Why Cops Prefer MP-5 Over AK-47?

To get the right answer of this question, we need to look at the some other features of the sub-machine gun and the assault rifle. However AK-47 assault rifle has no match at its shooting capacity from the long distance but in cities like Delhi, Mumbai or Kanpur or Chandigarh and others, policemen say that they do not find themselves in situations often to engage in long-distance encounters. Contrary to this, they would get situations when they face criminals, who could be overpowered with the use of light-weight weapons.

SHOs of Delhi Police notice the proclivity of their men preferring MP-5 sub-machine gun rather than AK-47. Some of them try to find out the reason and every one of them gets the same answer from their sub-ordinates. The answer lies in the fact that MP-5 is a light weight weapon, which is very effective in short distance situations. SHOs say that the capacity of AK-47 rifle is unquestioned but ground reality is very obvious. And this reality is cops do not prefer AK-47 in their routine duty, however in some extraordinary situations, they would always go for it.

In August this year, the commissioner of Delhi Police Mr. Amulya Patnaik launched his dream project “PRAKRAM” as an anti-terror measure. At the time of planning and launching of this project, it was conceived that commandos of PRAKRAM would be equipped with AK-47 rifles. After its inception, more than two dozen AK-47 rifles were to be handed over to the commandos. However, during their duties it was felt that MP-5 sub-machine guns would be more pertinent for them to keep, handle and use in situations. However, PRAKRAM commandos have some AK-47 rifles also, but their number were not increased from the time of launching. Women commandos more and more prefer MP-5 guns than AK-47 rifles.

In fact, MP-5 is the one of the most preferred gun used by the security forces world over. It has proved its worth many times in face-off situations with not only criminal gangs but also in anti-terror operations. Its steel magazine has 15 round and 30 round capacity. However, AK-47 rifle is the most popular and used worldwide in extreme situations. Such reliability of this weapon proves its worth. Police forces in India have AK-47 rifles, which have 30 round magazines.

Despite the unparalleled record in combating and immense reliability of AK-47, there are two major factors that tilt the balance in favor of MP5, in the perspective of Indian police forces. Weight and length of MP-5 gun are the major factors. Effective firing range comes next. The weight of AK-47 assault rifle is 3.47 Kg., while it is 2.5 Kg. of MP-5 gun. Cops prefer light weight at their routine duty. Length of AK-47 rifle is 880 M.M., while it is 680 M.M. of MP-5 sub machine-gun. Policemen go for shorter length for their daily duty. However, effective firing range of MP-5 gun is only 250 meter, which is much less in comparison of 350 meter range of AK-47 rifle. But cops, contrary to soldiers, do not need longer firing range in cities. So it is true that cops love MP-5.