Century Arms AP5-L: A Modern Evolution of a Classic Legend

The Century Arms AP5-L is the latest offering in the celebrated AP5 series of pistols by MKE, built on the historically revered roller-delayed blowback system. This MP5 clone, which has been trusted by professionals for over 50 years, forms the backbone of the AP5 series, blending the reliability and appeal of a classic design with modern features to meet the needs of today’s shooters. With the AP5-L, Century Arms continues the tradition of excellence, enhancing the platform with modern innovations and offering an exceptional 9mm carbine rifle that offers excellent performance and versatility. To put it all together, the AP5-L is absolute joy to shoot.

Heritage of the Roller-Delayed Blowback System

The AP5-L, like its predecessors, is built around the roller-delayed blowback system, a design renowned for its durability, reliability, and smooth shooting experience. Developed in the mid-20th century, this system became synonymous with elite tactical units and law enforcement agencies around the world. By incorporating this proven mechanism, the AP5-L continues to deliver the accuracy and functionality that shooters have come to expect from the AP5 family.

I have to be honest, I didn’t have a lot of experience shooting a roller-delayed blowback system. Guys from my era and generation seem to be more accustom to the gas system used in a traditional AR-15 platform. I was shocked at how easy an how smooth the roller-back blowback system was to shoot.

This legacy, however, is only the starting point. The AP5-L takes the roller-delayed blowback system and brings it into the modern era with a series of upgrades and enhancements that make it a formidable option for today’s shooting enthusiasts.

One of the standout features of the AP5-L is its 16.5-inch cold hammer forged barrel with a 1:10 twist. This barrel length not only optimizes the ballistic performance of 9mm ammunition, providing higher velocity and improved accuracy at longer ranges, but it also allows the user to purchase the package as a rifle, and enjoy it straight out of the box. No need to register this as an SBR or go looking for a pistol brace. Cold hammer forging, a process known for producing stronger and more resilient barrels, ensures that the AP5-L will maintain its performance even after thousands of rounds.

The 1:10 twist rate is ideal for stabilizing a wide variety of 9mm bullet weights, making the AP5-L a versatile choice for different shooting applications, whether for personal defense, tactical scenarios, or recreational shooting at the range. Combined with the roller-delayed blowback action, this configuration delivers a smooth, controllable shooting experience that is both accurate and reliable.

Century Arms has taken things a step further by offering Magpul furniture on the AP5-L, and to me, it makes all the difference. The AP5-L is equipped with a Magpul SL collapsible stock, which adds a high degree of customization and comfort to the platform. The collapsible design allows users to adjust the length to suit their individual preferences and needs, whether for close-quarters maneuverability or precision shooting at extended distances. The robust Magpul stock is known for its durability, providing a solid and stable shooting platform even under demanding conditions.

Magpul Adjustable Stock

Additionally, the Magpul SL Grip Module, complete with an ESK Selector, further enhances the ergonomics of the AP5-L. The grip is designed for maximum control and comfort, ensuring that the shooter maintains a secure hold even during extended shooting sessions. The ESK Selector offers ambidextrous control, making the AP5-L an excellent choice for both right- and left-handed shooters.

Magpul SL Grip Module

The Magpul M-LOK handguard on the AP5-L adds another layer of modern versatility to the platform. The M-LOK system is one of the most popular mounting solutions in the industry today. With the M-LOK system, the AP5-L can be easily configured to meet the needs of any shooting scenario, whether tactical or recreational.

Magpul Handguard and side M-Lock

This handguard not only provides practical customization options but also enhances heat dissipation, ensuring that the carbine remains comfortable to handle during rapid fire or prolonged use.

Included with the AP5-L is the Overwatch Precision MOD2 32-round magazine, offering ample firepower and reliability. The magazine is designed to feed smoothly and consistently, reducing the risk of malfunctions during rapid or sustained fire. With a 32-round capacity, the AP5-L is well-suited for defensive use, competition, or extended range sessions, giving shooters the confidence to stay in the fight longer without the need for constant reloading. We had zero issues with this magazine in our testing. It proved to be of solid quality.

To further enhance the versatility of the AP5-L, Century Arms includes a 1913 Picatinny claw mount for optics in the box. This mount allows users to easily attach their preferred red dots, scopes, or other optics, giving them the ability to customize the sighting system to their exact preferences. Whether you prefer fast target acquisition with a red dot sight or precise shooting at range with a scope, the Picatinny mount ensures that the AP5-L can be outfitted with the right tools for the job.

At the range, the AP5-L proved to be fun to shoot and surprisingly accurate as can be. I didn’t use any special optics or the included pic rail. I only used the drum sights for my testing. Right out of the box I got excellent groupings at both 10 yards and 25 yards. I was surprised to see at 25 yards I got all 12 tested rounds in the head silhouette for a perfect 12 out of 12.

Author Shooting the AP5-L

The AP5-L had zero felt recoil, and I did not experience one failure during my 100 round test. I did not use any lubrication on the firearm whatsoever.

As a matter of fact, I loved shooting the AP5-L so much, I’m seriously regretting having to send it back to Century Arms. It’s a truly a well-built machine, and at an MSRP of just under $2,000 its worth every penny.

The AP5-L: The Legend Continues

With the AP5-L, Century Arms has taken a legendary platform and evolved it to meet the demands of the modern shooter. The combination of the roller-delayed blowback system with contemporary features such as the 16.5-inch cold hammer forged barrel, Magpul SL stock and grip, M-LOK handguard, and a 32-round magazine creates a carbine that is both true to its roots and equipped for the future.

Whether for home defense, tactical operations, or recreational shooting, the AP5-L offers the performance, reliability, and versatility that have made the AP5 series a favorite among professionals and enthusiasts alike. The inclusion of a Picatinny claw mount and customizable accessories ensures that this carbine can be tailored to the individual needs of each shooter.

In short, the AP5-L is a modern legend, continuing the legacy of the AP5 line while introducing new features that make it an outstanding choice for today’s demanding environments. Century Arms has once again delivered a firearm that upholds the highest standards of quality, innovation, and performance.