HK MK23, would you buy it?....

[Bullitt196]

It's been awhile since I've been on these forums as I'm studying abroad for awhile at the moment... but as the title says, would you actually buy one? I've shot one before (when I was about 15, hit the bullseye an ungodly amount of times for being a kid with limited experience) and I liked it, but now I'm wrestling with the idea of actually spending a couple grand on one.

I don't really know what it's purpose would be, it would definitely be at least slightly novel, however I could see it being used as a home defense pistol and getting a lot of range time too. Plus I'm sure some of my gun buddies would love to shoot it too.

The thing is, I already have the following pistols: Wilson CQB, Custom Colt Series 70, Springfield MC Operator, HK45, USP 9 SD, USPc 9, Glock 22 and maybe a couple others I'm forgetting at the moment.

I'm just curious what you guys would do (or did do and why) if you were in my shoes

Thanks for the opinions

[Mullhead]

This may be of little use, but I will share my experience. I ordered one a few years back in a moment of weakness. When it arrived and I went to pick it up, I was staring at it while the dealer was whacking the bill on my credit card and I was thinking, "What in the h*** is the matter with me?"

Needless to say, that feeling went away once the first round I fired was about half-way to the target. I instantly fell in love (particularly when I realized the round was dead on the bullseye), and have not looked back. It's my absolute favorite handgun to shoot. The money came and went, but the Mark 23 remains.

Oh and it tends to elicit a bit of attention at the range...so you'll have to be OK with other people firing the thing.

[HKCHEF]

This may be of little use, but I will share my experience. I ordered one a few years back in a moment of weakness. When it arrived and I went to pick it up, I was staring at it while the dealer was whacking the bill on my credit card and I was thinking, "What in the h*** is the matter with me?"

Needless to say, that feeling went away once the first round I fired was about half-way to the target. I instantly fell in love (particularly when I realized the round was dead on the bullseye), and have not looked back. It's my absolute favorite handgun to shoot. The money came and went, but the Mark 23 remains.

Oh and it tends to elicit a bit of attention at the range...so you'll have to be OK with other people firing the thing.

Thats why I would consider buying one.:p

[cmdrdredd]

It's too rich for my blood. $2k could buy a great many guns.

[Sobriquet]

Thats why I would consider buying one.:p

I hope you like eating Ramen, Chef. ;) At this rate, you better open another restaurant. lol

[ltbarber]

Yes. And I did!

[cmdrdredd]

Judging by your list of currently owned pistols...I'd go looking for a good condition P7M8/M10/M13 if I was prepaired to spend that much.

[CCOOK]

The thing is, I already have the following pistols: Wilson CQB, Custom Colt Series 70, Springfield MC Operator, HK45, USP 9 SD, USPc 9, Glock 22 and maybe a couple others I'm forgetting at the moment.

I'm just curious what you guys would do (or did do and why) if you were in my shoes

Thanks for the opinions

Buy it; it's a highly collectible and well-made firearm. I stumbled on a new one at a gun shop last week and put it on layaway, and am really looking forward to getting it in a few weeks.

My handgun arsenal is also similar to yours:

92FS, .40 PX4, .45 PX4, Custom CDP II, Gold Combat II, .44 Desert Eagle Mark XIX, .50 Desert Eagle Mark XIX, S&W 629, S&W 460XVR, S&W 500

and I'm still keen on getting the Mark 23!

[r6tor1]

The order I placed w/ HKPerfection.com finally arrived yesterday. If you can wait 4 months like I did; the price for the HK Mark23 I paid was $1750 +/- $5 w/ shipping.

There is absolutely no finesse w/ this handgun but I tell you what, it is BADASS!!! If you can't stop anyone w/ this .45 caliber pistol, you can definitely beat'em to death w/ it. I'm contemplating about buying another one...

[madmardigan]

I would pass on the MK 23. They are fine guns but they are more of a novelty item than anything. Overpriced and oversized they really serve no purpose besides showing off to your friends your super awesome SEAL sidearm. Get a P7m13 instead.

[havajava]

I bought mine for it's novelty appeal and rarity in California. The P9S has better ergonomics and the Match has more fun factor.
Since you had a good first impression with it, buy it. It's different than what you already have. A lot of innovation was put into it.
Just my $0.02.

[308ster]

After catching the Hk 'bug' with the purchase of my first Hk91 I started looking into the pistol line. The Mark 23 caught my eye as the pinnacle of the Hk engineering effort at that time. Always wanted one and finally had the opportunity when one came up for private sale locally. With an asking price of $1200.oo with a Starlight weatherproof case, I jumped on it. That's been several years ago and every trip to the range is a joy. If you have the opportunity to get one, even used, go for it.

[Savior 6]

Bullitt196 I am more than satisfied with the one I bought used and will most likely get at least one more in the future. That way I can have a shooter and a collector.

[E.W.]

If you have the funds available, I say buy it. The Mark 23 is not the most practical gun, but its a great shooter and would make a nice add to anyones collection. I would buy one today if money wasn't an issue, but putting myself in debit for a Mark 23 is something that I just wont do.

[SudS]

I bought one when it was first introduced, mostly because I'm an HK collector, and partly because of the SOCOM cool factor. I always wanted to outfit the gun with the Knight suppressor and IR LAM.

I always thought of it as an over sized gun. The first time I shot it, all my impressions were changed. It didn't have the shooting feel of a "too big" gun. Didn't feel heavy and reminded me of a USP 45. It's a great shooter.

I have a considerable number of guns I could use for a carry gun, so the size isn't a factor. I'm not someone who looks at every handgun as a carry gun. Some guns are just for the shooting pleasure (however, if the pillaging hordes ever attack suburbia, this may be the sidearm of choice).

I've got paperwork pending for the Knight suppressor (with additional Tactical booster) and the IR LAM, well, I had the opportunity to buy one recently, but my "practical" side got the better of me.

[steelshooter]

It's a silly pistol designed by committee with no reason for being. The users were not consulted in it's design. It's gathering dust in armories at Bragg, Coronado and other place making the "SOCOM association" a joke on whoever buys one. For the price you could have two HK 45's with change for ammo. So no, I wouldn't buy one.

Highly collectible? Puh-lease.

[SudS]

It's a silly pistol designed by committee with no reason for being. The users were not consulted in it's design. It's gathering dust in armories at Bragg, Coronado and other place making the "SOCOM association" a joke on whoever buys one. For the price you could have two HK 45's with change for ammo. So no, I wouldn't buy one.

Highly collectible? Puh-lease.

I presume you mean the SPEC wasn't established by the users? As I'm sure you are aware, the spec was a series of parameters. In other words, HK designed the weapon within a set of parameters (required minimums or a range) of dimensions, capacity, accuracy, features. Colt even submitted a proposal based on (or similar to) its 1911 platform if I remember correctly.

The spec was released to the public, they had an opportunity to formally object to the spec. I certainly don't recall reading anything negative about the spec at the time.

HK collectability has nothing to do with how many are in the field.

[MLSECPRO]

BUY IT!

SURE TO BE ONE OF THE MOST COLLECTABILE HK PISTOLS PRODUCED.WE HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR OVER 20+ YEARS......TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT.BUY IT AND SHOOT IT!

Will out shoot any of the custom 1911's.....including Wilson's stuff and we "LOVE" Wilson!

The Staff @ M.L Security Products Co.

[spyder1439]

too much money for me but i will never discourage anyone from buying another gun.

[H&K 4 LIFE]

If you've got the green then buy it. A .45 that big must have almost no recoil.

You'll never lose money "investing" in a HK. I was reading past posts on other boards from 2006 where NIB P7M8's were going for around $1100. These days they are up to $1500... and only growing. ;)

[Renegade]

Buy It.

When you realize it is just a a big hunk of useless metal, you will have no problem finding another chump to sell it to.

That is what I did.... :-(

[JWSandi]

Don't H&K say this gun has a minimum life expectancy of something like 20,000 rounds of +P ammo?

Pretty unheard of for a handgun.

[steelshooter]

The spec was established by Crane without input from "operators", i.e. Army Special Forces and Navy SEALs. If you think individual members of the military are able to somehow object somewhere in this process then you have never been in the military.

How many are "in the field" i.e. owned by gun range commandos has everything to do with collectibility.

The Marine Corps laughed at this thing when it was shown to them.

The other amusing thing is when people get all excited that it is an "offensive" handgun. The term offensive was used to justify a .45 caliber pistol amongst the new at the time 9mm pistols and for no other reason. SEAL doctrine only calls for using this boat anchor in hides as a defensive weapon.

Seriously do people think you are going to attack with this thing instead of a rifle? I know it weighs as much as an M4 but get real.

I presume you mean the SPEC wasn't established by the users? As I'm sure you are aware, the spec was a series of parameters. In other words, HK designed the weapon within a set of parameters (required minimums or a range) of dimensions, capacity, accuracy, features. Colt even submitted a proposal based on (or similar to) its 1911 platform if I remember correctly.

The spec was released to the public, they had an opportunity to formally object to the spec. I certainly don't recall reading anything negative about the spec at the time.

HK collectability has nothing to do with how many are in the field.

[steelshooter]

But thats what this thread is about. The person who started it is asking peoples opinions as to whether he should buy it or not.

too much money for me but i will never discourage anyone from buying another gun.

[HKCHEF]

I hope you like eating Ramen, Chef. ;) At this rate, you better open another restaurant. lol

SELL MORE BLOOD!

[30 cal slut]

i have one. i bought it purely as a fun collector's piece.

couple things:

1) it's big

2) it's big

3) i hate the trigger pull

4) did i mention it's huge?

it is an "offensive" handgun inasmuch as it offends most civilian budgets.

nevertheless, i still hold onto it just for fun shooting, especially paired up with a can.

fun gun? sure, what the hell.

want a polymer .45 for self-defense? get an HK 45 or a S&W M&P .45 for half (or less) the money.

[Bullitt196]

Well I have the money set aside for something and it's pretty much between this, a Desert Eagle or some other big priced item.

I don't really need a(nother) home defense .45 (I've got 3 1911's and an HK45).

So under that criteria I just might have to do it, I'll update if I pull the trigger on it....

[MLSECPRO]

The gentlemen does speak the truth about the end users not having the "input"

But as far the the Marine Corp goes.....they also laughed when they first saw the improvised rails bolted to the bottom of the frames on the the first MEUSOC 1911's too.

Bottom line.....they really never get what they need,when they need it.

But the HK MK23 is by far a true collectable,no matter whos inventory it sits in gathering dust.

Love it with the can.....shoots like the devil!

Enjoy it gents!

[loupav]

If I could get one in kalifornia, I would!!!

If I was in you shoes, sure why not? If you don't like it, get rid of it and get something you do like.

[I want a Mk23]

Read this here mate, I wrote it so you know its the truth.


http://hkpro.com/forum/showthread.php?t=86370

[SudS]

You are correct, I've never been in the military, but I do know military procurement. I've bought missles and carrier based aircraft...almost died when I was on a carrier and the pilot crashed on top of me. Yes, guys in the military can contact their Congressmen like anyone else (and believe me, guys in the military do just that).

If you say that guns in the field has "everything" to do with collectability, you are very limited in your understanding of what collectability is, often those guns produced today that have very little shooter interest (thus low production numbers) are tomorrow's prime collector pieces. Pul-lease!


The spec was established by Crane without input from "operators", i.e. Army Special Forces and Navy SEALs. If you think individual members of the military are able to somehow object somewhere in this process then you have never been in the military.

How many are "in the field" i.e. owned by gun range commandos has everything to do with collectibility.

The Marine Corps laughed at this thing when it was shown to them.

The other amusing thing is when people get all excited that it is an "offensive" handgun. The term offensive was used to justify a .45 caliber pistol amongst the new at the time 9mm pistols and for no other reason. SEAL doctrine only calls for using this boat anchor in hides as a defensive weapon.

Seriously do people think you are going to attack with this thing instead of a rifle? I know it weighs as much as an M4 but get real.

[skinnypuppy]

I say buy it and use it, don't leave it in the safe.

[Bullitt196]

Thought I'd update, bought one today. Figured at just about $1,775 out the door that isn't too bad. Only bad thing is I'm out of the country for another month and won't be able to see it

On a side note, I will probably suppress it but hopefully can find someone that makes HK45 barrels in this threading (Jarvis doesn't unfortunately)

[James00]

and the IR LAM, well, I had the opportunity to buy one recently, but my "practical" side got the better of me.

Where did you find a IR LAM?

[Shakey]

I'm afraid for that kind of money I would have opted for a HK91. At that cost, size and weight you might as well have a collectible long gun. A while back when looking for a range HK in .45 I decided I'd get the .45 tactical rather than the 23. Besides, I already owned the 91 so another larger heavy gun wasn't necessary. ;) Enjoy your new acquisition.

[h&kbama]

If you have the cheese to spare, I say go for it! For me the Mark 23 is just not practical, even if it is a bad-to-the bone spec-ops piece. As I tell my wife quite often, it will never matter the amount of firearms that I own, what does matter is the quality and utility of the ones in the safe. It does not matter what I currently own, if I can genuinely justify a purchase and have a valid use in mind for the firearm, I will buy it as soon as life/funds allow. My 2 cents.

[Bullitt196]

I'm more of a handgun guy than a rifle guy, 9 and 3 respectively.

The big thing is that if I go to CA I want to be able to take it there (I'm from there / still kind of live there when I'm not at school).

I have it in writing it's legal to bring into CA as long as it doesn't have a threaded barrel installed and I'm just going to have ADCO cut down another MK23 barrel.

[SudS]

Where did you find a IR LAM?

Another member posted it for sale here on HKPro. We weren't that far off in price, but it was a bit more than I really wanted to pay for something that was an accessory that wouldn't get any real use.

I also told a friend about it, who also contacted the seller. I'm not sure if he ever bought it either.

[smschulz]

i have one. i bought it purely as a fun collector's piece.

couple things:

1) it's big

2) it's big

3) i hate the trigger pull

4) did i mention it's huge?

it is an "offensive" handgun inasmuch as it offends most civilian budgets.

nevertheless, i still hold onto it just for fun shooting, especially paired up with a can.

fun gun? sure, what the hell.

want a polymer .45 for self-defense? get an HK 45 or a S&W M&P .45 for half (or less) the money.

Well put...and I might add it is a mighty BIG gun.

[MaverickHK]

You won't regret the purchase. I own a "frankenstein" Mark 23 that has an interesting back story (as some of the guys here can tell you from reading and responding to the posts when I bought it). But basically because of it's mix and match numbers, collectability pricing is out the window. I own it because it is simply put, the most well built, over manufactured semi-automatic pistol ever made. You can trust that gun to keep ticking when nothing else will and that is what I trust to defend my home. I also carry it a bit in a Blade-tech drop offset holster at the shop.

It is like I tell everyone that asks about them, if you seriously want one, you might as well put the money aside and get it, because nothing else will satisfy you.

[azimuth]

I bought one. It is a big gun. I like big guns. It was expensive. I like expensive guns. I have put about two hundred rounds through it.

[ThirdWatcher]

I bought one. It is a big gun. I like big guns. It was expensive. I like expensive guns. I have put about two hundred rounds through it.

My feelings exactly... except I've only put about a hundred rounds through mine (just picked it up earlier this week).

[muffin]

i got the tactical for the almost mk23 gun at an affordable price. i shot the mk23 and its great, would recommend it but it costs you. top favorite hk usps are hk45 my friend just got as his first pistol, my tactical and the mk23. love the p7, shot that awhile back love it, tried a p9 and its great. they are all good. buy them if you can afford and find one.

[Cyfer]

Just bought one myself and that sucker is mean. You run out of bullets, that's fine, just beat someone with it instead.