A British Policeman and his MP5

A British Policeman and his MP5 · 10:36 AM

I was around parliament today (16/05/09) in Westminster London, and I decided to ask a policeman at one of the gates if I could take a photograph of his gun.
He was very nice guy and said yes, of course. Well, I couldn't believe it!

I got down on one knee and took this shot of his MP5.

Married With An MP5

Jimbo · 05-15-2009, 10:38 AM

To bad the workd has come to seeing guns like this out in public. Nice sapture though. JIM

**Sailor** · 05-15-2009, 10:47 AM

I noticed the word "POW 4" penciled on the side - don't know what it means, really, but "pow" seems appropiate for this thing.

Great shot.

Jer

alehel · 05-15-2009, 10:47 AM

I bet loads of officers would refuse, which is a bit silly as there are plenty pictures of MP5's on the internet. I even use one myself (doing national service). Personally I think I would try upping the contrast a tiny bit.

Seems a bit strange to write POW4 on it when you can just use the serial number to identify it. All legally produced weapons have a unique serial number.

brkl · 05-15-2009, 12:00 PM

These things scared the hell out of me when I arrived in the country. In a week's time I'll be back somewhere where the police don't look like they're about to invade a country.

RoxnDox · 05-15-2009, 01:43 PM

I like it, nice shot. Good to see that he's exhibiting proper safety by keeping finger outside the trigger guard

The "POW 4" could very well just be a label put on the weapons assigned to whatever unit he's in, we did similar things with the weapons owned by our squadron in the USAF in Korea. Much easier to keep track of at a glance than the serial numbers...

Wish I had a chance to try out an MP5, I've heard they are a lot of fun to shoot. They're sure out of my personal budget reach, though!

Jim

paulyrichard · 05-15-2009, 02:33 PM

Thanks guys.

I only intended this as a fun shot, but now I look at it more and more it appeals to me in a more documentative way.

The only guns i've fired on a range here in the UK are an IMI Desert Eagle and my friends Mini 14, and his Thompson Contender.

Anyway, appreciate you all lookin' and commentin' on the photo.

**Scottnorwo** · 05-15-2009, 03:29 PM

A good shot indeed. unfortunate commentary on our need for security here in the 21st century.

Bramela · 05-15-2009, 05:06 PM

I am surprised at his cooperative manner. I am sure there are many that would have told you to "get well and truly *******"

Well taken shot, really like the B&W treatment of the subject.

alehel · 05-15-2009, 05:33 PM

The MP5 is quite an interesting weapon, although I much prefear the new MP7 if I was to be sent into actual urban combat. A few weeks ago I helped test out the MP5 vs MP7 on some old bodyarmor that was going into the bin. Our sargent thought it would be fun. I was quite shocked by how little power there is in this thing. None of the 5 bullets I fired were able to completely pierce the body armor at 30m. They certainly would have caused some damage, but not as much as one would think. The MP7 on the other hand went inn one side and out the other. Luckily though, I doubt I'll ever need to actually use a weapon for real. That's the advantage of national service in Norway. It's illegal to use national servicemen in real combat. You have to sign up for it, so there's no worries for when you get enlisted. We only have it so that we'll be able to respond quicker to an invasion.

Incidently, it's is illegal to own weapons such as the MP5 here in Norway, thank God. Any weapon that the goverment considers to be a weapon that doesn't serve a practicle purpose, such as hunting rifles, are illegal. That basicly means that all automatic weapons are out of bounds in this country.

Damn Brit · 05-15-2009, 06:37 PM

Nice shot Pauly.

Damn Brit · 05-15-2009, 06:39 PM

Originally posted by alehel

Incidently, it's is illegal to own weapons such as the MP5 here in Norway, thank God. Any weapon that the goverment considers to be a weapon that doesn't serve a practicle purpose, such as hunting rifles, are illegal. That basicly means that all automatic weapons are out of bounds in this country.

That's very sensible. Unfortunately here in the U.S. the deer have become very dangerous and run around in gangs. As a consequence, hunters feel the need to carry semi automatic weapons as protection.

gtk · 05-15-2009, 08:33 PM

Reminds me of the song from a couple of years ago- "Cows with guns"

cupic · 05-15-2009, 09:42 PM

Very accommodating for a police officer

cheers

pop4 · 05-16-2009, 01:18 AM

Originally posted by alehel

The MP5 is quite an interesting weapon, although I much prefear the new MP7 if I was to be sent into actual urban combat. A few weeks ago I helped test out the MP5 vs MP7 on some old bodyarmor that was going into the bin. Our sargent thought it would be fun. I was quite shocked by how little power there is in this thing. None of the 5 bullets I fired were able to completely pierce the body armor at 30m. They certainly would have caused some damage, but not as much as one would think. The MP7 on the other hand went inn one side and out the other. Luckily though, I doubt I'll ever need to actually use a weapon for real.

Getting off-topic here, but the difference in penetration would have been due to the different rounds used. The MP5 is most commonly chambered in 9mm, which is more of a pistol round than anything, while the MP7 uses a 4.6mm round which was designed with amour penetration in mind.

Back on-topic, I think the B&W treatment works for this shot, though I'm not entirely convinced by the tight framing.

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05-15-2009, 10:38 AM	#2
Jimbo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Maple Ridge BC Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,368	To bad the workd has come to seeing guns like this out in public. Nice sapture though. JIM

05-15-2009, 10:47 AM	#3
Sailor Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Coastal Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 26,203	I noticed the word "POW 4" penciled on the side - don't know what it means, really, but "pow" seems appropiate for this thing. Great shot. Jer

05-15-2009, 10:47 AM	#4
alehel Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 167	I bet loads of officers would refuse, which is a bit silly as there are plenty pictures of MP5's on the internet. I even use one myself (doing national service). Personally I think I would try upping the contrast a tiny bit. Seems a bit strange to write POW4 on it when you can just use the serial number to identify it. All legally produced weapons have a unique serial number.

05-15-2009, 12:00 PM	#5
brkl Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 497	These things scared the hell out of me when I arrived in the country. In a week's time I'll be back somewhere where the police don't look like they're about to invade a country.

05-15-2009, 01:43 PM	#6
RoxnDox Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gig Harbor, Washington, USA, Terra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,494	I like it, nice shot. Good to see that he's exhibiting proper safety by keeping finger outside the trigger guard The "POW 4" could very well just be a label put on the weapons assigned to whatever unit he's in, we did similar things with the weapons owned by our squadron in the USAF in Korea. Much easier to keep track of at a glance than the serial numbers... Wish I had a chance to try out an MP5, I've heard they are a lot of fun to shoot. They're sure out of my personal budget reach, though! Jim

05-15-2009, 02:33 PM	#7
paulyrichard Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: London, UK Posts: 871 Original Poster	Thanks guys. I only intended this as a fun shot, but now I look at it more and more it appeals to me in a more documentative way. The only guns i've fired on a range here in the UK are an IMI Desert Eagle and my friends Mini 14, and his Thompson Contender. Anyway, appreciate you all lookin' and commentin' on the photo.

05-15-2009, 03:29 PM	#8
Scottnorwo Millionth Poster! Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Stafford, New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,086	A good shot indeed. unfortunate commentary on our need for security here in the 21st century.

05-15-2009, 05:06 PM	#9
Bramela Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Newcastle Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,284	I am surprised at his cooperative manner. I am sure there are many that would have told you to "get well and truly *******" Well taken shot, really like the B&W treatment of the subject.

05-15-2009, 05:33 PM	#10
alehel Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 167	The MP5 is quite an interesting weapon, although I much prefear the new MP7 if I was to be sent into actual urban combat. A few weeks ago I helped test out the MP5 vs MP7 on some old bodyarmor that was going into the bin. Our sargent thought it would be fun. I was quite shocked by how little power there is in this thing. None of the 5 bullets I fired were able to completely pierce the body armor at 30m. They certainly would have caused some damage, but not as much as one would think. The MP7 on the other hand went inn one side and out the other. Luckily though, I doubt I'll ever need to actually use a weapon for real. That's the advantage of national service in Norway. It's illegal to use national servicemen in real combat. You have to sign up for it, so there's no worries for when you get enlisted. We only have it so that we'll be able to respond quicker to an invasion. Incidently, it's is illegal to own weapons such as the MP5 here in Norway, thank God. Any weapon that the goverment considers to be a weapon that doesn't serve a practicle purpose, such as hunting rifles, are illegal. That basicly means that all automatic weapons are out of bounds in this country.

05-15-2009, 06:39 PM	#12
Damn Brit Guest	Originally posted by alehel Incidently, it's is illegal to own weapons such as the MP5 here in Norway, thank God. Any weapon that the goverment considers to be a weapon that doesn't serve a practicle purpose, such as hunting rifles, are illegal. That basicly means that all automatic weapons are out of bounds in this country. That's very sensible. Unfortunately here in the U.S. the deer have become very dangerous and run around in gangs. As a consequence, hunters feel the need to carry semi automatic weapons as protection.

05-15-2009, 08:33 PM	#13
gtk Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 40	Reminds me of the song from a couple of years ago- "Cows with guns"

05-15-2009, 09:42 PM	#14
cupic Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Australia-NSW Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,824	Very accommodating for a police officer cheers

05-16-2009, 01:18 AM	#15
pop4 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: YMML Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,879	Originally posted by alehel The MP5 is quite an interesting weapon, although I much prefear the new MP7 if I was to be sent into actual urban combat. A few weeks ago I helped test out the MP5 vs MP7 on some old bodyarmor that was going into the bin. Our sargent thought it would be fun. I was quite shocked by how little power there is in this thing. None of the 5 bullets I fired were able to completely pierce the body armor at 30m. They certainly would have caused some damage, but not as much as one would think. The MP7 on the other hand went inn one side and out the other. Luckily though, I doubt I'll ever need to actually use a weapon for real. Getting off-topic here, but the difference in penetration would have been due to the different rounds used. The MP5 is most commonly chambered in 9mm, which is more of a pistol round than anything, while the MP7 uses a 4.6mm round which was designed with amour penetration in mind. Back on-topic, I think the B&W treatment works for this shot, though I'm not entirely convinced by the tight framing.