The wait begins...Mark 23

[Coogan]

Just sent off payment and FFL for my Mark 23. I was diligent in my search for an older NIB model that does not have the crappy etched HK logos and it paid off. AC date code with tac bag.

I figure that I'll have it before the New Year, but if it is a day or two later, I won't mind!


Come to Papa, Crew Served Sidearm, come to Papa.....

[AGG]

Congratulations on the acquisition--- patience, grasshopper, patience!!! :D

Tony

[retromullet]

Don't think you'll be disappointed!

[bhale187]

CONGRATS!
remember patience is a virtue, but then again I was never very virtuous

[Hossfly]

What a great way to start the new year! Congrats! I hope to join the MK23 club one day myself.

[swiseuf]

Just sent off payment and FFL for my Mark 23. I was diligent in my search for an older NIB model that does not have the crappy etched HK logos and it paid off. AC date code with tac bag.


Other than the stamped logo, are there any other meaningful changes for the newer pistols?

[HKCHEF]

I held one today for the first time, they are truly massive, congrats on your purchase.

[Gunschlinger]

Congrats on your new purchase! Good find with the camo Eagle bag insted of the crappy clamshell case.

[.45ACP]

Other than the stamped logo, are there any other meaningful changes for the newer pistols?

I'm sure after 2000 they started coming with the internal lock crap also. Also around 2004 or so they started getting a different finish, more similar to a regular USP and not as "glossy" as the original.

[Coogan]

Thanks guys, I am really pumped!

Anyway, as some have asked, here are the "variations" of the commercial Mark 23 that I am aware of:

1. Initial run in 1996 uses "Mark 23" on slide, small number total. The remainder are marked "MARK 23".

2. Lock added in 1999/2000.

3. Eagle tactical bag is no longer supplied, standard HK plastic case is the norm. Post 2003?

4. The Maritime finish is no longer standard. Reports of BOTH Maritime and HE finish being used starting in 2003 pop up. I do not know if current production Mark 23 pistols use either the HE or Maritime finish. With the "restructuring" of HK, I imagine anything is possible.

5. September 2004 - AWB ends. The Mark 23 now ships with standard capacity magazines, regardless if LEO sale or not.

6. Etched/lasered HK logo on slide and barrel start in 2004. The slide may bear either "HK" or "HKJS". This is true for most all HK products. Frame legends change from Heckler & Koch.... to HK Sidearms....

7. I do not have a date range for this, I have seen one Mark 23 that had "Heckler & Koch" roll marked on the right side of the slide. This was a tan frame model.

8. 2008, DE is added to the slide. This, I believe, is to denote where the pistol was made - Germany (Deutsch). The DE mark seems to appear across the HK line and should not be seen as a Mark 23 specific marking.

Hope this helps and I hope any Mark 23 guru out there will correct any inaccuracies.

[AGG]

Allow me to be of assistance: ;)

1. KG/1996 (23-208X through 23-290X/"Mark 23" and 23-294X through 23-336X/"MARK 23"),
2. "Lockout device" in magazine well pre-1998,
3. Eagle Industries tactical bag (1996- early 2004),
4. "Maritime" (high gloss finish/1996- early 2004) and "Hostile Environment" (satin finish/early 2004-2008),
5. Probably AF/2005 models began shipping with 12-round magazines,
6. Laser-etched "HK JS" (2004-2005) and "HK" (2006-2008),
7. "Heckler & Koch" on right slide (early 2004- block of few black, block of tan, block of tan with NO right-slide marking in late 2004- early 2005, block of tan in 2005, tan and block of black in late 2005 with NO right-slide marking,
8. "DE" added to right of SN (late 2008- beginning @ 23-01205X).

Tony

[piebiter]

Congratulations.

[bravokilo0101]

Very nice choice to have for your arsenal. I love my honey bunny.

:89:

[ltbarber]

welcome to the cult! drink freely of the kool-aid!

[RyuNoKai]

My AI Mark23 looks like is has the Maritime finish. It is definitely different from my USP45T. USP is duller, not nearly as black.

[CAR]

Congratulations on your new aquisition. There is nothing quite like the Mk23.

[cyclops24]

I should have my Mark 23 by the end of the week. I can't wait.

[jsdkms]

I must say that my MK 23 is the best shooting pistol and I have over 30 brands including top of the line Kimbers and a Wilson Combat master grade! You will love it.

[99999]

My AI Mark23 looks like is has the Maritime finish. It is definitely different from my USP45T. USP is duller, not nearly as black.

I have two of the same, I believe that it is the Hostle Enviornment "Satin" finish that the gentleman spoke of though, although it looks much better and a deeper dark color that my other new HK's, it isn't the shiny Maritime that earlier models had. just looks like the best, more thouroughly applied Hostle Enviornment finish HK has ever applied. Wish my other USP's etc... had that good of a finish on them.

[jimk23]

Have you got it yet?

[Coogan]

Yes, I picked up my Mark 23. It is exceptional! I popped the cherry in short order and accuracy is to be expected - superb.

While I am not a complete newbie to the Mark 23, I must reiterate that it is a very large handgun. I find the Desert Eagle to be obnoxious (not in a bad way) in size - the Mark 23 is borderline.

When I took the Mark 23 out I also had my USPc 9mm. The USPc had snappier recoil than the Mark 23. I actually laughed! (I had shot the Mark 23 first)

Anyway, I am very happy with my purchase. I paid more to get the older markings and tac case - I have zero regrets about it.

[Perseus]

Do you mind saying what you paid for the beast?

[Coogan]

Let's just say that I didn't pay MSRP.