The MP5A4 is the workhorse submachine gun of Rust – a fast-firing, tight-shooting spray gun that turns any close-range fight into a one-sided one. It sits above the Thompson and Custom SMG in the SMG family, and for a lot of players it is the first gun that makes them feel genuinely dangerous in a build fight or a monument push.
What makes the MP5A4 in Rust so popular is the combination it offers: a 600 RPM fire rate, a tight 0.5-degree aim cone and a 30-round magazine, all fed by cheap pistol ammo. It hits a sweet spot the Assault Rifle does not – you can spray a full mag and barely dent your ammo economy, while still landing shots at ranges most SMGs miss.
This MP5A4 Rust guide covers everything end to end: the full combat stats, exactly how to craft or research one, every ammo type it can fire, how it compares with the Thompson, Custom SMG and AK, the best attachments to bolt on, and the pro habits that turn it into a close-range problem. Every number here is checked against RustHelp’s item data and the Facepunch wiki, not guessed.
- What Is the MP5A4
- MP5A4 Stats
- How to Get One
- Ammo Types
- MP5A4 vs Other Guns
- Best Attachments
- When to Use It
- Pro Tips
- FAQ
What Is the MP5A4 in Rust?
The MP5A4 is a fully automatic submachine gun and one of the most-used close-quarters weapons in Rust’s weapon roster. In-game it is described simply as “a medium damage machine gun,” but that undersells it: with a high rate of fire and one of the tightest aim cones of any automatic weapon, it punches well above its tier in close and mid-range fights.
It is a Workbench Level 3 weapon, which puts it firmly in the mid-to-late game. You will not be crafting one on wipe day – you need to grind to a Workbench 3 and either loot the gun to research it or unlock it in the tech tree first. Once you have the blueprint, though, it becomes a staple of your loadout thanks to how cheap it is to feed.
The key thing to understand about the MP5A4 is its role. It is not a long-range rifle and it is not a raw-damage brawler. It is an accurate, high-uptime spray weapon that wins fights inside roughly 30-40 metres, where its fire rate and tight cone let you land more shots faster than almost anything on cheap ammo.
MP5A4 Rust Stats
Here are the full, verified combat stats for the MP5A4. These are vanilla values – modded servers can change damage, rate of fire and costs, so always treat a heavily modded server’s numbers with caution.
| Stat | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon type | Submachine gun (automatic) | Close-to-mid range |
| Damage per shot | 37.5 | Standard and HV pistol ammo |
| Damage per second | 375 DPS | At full auto with standard ammo |
| Rate of fire | 600 RPM | 10 rounds per second |
| Magazine size | 30 rounds | 36 with an extended magazine |
| Aim cone | 0.5° | Very accurate for an SMG |
| Reload time | ~4.0 seconds | Full magazine reload |
| Draw time | 1.6 seconds | Time to raise the gun |
| Headshot multiplier | 2x | Double damage on a headshot |
| Ammo type | Pistol ammo | Standard, HV, or Incendiary |
| Repair cost | 5 High Quality Metal | At a Repair Bench |
| Item ID / short name | 1318558775 / smg.mp5 | Stack size 1 |
The standout number is the 0.5-degree aim cone. Most automatic weapons spread far more than that, so the MP5A4 lands a higher share of its bullets on target at range – which, combined with 600 RPM, is why its practical time-to-kill up close is so low.
How to Get an MP5A4 in Rust
There are three ways to get an MP5A4, and the one you use depends on how far into the wipe you are and whether you have looted one yet.
- Craft it at a Workbench 3. The recipe is 15 High Quality Metal, 1 SMG Body and 2 Metal Springs, and it takes 30 seconds to craft. You need the blueprint learned and a Workbench Level 3 nearby.
- Research a looted MP5. Found one in a crate but do not have the blueprint? Drop it in a Research Table with 120 scrap to learn it permanently. This is far cheaper than tech-treeing the whole Workbench 3 tier.
- Loot it ready to use. The MP5A4 drops from supply drops, elite and locked crates, and the scientists at higher-tier monuments. A looted gun works right away, no blueprint needed.
MP5A4 Ammo Types
The MP5A4 fires pistol ammo, the same rounds used by the Thompson, Custom SMG and pistols. This is a huge part of why it is so widely used: pistol ammo is cheap to craft, so you can spray freely without burning through the more expensive rifle ammo an AK needs.
| Ammo | Damage | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Pistol Bullet | 37.5 | The standard, cheapest round – your default for spraying. |
| HV Pistol Ammo | 37.5 | Higher velocity for less bullet drop and travel time at range. |
| Incendiary Pistol | 42 | Lights fires and reveals hidden bases – loud and pricier to make. |
MP5A4 vs the Thompson, Custom SMG & AK
The MP5A4 lives in a crowded part of the gun roster. Knowing where it wins – and where you want a different weapon – is what separates good players from great ones.
| Gun | Damage | RPM | Mag | Ammo | Bench |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MP5A4 | 37.5 | 600 | 30 | Pistol | WB 3 |
| Thompson | 37.5 | 462 | 20 | Pistol | WB 2 |
| Custom SMG | 30 | 600 | 30 | Pistol | WB 2 |
| Assault Rifle (AK) | 50 | 450 | 30 | Rifle | WB 3 |
- vs Thompson. The Thompson matches the MP5A4 at 37.5 damage per shot, but the MP5A4 out-classes it on accuracy, fire rate and magazine size. Once you can craft the MP5, it is the upgrade.
- vs Custom SMG. The Custom SMG fires fast but is less accurate and hits softer. The MP5A4 is the more controllable, more reliable choice.
- vs AK. The AK wins at range and on raw damage, but it eats expensive rifle ammo and recoils hard. Up close, on cheap ammo, the MP5A4 is often the smarter pick.
Best MP5A4 Attachments
The MP5A4 has four attachment slots, and the right build turns it from good to genuinely oppressive up close. Here is the standard loadout and what each part does.
- Muzzle Brake. The top muzzle pick – it cuts recoil so your spray stays on target. Trades a little damage and stealth for far better control.
- Holo Sight. A clean, bright reticle that makes tracking targets while spraying much easier. The default sight for combat.
- Silencer. Hides muzzle flash and muffles the shot so enemies cannot pinpoint you – great for roaming and ambushes, at the cost of some velocity.
- Laser Sight. Shrinks your hipfire cone for point-blank room clears where you do not have time to aim down sights.
- Extended Magazine. Raises the 30-round mag so you reload less often mid-fight – valuable given how fast 600 RPM empties a mag.
When to Use the MP5A4
The MP5A4 is a specialist, and it rewards you for picking the right fights. Here is where it shines – and the one place it does not.
- Close-range roaming. Inside 30-40 metres the MP5 shreds – ideal for roaming, pushing fights and third-partying.
- Tunnel and monument PvP. Tight corridors at military tunnels and monuments favour its spray and big magazine.
- Base defence peeks. A quick 1.6-second draw and low recoil make it great for peeking a raid or a door.
- When ammo is tight. Pistol ammo is cheap, so you can train and fight without burning your rifle rounds.
- Not for long range. Past mid range, switch to an AK or a bolt-action – the MP5 falls off hard beyond 40 metres.
MP5A4 Rust Pro Tips
- Control the spray with a muzzle brake. The MP5’s recoil climbs but is learnable – add a muzzle brake and pull down as you fire to keep bullets on target.
- Aim for the chest at range. Its tight 0.5° cone means you can tap or burst to the chest past 30m instead of full-spraying and losing shots to recoil.
- Keep it for close fights. Inside 30-40m the MP5 beats most guns; past that, swap to a rifle or bolt rather than losing a long-range duel.
- Feed it the cheap ammo. Standard pistol bullets are fine for most fights – save incendiary and HV rounds for special situations.
- Research a looted MP5. At 120 scrap, researching a looted MP5 in a Research Table is far cheaper than tech-treeing the whole Workbench 3 tier.
- Carry spare ammo. Its 30-round mag empties in three seconds at 600 RPM, so always roam with extra pistol ammo and a backup weapon.
Building toward an MP5A4 this wipe? The monthly force wipe resets the map, your base and every blueprint you learned – including your MP5. Check the live countdown so you know exactly how long you have to build up to Workbench 3.
See the Force Wipe CountdownMP5A4 Rust FAQ
How much damage does the MP5A4 do in Rust?
The MP5A4 does 37.5 damage per shot with standard or HV pistol ammo, and 42 damage with incendiary pistol ammo. At its 600 RPM fire rate that works out to 375 damage per second on standard ammo. Headshots deal double damage, so a couple of clean headshots up close will drop most players fast.
How do you get the MP5A4 blueprint in Rust?
You can learn the MP5A4 blueprint by researching a looted MP5 in a Research Table for 120 scrap, or by unlocking it in the tech tree at Workbench Level 3. Researching a looted gun is much cheaper than tech-treeing the whole tier. Once learned, you can craft it from 15 High Quality Metal, 1 SMG Body and 2 Metal Springs.
What ammo does the MP5A4 use?
The MP5A4 uses pistol ammo – the same rounds as the Thompson, Custom SMG and pistols. It can fire standard Pistol Bullets (37.5 damage), HV Pistol Ammo (37.5 damage, higher velocity), and Incendiary Pistol Bullets (42 damage, starts fires). Pistol ammo is cheap to craft, which is a major reason the MP5A4 is so widely used.
Is the MP5A4 better than the Thompson?
Yes, in most situations. The Thompson deals the same 37.5 damage per shot, but the MP5A4 has a much tighter aim cone, a faster 600 RPM fire rate and a bigger 30-round magazine. The trade-off is that the MP5A4 needs Workbench 3 while the Thompson is available at Workbench 2, so the Thompson is your early-wipe SMG and the MP5A4 is the upgrade.
Is the MP5A4 better than the AK in Rust?
It depends on range. Up close, on cheap pistol ammo, the MP5A4 is often the better pick thanks to its high fire rate, tight cone and low cost to feed. But the Assault Rifle does more damage per shot (50 vs 37.5) and controls better at long range, so past mid range the AK wins. Many players carry the MP5 for close fights and an AK for everything else.
What is the best attachment setup for the MP5A4?
The standard combat build is a muzzle brake for recoil control plus a holo sight for target tracking. Swap the muzzle brake for a silencer when you want to roam undetected, and add a laser sight if you expect point-blank fights. An extended magazine is a strong fourth attachment because the 30-round mag empties quickly at 600 RPM.
What workbench do you need for the MP5A4?
You need a Workbench Level 3 to craft the MP5A4, which makes it a mid-to-late wipe weapon. You also need the blueprint learned and 15 High Quality Metal, 1 SMG Body and 2 Metal Springs. A looted MP5 can be used immediately without any workbench, but you cannot craft your own until you reach Workbench 3.
Does the MP5A4 blueprint reset on wipe?
Yes. Any blueprint you learn – including the MP5A4 – lasts until the next blueprint wipe, which arrives with the monthly force wipe. When that happens, you lose the blueprint and have to research or tech-tree it again on the new wipe. That is why it pays to build toward Workbench 3 and lock in your MP5 blueprint early each wipe.
How many bullets is a full MP5A4 magazine?
A stock MP5A4 magazine holds 30 rounds, and an extended magazine raises that to around 36. At its 600 RPM fire rate a full 30-round mag empties in roughly three seconds of continuous fire, so it is worth carrying plenty of spare pistol ammo and reloading behind cover between fights.
Sources and Further Reading
- Item stats, recipe and recycling data: RustHelp, MP5A4
- Damage, ammo and official item data: Facepunch Wiki, MP5A4
- Weapon overview and history: Rust Wiki, MP5A4
- How the SMGs compare: whenisforcewiperust.com, Thompson Guide
- Learning the blueprint: whenisforcewiperust.com, Research Table Guide
- The tech tree and workbenches: whenisforcewiperust.com, Blueprints & Tech Tree Guide
- The game itself: Facepunch Studios