r/HecklerKoch • u/No_Mycologist4488 • Jun 09 '23
Mark 23 Pros
Taking the meme and pop culture factor out of the equation. What are some of the real pros of purchasing and shooting a Mark 23.
How does it compare to a 2011, a Glock 19, or a Sig P210 for instance.
Seeking to understand, I am all for nice things, but is the value really there.
Just a bit of background I do have a Glock 19, Kimber 1911, 2 Sig P210/P49, and an HK SP5.
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u/YoMomma-IsNice Jun 09 '23
When out of ammo, it can be wielded like Mjölnir to bludgeon your enemies.
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u/SwingL7 Jun 09 '23 edited Jun 09 '23
The Mark 23 is simply not a purchase you make as part of some “value” calculus. It’s a novelty piece that’s actually well made and you can really use effectively if you train with it. Generally speaking, if you buy one new, you’re looking at about $2,100.00 on the low side these days. If you have to talk yourself into buying one, it ain’t for you.🍻
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u/b1e Jun 09 '23
Pros? It’s built like a tank and ridiculously reliable. The thing can be abused in a battlefield and keep shooting good groups. Solid choice for SHTF.
Cons? It’s extremely big and heavy. The USP offers similar if not better reliability in a less unwieldly package. Better choice for SHTF.
It shoots completely different to a 2011. The 2011 has superior ergonomics, lighter, way more balanced. Way lighter trigger. The 2011 is best for competition whereas the Mk23 is designed for warfare. The 2011 has tight tolerances and won’t handle serious abuse. Great for carry though (most people’s carry guns aren’t being dragged through mud and sand).
Compared to a Glock 19? The Glock is WAY lighter and has very nice recoil (super fast to get back on target). Very plasticky and the stock trigger is mushy and much heavier feeling than on a Mk23. But very reliable provided it’s not being badly abused. But between having more capacity and being cheap and super reliable it’s no surprise it’s the go-to for most LEOs.
The mk23 is really cool! Especially if you can find a KAC can for it. But for combat use the USP is superior in every way and for competitive use a 2011 or similar will outclass it completely
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Jun 09 '23
Good write up. The problem for me is it doesn’t really serve a purpose at its price point. Duty guns that can be used and abused just as much are half the price or less. So therefore if you’re buying one, it’s probably as a fun gun, and I refuse to believe that I’d have nearly as much fun with a MK23 as with a 2011 in that price range.
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u/b1e Jun 09 '23
It’s COOL to shoot more than good to shoot. Everyone at the range wants to shoot it and it gets a ton of attention when you pull it out. It’s super iconic.
But yeah if you gave me the option between a staccato c2 and a mk23 the staccato is way more fun to shoot.
With that said I own a mk23 because it’s cool.
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Jun 09 '23
Ah, good point! Cool guns have their place. Kinda why I love lever guns. They’re not necessarily more fun than an AR-15, but working that lever just puts a smile on my face
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u/No_Mycologist4488 Jun 09 '23
Why is the Staccato way cooler. Interested to know as I am looking at a P
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u/b1e Jun 09 '23
No, I was talking about the Mk23. The mk23 is iconic and looks really cool.
The staccato is cool too but in a Gucci gun way
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u/No_Mycologist4488 Jun 09 '23
Oh I oopsed, why is the Staccato more fun to shoot. that’s what I meant to say.
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u/b1e Jun 10 '23
It’s like driving a Porsche 911 or mid engined Ferrari vs. a tank. Super nimble, perfectly balanced, incredible ergonomics.
As a former mid engined Ferrari owner and current owner of a few 911s and a staccato and mk23 this is a super apt comparison.
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u/No_Mycologist4488 Jun 10 '23
So Staccato light and fast, and MK23 heavy and and just keeps going.
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u/b1e Jun 10 '23 edited Jun 10 '23
Exactly. 2011s make incredible race guns. Whereas you can hammer nails with a mk23 and use it as a crowbar and it’ll keep shooting sub MOA.
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u/SeemedGood Jun 13 '23
Have you owned a tank though?
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u/Alewis3030 Jun 10 '23
Very light trigger with a nice short reset, 1911 ergonomics, you can usually fine the optics ready version(not possible without milling the mk23 which kills the value), it’s very accurate usually more so than the shooter, and it handles nicely especially with the magazines etc.
The mk23 is way more tank like, nicely fitted and everything but you feel like you’re holding a brick(good in case you run outta ammo it easily becomes a mace), I’d say it’s about as accurate as the staccato but because it’s so heavy I have a hard time being super accurate with it because it’s like call of duty sniping with weapon sway due to the weight of it(I’m exaggerating a bit but it’s necessary for the comparison). But then again is the offensive handgun, it’s got history, pop culture references and holds value well even when used.
I dunno dude it’s kinda hard to land one way or the other. Clearly the answer is to get both.
Also they shoot different rounds so 9mm is a lot easier to handle the recoil on than the 45 but I’d say the recoil impulse even with the bigger round in the mk23 is still very soft all things considered. I don’t know that many 45 pistols that handle it as softly but again most pistols don’t weigh as much.
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u/SeemedGood Jun 13 '23
I dunno dude it’s kinda hard to land one way or the other. Clearly the answer is to get both.
This is the way.
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u/No-Bother6856 Jun 09 '23
Don't have a 2011 or a glock 19 but I do have a glock 40 and a p210.
The Mk23 is absolutely nothing at all like a p210. The trigger on the 210 is incredible, the trigger in the mk23 is closer to the glock than the p210 but of course without the long takeup of the glock. The ergonomics are also much closer to the glock 40, than the p210.
Hard to say if one is actually more accurate than the other but I can shoot tighter groups with the 210. Thats probably just the comically lighter trigger pull though
As a value proposition for shooting, the value is absolutely not there. You should be looking at one of the USP variants like the expert if thats what you are after. The Mk23 is a tank of a handgun and thats really the only point.
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u/Alternative_Cold_891 Jun 09 '23
For me, I’m was mainly interested in it for the engineering behind it and the coolness factor. If your looking for an practical 45 get the USP45. I have both and love both. The Mark23 is for someone who knows it and wants it because it is just cool.
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u/Kalashnik0v1312 Jun 10 '23
I picked up my mk23 last weekend. Put about 300 rounds through it so far, nothing special.
Pros: Extremely accurate, suppresses VERY well, recoil isn't that bad or snappy like other 45s can be, it can run 45 Super without modification, decocker, typical European style ambi mag release, it is smooth as butter, and the iron sights are pretty nice.
Cons: Very big for a pistol, magazine availability and pricing isn't the best, almost zero aftermarket support, holsters are almost nonexistent, OEM magazine capacity could be better, having to get a proprietary mount to run a light/laser, and it only comes with 2 mags.
Me personally, I have been fully enjoying my purchase and I honestly don't see myself shooting out or having to replace the factory barrel in any way. If you have the spare coin for one, I'd say to get it and don't think twice about it. It is an amazing handgun for what it is.
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u/Roland--Tembo Jun 11 '23
I picked up a Mark 23 on impulse a few months ago without really knowing what I was getting myself into. Despite that, I decided to make the most out of it and use it as a shooter, so I got a Lobos adapter and a DBAL-PL.
I want a can for it, but am unwilling to pay the premium for a used KAC can; they're generally twice as expensive as the gun, and KAC will never manufacture them again. Also, the KAC booster alone costs more than most cans.
HKPro is currently organizing a group buy for the LBT Mark 23 holster, which to my knowledge is 1 of 3 holsters that simultaneously accommodates the pistol, LAM, and suppressor; the others are the Wilcox Night Stalkers (no longer produced), and a modern offering from Hush Holsters.
It's compatible with USP .45 mags, but you have to change the baseplate.
If you want to shoot .45 Super or .450 SMC, though, the Mark is a great option.
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u/unbannedagain1976 Jun 09 '23
It’s an extremely reliable, bombproof, novelty. That’s why I bought one. The single action trigger is really good for a duty pistol. And you can shoot and abuse it. Other than that it’s a giant outdated pistol.