made price point, making it an excellent alternative to higher-priced imports. Whether you’re using it for home defense, range fun, or tactical applications, the ZF-5 will not disappoint.
✅ Pros:
✔️ Excellent build quality
✔️ Reliable and smooth roller-delayed action
✔️ Suppressor-ready with tri-lug barrel
✔️ Comes with great accessories (case, mags, rail)
✔️ Made in the USA
❌ Cons:
➖ Slightly pricey, but worth every penny
Howard Eisenberg (verified owner) –
Excellent value! Looks and feels great. This package deal has everything you need and more. The ZF-5 is made in the USA, shoots great and is very accurate. The quality and workmanship is far superior to other MP-5 clones.
Pinoysoldier (verified owner) –
Gun is great and amazing customer service
Connor –
Love this gun. Shoots very smoothly, easy to handle. Would recommend to anyone.
Matthew Feldhausen (verified owner) –
Got the ZF-5 essentials package. What a deal! More than a 1000+ rounds thru it without a single malfunction. Love it so much I bought a ZF-5P!
Matt (verified owner) –
Awesome package, amazing to slap and shoot!
Jeremy (verified owner) –
The Zf-5 is one of the best shooting guns I’ve ever fired. 300 rounds and no malfunction so glad I chose zenith
Matt (verified owner) –
If you’re thinking about getting an MP5 clone just pull the trigger on this one you’ll be happy with the accuracy and quality.
Steven Black (verified owner) –
I bought the ZF-5 based on a friend’s recommendation. After having it a short time now, I can say the build quality is top-shelf. I’ve owned H&K products before this, and the ZF-5 easily meets, and in some ways exceeds H&K in quality, fit, and finish. You will not be disappointed.
Craykard –
I ordered mine via telephone and not only was the customer service excellent I got mine with the HERO program and on sale for memorial day. Within two days of it shipping I received it. A sturdy case and the optic mount was set for me per my request.
I have finally gotten to test fire my ZF-5 and it does not disappoint! Compared to my PTR version this one had less teething problems. Once zeroed -which was easy- I knocked it out of the park.
This was a wonderful purchase and for the money definitely got a bargain. Thank you Zenith and a shout out to Mr. Kevin C who took care of my order personally.
Travis –
Asked my ffl to order her and they projected 1-2 weeks came in earlier than I expected about 5days (3 business days ) I just crossed the 800 round mark and I have had 0 issues ( all suppressed ) 100% must have household item
Tactical76 –
I’ve always wanted a MP5 since I was a kid. A piece of history and such a fine weapon, sexy. Shot them at the range a few times, once full auto rental! I absolutely fell in love with them, so I bought one last week. Z5 Premium Package & I couldn’t be more happy! When you put the Z5 next to another competitor, you can see right away its a step above. First thing I noticed was the welds on the Z5 are FAR superior, finish was wet and glossy, the lower was much nicer, and the trigger is hands down the better. Today was the first day at the range. Mounted a Mepro M21 optic & screwed on my YHM Cobra M2 suppressor. After sighting it in, one ragged hole and stupid quiet! all you hear is the “clack” of the bolt with subsonic 9mm, I cut the orange out of the center of the target at 25 yards. The only issue at the range today was MY fault – I had to get used to seating the mag in correctly. Bolt back, seat mag, slap charging handle. The gun ran perfectly when I did my part correctly. I own my dream gun now!
Ben (verified owner) –
Took it out for the first time today, about 200 rounds through. Zero malfunctions, doesn’t even feel like it recoils. 100% recommend.
[email protected] (verified owner) –
Decided on this mp5 clone since she’s made in the U.S. fit and finish was excellent. Put 200 rounds through her with no issues. Extremely happy with my decision. Just waiting on my form 1 to be approved
Joshua Gwin (verified owner) –
Late to the party for this review but I can say that the zf-5 is a supremely accurate firearm with almost single-hole accuracy off a bag at 25 yards with any ammo I give it. Zenith’s customer service is alarmingly good as well.
Joseph Rietdorf (verified owner) –
I have about 650 rounds through it so far. I wanted to make sure it will shoot my hollow points. It took a while for everything to break in, but my hollow points are now shooting at 100%. There is no feed ramp in the MP-5s and their Clones. Matter-of-fact very few 9mm PCCs have feed ramps. So there is going to be a little break-in time for the feeding ports to wear down or “polish” themselves just through use. I always help my break-ins along by carefully polishing these feeding ports. Never grind on anything! BUT I LOVE my ZF-5! Very well-made in every detail. I f I was offered the choice of an HK or a Zenith MP-5 Clone. I’d take the HK so I could then trade it in for 2 Zeniths. Looking forward to a lot of FUN with this weapon this summer! -Joe R
Michael Hinten (verified owner) –
Incredible gun. The consistency of this gun is outstanding, lost track of where my shoots were going since I put a hole in the target.
[email protected] –
Just got it in today. 120 rounds through it like butter. Great finish on the gun, feels like a proper “mp5”. Most amazed about the accuracy, mp5 type triggers are usually alright at best but this one by zenith is noticeably better!! Very pleased, my buddy went and bought one after checking it out.
Mark Henderson –
Compared this to my friend’s HK SP5. Can’t tell difference except mine shoots without jamming 🙂
Joseph Francis Kelly (verified owner) –
Shipment was well packaged. Weapon and equipment came as advertised. On the range the weapon was very accurate. I put about 200 rds through it with no malfunctions or magazine feed issues. Could not be happier with my purchase.
Tyler (verified owner) –
Fit and finish was excellent and the case was much higher quality than expected. Very happy with my ZF5 and accessories, it has functioned flawlessly!
Robert Baumgardner –
It would helpful to have a list of approved 9 mm ammo manufactures, grain, and any other information that will enhance, cause problems, or damage the ZF-5. Looking for your recommendation for appropriate 9mm. I have just purchased a ZF-5 and really haven’t gotten a clear answer or recommendation of what is acceptable or what to avoid.
Ben Garwood –
A first class mp5… note I don’t use the word clone because compared to imported hk models, I have found the fit and finish to be equal to or better. This pistol (pending sbr) is a great American made pcc in a classic yet still relevant design. I have not had any issues with the zf5 over several hundred rounds and I highly recommend this company and their products without hesitation.
[email protected] (verified owner) –
I spent a fair amount of time checking out various MP-5 clones and finally settled on Zenith because reviews by owners had better comments and fewer “squawks” than other builders.
I was expecting a well-built gun, but I was not prepared for the experience of putting rounds downrange with this piece of American craftsmanship.
I knew that Zenith had made great strides in the past five years, but I was not expecting what I experienced with shooting this excellent gun. The trigger has a shorter pull than I anticipated.
There is almost no identifiable “wall”, no grittiness even in the break-in period, and the smoothness of the roller system is beyond belief. When I attached my Omega 9K and shot some 147 grain rounds, I wasn’t even sure the gun had actually fired!
Congratulations on bringing this iconic and now updated platform to the market. This is an excellent weapon that is also just stupid fun to take to the range!
KCajiga (verified owner) –
Purchased my ZF5K and couldn’t be happier. The quality and build feel is incredible. I personally had the assistance of Caleb Clinton from the team at Zenith Firearms to help place my order and answer all my questions. Thank you for the great customer service and awesome product.
pat701 –
I just purchased a ZF-5 premium package today. I did this purchase over the phone. Becky Wiseman was my sales representative. I have been shooting for 50 years. I have never had the great customer service, that I got from Becky. Zenith firearms is very fortunate to sales representatives as dedicated as Becky was. I asked if Zeinth would be kind enough to install the picattiny on my ZF-5 before they shipped to my FFL. Becky said she take care of that. Then 40 minutes later Becky called and said the picattiny rail was mounted. the Becky asked me if I also want the SB folding brace, amd flash hider installed before it is shipped, I said yes please. Becky then asked if I wanted the SB tactical brace box included in the shipment, my reply was yes. I have never had this kind of customer service from anywhere, You best believe I will recommend to others. Becky also told me my ZF-5 will ship tomorrow. Once I have the ZF-5 in my hand next week, I will give my impressions on the build quality. It appears to me that Zenith has it’s act together, and provides the best CS in the firearm industry. I am pleased!
John Reddick –
I work for a suppressor manufacturer and I wanted three things:
Sturdy
Made in the USA
Customer service
Zenith had the first two locked down, and when I called regarding questions I had immediate answers and follow up was excellent.
The first torture test was at Suppressed Fest 2022. This beast fired over 2,000 rounds over two days (if you’ve ever shot suppressed you know how dirty it gets. I had zero issues, besides a few weak slaps 🙂
I had so many compliments on this setup. You guys really hit this one out of the park.
Daniel Franko (verified owner) –
I bought the ZF5, it’s as good as quality as my hk 94. I believe this complete set will become a collector’s item. The trigger has a better feel then my hk. I would buy this weapon before the sale is over on September 5. You won’t be disappointed
g.t.mace –
Sweet… about time, made in America.
Beaufort Naval Armorers (verified owner) –
We started with the HK dealer direct program in the mid eighties. We’ve owned 91’s and 94’s of which both were excellent quality, great offhand and other position shooters. Both models turned out to be superb investments as well. When we first checked into the Zenith ZF 5’s we knew we had to check them out. Our first is a “Davidson’s Exclusive” which is grey black and is an absolute example of great USA manufacturing, fit, finish and function. The out of the box, or should I say awesome hard case that this fine piece ships with, accuracy/trigger is awesome. We are so impressed with these Zenith ZF 5’s and have more just in and on order. These will always increase in value just like the HK’s did!
Gary Ginannini –
Wow ! We have several 9 mm carbines, Sig RMPX, CZ Scorpion, CMMG Resolute, Rugger PCC, And yes a Hi-point 995 all of them are great shooting guns! But by far and none the Zenith ZF-5 is a laser TAC driver! It’s like it has a magnetic laser on the barrel, just point in the general direction of steel and it’s a hit 99% of the time the other 1% is operator error. really looking forward to getting zenith 9 mm carbine!
Andrew Mailander (verified owner) –
The world wanted another gorgeous and highly efficient MP5 clone, and Zenith Firearms delivered! Manufactured in the US, this engineering marvel houses all of the iconic MP5 features while sacrificing none of the quality. From its sleek black finish to the cold hammer-forged barrel, the ZF-5 speaks for itself.
It comes in a sturdy case and equipped with x3 30rd magazines, along with a handy cleaning kit. Zenith also does a great job at offering additional magazines and parts to enhance your ZF-5, with more components coming soon.
Joseph O’Brien –
I recently purchased the ZF5 and couldn’t be more happy. This is my first roller delayed weapon so I wasn’t sure what I was getting into. The fit and finish is perfect out of the box. My first range visit I shot 90 rounds 124gr. unsuppressed and 90 rounds 147gr. suppressed. I did not have one failure. The gun ran flawlessly. It is a super smooth low recoil joy to shoot. Shooting suppressed was great! There wasn’t any gas in my face at all. This is a gun you can shoot all day and not get fatigued. I highly recommend Zenith. Their customer service is outstanding too. I contacted them with some questions and to purchase additional accessories. They answered all my question and shipped my accessories super fast. So far I have nothing negative to say about my ZF5 or Zenith as a company. Give them a try you won’t be disappointed.
Brad (verified owner) –
1st impression is the case the ZF-5 arrives in. It’s Pelican quality built like a tank with wheels on it. Opening it up is impressive as the photo shows with lots of accessories included. The fit and finish of the ZF-5 is excellent !! An owner of an H&K MP-5 was at a gun store where a friend of mine is a manager, and he was most interested in the ZF-5. After looking it over, he felt the build quality was better than the HK. There are comments on the internet about the ZF-5’s price compared to other imported & domestic MP-5’s. You get what you pay for….yes, the ZF-5 is top dollar, but Zenith has put 100% effort in making it one the best MP-5’s on the market. Made in the USA with great customer support, the ZF-5 is worth looking at if you’re considering an MP-5.
Mike Pope –
Love the looks ..can’t wait to check out and see if it lives up to the hype !!