HK MARK 23
- Thread starter amacks
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Rich Lucibella
Staff
amacks-
In order to "get" you gotta "give". So, for the novices amongst us (myself included), what is the Mark 23. What were your impressions?. did you fire it? You know, stuff like that. Substance counts here
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Rich
In order to "get" you gotta "give". So, for the novices amongst us (myself included), what is the Mark 23. What were your impressions?. did you fire it? You know, stuff like that. Substance counts here
Rich
Sorry, I'm as much a novice here as anyone:
The Mark 23 is the demiliterized version of Hekler and Koch(HK)'s 45 automatic pistol for the US Special Forces(forgot which one exactly) It is basically the same as the military issue, but with a smaller magazine. The Mark 23 is a scaled-up version of HK's standard automatic series, the USP. It is coted to prevent rust, and according to them has amazing durability and accuracy.
The only one I've seen was at a local gun shop, and for $2000, I wasn't gonna touch it.
The Mark 23 is the demiliterized version of Hekler and Koch(HK)'s 45 automatic pistol for the US Special Forces(forgot which one exactly) It is basically the same as the military issue, but with a smaller magazine. The Mark 23 is a scaled-up version of HK's standard automatic series, the USP. It is coted to prevent rust, and according to them has amazing durability and accuracy.
The only one I've seen was at a local gun shop, and for $2000, I wasn't gonna touch it.
The MK 23 is a wonderful gun... Refrence initial post in FBI .45 thread. The big HK is very capable for any duty - but not concealment. It is match grade accurate, it is almost not capable of even thinking about jamming. Yeah, I've fired a couple hundred rounds through it (It's an HK, you think I wouldn't?) and I found it to be a very slick shooter. It is a two handed pistol, but then again, so are all pistols (dont tell me about mouse guns, they dont count) not as big as a Desert Eagle - but it feels like it is. I didn't shoot it with the knights silencer on it... but I imagine it would still shoot just as good. There are a lot of people who the pistol is intended for, but don't like it. They don't like being told what pistol they should carry. I wasn't *in* when this pistol was available... got out too soon. But if I was - I would have carried it gladly.
Randall Kern
New member
I shoot steel plate and bowling pins with a Mk23. It's very accurate, handles 45 Super like a dream, and weighs so much that 200gr +P 45ACP is barely noticed.
Very nice pistol, just don't ever try to carry it concealed...
-Randy
Very nice pistol, just don't ever try to carry it concealed...
-Randy
I haven't shot one, but a freind of mine in Special Forces gets to play with it. His opinion is it is a great gun with all of the toys, but why spend that much money with out the toys when you can get the USP which shoots as well for a lot less. There is another difference in the military version, it can fire one round without the slide cycling. This is used with the supressor when you don't want the sound of the slide or the possible sound of brass hitting the ground.
Jason Kitta
New member
Dirk,
you may want to check that out again, the slide lock was deleated on the production model from my understanding.
Jason
you may want to check that out again, the slide lock was deleated on the production model from my understanding.
Jason
Jason, I just checked with my freind. He said the MK23's his unit uses has the slide lock feature. He said the guns his unit used were very early issue.
He is going to check with some of his friends and see what the newer models are like.
It would seem strange to eliminate this feature. Especially when that was one of the specs from SOCOM. Well, maybe it isn't so strange after all. The Gov't as a whole is a strange group of people.
He is going to check with some of his friends and see what the newer models are like.
It would seem strange to eliminate this feature. Especially when that was one of the specs from SOCOM. Well, maybe it isn't so strange after all. The Gov't as a whole is a strange group of people.
The 23 definitely can shoot and handle well. It is a BIG gun. Even Arnie would have to work at concealing that thing. My friends and I fired about 300 rounds through it in one session. Not 1 jam. No real advantage over a USP other than the threaded barrel for silencers if you're in an area where it is legal. Otherwise a USP should do. The USP is also much easier to carry concealed.
Well Dirk, I a kind of take back what I said because I do have a big objection over its size. I, myself was never comfortable with the size that causes poor grip/control.
So, this gun is not for an average size hand nor for an average operation.
A USP will do best for Fed and local LEOs.
I still have to hold strongly that SIGs are stupid-looking guns compared to H&K.
So, this gun is not for an average size hand nor for an average operation.
A USP will do best for Fed and local LEOs.
I still have to hold strongly that SIGs are stupid-looking guns compared to H&K.
Andy Stanford
New member
I wrote the American Handgunner cover story on the Mk 23, spending three days at Knights in Vero Beach with the thing. I stand by my verdict: a USP with threaded, extended barrel is a better way to go.
Or you could just buy a Glock
Or you could just buy a Glock
Andy, I enjoyed that article... Good writing.
Was that you in the Balaclava? I liked the photos of you with the tricked out M-4... Nice toys...
I love the Mk 23 and would it not be for the things huge size - It would be my daily carry. Spending so much quality time with it - How does the "USP Tactical" measure up? is it a SOCOM'PACT?
I am thinking of trading my USP up for it. How much advantage would it give me over the regular USP .40?
Was that you in the Balaclava? I liked the photos of you with the tricked out M-4... Nice toys...
I love the Mk 23 and would it not be for the things huge size - It would be my daily carry. Spending so much quality time with it - How does the "USP Tactical" measure up? is it a SOCOM'PACT?
I am thinking of trading my USP up for it. How much advantage would it give me over the regular USP .40?
Hell, yeah, Andy. I would pick my G24 any day over the MK 23. I have actually (don't rip me too hard) even carried my G24 concealed a few times. (I'm 5'6', about 139 lbs, but I felt big that day... ) This was winter, and I did not print. Try that with the MK 23!
In addition, I can actually grip the 9mm/.40 Glock handles well. I have a feeling that the big HK would not even be close. (G21 is too fat for my hand.)
I don't remember the specs, but the Glock longslide will be considerably lighter. It may be marginally less accurate, but if you need rifle accuracy...use one. As for price...One can easily buy three Glock 24's for the price of one MK 23. I'm sure it's a wonderful gun, but like the Steyr Scout, not that wonderful.
[This message has been edited by Spectre (edited 11-07-98).]
) This was winter, and I did not print. Try that with the MK 23!In addition, I can actually grip the 9mm/.40 Glock handles well. I have a feeling that the big HK would not even be close. (G21 is too fat for my hand.)
I don't remember the specs, but the Glock longslide will be considerably lighter. It may be marginally less accurate, but if you need rifle accuracy...use one. As for price...One can easily buy three Glock 24's for the price of one MK 23. I'm sure it's a wonderful gun, but like the Steyr Scout, not that wonderful.
[This message has been edited by Spectre (edited 11-07-98).]
spark@onestopknifeshop.com
Wise Guy
The USP Tactical may indeed be a better choice for general use than the Mk23 SOCOM. They share a lot of features, including the threaded and o-ringed barrel, but the Tactical has a much lower cost.
Unless you are actually going to be using a suppressor on a daily basis, IMHO you would be better served with a standard USP. If you want a long barreled USP, get the USP Expert: Same barrel length as the tactical, slide covers the barrel, ambi controls on both sides of the frame.
Yeah, all of the oversized USPs and the SOCOM's are big guns, and it's going to depend on your method of carry and body shape to see whether or not you will be able to conceal it. But then, if you truly want something concealable, you'd go for something smaller, right? It's all a matter of priorities....
Spark
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Kevin Jon Schlossberg
SysOp and Administrator for BladeForums.com
http://www.bladeforums.com
Unless you are actually going to be using a suppressor on a daily basis, IMHO you would be better served with a standard USP. If you want a long barreled USP, get the USP Expert: Same barrel length as the tactical, slide covers the barrel, ambi controls on both sides of the frame.
Yeah, all of the oversized USPs and the SOCOM's are big guns, and it's going to depend on your method of carry and body shape to see whether or not you will be able to conceal it. But then, if you truly want something concealable, you'd go for something smaller, right? It's all a matter of priorities....
Spark
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Kevin Jon Schlossberg
SysOp and Administrator for BladeForums.com
http://www.bladeforums.com
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