HK MARK 23
Wilcox created its own LAM unit that was totally modular and way ahead of the times.
This Wilcox unit was known as the Nightstalker. It was comprised of three components. A paddle switch is mounted on the top, situated just below the trigger guard, the light unit on the bottom, and an optical unit in the middle. You can take out the light unit and use the laser or the laser to use only the light. Both laser and light feature the visible spectrum and IR Spectrum modes. The 2nd generation Nightstalker laser has an LCD on the bottom to see which mode you're in. You can adjust the intensity and pulse that the laser emits. In addition, you can dim the flashlight to regulate the intensity of light.
Below are pictures were taken of Chris, who is known as yz125racer, on HKPro forums. He purchased a Nightstalker laser and light and shared the images with me.
Below that leading light, a more petite IR led is also led to help with night vision.
MK23 Fanaticism
Most people are interested in the H&K Mark23 for one or two reasons. One reason is its involvement within US SOCOM which was issued to Special Forces. Another reason is that the game became a hit in 1998 by Konami's Metal Gear Solid for the Playstation.
You might think that the idea of the handgun due to it being so prominently displayed in an online game is untrue. But I'm afraid I have to disagree, considering that almost anyone with MARK23 has been issued one. It's an act of idol worship. Guns can be enjoyable and enjoyable for many reasons. Metal Gear Solid is one of the greatest video games, and it contains a great deal of gun porn. It led a lot of teenagers in the 90's love guns and then purchased authentic versions of the guns. How is this different from people who have guns from wars and battles that they took none of a part in and weren't alive to witness?
Metal Gear Solid is excellent, and the MK23 is more fantastic.
I began collecting airsoft MK23s in the early 2000s. One of them is a basic spring action pistol. The second one to the left is a non-blowback model (NBB). Both were manufactured in the hands of Tokyo Marui. The second one from the top is the version with gas blowback from KSC. KSC's Tokyo Marui NBB came equipped with a fake suppressor and the insight prototype LAM unit. The LAM utilized three alkaline AAA batteries. It only had the red and white LED. It wasn't bright and did not include the laser. Another airsoft company later released their own LAM, which uses Surefire bulbs and has the red laser inside. This is the Wolf M97 that you can see on the actual MARK23 below.
The MARK23 was shot using the MARK23 using The Wolf M97LAM.
To better understand the actual value, the LAM AN/PEQ6 LAM450 is that it sells for more than Mark23 or KAC suppressor. It is an ex-military LAM unit. The Wilcox unit is scarce because it was manufactured in smaller numbers, and it can be sold for more than $3,000. This is quite a lot for an outdated and inefficient LAM made in the 1990s. However, demand and supply are constantly at war, which pushes the price higher than Insight.
Deceptively large
The MK23 appears not to be that big when you look at photographs of it. However, your perception will be altered when you see it in person. The MARK23 is almost as large as a Desert Eagle. Below, you will observe how it's almost identical to mine Omega MP5K.
It is evident how much larger the MARK23 is compared to my FNX-45 tactical.
Variant MARK23s
The MK23 or MARK23 have distinct engravings. The differences between the SOCOM MK23 from the US Mod0 and the civilian-issued MARK23, there are differences even within the civilian versions.
I met with a friend of mine who is a MARK23 owner. He has an AD date code MARK23. The slide is a glossy finish, which is prone to wear. Serial numerals on the barrel have been inscribed differently, too.
Close-up of MARK23
Minh's Date code for AE is MARK23. With a serial number etched into it. You will notice that the slide's finish is a bit worn below the extractor.
Inhibiting The MARK23
Since the MK23 was equipped with the KAC suppressor, I asked my FFL friends to see if they had the KAC suppressor for a MARK23. My friend Cory from CDS Arms transferred a KAC can to his client Minh and helped me get to contact Minh. Minh was gracious enough to get together, and we could compare our MARK23s. I have compared his KAC suppressor with mine, an Osprey 45. The MARK23 features a distinct thread pitch. It's Metric 16x1 RH, whereas the following H&K firearms that are .45acp have threaded LH 16x1. So I needed to purchase an RH piston 16x1 through Silencer Co to put my Osprey 45 on the MARK23.
Minh took the contents of his HK pistol collection along. In addition, Minh brought along his Rugged Obsidian 45 can. It's incredible how large the MARK23 is when compared against that of the USP Tactical below it.
The MARK23 is similar to the sound when shooting with Osprey45 and the KAC and Osprey45. However, the KAC is a bit louder. I shot them both side-by-side and noticed that my ear was somewhat uncomfortable using the KAC. It's not too bad for a suppressor designed in the mid-90s. We also put water in both of them, the Osprey 45 and the KAC suppressor. Minh warned me of the KAC. It was true that there was plenty of carbon and water flying back in the air when I shot the MARK23 using a wet KAC. The safety glasses I was wearing were coated with KAC. The Osprey didn't spit water into my eyes.
Another factor to consider is that my Osprey45 comes with an envelope inside the body.
Comparison MARK23 vs Osprey45
The Osprey45 aesthetic design is in a way perfectly together with MARK23. It's almost as if it was explicitly designed for it. I learned it was the SilencerCo Osprey 45 designed around Mike Pappas' USP Tactical. Here's a quote from Mike Pappas regarding the design of the Osprey 45.
HK Tactical, to be specific. The pistol that SilencerCo uses is a personal gun of mine. We imitated the serrations of the slide from that gun onto the Osprey. Do you think this makes my gun worth something? Hahahahaha. The majority of the testing and development was carried out with this host.
MARK23 Accessories
When the MARK23 was first released, it came with several additional accessories. One of them was a fake KAC suppressor. Thank you,
The MARK23s included the Eagle Industries pistol case. Additionally, they were available in Black, OD green and limited edition woodland camo.
The FNX 45 Tactical pistol case is identical to the MARK23. However, the MARK23 does not have the cases. The one I received was the standard plastic H&K pistol case. I had an extra FNX 45 case I bought a few years ago before buying an FNX-45 tactical. I purchased it to house the Glock 21/41 and Glock 21/41 pistols.
The MARK23 features a unique accessory rail; however, it is possible to purchase an adapter for rails to connect modern lasers and lights for a weapon. I purchased an adapter from GG&G and can attach my SureFire lasers onto the MARK23.
The MARK23 included two 10 round magazines; however, there are more prominent capacity magazines available. There's a 12 round mag, and Promag produces a 20-rounder.
Final Thoughts
The MARK23 is a handgun that has been discontinued. There are handguns such as that of FNX-45 Tactical that outperform it. 12-rounds of .45 ACP isn't too bad. However, my Glock 21 can hold 13 rounds inside the magazine while it is also a lot bigger than the FNX-45 has 15 rounds. Although the MARK23 was way ahead of its time, with its dependable safety selectors, it's not a big difference nowadays. It does come with a decocking lever, but I rarely use it.
But when do guns have to be functional? Although the size of the gun isn't practical for concealed carry, it isn't red dot-ready and so enjoyable to shoot using a LAM unit. I was amazed that it was easy to shoot targets from a distance using factory-installed iron sights that extend at 50-yards. My only issue is the cost. The MARK23 isn't an affordable gun. The retail price is around $2,000. It's a bit high for a .45 ACP handgun. But this is the perfect bucket list gun for me. I recall seeing one at the local gun shop in the early days of being a firearm beginner. I didn't have much money, and I saw a second-hand MARK23 at $1200. At the moment, I don't have a reference frame. I was unaware that it was a bit expensive—what a mistake. I am ashamed of not purchasing it at the time. I also saw an exclusive release of Tan Polymer MARK23 during a gun show a few years after. I think H&K produced only the 500. I regret not having bought it at the time too.
The MARK23 is excellent and is something you need to buy if you're an H&K fan or a Metal Gear Solid fan.
Specs HK Mark 23 Semi-Auto Pistol:
- 10 rounds (restricted)
- 12 rounds (standard)
- 17 rounds (extended)
- 20 rounds (extended)
- 24 rounds (extended)
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