Looking to set up your MP5 for use with NODs? Take a look at Midwest Industries’ Night Vision Optic Claw Mount.
The MP5 is a legendary platform that, while pushing 60-years-old, is not going away any time soon. With the proliferation of good-quality MP5 clones on the market, new life has been given to this grand-daddy pistol caliber carbine.
While age and experience count for a lot, it doesn’t improve basic mounting options. Like the AK, the MP5 suffers from the fact that it was built before optics were really a viable option, and the design doesn’t inherently lend itself well to modernization. Lucky for us, brands like Midwest Industries are around to help out.
Build List:
- Military Arms Corporation MAC 5
- Midwest Industries MP5 Suppressor Handguard
- Midwest Industries MP5 NV Optic Claw Mount
- JMAC Customs 1913 Adapter
- JMAC Arm Brace
- SB Tactical SBA3 Brace
- Timney Triggers MP5 Trigger
- Magpul MP5 Safety
- Shadow Systems HS923 Suppressor w/ Tri-Lug Mount
- Holosun IRIS-GR3
- StreamLight ProTac 2.0
Little over a year ago, the Military Arms Corporation MAC 5 was outfitted with the Midwest Industries Suppressor Handguard and the basic claw mount for optics. The handguard has tons of MLOK and makes mounting a WML a lot easier, and provides protection for the suppressor, but it’s still cramped for real estate due to the short barrel. To solve that, Midwest Industries has released the MP5/MP5K NV Optic Mount for 1913 Picatinny, ACRO, or Aimpoint T1/2 mounting.
The NV mount uses the same standard MP5 claw mounting, but totally changes what happens up top. Instead of a standard Pic rail, the NV mount is a two-tiered mount with Pic rail on the lower step and one of the three choices on top.
This added area is perfect for an IR light/laser combo and puts the red dot optic of your choice at a much more comfortable height for use with night vision goggles. For mine, a Holosun IRIS-GR3 IR unit was added with a Lead & Steel Pandora PB-3. These, plus a StreamLight ProTac 2.0 out front on the MI handguard, provide everything needed in the day or night.
MI’s mount is rock solid, using the same claw mounting that has worked for MP5s for decades. While not the most modern, it works, it’s easy to install, and it’s robust. Even with getting dropped and kicked around, the Holosun IRIS-GE3 hasn’t lost zero on the MI NV mount.
While I can’t say the MP5 is the top of my list for guns to grab when something goes bump in the night, it is my favorite PCC for vibes alone. Adding real night vision mounting only adds to that.
Over the past year+, the MAC 5 has proven to be a reliable MP5 clone that ticks all the boxes for me. Fun, reliable, and feels right. This build has seen another 1,000 rounds at the range and in local matches and has run 100% in that time. Now with a raised optic and the IRIS-GR3 on top, it will see more time at night shoots and desert campouts.
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the June 2026 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
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