HECKLER & KOCH MARK 23 REVIEW by Dagaz a Tribesman and Navy Veteran

Weapon Specifications:

                Caliber: 45 ACP, capable of 45 Super

                Overall Length: 8.5”

                Barrel Length: 5.87”

                Sight Radius: 6.63”

                Short-recoil, semiautomatic

                Double/Single Action

                                Double-Action trigger pull weight: 12.13 lbs (approx.)

                                Single-Action trigger pull weight: 4.85 lbs. (approx.)

                Manual safety

                De-cocking Lever

                Weight empty: 31.2 oz (1.95 pounds)

                Weight with mag/8 rounds: 31.44 oz pounds.

                Standard Magazine: twelve rounds

                Adjustable sights

                Proprietary HK Accessories rail

                Maximum effective* range: 50 meters

                This pistol was born out of a laundry list of demands from Special Operations and the United States Government. Historically to this point, SOCOM has been frequently using 1911 pistols (45 ACP), however these platforms had a few limitations which the operators wanted improved upon, among these, easier to suppress, and round capacity, all while keeping the cartridge in 45. The first “Offensive Pistol” platform was born.

                The Mark 23 is a massive, overengineered, statement of a pistol. If you were in the service prior to 2023 and used the M9, it’ll be eerily familiar, though much more capable than that weapon. Aside from the size of this pistol, the first things I noticed when shooting this pistol was the weight of the trigger in double-action (because damn) and how accurate this thing is. One in single-action, the trigger pull is fantastic, clean, crisp, and has a good reset. The recoil operation does cock the hammer each time. Unlike the M9, the safety function and the de-cocker are separate entities. That means if you want, you can carry this in single-action with the safety on. This was probably one of my biggest annoyances with the M9, the first shot, unless manually cocking the hammer, having to be in double-action. In double-action, the safety does not function, because let’s be honest here, a 12+ pound trigger pull in of itself is a safety. What is nice about this, comparative to the 1911, is in the internal functionalities of the firing mechanisms. Because of how the 1911 systems work, it has to have a mechanical/manual safety. Removing this option in the Mark 23 is a nice concept.

                So why is the Mk 23 considered, originally an “offensive pistol?” By design, it was intended to be extremely accurate, have a long (comparative) effective range, sights to support shooting considerably longer distances comparative to most pistols, a round capacity to support extended CQB, and effective, and easy suppression. Combine this with the terminal ballistic performance of 45 ACP, this definition is quite apt. The accuracy is due to sight radius. (The more distance between the front and rear sights means less margin for error upon alignment. The closer the sights are, the sights may appear to be aligned, however can still be off point.) Having a nearly 7-inch sight radius simply means that lining up the front sight to the rear sights is all the more accurate when aligned to other options at the time. The M1911 has an approximate 6.5-inch sight radius, the Glock 19 coming in just over 6 inches. I’m not going to compare this to carry/compacts because this is in a league of its own and there is no genuine comparison between the two.

                Are there any drawbacks to this? There are a few. This pistol can be a bit cost prohibitive. At a base MSRP of around $2100 before anything, this can get pretty daunting. The next question is practicality. If you work LE and can choose your own duty weapon, or similarly security, this I’d definitely recommend for consideration as a duty weapon. For CCW? I mean… can you? Yes, but this thing is massive even before we consider any attachments. Open carry for personal defensive considerations is a discussion for another time; which is where this would be more practical in this consideration. Open carry for back-country or hunting, this can make a good option. Larger caliber, and capable of operating 45 Super does bring in options for defense against a variety of animals.

                That brings me to a bone I must pick with HK. What the heck guys? This proprietary rail thing is annoying. Having to buy another rail just to mount something is ridiculous. The cheapest option out there is another one hundred dollars, and it is bulky as all get out. The HK options can go upwards of $400 because of an integral recoil compensator. I picked up a low-profile rail from Lobos Industries for my choice. 10/10 recommend. He does amazing work on his mounting processes and machining. (again, no implied, actual, or any financial or otherwise relationship between OWT and any companies listed.)

                Like the challenges I had with the Wilson Combat EDC X9, holsters can be a shenanigan here. Bare bones, it is not too bad, even for IWB CCW holsters. You can find old-gen canvas holsters on eBay, Safariland makes duty holsters, other brands make options, the whole shebang. But I had to be silly and go ahead and get a rail (that is not common) and put on a weapon mounted light. Was I going to be reasonable and use a “normal” light, like a Streamlight, or a Surefire? Definitely not. My ridiculous self-decided to go with a period-correct LAM. (oh yes, we’re getting silly here) the MK23MOD0 started its life often paired with an AN/PEQ-6 Laser Aiming Module (LAM) and had a few upgrades before the DoD no longer adopted the weapon platform. So I decided to hit eBay up and slap on an AN/PEQ-14 LAM capable of IR illumination AND laser aiming, as well as white light, and visible laser. As you can imagine, there are SOOOOO many holster options out there for this combination… again, here we go to the customization options. I encountered a guy in Georgia that does custom holsters, and was able to have access to the same attachments so I didn’t have to risk USPS. He made me a duty style, and an IWB (because I’m ridiculous like that) Kydex holsters for this combination. Amazing craftsmanship, quick shipping, and any options you could possibly want. If you need any holster, I’d recommend him; Stay Frosty Holster Workx. 

                Before I get too far off topic here, let me reign it back in. Practicality of this weapon system. Short answer, as a duty weapon, yes, without a doubt. It is not a reasonable CCW for a majority of folks, though you can do it. For most who wouldn’t use it professionally, this pistol will most likely end up in a safe for most of its life and just come out periodically at the range. So, a base of 2100 bucks for a range toy (for most folks) is a hard ask. Is it fun? Hell yes, it is. Is it practical? For open carry, or duty use, I’d use it without a second thought. Out of all my weapons, probably would be my first choice. Otherwise? It’s a question you have to answer yourself.

Disclaimer: There is no professional, financial, or other relationship between Odins Warrior Tribe and Heckler & Koch or its subsidiaries. This review has not been requested by the manufacturer or any other stake of interest.