HK MARK 23

[CLASSIC12]

Finally bought one. It came from an estate, with case, two mags, a B&T suppressor and two lights / laser sights, none of them who fit the pistol. No manual or test target sadly. Price was $ 1550.

This thing is HUGE

 

[colt_saa]

Congratulations

The HK is the first of the plastic framed pistols that I have ever warmed up to.

And I really like them.

Accurate, durable and reliable, the HKs are the only auto loaders that can fire 45ACP, 45ACP+P and 45SUPER with no changes to the pistol. It takes all levels of power and feeds everything

That is a spectacularly good package deal. The pistol suppresses beautifully.

 

[forindooruseonly]

That is a great buy! I wanted one of those desperately for a long time, until I actually came across one and discovered how huge it is. Took a lot of the desire out of it for me. Still, a very cool piece. If I found that setup at that price, I'd jump on it anyways.

 

[pharmer]

Very nice, I am also a fan in a smaller way. Joe

 

[digi-shots]

Very nice! You don’t see these too often!

If you happen to need a holster for one of these, let me know… it’s set up for pistol and suppressor.

 

[Echo40]

Congratulations!

The H&K Mk23 is an absolute beast of a handgun and $1550 is an absolute steal for one as they typically go for substantially higher. Some criticize the Mk23 for being such an enormous pistol despite being chambered in the otherwise low pressure .45 ACP cartridge, but it was designed to handle a steady diet of hot 185gr +P loads while fitted with a suppressor, and is one of the few pistols which can handle .45 Super or .450 SMC sans modifications, so that size isn't just for show. It's an absolute tank of a pistol which was designed to serve as a primary weapon for the US SOCOM, subjected to some of the most grueling torture tests ever devised and passed them all with flying colors.

I myself own what is essentially the Mk23's sporty little brother, the USP45 Elite.

It's more of a Target Pistol than a Duty Pistol in this particular configuration, the USP45 Tactical would be closer overall to the Mk23 in terms of its intended role, but nevertheless, it too is a large pistol, just not of the same impressive Desert Eagle-esq size as the Mk23.

 

[WCCPHD]

It was a steal at that price. Bus as said above, it is HUGE.

 

[S-W4EVER]

HK Mark 23 fits my hand perfectly so I bought a couple of them several years ago. Also have the full-size USP’s in 9mm, .40 S&W, & .45 ACP. Just about the only plastic guns I really like.

 

[digi-shots]

Here’s a SOCOM holster for the MK23. It’s open at the bottom to allow the suppressor to be attached while holstered and wide enough to accommodate a laser module. The pouch on the side can also hold the suppressor.

 

[spclark]

Lucky you! Not only did you find a super buy at an outstanding price point but you live in a state that allows you to own a supressor!

I've had an H&K USP Expert in 45ACP for several years, it's my favorite polymer 45. Waiting on the tax stamp now for the OSS RAD 45 I found recently that'll mount on the threaded Jarvis target barrel I've added.

 

[mfholmes]

Don't you think that would be a good post for HKPRO.COM? Better place to get more insight and reaction. Great piece. Congrats.

 

[senecaap]

Excellent deal. More of a nightstand gun than a carry piece...maybe with a good IWB from Milt Sparks

 

[VictorLouis]

A friend here was the first kid on our block with one years ago when they first hit the market. COmplete with the OEM can. We called it the ....

Crew-Served Handgun

Just saw the pistol only in and LGS case yesterda at 2k, so you did well.

 

[Art66]

It's interesting to see and learn more about a modern military grade .45! Now you are set to fight off any foreign invaders!

 

[Art66]

Too bad the light and laser don't fit.
Is the Mark 23 fitted with night sights?

 

[Echo40]

It's not really a modern pistol per se, as it was designed a good 30 years ago, and released in 1996. It just looks modern because it was so far ahead of its time, including many features which have since become common among tactical duty pistols.

I don't believe that it includes night sights, but they are an aftermarket option, for sure.

 

[digi-shots]

Just out of curiosity, what type of .45 ammo does the US Military use when shooting these HK’s?

 

[Doug M.]

Ir probably varies, although my understanding was a .45 ACP 185 grain +P with a jacketed flat point. I recall trying some of that stuff; pretty stout.

I had a USP .45 as an (optional) duty weapon for several years. It was a good platform, but the magazine springs had to be replaced pretty regularly. No idea why. I ended up selling it when I was cash short. I wish I still had it in some ways.

 

[Echo40]

Just out of curiosity, what type of .45 ammo does the US Military use when shooting these HK’s?

Like Doug M. said, it was a 185gr +P flat-nosed FMJ. Performance was pretty good too, somewhere between a .40 S&W and 10mm Auto, pretty spicy for .45 ACP.

Nowadays it's actually a pretty common load, but for the time it was far less common, and not without reason. 1911s of the time couldn't even handle a steady diet of such a load without frequent maintenance.
Unfortunately, it's not a particularly great load with JHP bullets because they tend to open up really quickly and dump a lot of energy with minimal penetration. They're even worse in .45 Super, as at such high velocity they completely underpenetrate, yet Buffalo Bore still sells them, and people keep on buying them because on paper they sound deceptively more impressive than they are.

 

[CLASSIC12]

First test at 25 meters, 20 shots without and 30 with the suppressor. Only had abt 25 mins range time after coming back from work, and there was a strong rainstorm just before I started. It was still raining a bit, cloudy and very dark despite being only 7:30 pm. Every club member had left so I had the range for myself.

Without the suppressor, the pistol points very naturally for me, and behind the sights you forget about its size. Weight is manageable too. Ok I have large hands, (and body). The gun is very comfortable to shoot, it absorbs recoil nicely, trigger is fairly light (better than my P8) and breaks cleanly. Gun was very accurate, especially considering I had never shot one.

With the suppressor, it gets very nose heavy and my first shots were a bit low. Noise reduction was good, but strangely the first shot was louder and the subsequent ones much quieter. Accuracy was still good and I think it’s the shooter that mostly opened up the groups. I’ll have to spend more time with it.

I used S&B / Sellier & Bellot 230 gr FMJ