The Heckler & Koch MK 23, MK 23 MOD 0, Mark 23, or USSOCOM MARK 23, is a semi-automatic large-frame pistol chambered in .45 ACP. designed specifically to be an offensive pistol. The USSOCOM version of the MK23 came paired with a laser aiming module (LAM) and suppressor. The USSOCOM MK23 was adopted by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for special operations units, beating out the nearest competitor, Colt's OHWS. Development of the pistol began in 1991 as special operations representatives identified the need for an 'Offensive Handgun Weapons SystemâSpecial Operations Peculiar', and delivery of the pistols began in May 1996 to the special operation units.[4][5][6]
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While the USSOCOM MK23 designation usually applies to the complete system, it is also commonly used in reference to the pistol component alone. The LAM and suppressor were developed by Insight Technology and Knight's Armament Company (KAC), respectively. The civilian version of the Mk23 sold by itself is designated the Mark 23.[7]
Overview[edit]
The MK 23 is considered a match grade pistol,[8] and is capable of making a 2-inch (51 mm) group at 25 metres (27 yd).[9] The MK 23 is designed for exceptional durability in harsh environments, being waterproof and corrosion-resistant.[8] It uses a polygonal barrel design, which is reported to improve accuracy and durability, and is much more expensive to produce.[8][10] It also features an ambidextroussafety and magazine release on both sides of the frame. The magazine release is at the rear edge of the trigger guard, which is wide enough to allow the use of gloves. A decocking lever is on the left side, which will silently lower the cocked hammer. The MK 23 is part of a larger weapon system that includes an attachable Laser Aiming Module (LAM), a suppressor, and some other features such as a special high-pressure match cartridge (.45 +P ammunition).[8]
The firearm was tested and found to be capable of firing tens of thousands of rounds without a barrel change.[11] It remains reliable in harsh conditions, making it suitable for use by special forces. The .45 ACP round has considerable stopping power and yet is subsonic, making it suitable for use with a suppressor.[12]
Development[edit]
In 1989, US SOCOM began reviewing their equipment to see which gear fit the needs of their special close quarters battle role. Studying small arms revealed that there were 120 types and configurations of infantry weapons in different units. The logistics of getting spare parts for all these weapons was overwhelming. In response, SOCOM decided to standardize small arms among all units. One area of improvement was the pistol, undertaken by the Offensive Handgun Weapon System (OHWS) competition. It would replace pistols like the 9 mmM9, which was used by regular troops as a secondary weapon. SOCOM's use of small units that operate in close means that pistols are more likely to be used as primary weapons.[13]
The caliber for the OHWS was quickly decided not to be the NATO standard 124 gr (8.0 g) 9 mm due to lack of stopping power. The FBI had selected the 10 mm auto to replace their 9 mm pistols, but it was too powerful, few manufacturers produced it, and the round caused short weapon service life. The .45 ACP caliber was chosen and improved upon with the high velocity, high pressure 185 gr (12.0 g) +P loading.[13]
The OHWS pistol had to fire many types of rounds in addition to the +P cartridge and have a long service life with the high pressure ammo. The M1911 had been proven in service for over 70 years, but was rejected. High pressure rounds would destroy it and it did not fire reliably with a suppressor. Upgrading the M1911 would cost more than it was worth, so it was decided that they would select an entirely new design. A request for quote was for a system that included a pistol, suppressor, and laser aiming module. The pistol had to be corrosion resistant, have a high mean rounds between failures (MRBF), and be able to serve as a primary weapon.[13]
After several tests, Heckler & Koch and Colt submissions were selected to move to phase I of the OHWS program in August 1991. They were awarded developmental contracts to produce 30 systems. At the time the program was beginning, HK was studying what aspects were most desirable in handguns for the U.S. civilian market. They came up with a design that had these features including reliability, durability, affordability, and others by February 1991. Colt however essentially drew upon existing technologies for their submission called the Colt OHWS. They used an M1911 frame that could accept a 10-round magazine, the decocking mechanism from the Colt Double Eagle, and the rotating barrel locking system from the All American 2000. The barrel of the Colt OHWS could not directly attach a suppressor, so a mounting was added to a rail in front of the handguard.[13]
Colt was eliminated after phase I, leaving only HK to move on to phase II. This phase subjected the pistols to the strictest reliability testing any pistol ever went through. The requirement was for no less than 2,000 MRBF; the HK OHWS averaged 6,027 MRBF and could reach 15,122 MRBF. Three pistols went through a 30,000-round endurance test and maintained accuracy of 2.5 in (64 mm) at 25 meters; only the O-ring needed replacement after 20,000 rounds. The weapons worked in temperatures from -25 degrees Fahrenheit to 140 degrees Fahrenheit while exposed to mud, ice, and sand. Phase III was the awarding of a production contract to HK in June 1995. Their pistol was type classified as the Mark 23 Mod 0, and 1,950 systems were ordered at $1,186 each. All pistols were produced in Germany and the first was delivered to SOCOM on 1 May 1996.[13][14]
Even though the Mark 23 had performed admirably, several factors worked against its use. Previous operators were trained to fire multiple 9 mm rounds and they thought firing extra rounds made up for not using harder hitting but larger and heavier .45 ACP rounds. The introduction of the smaller and lighter HK USP, political pressures, and shortages of +P ammunition also contributed against the pistol. As the War on Terror went on, operators saw the effectiveness of the .45 ACP in combat and renewed use of the Mark 23, as well as other pistols chambered for the round.[13]
Adoption[edit]Mk23 Pistol Airsoft
The MK 23 MOD 0 was built as an 'offensive' handgun for U.S. special operations forces under USSOCOM, per request made in 1989. Military versions of the firearm have the writing 'MK23 USSOCOM' engraved on the slide.[15] The first MK 23 production models were delivered to SOCOM on May 1, 1996.[16]
HK commercially markets the MK 23 and derivatives of it, but not the complete SOCOM system. The suppressor is made by Knight's Armament Company, and was selected over the one HK originally included as part of its entry. Insight Technology won the contract to produce the laser aiming module, later designated AN/PEQ-6. One version of the LAM produces a visible light dot, while another produces an infrared dot that can only be seen through night vision goggles. There have since been different LAM models and, at least commercially, different suppressors as well. It has been reported by some users that the cumulative effects of recoil may occasionally cause the can of the suppressor to become slightly unscrewed, but that it is relatively easy to improvise solutions for the problem.
Civilian Mark 23[edit]
Heckler & Koch has offered the MK 23 on the civilian market and law enforcement as the MARK 23. It is distributed by its subsidiaries HK Inc. (United States) and HKJS GmbH (Germany).[17]
The models for the U.S. market initially came with a 10-round magazine, to comply with the U.S. Assault Weapons Ban.[17] The ban has now expired, and the civilian Mark 23 comes with the same 12-round magazine as the government variants, except in a few states that enforce their own bans on magazines larger than 10 rounds. In Canada, the Mark 23 pistol is still supplied only with 10-round magazines, as per the 1995 Firearms Act.
According to the Operators Manual,[18] there are few differences between the civilian Mark 23 and the government MK 23. These differences are the slide engraving 'Mark 23' which is only for the first half of the first year of production in 1996 (KG date code), the roll-mark 'MARK 23' which is for mid 1996 to now, these instead of 'MK23 USSOCOM', Matte vs shiny finish for different civilian years, tan vs black frame (500 tan ones were made), and a barrel conforming to SAAMI headspace specifications for the military vs civilian made, as the military barrels were made to allow ball ammunition to work more reliably.
Alternatives[edit]
In spite of its positive points, the MK 23's large size and weight have resulted in some criticism.[19] The handgun was designed for offense rather than defense, the size and weight intentionally incorporated to help absorb recoil forces and retain greater accuracy; but this also decreased its ease of use, comfort, and draw speed in defensive situations which require a more conventional, compact pistol.[20]
In response, HK developed the USP Tactical pistol based on the original USP; USP Tactical and MK 23 look similar indeed being a different pistols by design and purpose,[21] the Tactical retains much of the performance of the MK 23 without the bulky size.[22] It uses a different suppressor (due to 16 X 1mm left handed threading, as opposed to 16 X 1mm right-handed on the MK 23). An even more compact pistol than the USP Tactical for counter-terrorist and special forces use is the HK USP Compact Tactical, which has its own optional LAM. The USP-CT is lighter and is capable of fitting a suppressor, making it a prime choice for Special Forces on covert operations. Recently, HK has developed the HK 45, a much more contoured pistol based on the P2000, P8 and P30 models.
Users[edit]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
Further reading[edit]
External links[edit]![]()
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Heckler_%26_Koch_Mark_23&oldid=899484447'
The U.S. Navy SEALs are known to have a very diverse small-arms locker, one full of the best and most durable firearms available. So when they decide to get behind a certain weapon in a big way, it tends to be big news. Now, after toting metal-framed Sig Sauer P226s on missions around the globe for three decades, a new pistol will reportedly take its place: the hugely popular Glock 19.
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The Glock 19 9mm, introduced in 1988 as a compact variant of the original Glock 17, it is now one of the most popular handguns in America:
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Glocks are known for many things, and some of them controversial. Yet the Glockâs biggest calling cards among firearms, law enforcement and military communities are their durability, streamlined functionality and outright simplicity.
Austrian Gaston Glock created the Glock handgun concept in the late 1970s, with the initial Glock 17 going on sale in the early 1980s. It was very futuristic in its design, with its now iconic polymer frame. This feature alone led to many rumors and misconceptions about the pistol, including that it could not be picked up by metal detectors.
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The resulting durability and light weight of using plastic for the gunâs frame instead of steel, along with its low manufacturing costs, literally revolutionized the firearms market. Today, polymer-framed handguns can be had from virtually all major handgun manufacturers. Additionally, the Glock had about half the parts of its auto-loader counterparts and three times the firepower of revolvers, holding 17+1 rounds instead of just six. Glockâs line of pistols would also become increasingly modular in format, with many types sharing interchangeable parts.
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Perhaps the most notorious aspect of the Glock is its âSafe-Actionâ trigger mechanism, which is something between a double-action and single-action concept. With Glocks, every trigger pull requires the same force; about half that of a revolverâs double-action trigger pull, or around six pounds. The Glockâs only manual safety is a small nub in the center of the trigger that depresses while firing. Civ 5 resource icons list. This system, along with the pistolâs use of striker instead of a hammer, is called âSafe Actionâ by Glock, but the media has sometimes claimed it to be quite the opposite due to its perceived propensity for accidental discharges.
Yet the Glockâs comparatively light trigger pull and lack of an external safety are also why so many shooters love them. The gun is immediately ready to fireâsimply point and squeeze the trigger.
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Durability-wise, Glockâs are like the AK-47 of the handgun world; you can just beat them and beat them, but they still go boom. You could sit for hours watching people trying to destroy Glocks on YouTube, running them over with cars, burying them in mud, freezing them, even putting them in ovens. The designâs wider tolerances and smaller number of parts makes them able to be filled with gunk and still get the job done. Obviously, for someone like a Navy SEAL, who find themselves wading onto sandy beaches or chest deep in swamps, this is a very good thing.
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Finally, Glocks are relatively inexpensive considering their reputation, and the company is known to make aggressive bulk deals with law enforcement and military users.
All this added up to a package that the gun-toting American public and law enforcement fell in love with, but the U.S. military, who has had a long and drawn-out struggle to adopt modern sidearm technology, did not. Over the decades, Glocks also became the preferred choice of local and state police departments around the U.S., as well as many federal law enforcement agencies. Meanwhile, Glockâs customer support rose to meet the growing demands of its varied customer base and the brand built up an incredibly loyal public and private following over the years.
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So, if American cops and citizens use them, why not soldiers?
An Air Force Special Operations soldier fires a Glock 19 during training:
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Since the War on Terror kicked off after 9/11, the U.S. militaryâs Glock embargo slowly waned. Glock models began to show up with various special-forces units on the battlefield, although without fanfare or official recognition. Green Berets, Rangers, Air Force Special Operations personnel and others have all have been seen toting Glocks on the battlefield, albeit in an inconsistent manner. One thing was certain: many operators in the field preferred them, especially compared to the all-metal, formally issued alternatives that were more susceptible to malfunction in the sandy deserts of the Middle East, not to mention much heavier.
Then, last year, the Marine Corpsâ special operations branch, known as MARSOC, formally adopted the Glock 19 officially into their inventory. Just a few years prior, MARSOC had updated its pistol inventory, buying thousands of highly modified, single-action .45 caliber 1911 pistols made by Colt. This gun is known as the M45A1. These pistols were not cheap to say the least. As such, the announcement that MARSOC would start officially running Glocks was a fairly big deal.
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The tricked-out Colt M45, which MARSOC recently purchased thousands of, is being displaced by the much simpler and lighter Glock 19 9mm:
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The reasoning behind the formal introduction of the Glock into the MARSOC arsenal seems to have been that some of the people who were doing the trigger pulling in the field liked them better than the much more complicated and weighty 1911s. Glockâs simplicity, relatively light weight and high capacity could no longer be denied. Also, the fact that the Glock costs less than a third of the M45A1, at least to the public, made them downright affordable.
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If the reports are true and the U.S. Navy SEALsâby far the most celebrated special operations force in popular cultureâare adopting the Glock 19 as their official sidearm, things may begin to change when it comes to other special operations units who are running the Glock 19s secondary to their primary sidearm, which is usually the Beretta M9.
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The long-serving Sig Sauer P226 Navy/Mk25 that the Glock 19 will eventually replace:
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Although the SEALs have had Glocks in inventory for years, just like they have had multiple Heckler and Koch pistols (Mk23, HK45/C, USP etc), when it comes to perception, this switch is not a small one by any means. Culturally, the Sig Sauer P226 is a staple for the SEAL Teams. Moving to Glocks as an official sidearm really says a lot, and will elevate the already popular brandâs reputation even more. Think of it as an endorsement for by Michael Jordan in the sports world. It is a big deal.
As for why such a change would be made, the answer is simple. The Glock 19 is smaller, can be more easily concealed if need be, is a half pound lighter than the P226, and it comes with Glockâs pedigree for being able to take absolutely brutal punishment and keep on shooting. For what the Navy could probably buy them for, they would be nearly disposable once they show serious signs of wear and tear. That is not to say that the P226 is not a phenomenal sidearm, but it is not getting any lighter or smaller, or reliable under certain conditions, than it already is.
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Still, if these reports are true, and the SEALs slowly phase out the Sig Sauer P226 for the Glock 19, donât expect âBig Armyâ or the Marine Corps in general to follow suit anytime soon. Their requirements remain much more conservative, and even these requirements have been historically ambiguous at best.
When the Army and USMCâs Beretta M9 is finally replaced, even going with a polymer framed pistol over an all-metal one would be a major coup, yet alone one with Glockâs notorious trigger and lack of an external safety. Still, if Naval Special Warfare makes the SEALâs go-to pistol the Glock 19, it could further chisel away the all metal-framed pistolsâ hold on the U.S. military at large.
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Top and bottom photos via DoD, firearms photos via manufacturers
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