H&K Mark 23

For me the Mk23 was not a fun gun to shoot, enjoyable yes, but not fun. I had one for five years and when I sold it my next purchase was a CZ P01.

While I'm sure they have th same quality of thier less expensive counterparts in the USP line, I don't see the MK23's being worth that extra $. Oh boy, a threaded bbl! useless unless you're gonna spend the money for a suppressor. And the thing is huge! From posts I've read from others that gotta have one, and that do have them, most seem the type that want it for it's "tacticalness" and because it's a "military" gun. Neither of which mean anything to this fella. TEHO I guess. I've seen and hndled one but it did nothing for me. For ISPC, why not go with one of the other longslide/long bbl USPs (target)) or even the Match model?

They're huge. Desert Eagle huge. They dwarf some small import cars.

They're freaky accurate.

They're huge.

They're uber expensive for a full sized .45 (IMO)

They're freaky accurate.

Did I mention they're huge?

I don't really see what they have to offer over a USP Tactical personally. My local dealer can't seem to keep them on the shelf though. I think I read somewhere that even special ops spooks can't get past the huge proportions of it and prefer USPs over the MK23.

The size isn't that bad. The grip is the same size as the USP45, it's just the longer slide and that big trigger guard that make it look huge. It uses the same mags as the USP45/tactical except with a different floorplate.

If you don't ever plan on getting a suppressor you'd probably do better to just get an USP Expert or Elite. The Mk 23 was designed for use with a suppressor as you can tell from the threaded barrel and the high profile sights. It's still fun to shoot without a silencer, but it's a completely different animal with one. It almost aims itself, no flash, and very little recoil. I've heard from some Class 2 suppressor manufacturers that the Mark 23 is easier to suppress than the Tactical. Dunno the specifics but some cans like the Gemtech SOS45 won't cycle properly on the Tact, but work on the Mark 23 just fine.

If you gotta have one the prices have been going up recently. I got mine for $1695 but everyone seems to want $1900 or more for NIB guns now. I'm guessing since the USP Tactical is more popular they will be cutting back on civilian Mark 23 production.

IMO, I think the Mark 23 is a must for a serious or even semi-serious HK collector. But if you're looking for something that will shoot as well and as accurately, the Tactical will do.

I had a MK decked out with IR and Visible laser LAM, suppressor and hi cap mags. I loved the gun, and if you have to ask is it worth the difference, it is not the gun for you. You either want the Corvette or the Ferrari. The Mark and Tac are similar, but very different at the same time. Anyone who moans about it being too big is over exaggerating. The MK is a large full size gun with a full grip, and weighs the same as a 1911. Desert eagle is not a good comparison.

Threaded barrel is not just for sound suppressors, don't forget flash suppressors that are much easier to get and are valuable to have for most any situation.