M14 Forum

racine

Then decided I needed a high cap 45acp that was reliable. I demo'ed the Sig 220, Glock 21 and opted for a plain USP 45. 2 years later I upgraded to a USP 45 Expert and what a world of difference that was. My earlier USP had an added match trigger but that Expert guaranteed me 1-2" at 25 yards. With some elevation I could hit metal plates 8-9X out of 10 at 100 yds. I've always wanted a Tac just so I could add a suppressor. I've just retired my Exp. to go back to my 1911 SA loaded and see if I can improved on what I've shot for the last 4 years.

islandermyk

I've had the pleasure of shooting an Expert, but in .40... a lot more accurate than I am for sure as the same with this MK23 I have right now. I've also had the pleasure of shooting a handful/a lot of Brand named 1911's which was always a treat as well.
With this MK23 I have now. I am doing my best to keep track of round counts and will record on here when a failure occurs.... nothing intentional, but I guess from a normal wear and tear of throwing many many rounds through it. I think this is probably one of the best .45 ACP's I've ever shot, but again.. I'm no expert, but I do get the same reactions from people that have owned or shot one.
A few downsides that I'll name are: Price... HK is to proud I think. Accessories... it's a bitch looking for a nice Kydex holster for this thing, and mags are freaken expensive! Higher priced than Springfield Armory's M1A 20 round mags... and I don't know whats the deal on why they used some type of paint coating on the slide and barrel.. after shooting over 3000 rounds the barrel coating is getting chipped or rubbed off from the recoil spring and slide.
Still in my humble opinion... I think the MK23 is a very well built piece and is holding up to all that is being talked about. I in one hand would probably never get a chance to put it through it's paces under extreme conditions, and the way this thing is built.. It will take more shit than I can throw at it.

racine

Yes the HKs are pricey( mine being $1100 new) but it came out of the box shooting with no mods and 100% reliability. My 1911's I've owned have all needed gunsmithing ( the last SAI itself getting $500 over it's original $700). In that context, it's a wash. The only jams you'll get out of the HKs are your own reloads. But FWIW, there's nothing like shooting a heavy piece of historical hardware...

Cunha

How do you actually like the ergonomics of the much larger MK23 vs the USP tactical?

islandermyk

It feel the same as my old .40 USP tactical... speaking of the angle of the pistol grip in relations to the slide... unlike the Glocks that have their grips out further towards the shooter. Given that it's in .45 with a 12 round mag the grip is big in diameter.
Empty the thing is sort'a front heavy, but with the full mag... it completely balances it out... you would actually think it's heavier than it looks, but the polymer frame I guess helps keep the weight down, but the slide on this thing is freaken huge in comparing it to the Tactical USP's.
The size of the whole pistol doesn't really bother me... I like the idea of having to much rather than having to little or even just enough... generally speaking.
I'm 6ft 195lbs... and the pistol works great for me.

islandermyk

I've actually had the opportunity to jam my .40 USP Tactical (pistol probably has had over 4000 through it in it's lifetime) a few times that day when I went out shooting in a tactical run and shoot course. I dropped a mag head first, and it caught (wet) dirt... I didn't clean it off and went ahead and loaded it... and it already shot over 200 rounds threw it and it failed to eject 3 or 4 times on me. I was shooting that Wallyworld white box Winchester stuff, but after cleaning it.. it performed flawlessly...
I would shoot almost anything that I can get my paws on... and I love'em 1911's.. they're just everywhere, and that's what made me stray away from getting one.. to common is what I'm trying to say and I wanted something different and had a lucky break with getting this one... to many stories of the 1911 and not to many stories about these MK23's... especially from owners that intend to shoot the shit out of'em (like me) and try to put it through it's paces... and here I am just trying to share my experiences with it.

Lee D

you made out like a bandit on that deal! congrats, and enjoy that fine sidearm

islandermyk

It's weird thinking about it... I've been keeping track of his sales on the board I frequent and he's been getting rid of more HK pistols since trading this MK23 for my USP Tact.
He sold my old .40 USP Tact... weeks later a .45 USP Tact... weeks later a HK45... and about 2 or 3 weeks ago a .40 USP EXPERT... more than decently priced too... Guy definitely know's his HK's, but I wonder... why was he getting rid of these HK's??? Hope he's doing well... He's a really cool guy.

DaveH

Hey Mikey, when are you gonna get a real scope for that M1A and dump the one lathered with tape? I've held that Super Match M1A in the pic, it's a sweetie.

islandermyk

Your killing me... my sides hurt from laughing!

I wrapped the scope up so I don't end up scratching it... so when I do decide to move up to another scope I'd be able to sell this one. Still learning and understanding this Mil-dot, and trying to get a feel on how to predict the bullet's flight.
Hopefully, this new year will be good to me. I really want to dump the bi-pod and try to get a Atlas bi-pod... and hopefully in the near future I would be able to suppress it... ugh.. so many dang plans...

islandermyk

mjackson

Islander, I had my first and only experience with a Mark 23 while visiting a range in OH a few years back. My brother-in-law and I had just finished shooting and the sun was going down, when two men walked onto the range. After they open up their gear, the last people there start to gather 'round. And for good cause, as this guy pulls out a select-fire Ruger mini-14 with collapsible stock which catches everyone's eye. This guys starts making friends pretty quick because he let's everyone dump thirty round mags, but I make my way to a camoed soft case that has a Mark 23 AND a Knight's Armament suppressor just sitting there. Once I pick my jaw up off the ground and change my shorts I ask ,"Can I shoot your Mark 23?" He replies, "Sure." While I load a 12-round mag, he fills the suppressor with water and my heart rate starts causing blurred vision. Everyone there stops and takes off the hearing protection while I start shooting an old plastic jug in front of the berm and all I remember hearing is the clackety-clack of the slide cycling and the bullets strike the jug. Turns out he worked for Knights at one point as those cans are hard for civilians to come by. Anyway, very memorable day. Great trade. Now you need a can.

islandermyk

Oh wow... That is an awesome story!!! Thank you for sharing... just reading it got my heart rate up just trying to imagine all that... thank you again for sharing!

yard dog

Thats insane jon connor. I would love the 23 but Im stuck with the usp cause I got a good deal with it. Not to bitch or anything cause it is a very respectful firearm,ever want to trade just let me know.

darkjedi351

NO KIDDING!!! I'm still in shock. Holy crap what a steal. good job