H&K Mark 23 v Desert Eagle

H&K Mark 23 v Desert Eagle

  • H&K Mark 23

    Votes: 55 75.3%

  • Desert Eagle

    Votes: 18 24.7%
  • Total voters
    73
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el Godfather

el Godfather

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Feb 4, 2012
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1,847
Dear THR:
Assumption ONE is that you want to buy a large pistol.
Assumption TWO is that the choice is between Mark 23 and Desert Eagle (caliber of your choice).

The assumptions are set to avoid the unnecessary bashing and rather focus on the question. If you hate the said pistols, please ignore this thread and spare us from negative remarks.

Now that said, which would you choose and why? What are your experiences with them if any?

Please consider the following factors:
1. Collection value.
2. Possible use in the woods for defense against four legged or hunting.
3. Reliability.
4. Accuracy.
5. Home defense.

I chose Mark 23 because in my opinion it was superior to DE in factors 3, 4 and 5. Whereas DE was superior in my opinion in 1 and 2 for collection value and more powerful round in the woods.

Thank you.
 
Hi,

I have both a Desert Eagle .50 and an HK .45 Tactical. Very close to the Mark 23. Both of these gun will be accurate. I wouldn't consider either one a collector item. Both will be reliable. I would not want to carry the DE for any length of time in the woods. It weighs 5 pounds loaded. The DE is also not well suited for a home defense gun. Too much penetration, too unwieldy! Could you imagine trying to ake a well placed follow up shot with a .50 AE? My vote would be for the HK Mark 23. Much much lighter. Much more reasonable cartridge for your intended purposes. Ammo is far less expensive and probably easier to find even today.

CB
 
I didn't vote because I value the criteria differently than you did in your 1-5 list.

I would choose the DE though because it does something that is not available in many other handguns. It fires extremely powerful rounds in a semi-automatic package. The MK23 is supposedly an excellent pistol by all accounts, but it is basically a GIGANTIC .45. There are numerous pistols out there that do nearly the exact same thing in a practically-sized package...the HK45, USP .45, Glock 21, XD(m) .45, SW M&P .45, etc. All of these guns would function about the same as a Mk23 in criteria 2-5 while also being carryable (although still a bit large). To me, the DE at least offers something in return for its extremely large size.
 
I voted Desert Eagle, because I have fired one before, and (dare I say it), it's just fun. No "tactical" usefulness, just plain fun. :D
 
I think it's sort of a toss-up, but I voted DE for the above reason - the Mark 23 (although I like it a lot) is basically just a really big .45

The DE however, if you get it in 357 (I hope to this year) is a very powerful handgun with very low recoil. Plus, as long as you don't get it gold plated or polished chrome, it's pretty awesome looking.
 
HK is a combat pistol, the DE in .50 AE is for silhoutte shooting. I vote hk.
 
I voted the HK, but the Mk23 is overkill for most purposes.

When I think Desert Eagle, I think video game characters. I know silhoutte shooters use them, but who alse but a video game character would run around with a 5 lb gun holstered to their belt?
 
HK because of it's accuracy, reliability, comparative light weight, suppressor ready, robust nature and durability.

If I wanted a giant elephant dropping round, then I'd go for the DE, but I doubt I'll ever go for that.
 
If you want a pistol with pure slob appeal, special order the Desert Eagle XlX in full gold plate, caliber .50 Action Express and with the newly offered 10" barrel.

If you want a pistol tailor made to function as a suppressed weapon and do so reliably and with target grade accuracy, choose the Mk23.
 
HK is a combat pistol,
Click to expand...

If memory serves correctly, USSOCOM basically dumped them because they were unreliable and and too big to be practical. They were quickly replaced after being issued.

The general public however bought into the hype.



I would, however, pick it over the DE. Yet would rather own a Louisville Slugger over either!
 
If memory serves correctly, USSOCOM basically dumped them because they were unreliable and and too big to be practical.
Click to expand...

Your memory isn't serving you correctly, because the 23 is as reliable as a pistol gets.
 
If memory serves correctly, USSOCOM basically dumped them because they were unreliable and and too big to be practical. They were quickly replaced after being issued.
Click to expand...
Dumped? When?

Unreliable? The MK23 holds the record for reliability with over 6000 rounds between stoppages. No 1911 ever came close to that.

Quickly replaced? They've been in service for 25 years and then replaced by the newest generation of HK.

Big? Yeah, you're right on that one, it's a big boy gun. They are as big as any other high capacity, suppressor ready, 6" barreled .45 though, and lighter than most.
 
Like I said my memory was a little hazy.

However, it wasnt even put into USSOCOM's "toy box" till 1996. Not quite 25yrs. I do remember the mk 24 mod 0 was the P226 for the Navy... What year that happened I do not recall?
Im sure there might be a unit or two with the mk 23 just as there are units with just about any weapon...
 
I too own both and would not consider getting rid of either one. Both are way fun to shoot, BIG and filled with awesomeness. If I had to choose, I would favor the MK23 due to its incredible accuracy and reliability, but the DE does get points for more calibers and it's WOW factor. Both always attract questions at the range and put a large smile on peoples faces when I ask if they care to put a few rounds down range.:D
 
bc1023
Sir, is there anything you dont have? Impressive..
Click to expand...

Thanks

When it comes to handguns, I'm a pretty hard core collector. I own most of them. If not the exact model, something similar.
 
For an actual fighting handgun, the Desert Eagle has dubious value. Try to take one through a combat pistol course. Rapid follow-up shots are very difficult, ammo is very expensive, in my experience you have to feed them premium ammo to make them run well, an el-presidente drill would be very difficult, you would be worn out early because it's so heavy, I doubt your wife can run it very well, and it's not something that's fun to shoot one-handed.
 
el Godfather said:
I chose Mark 23 because in my opinion it was superior to DE in factors 3, 4 and 5. Whereas DE was superior in my opinion in 1 and 2 for collection value and more powerful round in the woods.
Click to expand...

Well. I've had a Mark I DE since the 80's and frankly, I can see only three upsides: Collectibility, hunting and medium range accuracy. It's just about as bulky as handguns come, mine's been reliable and very accurate, but I consider it a novelty I rarely shoot and no longer hunt with. It's a gun I love to own but hate to shoot and especially carry in any situation.

I'm not really a Mark 23 fan either, but I consider it much more usable than DE, especially if we're talking about owning just one large pistol.
 
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