But then I saw the GSG-5 hanging on the wall.  I’ve been looking for one of these little gems for about six months with no luck, so I just couldn’t resist.  I gave up the idea of stocking up on more lower receivers and ended up getting the little GSG-5 instead.

For those of you that aren’t familiar with the GSG-5 it is a.22LR clone of the H&k MP-5.  It’s made by German Sports Guns who primarily makes airsoft guns, and it’s imported by American Tactical Imports.   The version that I purchased has the standard fixed stock, and a 16.25″ bbl with a fake suppressor that covers the portion of the barrel past the front sight post.  There is also a short barrel pistol version available also GSG-5P.

Here are the technical specs: GSG-5 Flyer in PDF

 Caliber: .22 LR
Action: Semi-Auto
Weight: 6.6 lbs
Length: 33.5″
Barrel Length: 16.25″
Magazine Capacity: 22

 One of the neat things about this gun is the availability of accessories.  German Sports Guns has already released a line of upgrade parts. 

The tactical handguard, vertical foregrip, dual magazine clamp, scope mount and the red dot sight seen above are justa few of the accessories available for the GSG-5.  Other official GSG accessories include a folding stock, colapsable stock, laser mount,  4×8 scope with weaver mounts and of course spare magazines in 22, 10 and 2 round configurations.  But that’s not the end of it.  Because the GSG-5 design is similar to GSG’s airsoft offering, there are tons of other accessories already available that can be installed with little to no modifications.

 How does it shoot?  This gun is pure fun.  I took it to the range to get everything dialed in and ended up putting about 600 rounds downrange.   At one point, I put six magazines through it at as fast as the range rules would tolerate (about 2 rounds per second) and ended up with a 1-3/4″ hole punched in the middle of the target at 50 yards.  That may not seem like a tight group, but putting132 consecutive rounds into a in an area less than 2″ at 50 yards rapid fire with iron sights is nothing to be ashamed of.  Add the fact that it was cheap federal bulk pack ammo, and it just brings a smile to my face.  Sure, it’s no tack driver, but it was never designed to be one.   By the way, I did not have one singe failure to fire or failure to feed.  It just ran and ran.

 I’m hoping to pick up one of the new Caldwell Shooting Galleries soon and this gun would be perfect in that application.  In fact, from what I’ve heard, they have become very popular at steel challenge matches.

I haven’t decided if I want to do any serious customizations yet, but I definately want to get a UMP style folding stock, a scope mount, and a red dot scope of some variety.

The only real problem I have with this gun was the price.  At $499 (MSRP) it isn’t cheap.  In my opinion it should be about $100 cheaper.  But demand is still outpacing supply, so dealers can get the full suggested retail price.  At the same time, I don’t regret paying full MSRP.

 And if MP5 isn’t your style, GSG has tentatively scheduled to release an .22LR AK Q1 of 2009.