H&K VP 70 or Mark 23

[Texasred]

This is weird asking these two questions. But I've yet to see one of either at a gunshow or ever known anyone to own either.

Any of you guys have one, or BOTH?

What do you think?

I know H&K has stopped making Mark 23s for now, but if they do bring them back I will special order one.

So any words on this?
Is the HK worth the money?
If I can find a VP70 whats a good price, or is it worth picking up?

 

[LiquidTension]

If you like a 36lb trigger pull, get the VP70. Last one I saw in a shop was going for about $400.

 

[gbelleh]

The VP70 has the worst trigger I've ever encountered. I literally had to use both index fingers on the trigger simultaneously to get through the entire magazine. They're neat guns, but awful to shoot. I've never shot the Mk23, but I would bet it's easier to shoot.

 

[LiquidTension]

Oh, and CDNN has the tan Mk23 for $1800 in the most recent catalogue.

 

[ABTOMAT]

I've always wanted a VP70, but unless I move they'll never be available. It was the first pistol with a composite frame. Big magazine (18 rounds), funky look, unusual sights that apparently work well, and the original military version could be fitted with a buttstock for 3rd bursts. Awful trigger pull. It's DA. However, a guy on some forum had a trigger job done by a very good gunsmith and said it smoothed it right out.

 

[Onmilo]

If the VP70 was as good or better than the USP in any version, it would still be in production and the MK23 would have never come to pass.
This question is rather moot and the VP70 was, and is, a dawg.

 

[10-Ring]

I've shot both & had fun doing it. Both have their quirks...looooong trigger pull on one & HUUUUUUGE grip on the other Both can be very accurate and both have cult-like followings. Really, if I found either in good shape w/ at least a couple mags I'd be happy at a fair price...prolly $600-ish for the VP70 (depending on caliber) and $1800-ish for the SOCOM

 

[ABTOMAT]

http://www.hkpro.com/video/VP70Z-VP70M.mov

 

[cdsdss]

Nifty but useless

Cool VP70 video, but I never could figure out what market H&K was going after with that 3-round burst. Did they think that they were creating an intermediate category between pistols and SMGs? Does the world need such a thing?

Anyone know what they were thinking? I'm curious.

 

[HorseSoldier]

I always kind of assumed that the "Volkspistole" nomenclature suggested some sort of mass-issue but cheap to produce weapon -- not a gunfighters gun, but something you could hand out to the Heimschutzkommando reservists when the 3rd Shock Army came rolling across the border . . .

 

[M2 Carbine]

I've had a VP-70 for years.
I wish I had the original version 3 round burst machine pistol. The holster was the stock and contained the burst machinery.

It is a strange gun. Since it is blow back but has a light slide the pressure of the 9mm round is reduced with blow by. The barrel has very deep rifling so gas blows by the bullet. I've never gotten around to chronographing it to see how much velocity is lost.

I cut 3/4 inch off the firing pin spring and got the trigger usable.

I've seen them at the gun shows in the $500-$600 range, more if they were like new and had the 4 magazines they were imported with.

I started to use mine as a car gun because of the 18 round mags but I figured the neutered 9mm wouldn't be much good against a car door.

 

[ABTOMAT]

Cool VP70 video, but I never could figure out what market H&K was going after with that 3-round burst. Did they think that they were creating an intermediate category between pistols and SMGs? Does the world need such a thing?

Anyone know what they were thinking? I'm curious.

Beats me what they actually had in mind, but I assumed it was to be a sidearm for people who couldn't carry a larger weapon or didn't always have the need for it. Motorcycle police, AFV drivers, that kind of thing.

 

[autospike]

Dudes in Tanks.

That's what I have always heard - that the VP70 was for tank crews.

 

[Dr.Rob]

VP-70 The slide is enourmous, the trigger wierd and the sights odd. Magazines built like a tank. The plastic in the grip-frame is very thin. Mags are hard to find but show up now and again.

I passed up a VP-70 for $350 a number of years ago and could kickmyself. last one I saw was $500 with 2 magazines and a lot of wear.

The Socom is a very overpriced pistol for what it is.

 

[Gordon]

I always thought it was the grooves in the chamber that slowed the slide opening. Mine was polygonal. Teddy Jacobsen put an 7 pound trigger on the one I HAD many moons ago.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Mine doesn't have a grooved chamber.

I suppose the grooved chamber served the same purpose as the heavy rifling.

 

[Blaster53]

HK Mark 23

Finally was able to get my hands on a 23. Just shot it for the first time and was very impressed with the accuracy. It took about 5 rounds to get used to the sights and then was able to put the next two magazines worth into the black at 25 yards. The accuracy is much better than my series 70 gold cup. Accessories are a tad on the pricey side. I found a LAM 450 for it for 1150.00 plus tax. I also plan to get a supressor for it. That will be a paperwork nightmare.

 

[david_the_greek]

I always wanted a vp70 when I was little because the video game Resident Evil had it and the browning Hi Power, my father already had a highpower so in my little mind I had half the game (no I wasn't stupid enough to go play resident evil with real guns, I was firearm safety educated very early on). when I was buying my cz I saw a vp70 and almost laughed because it seemed so freakin weird. just my little story.....

 

[whatbrick]

Another Mark-23 Owner

Pros:

1. Excellent accuracy
2. Crisp SA trigger pull
3. Feeds any ammo (that I've put through it: semi wad-cutters, FMJ, JHP, lead) with no problems
4. Well-built and can take abuse

Cons:

1. A bit hefty (3lbs. with a full mag - no other accessories)
2. Heavy DA trigger pull (wanna shoot Saturday? Start squeezing on Wednesday)
3. Pricey

I bought mine off of a soldier who had come back from Germany. It came with 2 12-round mags (this was before the AWB went poof), the test target, manual, an extra O-ring, and a nice, lockable aluminum case to store it all in.

All in all, I like it.