I used to have s USP tactical that was an amazing shooter, regret selling it. I've held a mark 23 & its huge! I have larger hands as well, the fit wasnt bad its just a big gun! If you want it get it nothing wrong with spending money on things you want/like. I'll be spending more than that on a 1911 soon
HK .45 Mark 23 - buy it or not?
- Thread starter UR2X3M4ME
- Start date
The MK23 is pretty much the same size as a Desert Eagle. Finding a holster is a challenge and mags are also hard to find. I wouldn't buy this pistol unless I'm looking for a collectible item. If you're looking for a fancy 45 in polymer, Armacoat will be getting HK45 from Germany for this winter. It's much more practical IMO.
sendmorebrains
Regular
sendmorebrains: nice toys!! what's your address again?
LOL - If you think these are hot you should see my wife.
But Im not showing her off.
Instead I ll show you these. And ohh as far as my address, you should call first...
sendmorebrains
Regular
Jeezus almighty.
Some of these posters here have no clue about the mark 23 ...none - zero - nada.
And no Im NOT a fan boy of it when my safes have a wide assortment of other high end pistols.
For example when I set up paper @ 25 yards, it will consistently shot through the same hole. (2 holes is not unusual for it .... using +p ammo)
Partial reason for its above average accuracy is the reset on the trigger as mentioned before. Noticed not one person here bothered mentioning the soft felt recoil despite as some have stated the obvious giagantor size of the handgun.
No pistol has gone through the rigid requirements that it was tested on. And NO its not like a Desert Eagle size wise grip wise accuracy wise etc etc ... because I own them as well.
Gawd if I actually took some of the recommendations typed here I would end up just buying a glock as my only handgun.
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Um, I owned one and thought it was a big boat anchor piece of sh!t.
Sure, it will shoot, and it has the traditional H&K reliability, but that is where reality takes a massive u-turn.
This thing's muzzle flip was much more pronounced than my G21sf without a can. With the can on it (yes I've fired one<obviously not the one I owned> with a suppressor), the muzzle flip was substantially contained, but who gets to shoot one like that?
Bottom line, If you are looking for a pistol to add to a collection 'for the wall', it is definitely one to put on the buy list.
If you want a .45 shooter for gun games and all-round 'usability', look elswhere (maybe at the HK45 as already suggested above).
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HK .45 Mark 23 is extremely accurate, softest shooting .45 pistol that money can buy.
Low, low recoil, and almost no muzzle flip at all.
HK .45 Mark 23 is definitely worth every penny.
Only question remains... do you have enough pennies to buy one?
If affordability is an issue, why buy/ need anything other than Norinco, or Glock.
If you want an exceptional gun, and it is within your means, you will never regret buying HK .45 Mark 23.
Low, low recoil, and almost no muzzle flip at all.
HK .45 Mark 23 is definitely worth every penny.
Only question remains... do you have enough pennies to buy one?
If affordability is an issue, why buy/ need anything other than Norinco, or Glock.
If you want an exceptional gun, and it is within your means, you will never regret buying HK .45 Mark 23.
sendmorebrains
Regular
Uhmm sorry you couldnt get the hang of a Mark23.
Real world reliability...all round reliability as you put it to look elsewhere...LOL. Your point is ...invalid just from what that pistol had to be tested under. Thats like saying Glocks are glocknades...
Ever hear of a Mark23 in reality make a massive u-turn with a massive malfunction...
Gun games .. does having SOCOM count as gaming - probably not. These were still used in Afghanistan by professionals, mind you they had to get their own ammo for it. And having said that how old is the mark23 vs a G21..
Not to worry Glocks have their place - I have mine in my safe(Glock 17) collecting dust not cause there might be an explosion in the waiting but the serial number is 0008. First one in Canada, hence keeping it original is paramount.
Please show me a video. You should consider going to the olympics.
And for the record, the desert eagle is roughly the same size as the MK23. Different grip and weight but almost same footprint.
here's a picture, disregard the beavertail.
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- Location
- Banana Republik of Kebekistan
I thank all that have replied or commented because I do value the technical knowledge and common sense of many fellow gunners. However, I tend to support the above comment.
While I lack field experience (have none) with the Mark 23, I educated myself about it and played with it. Enough to be very much interested in it and cough up premium smoked bacon. By design, life expectancy, rounds fired before failure(reliability) and accuracy, the HK45, USP and Mark 23 are definitively more technically advanced than any other MILITARY/Special Ops pistols out there. Twist of irony, it is recognized in the public eye as an extremely accurate target pistol for those who have the paws for it. That is where all the technical mojo goes adrift: is at the expense of ergonomics of many shooters hand. I know of the HK.45 and USP but they don't tickle my fancy like the Mark 23 does. Just an amazing gun totally different than those I already own - none with polymer frame.
Reality check on
I live in Kanukistan. Where do I shoot restricted?
Reality check Off
Yes its a big gun, so what if holsters are rare for it? I'M not a member of Seal Team Six and I don't plan to shop at CrappyTires, VictoriasSecrap or Loblahz with it. I don't plan to shoot IPSC with it either. IMHO and except for overall dimension, comparing a 4.6+ lb boat anchor (Desert Eagle) with a Mark 23 (2.46 lb) is like saying you know deep sea diving because once a SOB you call friend pushed you in the pool. At equivalent skills and 50 yards, a Mark 23 shooter will routinely outclass a DE shooter.
Back to topic. I'm a gun nut and I have the opportunity to own a technically advanced engineering wonder of a pistol that I can comfortably use as occasional plinker. It is far from cheap (2250$). I did not buy it and gave myself a week to drink about it. I'm just the everyday gun nut with a heart saying BUY! while the brain says DON'T, hence the titled question: H&K Mark 23 - to buy or not to buy?
Again, thank you all for your feedback.
sendmorebrains
Regular
Please show me a video. You should consider going to the olympics.
And fore the record, the desert eagle is roughly the same size as the MK23. Different grip and weight but almost same footprint.
here's a picture, disregard the beavertail.
Actually, I have considered the Olympics actually nationals but thats another story.. ahh yes lamenting about disposable time & ammo in another life..
But thank you for the suggestion - Im flattered.
I dont have a video but here is a small example of my humble skills done at Sharon, dialing in Hornaday 135g Flexlock on a custom built CZ75 pre B
And for my record, Just cause it looks the same means nothing.. another invalid point. Actual weapons manipulation is another planet. Its not similar - its not even close with hand grip, its not even close with trigger pull, creep, sight line, recoil, etc ...blahh blahh balh whatever.
The DE in the safe has a round count of over 10,000 rounds and well over 22,000 with the Mark23 - I think Im somewhat qualified to assess & compare both.
- Location
- Banana Republik of Kebekistan
HK Mark 23 - buy it or not?
For the sweet love of Gawd, quit smoking that stuff man.
...Footprint... What? Other than rough dimensions that everybody knows, you are comparing an old kitchen sink to a fresh ####tburger!! Please share more meat on experience, performance so I can follow.
PS: just between us (and the guys), what did she say?
Sendmorebrains,
Thanks for injecting excellent arguments.
Gotcha Sir, I promise to call ahead.
Great shooting. Will we have the honor to see you perform early August at the Nationals in NB?
It is a HK45, not a Mark 23
Next your gonna take me shopping for bra?
For the sweet love of Gawd, quit smoking that stuff man.
Antoine, you accept or reject based on size? Is it "that's what she said"?
...Footprint... What? Other than rough dimensions that everybody knows, you are comparing an old kitchen sink to a fresh ####tburger!! Please share more meat on experience, performance so I can follow.
See? You're brilliant when your off the stuff. I fully concur. That's what it's all about.
PS: just between us (and the guys), what did she say?
Sendmorebrains,
Thanks for injecting excellent arguments.
Gotcha Sir, I promise to call ahead.
Great shooting. Will we have the honor to see you perform early August at the Nationals in NB?
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Hi, my vote would definitely for you to buy it! I own one and love the way it shoots! Very very little recoil, very accurate, and, even though it is a big ass handgun, it really doesn't seem that way while you are shooting it. I have a HK P30L, and a buddy has a HK 45, which are almost identical handguns, and I can tell you for certain, that with the 2 of us anyways, the MK 23 is always the most accurate gun.
Was at the Phoenix range in Edmonton yesterday shooting it, and the guy beside me was shooting a Sig 1911 and a CZ 75. We traded guns and while they were good, the MK 23 feels just as nice, bigger for sure, but still natural to hold. Also the very first clip he shot thru my MK 23, he was immediately very accurate. It's an easy gun to be good with! For what it's worth........
Was at the Phoenix range in Edmonton yesterday shooting it, and the guy beside me was shooting a Sig 1911 and a CZ 75. We traded guns and while they were good, the MK 23 feels just as nice, bigger for sure, but still natural to hold. Also the very first clip he shot thru my MK 23, he was immediately very accurate. It's an easy gun to be good with! For what it's worth........
ARealSpartan
Member
The pros, soft shooting very accurate and collectable. The cons, it's big. I think for the money, considering it's history and the fact that HKs hold their value well, it's worth it. I'm also sure that they stopped manufacturing them so value is bound to increase and they'll become harder to find. If you're a member of CTM, PM me and I'll bring it to the range. Did I mention that it's big?
