Was the MP5 used in the Vietnam War by US forces in any way at all possible????

Question

I am very curious because it was first introduced in 1966, right in the first years of the Vietnam war.

I know the MP5A1 was first used by German Patrols in 1966. Did the US order a couple for use with Marines maybe towards 1969 or 70?

Answer 1

I know the H&K G3 was used in vietnam, but I can't find any mention of the MP5 being used. The MP-5, basically, is no more than the scaled-down version of the Heckler-Koch G3 battle rifle. It shares the same basic design with stamped steel receiver and the same roller-delayed blowback action, derived from the post-war CETME rifles.

I know that Marine Recon units used the MP5 until 1989, but I'm not sure when they were issued. The last marines left Vietnam in 1971.

Answer 2

S. F. Road-Runner Teams, & Air America (CIA) operatives used the 9mm Swedish "K"
Karl Gustaff, a simple folding stock, blow-back sub-machine gun, 36 round magazines, and it could be fitted with silencer.


There is nothing at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heckler_&_Koch_MP5

to suggest it was used in Vietnam, which I personaly doubt because of the high price for the weapon, and the fact that new weapons systems are very prone to problems that take months if not years to iron out.
Whereas the Swedish "K" was cheap, readly available and a copy known as the "Port Said" and Arab coppy was available via captured stocks from te Israelis.

Answer 3

The MP-5 wasn't used in Vietnam as it was a 9mm and at that time 9mm was deemed too weak to be effective in combat. Special forces at the time used 45 cal grease guns or M-16 carbines also the M-1 carbine was favored for it's light wieght an important consideration in the hot energy sapping jungle.

Answer 4

Try doing a MP5 search in Google.

Although I tend not to believe that it was used in masses. But take into account the special forces and those guys that liked doing incognito ops into Cambodia.

Answer 5

im sure it was used by pilots and special operations. if you look it up on wikipedia or even soldier of fortune it gives alot of useful information just on the mp5.

Answer 6

Yeah by the germans.

Answer 7

the mp5 was too expensive for us back then. (US Troops)