|
Statistics
|
| Users |
34,771 |
| Products |
477 |
| Reviews |
196 |
| Views |
10,412,545 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reviews
|
Views
|
Date product posted
|
|
0
|
16861
|
Sat December 13, 2008
|
|
 |
|
Recommended By
|
Average Price
|
Average Rating
|
|
No recommendations
|
None indicated
|
None indicated
|
|
|
|
|
|
Description:
|
Review: G&G PM5A4
Author: Cheesehead
Published: 12/13/2008
Discuss this review in the Forums.
Table of Contents
History
Ordering
Basic Information
First Impressions
Included
Gun Specifications
Externals
Trademarks
Magazines
Performance
Internals
Modifications
Pros/Cons
Overall
History
The MP5 is a 9 mm sub machine gun of German design, developed in the 1960s by Heckler & Koch GmbH (H&K) Work on the MP5 began in 1964 and scarcely two years later it was adopted by the German Federal Police, border guard and army special forces. It is currently used by the armed forces and law enforcement units of over 40 different countries. The MP5 was manufactured in 27 different variations, and 3 different calibers. The success of the MP5 is due in large part to its modularity. Lower receivers, hand guards, butt stocks, and a plethora of after market accessories all add to its modularity, and make it adaptable to nearly any situation.
Ordering
The gun in this review was obtained from Airsoft GI, who as usual provided excellent customer service. The retail price of the G&G PM5A4 is $250, which is an absolute steal for a gun of this quality. G&G also produces a PM5A5 ($270), an MP5 with RIS hand guard and side-folding stock, as well as the PM5A4 Sportline ($190), which is a plastic bodied version of the standard PM5A4.
Basic Information
The G&G PM5A4 has a functional cocking lever, bolt catch, and bolt cover. As the cocking lever is pulled back and locked in place the bolt cover retracts; give the cocking lever a smack and it creates a very satisfying metal clang as the bolt cover slams shut. In addition to a metal upper receiver and Navy Style trigger group lower, the PM5 features a one-piece metal outer barrel. The body pins common to other airsoft MP5s have been replaced with more authentic push pins that allow for realistic field stripping. Included with it is a low profile scope mount that can be used to mount a red dot scope. The gun utilizes a version 2 gearbox, adjustable hop-up, adjustable sights, and has a 225mm long 6.03mm ID tightbore barrel. Empty the gun weighs in at 5.5 lbs. The gun is 27 inches long with the navy style flash hider attached. Fully laden with a 9.6 volt battery suppressor and AimPoint, the gun comes in at 7.5lbs.
First Impressions
The PM5A4 grabs your attention as soon as you remove it from the box, the weight is impressive, and the gun feels like a brick. Absolutely nothing on this gun wobbles creaks shakes or wiggles, the build quality puts all others to shame, it even feels more solid than the .22 caliber German Sport Gun GSG-5, a semiautomatic plinker. The PM5 uses a one piece upper receiver, unlike its competitors that favor two piece bodies.
Included
Included in the box is a 200 round high capacity magazine, manual, cleaning/un-jamming rod, navy style quick detach flash hider, and a low profile scope mount, removable cocking tube plug which allows for installation of a laser in the tube.
External Fit and Finish
The gun uses a 1 piece full metal upper receiver, with a movable bolt. Pulling back on the charging handle pulls the bolt back revealing the hop-up adjustment lever. Slamming the bolt forward is very satisfying, and doing so in a group of people tends to draw attention. The way the cocking handle is designed, the handle never contacts the end of the channel in the cocking tube, and thus does not break off. Instead, there is a metal cylinder to which the handle is attached, which contacts the backside of the front site.
Click here to see a video of the bolt closing.
The lower receiver and butt stock are pinned in place with actual push pins, not a post and screw system like so many other MP5s.
The plastic is top-notch and feels very thick and durable, and has just enough texturing to ensure a positive grip. The hand guard is unique, in that it mounts the same way as the real deal, relying on a tab that locks into a recess on the front end of the upper receiver. Fortunately, the hand guards from other rifles will work on the PM5A4, without being too wobbly.
The sights on the weapon are a faithful reproduction of the real thing, using the ring and diopter sighting method. The sights are quick to acquire when using shooting glasses or small frame goggles, but are too low for use with larger goggles such as Arena FlackJacks or a paintball mask.
The selector lever is also well done. As expected it is ambidextrous, and snaps very crisply into each of its three settings.
The gun comes with a standard 3 lug flash suppressor, and a quick detachable navy style flash hider. The 3 lug flash hider is threaded for 14mm counter clock-wise threads, and comes with a removable thread protector, this allows for easy mounting of both threaded suppressors, and quick detachable models.
Click here to see a video of the QD surpressor
The fit and finish of all components are, as you may have guessed from the first Impressions section, perfect. There are no gaps between any components, and everything is held together very securely. Color wise, all painted parts are a flat black, and the plastic components are a very, very dark grey/black. The finish applied to the metal components is holding up well, and has so far resisted scratching, even from the metal buckles on the 3 point sling, which are constantly dragging across the body of the gun.
Trademarks
Sadly, the PM5A4 is utterly naked in respect to trademarks, save for the G&G logo stamped into the motor plate, and the ”9x19mm IF” on the magazine, and the markings of the selector switch, a small flaw on an otherwise gorgeous replica. I might have to see if I can get something engraved on the magazine well.
Magazines
The included magazine locks in tightly with no wobble, as do all the other magazines I have tried (TM, King Arms, and ICS) The finish on the included magazine is flat black, and should wear nicely if I ever choose to use it – I’m a mid cap guy. The magazine feeds well, but seems to take forever to wind, and the wheel feels “mushy” when winding.
Performance
The PM5A4 performs most admirably for a weapon with such a short barrel. The stock velocity is around 350fps, making it CQB legal for most fields, and the hop-up adjusts quite well.
As is to be expected, the guns accuracy is limited by its short barrel length, however shots at 100-120 are attainable, but anything beyond that is chancy.
The hop-up works well, until it breaks. I know for many people that one line may be a deal breaker, however, fear not, as the fix is very simple. What happens is that the pin which holds the hop-up arm in place slides out of its mount and drops into the body of the gun. To remedy this, simply bend the pin upward on the unsecured side. Problem solved.
Internal Build
The G&G PM5A4 comes standard with a reinforced version 2 gearbox, steel gears, 6mm bearing bushings, polycarbonate piston and a metal spring guide with bearings. G&G has outfitted the gun with their R25K high torque motor.
Firing the gun is a pleasant experience, as the gearbox sounds silky smooth with absolutely no gear whine. The piston makes a dull thud when it hits the cylinder head, and there are no odd noises.
Modifications
Being that the PM5 series is a replica of the MP5, there are literally oodles of parts available to make it uniquely yours. Anything from RIS grips, to folding stocks to drum magazines. You name it, it can probably be thrown on it.
Personally, I like to keep a clean look on my gun, so I use a simple QD suppressor, and an AimPoint
Pros/Cons
Pros
Strong external build
Solid gearbox
Cocking handle will not break
350 fps stock velocity is CQB legal
Low MSRP
Comes with rail mount
Easy disassembly
Highly adaptable
Cons
Hop-up needs preventative maintenance
Short barrel
350 fps stock velocity is a bit low for some players
Overall
The G&G PM5A4 is a solid choice for anyone in the SMG market, its build quality is unsurpassed, and its performance is exceptional. The PM5A4 also looks to be a solid upgrading platform. Purchasers will not be disappointed.
|
|
|
|
|
Review Administrator
|
|
Posts: 2,539
Registered: February 2004
Location: Wisconsin
|
|
|
|
;)
