RE: MG5 Review

[nvalcik]

I finally received my MG-5 from ISS last week and I got to shoot it for the first time in a match this week. Not ideal on how you want to start out cold with a new pistol, but that is how it works sometimes. Apparently MG-5's have two different types of breech locks. The older type (the one I had) has a two piece firing pin release mechanism. The newer type has a three piece release mechanism that increases reliability since there was at least one person with an electronic trigger version having problems with the two piece style. I had no problems with reliability at all with the mechanical trigger version. The gun went off every time I pulled the trigger and did not go off when no pressure was applied. I really liked the way the gun shot and the compensator worked extremely well, the gun was light in the nose (which I prefer - weights were unattached), the grip fit really well to my hand and the trigger feel was outstanding. In addition the sights were completely adjustable and very well designed. I really liked the way the gun loads and locks up. I was using a CM-80 Super Comp where this became an issue as far as the lever being attached to only one side and not locking up all that tight. So I really liked the fact that the lever attached to both sides of the frame and had a positive lockup when a round was loaded. I shot a little below what I did last time with a TOZ, but it took the first 15 rounds of the match to sight in since I ran out of time on the sighter target. I would say get very familiar with the diagrams on how to adjust the sights. In short I feel that I made a really good purchase.

[deadeyedick]

Congratulations.... I have been looking long and hard at purchasing the electronic version of this pistol.

[nvalcik]

I know that you can switch out the mechanical and electronic triggers. I know the electronic trigger I tried was really nice, but I personally prefer mechanical triggers since I feel that less can go wrong. I once owned a Hammerli 152 and that cured me of ever wanting an electronic trigger again.

[nvalcik]

I know that you can switch out the mechanical and electronic triggers. I know the electronic trigger I tried was really nice, but I personally prefer mechanical triggers since I feel that less can go wrong. I once owned a Hammerli 152 and that cured me of ever wanting an electronic trigger again.

[Weekend Shooter]

I have a 3 piece release mechanism on an electronic trigger. It has misfired but I think it's because the trigger weight was too low, the screw was practically all the way. I've increased the tension and have not gotten again a misfire yet (and improved my score too though still get my wildshot).

Exchanging notes with another shooter in the forum who was getting misfires (don't know if a 2-piece or 3-piece), we figured out how to dismantle the bolt to clean it. It's not in in the manual and it benefits greatly from the procedure. I had to clean mine out when the loading lever would not close (lent the pistol to another club member who turned white when the lever would not close thinking he had broken it). It's easy to take out with 2 pins and after cleaning and sparingly applying Moly grease in the right spots makes the movement very nice. Post cleaning, both or our pistols work just fine.

There are also two types of comps out of factory. The blue one on the website and one that looks like a black squashed potato. Have no idea in terms of differences in performance or weight. All of the MG5s at the club have my type (potato) which I am very happy with. The side plate on the switch seems to have 2 types too. Mine is like the website, ie without decals. I've seen in phote one with decals from the US. No big deal, I could figure out the "on" and "off" positions.

Save for the cleaning (which is not on manual) and the misfires which I solved by adding a little more weight, I m a happy guy with mine.

[nvalcik]

I actually have the blue type of compensator and have been really happy with how the gun feels when it is fired. I have had no misfires and the action on mine feels really positive. I think this is the first time that I have a grip that fits my hand right out of the box. I really like the way the mechanical trigger feels. I especially like the fact that it is a single stage trigger.

[Weekend Shooter]

My level of skill can not really make the difference between the mechanical and the electronic. I tried one of the mechanical versions that we have here. Our champ however swears by the electronic trigger. I'm sure both comps are fine and it's an aesthetic matter only.

My grip needed a little smoothening down in some spots and building up in others. But I ll agree with you. It's a very nice gun to have.

[nvalcik]

I love the fact that the gun is very light weight and balanced towards the rear of the pistol. I have had bad experiences with electronic triggers and did not like the issue of not being able to "feel" when the trigger was going to break. Considering how many people shoot Toz's which are mechanical triggers, they seem to still hold their own with the electronic trigger variants. The nice thing with the MG5 is that there is a conversion kit if you ever wanted to change from a mechanical to an electronic trigger or vice versa. For the mechanical trigger I really like where the set lever is on the gun. It is in a very handy location that I find was really user friendly.

[jipe]

The nice thing with the MG5 is that there is a conversion kit if you ever wanted to change from a mechanical to an electronic trigger or vice versa.

The same was possible for the Hammerli 160/162. Seen the number of people knowing that it is possible, I doubt that it was ever done (excepted may be by people having problems with the electronic trigger).

[nvalcik]

After all the problems I had with my electronic trigger in the Hammerli 152, the company could only improve on the design as far as I was concerned. I never heard of anyone using their conversion kit and I have not seen too many people with Hammerli 162's. When those came out everyone seemed to be using a TOZ, and the one person that I knew that had one was not too impressed with the quality of the 162 and he ended up selling it and using a TOZ.

I still think the conversion kit is a good idea and it is way cheaper than buying a whole new pistol if you wanted to try an electronic or mechanical trigger.