HK Mark 23 vs. UPS Tactical vs. USP Compact Tactical

R

Riflman

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
21   0   0
Location
Canada
I am considering one of these handguns. I am hoping somone can tell me the difference between the Mark 23 and the Tactical that warrants the price difference.

Besides the cool factor of the Mark 23, is it more accurate than the tactical? Less recoil? What else?

Between the Tactical and Compact Tactical, how much more difficult is it to control the compact? Does accuracy suffer dramatically between the two? I do not as yet own a .45. I have 9s and 40s but no .45.

I already own a HK USP Match in 9mm and love the gun and the feel of it. It needs a friend. :)
 
The MK23 absorbs recoil better than the smaller pistols, and probably has a better trigger. You can use the MK23 in OPEN division in IPSC, and the Tactical would be used in standard.
I am not 100% positive, but if you run out of ammunition with the MK23, you can sharpen one end and use it as an AXE.:p
 
maurice said:
You can use the MK23 in OPEN division in IPSC, and the Tactical would be used in standard.
Click to expand...

Does anyone actually do that? Okay, I can maybe see the Tactical in Standard (are there extended mags for them), but that MK23 in Open?? Really? Do peple put optics on them??

maurice said:
I am not 100% positive, but if you run out of ammunition with the MK23, you can sharpen one end and use it as an AXE.:p
Click to expand...

Is it THAT much heavier and clunkier?
 
The MK23 does not fit "in the box" for standard division. I have not seen any with optics, but i have seen one used with a big ass flash hider.
I don't feel it is Clunky, but it does have some size to it. It works flawlessly.
If I was going to get an HK for standard division, I would get and Expert in .40, and put a jet funnel and replace the front sight with a fibre optic unit.
 
IF you haven't seen/handled a MK23 then do so before considering buying one...

They're HUGE... easily as physically large as a Desert Eagle (well OK the grip is a bit smaller.) but very BIG.

Not a lot heavier than the standard size, due to lighter materials in the slide etc.
 
Hey Maurice what do you think bout the Jet Funnel?

The Mark 23, seems abit to big and bulky...both in size and in price..
 
I actually have never handled a USP Expert with a Jet funnel; although it is the same frame in .40/9mm as regular USP. The only difference is the longer slide and barrel. The rear sight sits lower, as the rear of the slide has been cut out to allow a lower line of sight. I have heard that the jet funnel allows for error in a mag change, especially when moving. You also have to use those longer and ($) mags. I find when I practice enough, it helps with mag changes anyway. I think because the controls are the same I could use it decently in standard.
 
yeah I was wondering about them...arent the mags suppose to be really fragile to I think. Have you ever shot the Elite?
 
The elite is more of a target pistol. Practice mag changes and is makes up for a lot. Also practice mag changes on the move.
the only mags I have seen that broke were the longer higher cap mags. (Expert and Elite translucent mags= white mags). The user had dropped them onto a cement floor, probably stepped on them as well. They are plastic....
Also, the .45 mags I think are all metal, like the Tactical I shot in Maine....
<- that's me in the picture shooting a silenced .45 tactical. I found the slide moved slow....
 
Last edited:
I was trying to make the same decision about a year ago--although I was considering the Custom Sport and Expert, too. I decided on the Expert since it had a longer sight radius than the Tactical or Custom Sport (and only 5mm less than the Mk 23), and it had adjustable sights. I'm a "point of aim, point of impact" kind of guy and to shell out $2k+ for a pistol and maybe have to aim off worried me a bit. From what I've read, though, I'm not sure how much of a problem this is for most people. I've got smallish hands, too and the grip size concerned me as well.

Probably the deciding factor was a $500 difference between the two :eek: at the time. I've seen Mk 23's going for a lot less lately, so it'd be a tougher call if I was buying today. The Mk 23 certainly has a unique "cachet". AFAIK, the Expert has a bit better trigger--specifically, they both have the H&K match trigger but the Expert has the adjustable overtravel (which you definitely wouldn't want on a "business" handgun!)

The Expert is not all that different from a Match, though. Maybe the Mk 23 is the best choice!
 
Last edited:
Yeah was looking at a .45 HK tactical compact the other day..metal mags...
 
I've owned all three..... the USP Tactical and the Mark 23 both have an outstanding trigger, but the Tac has an adjustable trigger stop. The Mark 23 is inherently more accurate, and should have a slightly longer service life, and should be slightly more reliably after thousands of rounds. However, I never shot very well with it. It did not balance well in my hands, and being a lefty, the safety used to dig into my thumb on recoil (the safety is not identically shaped on both sides).

Of the three, I've shot best with the Compact Tac, and it is my favorite. Mags, however, are a ##### to find right now.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom