New For 2025: Century Arms AP51 & AP53

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posted on April 27, 2025
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Century Arms AP51 & AP53 guns left-side arrangement of three pistols shown with optics
Images courtesy of Century Arms.

Century Arms’ relationship with Turkish manufacturer MKE has allowed the company to import a variety of classic, roller-delayed blowback firearms. Licensed to manufacture these guns for the Turkish military, MKE has adapted them to the U.S. civilian market in semi-automatic form. This year, Century has already added several new models to its AP5 lineup and are adding two more with its new-for-2025 AP51 and AP53 handguns based on the H&K G3 and HK33 rifles.

Right side of the Century Arms AP51.
The AP51 is a pistol version of the shortened G3 rifle produced by Fleming Firearms as the “HK51.”
Left side of the Century Arms AP51.
Chambered in 7.62 NATO, the AP51 is compatible with certain G3 and MP5 components.

The design of the AP51 closely follows the HK51, a compact version of the full-size G3 developed by U.S. manufacturer Fleming Firearms. Built around a semi-automatic, roller-delayed blowback, G3-type action, it is chambered in 7.62 NATO. Its 8.3” barrel is cold hammer-forged and capped with a birdcage-style flashhider that attaches to 5/8x24 TPI threads. Using a stamped-steel receiver, the polymer trigger housing is of the “Navy” style with a bilateral safety lever.

Due to its shortened barrel, the pistol’s handguard is compatible with the MP5. Sights are the traditional diopter rear and hooded front post. Magazines are G3-compatible and two polymer, 20-round versions are supplied with each pistol. The AP51 has an overall length of 23.3”, weighs 7.9 lbs., and has an MSRP of $1,799.

Right side of the Century Arms AP53.
The AP53 is a 5.56 NATO semi-automatic pistol modeled after the HK53 compact carbine.

The AP53 is similar to the HK53, a compact carbine made by Heckler & Koch that was a version of its HK33 rifle. Chambered in 5.56 NATO, it uses a stamped-steel receiver and roller-delayed-blowback action. Its 8.3” barrel is cold hammer-forged and has an HK53-style four-prong flash hider on its muzzle. It also uses a polymer Navy-style trigger housing and MP5-compatible handguard. Magazines are HK33-compatible and two, 30-round polymer versions are supplied with each pistol. The AP53 has an overall length of 22.3”, weighs 7.2 lbs., and has an MSRP of $1,799.

Left side of the Century Arms AP53.
Authentic features on the AP53 include its four-prong flashhider and MP5-type handguard.

For more information, see Century Arms’ AP51 and AP53 websites.

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