DESIGN
The development of the a silenced variant of the MP5 began in the early 1970's at the request of the German Bundeswehr. SD in MP5SD stands for Schalldämpfer, which is German for silencer. The original MP5 was taken as the starting point and in 1976 the design was ready for production. An integrated silencer was chosen as it peformes better than an attached silencer, while at the same time the overall lengths is lower. The long silencer was designed to use standard 9x19mm ammunition opposed to special subsonic ammunition used with many silenced weapons. The highly effective silencer slows the standard 9mm ammunition down to below the speed of sound. Although the silencer can be removed it is not possible to fire the weapon with the silencer attached. At first the MP5SD was issued in three versions with the SEF trigger group (0-1-F). Modern production weapons use the ambidextrous burst fire trigger group (0-1-3-F), altough various other trigger groups can be fitted.
PERFORMANCE
The MP5SD is the most common silenced sub machine gun. It is favoured by counter terrorist units and special forces. The MP5SD is a highly successful weapon as it retains the qualities of the original MP5, such as accuracy and reliability. As it is very similar to the MP5 operators do not required additional training. The drawbacks of the MP5SD are its cost and weight. It is heavier than the original MP5, but weight less than most SMG's when fitted with a silencer and the integral silencer reduces the overal length. Due to the lower muzzle velocity the effective range is lower than the standard MP5. An advantage is that standard issue 9x19mm ammunition can be used allowing magazines to be interchanged with the MP5.
The development of the a silenced variant of the MP5 began in the early 1970's at the request of the German Bundeswehr. SD in MP5SD stands for Schalldämpfer, which is German for silencer. The original MP5 was taken as the starting point and in 1976 the design was ready for production. An integrated silencer was chosen as it peformes better than an attached silencer, while at the same time the overall lengths is lower. The long silencer was designed to use standard 9x19mm ammunition opposed to special subsonic ammunition used with many silenced weapons. The highly effective silencer slows the standard 9mm ammunition down to below the speed of sound. Although the silencer can be removed it is not possible to fire the weapon with the silencer attached. At first the MP5SD was issued in three versions with the SEF trigger group (0-1-F). Modern production weapons use the ambidextrous burst fire trigger group (0-1-3-F), altough various other trigger groups can be fitted.
PERFORMANCE
The MP5SD is the most common silenced sub machine gun. It is favoured by counter terrorist units and special forces. The MP5SD is a highly successful weapon as it retains the qualities of the original MP5, such as accuracy and reliability. As it is very similar to the MP5 operators do not required additional training. The drawbacks of the MP5SD are its cost and weight. It is heavier than the original MP5, but weight less than most SMG's when fitted with a silencer and the integral silencer reduces the overal length. Due to the lower muzzle velocity the effective range is lower than the standard MP5. An advantage is that standard issue 9x19mm ammunition can be used allowing magazines to be interchanged with the MP5.