MP5/10: FBI's super-charged submachine gun, with firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson

In this week’s episode, Jonathan unveils a cult classic firearm-the MP5, but with a twist. Discover the more powerful variant developed for the FBI and delve into its enduring legacy in pop culture.
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[@jonathanferguson1211]

A bit of new information thanks to Hans-Christian Vortisch - this fixed stock auto/burst configuration was apparently standard issue for FBI Special Agents (as opposed to specialist units like HRT).

[@Dreadnought505]

The 10mm round is rugged, reliable and ubiquitous making it a popular choice for wastelanders.

[@stephenwalton9646]

A SWAT Team friend of mine questioned a HK rep about the lack of hold open on their 9mm weapons. The response,”We don’t want the adversary knowing you’re out of ammunition.” His quip to that was,”I should think one of us should know.

[@Saint_Wolf_]

I saw the community post of an MP5 silhouette with a straight mag and thought "nah, impossible, they can't!" bur you did you madlads! A 10mm MP5!

[@jarvy251]

I think this is the first physical example of a 10mm MP5 I have ever seen after reading about them in the Rainbow Six novel over 20 years ago. I actually didn't know about the bolt catch, I can only imagine the arm twisting that would have been required to get it added as HK is infamously resistant to any attempts to improve their designs for the people who actually use them.

[@gallotwelve]

You can tell the MP5 is a point of passion for Mr. Jonathan

[@vinceely2906]

I’ll be amazed if Jonathan didn’t have the Action Man SAS kit as a child.

[@oodsigma4482]

I used to work at an indoor range. We had a regular customer who would bring his 10mm MP5 in along with one in 40 S&W. No idea what department or agency he worked for but he was a nice guy.

[@AEixilimar]

I love seeing Jonathan going from this nervousness to talk to the camera with a lot of studders to becoming more and more confident in the way he speaks and presents everything

[@eddietat95]

1:10

[@racebannon2708]

We were told that when H&K quit making them, the FBI bought up all the parts they had and, as they parts were used up, the weapons were phased out of the field in favor of the M4. I was sad when they took mine away - it was identical to the one displayed here. I could hammer nails with that thing...

[@kevo868]

FBI agents had these up till around 2016/2017. It was not just limited to HRT. FBI also had 9 MM variants as well.

[@michaelathens953]

I love MP5s, the only full auto SMG I've ever fired was a 9MM MP5 and it was fun as hell. Shockingly easy to control really, I can see why they're so popular cause if I could handle it that easily with no prior training or experience on it a real operator could really do some work.

[@kingsora84]

10mm on a MP5? now that's the jackpot!

[@TheBigshot19]

Jonathan mentioning Rogue Spear made my day, I was thinking of Rainbow Six the whole video and how I would assign teams with kits based off FBI HRT with green uniforms and the MP5/10, SAS with black uniforms and the MP5SD, and USMC with Woodland BDUs and M4A1s

[@phaserrifle3]

Didn't they also put a bolt hold open on the G41 - the Hk33 variant supposed to compete with the M16 that also had an AR style forward assist?

[@Plentisaki]

Ah, fond memories of the MP5 (9mm standard) as an AFO some 20 years ago. Great CQB weapon but not at range, hence going to the G36 5.56mm. The MP5 was a delight to shoot. One drill we had to do was have the weapon stripped at our feet at the point in the range, then on the command assemble the weapon and fire 10 aimed rounds in a timed exercise.

[@Mag_Aoidh]

I carried an MP5N (Navy model, collapsible stock, 3 lug muzzle, 4 position ambidextrous trigger group) for about 5 years on SWAT during the mid 90s until we transitioned to M4s. A few guys still tended to carry the MP5 and I went to an HK M1 Super 90. When that MP5/10 came out, I drooled over it. In 2005 we transitioned to Sig P226s in 357 Sig and I always thought an MP5 in that caliber would have been awesome.

[@the7observer]

FBI we need more powerful cartridge

[@StanleySlater-rr1nw]

The MP5/10 as shown was issued to FBI Agents until around 2018. The fixed stocked guns with safe/semi/2 shot burst trigger groups were issued to regular Agents. FBI SWAT and HRT were issued collapsible stocked versions with safe/semi/2 shot burst/full auto trigger groups. FBI SWAT and HRT made the transition to 5.56mm carbines sooner than the rest of the FBI but the 10mm MP5 was in common usage until fairly recently. One drawback of the bolt hold open was that the sharp corners of the cutout in the left side of the receiver seemed to be a point of stress accumulation and the receivers would develop cracks from these areas. This was not observed in guns issued to Agents but was seen in guns used extensively in the training environment like those used at Quantico for new Agent training.