MKE Zenith Z-5
Makina ve Kimya Endustrisi Kurumu (MKE) · Submachine Gun · In Production · 2013
Also known as: MKE Z-5, Zenith Z-5, Z5
Overview
The MKE Zenith Z-5 is a 9x19mm roller-delayed blowback submachine gun produced by Makina ve Kimya Endustrisi (MKE) of Turkey on genuine Heckler & Koch MP5 tooling, making it one of the closest reproductions of the H&K MP5 in production. Firing from a closed bolt with the characteristic two-piece roller-locked bolt, it uses a stamped steel receiver, a cold-hammer-forged barrel with a 3-lug threaded muzzle, and the familiar hooded front and rotary drum rear sights of the MP5 family. Select-fire military and police versions serve Turkish security forces, while semi-automatic Z-5 versions are imported into the United States by Zenith Firearms (and later by Century Arms as the AP5). The Z-5 launched the Zenith Firearms brand before US production transitioned to the ZF-5.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2540 g (89.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 680 mm (26.77") |
| Folded Length | 490 mm (19.29") |
| Barrel Length | 226 mm (8.90") |
| Sight Radius | 340 mm (13.39") |
| Action Type | Roller Delayed Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 400 m/s (1312 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 596 J (440 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 100 m (109 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 800 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 254 mm (10.00") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Stamped Steel |
| Barrel Material | Chrome Moly Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 9x19mm Parabellum · primary · 9mm NATO — also known as 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9x19mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector
- Features: Roller Delayed Blowback Action, Closed Bolt Firing, Cold Hammer Forged Barrel, 3 Lug Threaded Muzzle, Mp5 Pattern, 4 Aperture Rotary Drum Rear Sight, Hooded Front Sight, Retractable Or Fixed Stock, Mke Turkish Manufacture, Genuine Hk Mp5 Tooling
Variants
- Zenith Z-5RS — Semi Auto Pistol
Service history
Operators
- Turkish security forces · as Z-5
- US civilian market · adopted 2014
Production
Production years: 2013-present
Produced by MKE in Turkey; imported into the US as the Zenith Z-5 / Century AP5.
Origin
Country of origin: Turkey
Designer: Heckler & Koch (original MP5 design)
Notes
MKE holds original H&K MP5 manufacturing tooling, so the Z-5 is effectively a licensed-tooling MP5 clone. US-imported guns are semi-automatic; the select-fire variants are restricted to Turkish military/police and export customers. Full-auto cyclic rate of the MP5 platform is roughly 800 rpm. Dimensions vary by stock configuration (collapsible vs fixed).
Background
Because MKE inherited genuine Heckler & Koch MP5 tooling, the Z-5 is among the most authentic MP5 reproductions available, and its semi-auto imports gave American shooters a near-factory MP5 long after H&K stopped offering civilian models.