Good news for MK23 owners looking for a traditional pic rail mount for light/laser on their MK23. GG&G is now shipping their newly released mount. The next question is, of course, what holster would work with it to allow you to carry the MK23 with a light, etc.
But good news.
I’m enjoying watching the HK Snobs over at HKPro whine that they feel slighted that they did not get first “dibs” on the mounts, since they were trying to put together a group order, LOL.
I heard back today from a Kydex holster maker, Squared Away Customs, and they can and will make a custom Kydex holster for my Mark 23 with the GG&G rail with a Surefire X400 Ultra.
Here is the holster I ordered, and note, they CAN and will make it specifically for the Surefire X400 Ultra, but it adds half an inch to the width of the holster. Darn, there goes my plan for Appendix carry of the MK23 with rail and light/laser.
Five-O
(Gun Make & Model: HK Mark 23 SOCOM, Weapon Mounted Light Make & Model: Surefire X400 Ultra (+$15.00), Kydex Color: ATACs FG (+$10.00), Side (draw from): Right, Belt Loop Size: 1.75" Speed Clip (+$12.00), Special Instructions: I am ordering this to have a custom holster made for my MK23. I communicated with Mark Lancaster about this. I will sending you guys the new GG&G light/laser rail mount system for the MK23. Mark advised me to order the holster, and send in the mount when I get it from GG&G. Currently shipping in APPROXIMATELY 3-6 weeks from date of purchase: I acknowledge)
I should clarify that my statement was made with more regard to the USP than the MK23. The MK23 is a niche gun without any equal really. But the USP? It’s been out over 20 years, there’s literally no excuse why HK can’t produce it with a picatinny rail. I owned a USP-45 for all of 2 weeks. The dumb proprietary rail was one reason I got rid of it.
I may have found a holster maker who is able to make a Kydex holster with SLS retention for the MK23 with GG&G rail and a variety of lights, will report back when I learn more. I’m interested in running my Surefire X300U on the MK23.
It would make sense to me, at least, for handgun makers to use the same mounting system, why they don’t is a mystery to me as well. Glock, SIG, HK … why not just use a standard 1913 PIC rail system on their handguns? But that is not what this topic is about.
Bravo, Sir Bravo!!! I have said this in so many different ways to various folks at HKUSA over the years with the reply of crickets…Simply astounding that a company like that can let something soo obvious be ignored repeatedly. Yes, I know there are other gunmakers who are guilty of ignoring things that the gun using public clamors for but this again is a no brainer. Good for GG&G for finding a hole and filling it!!
Then you’d have the ability to run it with a suppressor mounted as well. You’d have to check to see if the MasterFire covered the trigger guard obviously, but it would be pretty slick if it worked…
By now USP, USP Compact and Mk23 are basically legacy platform. I do not see HK investing money into face lift when they have P30, HK45 and SFP/VP series now. Of course if some big buyer will put an order for few thousands and require Stanag 4694 rail, HK will surely be pleased to provide that.
I heard back today from a Kydex holster maker, Squared Away Customs, and they can and will make a custom Kydex holster for my Mark 23 with the GG&G rail with a Surefire X400 Ultra.
Here is the holster I ordered, and note, they CAN and will make it specifically for the Surefire X400 Ultra, but it adds half an inch to the width of the holster. Darn, there goes my plan for Appendix carry of the MK23 with rail and light/laser.
Five-O
(Gun Make & Model: HK Mark 23 SOCOM, Weapon Mounted Light Make & Model: Surefire X400 Ultra (+$15.00), Kydex Color: ATACs FG (+$10.00), Side (draw from): Right, Belt Loop Size: 1.75" Speed Clip (+$12.00), Special Instructions: I am ordering this to have a custom holster made for my MK23. I communicated with Mark Lancaster about this. I will sending you guys the new GG&G light/laser rail mount system for the MK23. Mark advised me to order the holster, and send in the mount when I get it from GG&G. Currently shipping in APPROXIMATELY 3-6 weeks from date of purchase: I acknowledge)
God forbid you ever have to use an offensive handgun in a defensive situation. Not to mention losing a $2k handgun to police lock-up. I can’t wait to hear about how awesome that bad boy is to carry…
There are a few things that keep them from doing so.
Contractual obligations. It is often hard to change a gun that is being delivered to a customer. The USP series of pistols remain issued to multiple militaries so it may not be as simple as changing the mold and sending the pistols out. The ecosystem would have to be changed as well as holster compatibility may become a concern along with any other accessories that the institution has that fit the original rail.
California. The USP remains a massive seller in the state because the Safe Handgun Roster froze market offerings in time in 2008. HK can not sell their newer pistols and their legacy USP pistols face less competition from competitors who, likewise, cannot sell their newest wares. If they make any change then it is no longer grandfathered in under the old rules. Beretta is having problems because a roll mark changed from MD to TN with their move forcing them to retain their old address and mark CA pistols as made in MD. It makes little sense to walk away from a market that is 50 million people strong considering that their sales there probably out pace a majority of the other states combined.
Hk did actually update the USP with a new rail. They call it the P2000, P30 and HK45. Take your pick of the litter.
A fun fact. A surefire x300 will fit on a USP compact with a surefire or GG&G adapter. It will not fit on an HK45C despite it having a pic rail.