![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/ZP-5-8.jpg\" "\\"Zenith")
<\/a>The Z-5P is an aggressive pistol designed to make the most of the 9mm.<\/p><\/div>\n
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Check out the specs at Zentih:<\/strong> https:\/\/zenithfirearms.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n Buy one on GunsAmerica:<\/strong> \/zenith<\/a><\/p>\n A couple of weeks ago, we took an in-depth look at the long and winding history of the MP5<\/a>. But the gun has yet to be relegated to the hallowed halls of historical firearms, as this review will surely show.<\/p>\n For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted an MP5K<\/a>. Its iconic image dominated the landscape of my imagination. And why not? Military and security forces around the globe have used it for decades. The gun changed the definition of a personal defense weapon. And the MP5K was the weapon of choice for celluloid secret agents and villains, too. But owning one hasn’t been as easy on the wallet. There have been converted H&Ks on the civilian market in the past and there have been custom guns (and somewhat bastardized imports). Yet you could never really have a quality production model at a realistic price. Until now.<\/p>\n Zenith Firearms<\/a> (an American company) set out to fill this gap. Importing firearms from an original H&K licensed plant (MKE) they have brought the US market a family of firearms built to more exacting standards. These guns, especially the Z-5P, give H&K factory guns a run for their money. Looking at things like welds, finish, fitment, and reliability, I find these guns are second to none. But they can be pricey. Are they worth it?<\/p>\n [one_half]<\/p>\n [one_half_last]<\/p>\n The Z-5P broken down.<\/p><\/div>\n [\/one_half_last]<\/p>\n While it is possible to hold the gun out like this, it isn’t easy. These are natural SBRs, but can be awkward as pistols.<\/p><\/div>\n Let’s jump right into this one. The guns look cool. And if you’re running a Hollyood prop house, that may be all that matters. But I doubt you are. GunsAmerica readers typically want to shoot their guns. After firing 1000+ rounds for this review, I can safely say this gun can run with the best. With zero malfunctions, zero issues, zero problems to speak of, the gun ran perfectly and gave no signs that it would ever slow down. While this wouldn’t surprise an H&K fanboy, reliability like this is almost unheard of in most of the other imports.<\/p>\n I shot 200 rounds of PPU 115gn as the control. This gun ate through the brass without hesitation. Given its performance, I then decided to test this guns appetite by feeding it a lower class of ammo–Wolf and Tula steel cased. The next 800 rounds were shot suppressed and were intended to stress the gun, to fill every crevasse in it with carbon, and to try and make it choke. The Z-5P ate through it all with out complaint.<\/p>\n After I finished testing the gun I gave it a good detail strip and deep cleaning. I fired roughly 800 rounds suppressed and didn’t do any maintenance and the ZP-5 was still. Carbon covered every inch of the inside of the receiver, but the bolt and carrier still moved freely. After a deep cleaning, I could find no real atypical wear marks, no noticeable signs of hard use. All this pointed to one conclusion: this gun was going to be in it for the long haul.<\/p>\n In its SBR form, the MP5 is very ergonomic and easy to handle. But as a pistol? That’s a different story. In their stock form these guns appeal to the collector and novelty crowd. These guns are more than just an oversized pistol, but not by much. With the addition of a few accessories (like an arm brace and a red dot optic) these guns suddenly take on new life. They become serious tools or serious toys depending on who you are.<\/p>\n [one_half]<\/p>\n The ZP-5 is an ideal gun to carry on a single-point sling.<\/p><\/div>\n [\/one_half][one_half_last]<\/p>\n Forward pressure on a sling mount adds decent stabilization.<\/p><\/div>\n [\/one_half_last]<\/p>\n The Z-5P shoots much like every roller locked delayed blowback 9mm mp5 variant does. Its action feels smooth as the bolt unlocks and slides backwards through the receiver. The trigger is heavy but crisp as it breaks contact with the sear. The selector operates smoothly as it comes off safety with a positive click. The magazines lock firmly into the receiver while still being easy to insert and remove. All in all the Zenith Z-5P operates like a well-tuned machine.<\/p>\n [full_width]<\/p>\n The Sig brace braced on the arm. Use only as directed. Absurd.<\/p><\/div>\n [\/full_width]<\/p>\n [one_half]<\/p>\n The Blade works like the Sig brace, but doesn’t require a strap.<\/p><\/div>\n [\/one_half][one_half_last]<\/p>\n You can brace The Blade on your cheek, too.<\/p><\/div>\n [\/one_half_last]<\/p>\n The Z-5P’s accuracy is great when you compare it to your standard pistol. It has a somewhat longer barrel, a few more pounds to absorb recoil, and easily twice the sight radius of a normal handgun. All this makes for tight groups and easy shooting. The ballistics, though, aren\u2019t anything to write home about. Out of the 5-inch barrel an 115grain 9mm ball zips through the air right around 1200fps–what you would expect form a typical full size handgun.<\/p>\n I shot a .75″ group from 10 yards.\u00a0 1.5″ from 25 yards. The iron sights are designed for speed, not precision, so the addition of a red dot optic allowed for tighter groups. But the gun points well, and slapping rounds on target is easy, even from the hip.<\/p>\n [one_half]<\/p>\n Accuracy with the iron sights isn’t bad, though they were meant for speed of acquisition and not precision.<\/p><\/div>\n [\/one_half][one_half_last]<\/p>\n With a red dot dialed in, point of aim is easier to predict.<\/p><\/div>\n [\/one_half_last]<\/p>\n The trigger of the Z-5P is clean. It\u2019s a bit on the heavy side, breaking consistently around 8 lbs. Its manageable, but could be lighter. The reset is not pronounced, nor is it audible, so getting used to the reset takes practice.<\/p>\n [one_half]<\/p>\n And shooting fast? That’s where the Z-5P shines.<\/p><\/div>\n [\/one_half][one_half_last]<\/p>\n Cheek-weld with Sig brace. It is not a bad way to use it.<\/p><\/div>\n [\/one_half_last]<\/p>\n AA5-PSBK MP5 K Style Pistol Arm Brace – $279.00<\/strong><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.atlanticfirearms.com\/component\/virtuemart\/shipping-accessories\/aa5-psbk-detail.html?Itemid=0<\/a><\/p>\n AA-PSB Side Folding Hinge – $59.00<\/strong><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.atlanticfirearms.com\/component\/virtuemart\/shipping-accessories\/aa-psb-side-folding-hinge-detail.html?Itemid=0<\/a><\/p>\n Shockwave Blade Pistol stabilizer – $48.00<\/strong><\/p>\n https:\/\/shockwavetechnologies.com\/site\/?page_id=2316<\/a><\/p>\n Primary Arms Micro Dot MD-06 – $80.00<\/strong><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.primaryarms.com\/Primary_Arms_Micro_Dot_Removable_Base_Gen_II_NV_p\/md-rbgii.htm<\/a><\/p>\n The Z-5P comes in a hard plastic box with a few accessories. It ships with three 30 round steel magazines, a two-point convertible single point sling, a claw mount 1913 rail, a set of spare receiver pins, and a full cleaning kit. It\u2019s a real laundry list and part of the reason why this gun costs as much as it does. If you intend on keeping the pistol in its stock configuration, these are all the things you will ever need to make the gun run.<\/p>\n If you intended to attach a pistol stabilizing brace, you will need to diversify. The best option for attaching a brace is sold by Atlantic Firearms. They are one of the select few selling this gun, so if you are looking for one and Zenith is sold-out, check with Atlantic. And Atlantic Firearms sells a special brace kit designed just for the Z-5P and its MP5K clone cousins.<\/p>\n What you get is a receiver block, an AR buffer tube adapter, a buffer tube with extensions, and a SB47 arm brace. A side-folding hinge is available for $60.00, if you are interested in that type of thing. Once outfitted with the arm brace and adapters, the pistol truly takes shape. It becomes a truly usable weapon, something much more than novelty. Utilizing a check weld and maintaining an “ATF safe distance from your shoulder” you are able to increase your effectiveness noticeably.<\/p>\n If the SB 47 isn\u2019t your style, you can also stick a Shockwave Blade on the gun. The Blade gives you options. You can adjust the length of the blade, and the cant of the blade. The blade is also rigid polymer and makes for a much slimmer, low profile option.<\/p>\n Adding an optic to this gun for me was a must. It does have adjustable sights but I found them lacking when it came time to place precise shots on target. Adding a Primary Arms microdot to the pistol majorly changed the way I was able to preform. I went from struggling to use the sights to making clean hits at 100 yards.<\/p>\n [full_width]<\/p>\n The ZP-5 in its case with all of the extras. And there are a lot of extras.<\/p><\/div>\n [\/full_width]<\/p>\n At the end, is the Z-5P worth $1800? For the purist, the collector, for the enthusiast–yes.\u00a0 Without a doubt. It\u2019s likely the best deal to be had. If you\u2019re just the run-of-the-mill gun-guy, then the price is going to be prohibitive. It\u2019s antiquated technology. It\u2019s no longer the hot item in our Hollywood movies, nor is it the latest and greatest. The ZP-5 does offer proven performance and endless aftermarket support. And there’s an appeal in the now classic design. This isn’t the newest plastic fantastic, but the design isn’t going away, either.<\/p>\n Check out the specs at Zentih:<\/strong> https:\/\/zenithfirearms.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n Buy one on GunsAmerica:<\/strong> \/zenith<\/a><\/p>\n [one_half]<\/p>\n The internals of the lower are just as easily accessible.<\/p><\/div>\n [\/one_half][one_half_last]<\/p>\n 30 round steel mags. The gun ships with 3 of them.<\/p><\/div>\n [\/one_half_last]<\/p>\n [one_half]<\/p>\nZ-5P<\/h2>\n
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<\/a><\/a>How do they shoot?<\/h2>\n
Hard to handle?<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>Accuracy<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>Customization<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Conclusion<\/h2>\n
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