Don’t buy a Zenith ZF-5

[@robvigesaa5738]

I had the same issue with my ZF-5. I tried the factory Zenith claw mount as well as an MFI mount. I had to shave and profile the Zenith mount just to get it to fit without digging into the receiver. I sent it back to Zenith twice and did my best to hand fit the mount to the gun. It came down to the receiver itself not being true/straight. The last straw for me was the Zenith tri-lug being out of spec (undersized) causing excessive up/down and lateral movement of the suppressor when mounted. The gun ran great and had I not wanted to add a red dot or a suppressor, likely would have been very happy. I ended up selling the Zenith and picked up an HK SP5 like you did. I've been happy with the HK.

[@Dilemma6796]

"Maybe he just holds them..." haha, very nice. Good review, solid outline of the experience. Unfortunately, some manufacturers are in the business of selling prop weapons that can occasionally go bang. They have the look the gunthusiast wants. Zenith appears to be in this market. (also, nice shirt. Tromso FTW!)

[@joelpark556]

Tromso was fantastic and the people are very nice.

[@coltonbaysinger]

Sorry you've had bad issues with them. I bought one a couple years ago. Factory blem. Deep discount (for the time.) It has ultimately been reliable. It took some work to get the optic mounted, as you've mentioned. Went to Zenith's site when I couldn't figure it out and they basically recommended tapping the wedge in with a hammer, which is what I did. Been fine after that. I don't shoot it all that often, but I probably have about 1500 rounds through it. Would I want an HK in its place? Sure, if they weren't artificially inflated to $3200. For now, or until the Zenith fails me, I'm happy to use the $2000 I saved to purchase mags, ammo, and accessories instead.

[@jacobcurda6031]

I’ve been lucky with the century imports from MKE for clones …. Zenith used to import the MKE’s which are good clones …. But then they started making their own and the problems have been legion …. I’ve only had 1 of the MKE’s that needed to be futzed with to get working and reliable ….. but I work on my own guns, so I don’t mind that for the cash savings ….. and the MKE’s are 100% capable with HK parts …..

[@djblackruss]

Should’ve got an AP5 runs like a champ, made on HK machines. Cheapest HK on the market

[@MS-1994]

FYI for all those who read comments and might have firing issues: all of my ZF-5 problems traced to the magazines that they sent with it. HK mags solved my problems. I have some poly mags too and they work. Zenith sent new mags after I returned theirs and those didn't work either. I gave up on their mags and just ate the cost of replacing them.

[@BullseyeBallistics-kf1jw]

I bought an AP5p a year ago. Had a bunch of feeding issues. I noticed unloading mags was nearly impossible. So i polished the MKE magazine feed lips. Havent had issues since i did that. I like my irons on it, but i will be buying a minimalist red dot mount eventually. Zenith magazines are better than MKE ones, btw.

[@joshua8314]

HK is too proud of the SP5. Luckily my ZF5 has been running fine, the claw mount was tricky to fit the gun runs fine.

[@johnemmert9012]

What I've noticed from several people, such as nine hole reviews, is that guys routinely need to swap to HK springs to run the alternate guns well.

[@joelpark556]

I’ve heard that also. I just didn’t want to buy a bunch of parts and tinker with a brand new gun to make it work.

[@joncox9719]

Grew up with a HORRIBLE Cheap Skate, Tight Wad father, everything I got growing up was JUNK and hand me downs! I am now in the Buy Once, Cry Once Category! I buy NOTHING but the best I can get and never look back! Now don't think I just throw my money at just anything and everything, I'm not a fool! But when it comes to quality, I take my time, research what I am buying, and if it's worth the money I am paying, I buy it! NEVER lost a penny on things I bought, they normally at minimum, hold their value, most simply gain in value! Paid $350 in 1984 for my first HK-91, sold it 11 years later for $4000 in the box, but gently used, but in Like NEW condition! "Also, I take excellent care of the items I pay good money for, unlike my cheap skate father, when he died, there was NOTHING of his I wanted, it was all just JUNK, or at least when he got through with it, it was!"

[@douglasmoore8033]

Buy once, cry once. Learned the hard way.

[@mrdato116]

If you bought sp5 I feel sorry for u. One takedown pin which is not milspec and gives significant wobble in the lower receiver. Thinner receiver metal, modified sights and some other changes. Just Google HK sp5 ejection problem or canted sights. Get MKE not zenith, true to spec military mp5

[@TricknologistPHD]

I'd bet money that to fix the original scope mount issue Zenith just smushed the receiver together, and then had to fix a shit ton of issues that caused lol

[@steve4462]

Sorry to hear. It seemed like you really wanted to like this gun.

[@joelpark556]

@@steve4462 who wouldn’t want to like it? MP5’s are super cool!

[@gregorypowers-dnr5399]

Joel, please post a video of you running the HK. Thanks

[@LarryMadill]

Had a very similar experience. Bought a Zenith and managed to get the optic mount on (it’s not fun) and …. Cocking lever immediately failed. Wouldn’t lock back or send home. Spent two weeks trying to figure it out, email Zenith and they sent me a video showing me how to put the gun a vise and bend the frame back and forth to get it in alignment. I was like, thanks but I want an RMA. And as I was taking off the scope / mini rail… the bolt slammed home, cocking lever started working again … the mini-pic rail claw had dug into those weld points and was basically stopping the bolt carrier group and cocking lever from working. I was like, K. Got everything back together, ran fine, and I SBR’ed it and tried to put Zenith not cheap stock on it. The stock was completely out of alignment and couldn’t be fitted. Contacted Zenith, they offered to fit it for me, I was like nah give me my $600 back for the stock. And then I still had to go through chase and initiate a chargeback because they just forgot to refund me after two months. I ended up with the same solution. Bought an HK SP5, runs great. And the zenith is basically an expensive mistake / range toy.

[@Phenom2606]

Looking forward to your HK MP5 video and all the mods on it.

[@joelpark556]

@@Phenom2606 I have 2500 rounds on it without cleaning. Maybe I’ll do a follow up video at 5k rounds or so.

[@jbpew]

I heard my cousins friends sisters uncle rented a zenith at a range and shot a mag of ammo. It didn’t jam. So, I gotta call BS on this!

[@thebrokenasian]

For the comment made at the 10min 11 sec mark, can't say if Zenith hand picked or not, but Travis DOES shoot his toys, A LOT. Guy lives to shoot.

[@dyslexicflyer1657]

I'm really happy I went with my SP5 I did the research and I was really close to buying a AP5 I eventually decided to go with the HK yes you are paying more but I didn't want to have to deal with any back and forth around 2000 rounds into my SP5 I have not had any issue with it so far

[@tomwilson1006]

What about a PTR?

[@joelpark556]

@@tomwilson1006 I don’t have any experience with them. They’re close to HK money though.

[@Tauridballistics]

I have one from 2017 and it runs great. Probably newer production issues but I would still go HK.

[@joelpark556]

I think MKE made the older ones and the new ones are made in the USA on different machines.

[@Tauridballistics]

@joelpark556 That makes sense. I thought MKE was still making them all.

[@99cobra2881]

@@joelpark556 I really want to buy an American made MP5 but the idea of having to send it back multiple times doesnt appeal to me which I dont think anyone would or should think that is acceptable. The gun never shouldve left the factory.

[@AZCactusTac]

A lot of companies claim they use HK tooling and while that is true that tooling can be very old. While HK obviously uses HK tooling on an old model HK still does do updates to their tooling with many improvements over the years. So while a company claims HK tooling it doesn’t really mean the same thing. Not saying this is the cause of your issues but people can easily misunderstand this point when they buy a clone.

[@V.F.P.]

As we all have, and still learn... "The negative consequences of poor quality will linger much longer than the temporary satisfaction of a cheap purchase..."

[@TRR56]

Any experience with the PTR?

[@joelpark556]

@@TRR56 I do not have any experience with them.

[@watchmepew1583]

Yup. My ZF5 was nothing but problems. Sent back twice for warranty repair. Sold that piece of junk and got the HK SP5.

[@thewhitematstudio]

Appreciate the video. There aren't nearly enough honest reviews of these clones. I had heard they have lots of problems regardless of mfr. and really inconsistent. Will stick with OEM HK stuff when it's time to pick one up.

[@russiancommy]

I've been lucky I guess. My ptr 9c has been nothing but a dream, and I picked it up brand new for almost sub 1k when PTR was offloading stock. Also ptr won't warranty subbed firearms sometimes because users don't understand that a 80° locking piece is required, and zeneth themselves sell it. I'll update this if I have issues, but honestly this thing cycles everything I've thrown at it from 147 135 115 subs and regular.

[@lon242]

Sorry, subbed?

[@99cobra2881]

@@lon242 Subbed = suppressed hence the following sentence talking about the 80 degree locking piece being needed on a mp5 platform that will see mostly suppressed useage.

[@myelling7773]

had no issues with my ZF-5. Probably user error.

[@adamdiaz146gggfgpffg]

I have a MAC-5, ZF5K and an SP-5. My Zenith hasnt had any issues, but of the three I would bet the Zenith will have failures first. I will say the welds and finish on mine is also the best of the 3. I honestly prefer the MAC-5 over the other two.

[@supg14]

👍 saved me money for sure

[@georgedeveney9646]

I had to file the little pieces that wedge between the mount and bracket things. Got it on secure but it was a pain

[@joelpark556]

That seems to be a common issue on the clones.

[@R55Shibby]

>When you find out the zenith guns are just discards from Turkey/MKE

[@myelling7773]

Zenith ZF-5 is made in Afton, Virginia USA.

[@R55Shibby]

@myelling7773 "assembled"

[@myelling7773]

@@R55Shibby No, manufactured.

[@R55Shibby]

@@myelling7773 I'm not going to argue with someone on the internet over a low QC company that takes back an otherwise functioning firearm, conducts unnecessary work to it, and still never addresses the initial concern. Especially not when I've had the inside scoop on said company.

[@wvlongshooter3912]

Military Armament corp makes a mp5 called the Mac9 that is an exact clone of the mp5.

[@garrickr5084]

Thanks for sharing this. Glad you enjoy the HK. I love mine. Great novelty/collector’s gun for sure. My only question to you is, were the social media and customer service guys nice? Hahahaha.

[@mrsquishyboots]

I made the mistake of buying a PSA AK....still looking for a gunsmith that can dimple the receiver and install a wasr 10 bolt. More than likely it was cost another 700$ to rebuild it. Should have bought a Zastava. Will avoid Zenith also. Thanks for the video.

[@FirstLast-ff7qx]

Wasr underfolders are out right now right around 800. I got a standard one in like 2018. Been solid. Terrible finish on it but idk. I have 2 zastavas as well. Better fit n finish than the wasr but the wasr means buisness. Hope it works out for ya man. The internet is responsible for hyping up the psa's when there is way better tried n true options.

[@GrendalTheBeasty]

Zastava isn't any better than psa Sadly. Their rivets start breaking at about 2k rounds as they are not properly dimpled or using the correct rivets.

[@FirstLast-ff7qx]

@@GrendalTheBeasty that may be a little ancedotal. Theres many zastavas that have pushed past 5k rounds no problem. Zastava been doin it way longer than psa. I havent seen many examples of zastavas breaking at 2k. And no i dont go on reddit.

[@FirstLast-ff7qx]

@@GrendalTheBeasty and both of mine have gone past 2k but i dont have an m70 i have an m92 n m85

[@GrendalTheBeasty]

@@FirstLast-ff7qx I have an M70 I picked up back in 2022, it needs a rebuild as the rear trunion has been beaten out of position. I also have an M90, which i use the lowest gas setting on and it's also starting to show signs of the rear trunion moving further back. I bought both as replacements for PSA's as I figured the Serbians know how to build AK's. And maybe they do, but not the commercial market ones brought to the USA. They are garbage. I've honestly reached the opinion that it simply is not possible to get a properly made AK in the USA for under $2000 USD. You can get a crooked WASR that works, or a straight gun that self destructs in short order.

[@MrKingArthurhk]

The Zenith has notoriously bent rails.

[@marineplaysairsoft]

Babby's First Trolling Arc continues...

[@A_barrel]

Huh, seems like I dodged a bullet. Saw one of these at a gun show, seemed cheap enough to not pass up but didn't know anything about it. Only thing stopping me was it was private party and I wasn't sure of the flavor day the atf had out and I'm left handed. Mp5s don't seem too fun left handed even though they're cool af

[@goodluck2522]

Travis haley is a Marine Corps version of Tim Kennedy. Dude will say anything to make a buck or make it about himself

[@sleigh4019]

Wait? They sent you a new gun and you sold it? Or you sold the junk gun to someone ?

[@joelpark556]

I sold the brand new hand picked gun to a friend with full disclosure of the entire saga.

[@InfoNotWars]

PTR man. I've done a few on mine if you have time

[@Wade-1]

Anyone who knows anything about mass manufacturing knows that sh!t happens.

[@travistucker7317]

The term you're looking for there is boss ,i think.

[@mrdato116]

Get MKE MP5 (ap5). Closest thing to real Mp5. Dont get HK SP5, its for heckler and cuck fanboys. Only has one takedown pin in the lower receiver which gives lower more wobble and is just weird. Thinner receiver metal compared to original mp5 and mke ap5.

[@michaelcain8878]

This was not at all my experience with my ZF5P, which not only has better construction than an actual H&K, but shoots like a champ, despite not being cleaned to H&K's conservative specs. I think you can have issues with any mass produced weapon system, even H&K. What exactly is your motivation posting this video? Seems like a targeted post designed to damage Zenith. One bad experience hardly compares to the thousands of positive ones, you aren't saving anyone.

[@williamjames5664]

My zf5 was a postie on my license, ran 10,000+ rounds full auto no issues.

[@lon242]

Gonsmif 📈

[@joelpark556]

With KZbin smithing credentials and all. 🤷‍♂️

[@Mrgunsngear]

🇺🇸

[@coltonbaysinger]

You had a good experience with yours, correct? Has there been a change in that recently, that you've seen? Just curious.

[@Puddin127]

If ya want an mp5, buy a fucking mp5. It’s so few and far between anything from turkey is worth a shit in my experience. Canik is like literally the only exception.

[@user-te3qq1rb7u]

I’ll take your Zenith if you don’t want it

[@Naki523]

Buy a B&T APC!

[@MuzzleFrontLLC]

The tribal nature of the Zenith company itself does not lend itself to a quality product being consistently manufactured. I said what I said.

[@coltonbaysinger]

Elaborate. I'm not sure what you mean by tribal? Curious though.

[@tmgjurassic3738]

Honestly, all the cloned HKs (roller delays) kind of suck. If you want one that works you should just buy the original.

[@BretCatmull]

I could have told you that!

[@Jean-v4v7o]

I have watched 2 of your videos so far. All i can say about them is that they are crap.

[@survivaloptions4999]

Nubbins.

[@ingunowner7088]

Buys a cheap gun... Gets a lemon... Makes it your whole personality. 🤣

[@Esper320]

Show us your PSA, brokie