Mark 23: Any way to increase magazine capacity?

[Scaar]

I finally got my Mark 23 Socom and want to use it for IPSC matches. Yeah, I know, they arent really suited for that purpose, but I do IPSC for fun, not just for the competition.

So I wondered: Is there a reliable way to increase the magazine capacity of the Mark 23 12round magazines? Or are there higher capacity magazines out from other manufactors than H&K?

Any help is very appreciated

[ltbarber]

none that I know of,or ever heard of,or ever saw anywhere. sorry.

[Scooter]

You might want to spend some time figuring out how to shrink the gun so it fits inside the IPSC box so it would be legal to shoot it at a match.

[Montrala]

You might want to spend some time figuring out how to shrink the gun so it fits inside the IPSC box so it would be legal to shoot it at a match.

No problem to use Mark 23 in Open Division :D

As to mags, I would try to use some STI/SV/SPS/Para mags or cut and weld 2 Mark 23 mags to get one 170mm long mag. Then screw some compenstator on barrel thread ad red dot sight and you are ready to go. Some time ago I was plying with exactly this idea. For now I think to make Open gun based on USP Match.

[Scooter]

STI/SV/SPS/Para don't make 45 cal mags in 170mm. I think I've seen ONE person in my life that shot a 45 in open. He did it with a single stack since the gun was built back in the 80's which back then was THE "race gun". He only did it once and went back to shooting a real gun.

[Scaar]

damn, I was suspecting that there isnt any easy way ;) Thx for the help anyways.

As for the box: Right now they dont take the box rule seriously in 3Gun IPSC and IDPA-close-to-IPSC matches in Austria. So I probably be able to shoot in the standard class. But anyway, I wont stand a chance against all the 9mm sissy Glock user and their 19 shot magazines bleh. So Ill just enjoy shooting my MK23 and standing out of the crowd :)

[Big Bore]

You can make one 17 round mag out of two 10 round mags. I made several of them after the AWB ended and wanted to dispose of the 10 round mags. If you use a 12 round mag for the bottom mag you may get 19 rounds out of it.
These pictures are self explanatory and the use of a 170 mm STI spring gives perfect functioning. Refinish with Brownells Aluma-Hyde II matte black.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/BiggBore/17roundmag.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/BiggBore/17mag.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/BiggBore/Tac17x5.jpg

[Kenji]

Big Bore - Your knowledge never ceases to amaze me, but all I can say about that is "Wow - Nice!"

[jsw4178]

Very ingenious of you!

[Big Bore]

Thanks for the kind words but outside of range use they are pretty useless. They stick out so far and weigh so much that they really are just a novelty IMO. The best thing about making them was being able to LEGALLY make them and thumb my nose to the likes of Feinstein and Schumer!
By the way, they need to be TIG welded or by an extremely good MIG welder and expect a half-hour or so of clean up on the inside of the mag to remove excess weld, smoothing, and polishing. The better the welder the less clean up there will be.

[H-7]

The promag 20round mag for the usp will fit the mark 23 once you remove the plastic gap filler. i know what most will say about the use of promag. but i bought one for my uspt45 and have yet to have a problem with it. a buddy of mine has one for his para ordnance and hasnt had any problems either. i havent used it with my mark23 but i was able to cycle 20 rounds through it with no problems. next time i go shooting and i bring my mark 23 ill try it.

[Scooter]

The Promag is also much longer than 170mm which also makes it illegal.

[drankin]

LOL!
BBore, you are the man!

[Scaar]

Big Bore: Great work, the mags look amazing. Ever considered producing a bunch of them and sell it to those people that cant get hold of a MIG welder? ;)

H-7: That sounds like a possible solution. Looking forward to hear your range report about using the promag in the socom

[H-7]

Went to the range today, i put 20 rounds through my mark23 using the promag 20round mag. i had zero problems. i have yet to have a problem out of the mag. since i know i have two guns that can use them im going to order a couple more.

[H-7]

And pictures!!!
Meet the Promag 20round mag for the USP
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/Nightcrawler7/20rdmag.jpg

Meet my Mark23
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/Nightcrawler7/mark23.jpg

Slide the gap spacer off the Promag (im not sure if gap spacer is what its called but its what i call it)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/Nightcrawler7/magspacer.jpg

Insert into Mark23 for maximum fun!!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/Nightcrawler7/Mark23extmag.jpg

Like i said i have used this mag in my tactical and put at least 100 rounds with 0 problems. despite promags somewhat questionable reputation. I put 20 rounds through the Mark23 using this mag saturday with 0 problems. I thought the Mark23 was pretty badass but putting 20 rounds with it now just takes it to another level.

[F22_RaptoR]

Another guy here got one, he said he replaced the spring and follower, and it was very reliable.

I think the biggest downfall is the feed lips aren't as good.

[H-7]

i have been using that one for close to a year now. i order 2 from midway one for my usp tactical and the other for a friend for his para ord p-14. neither of us have had trouble with them. im not saying there is no problems but at the time they were about 34 dollars it was worth it to try for 8 more rounds. i wouldnt trust that mag with my life but for range use its functioned fine.