imo,
Want NOT a need.
Far better pistols available that offer a lot more, weigh less & demensionally more desirable.
BUT, they do look kewl all gussied up w/ can.
LAM & Kac can 
Now that is hot. 
What kind of knife is that?
On paper it sounds like one heck of a pistol but its size makes it a no go for most everyone.
This is pure speculation on my part but I believe the HK45 CT replaced the Mark 23, correct?
So I don’t find it surprising that it was discontinued from production as the only “user” that I am aware of has replaced it with another HK design.
I’ve got one that I’ve had since about '97 or so. While I enjoy it it doesn’t have a lot of practicality past a field carry pistol. That said I have a Blade tech holster that I got for it years ago when BT actually made belt holsters. That made it a fun river type gun with a can in years past.
It’s a nice gun unsuppressed, it’s a great gun suppressed. But it’s not something I’d “advise” someone to buy.
My USP45C with threaded barrel and HK45C with Threaded barrel both see far more use than my SOCOM likely ever will again. But it’s here to stay in the collection.
I would like to see a side-by-side with the FNP45T. I got to handle one recently and I really liked it, and at about half the price, it would get a hard look (at least for any practical reasons).
I would love to see a very skilled shooter (preferably of larger frame/hands) run some stop watch test with a MK23 vs. an HK45, preferably supressed. I think the results would be interesting.
ETA: I’m almost blown away that you don’t have at leat one fully kitted HK23 in your collection SteyrAUG. I would have just assumed.
I’ve always wanted a MK23. Ever since Metal Gear Solid came out for the PlayStation, I wanted to get one. I got to shoot a MK23 a few years ago, that was cool. As for practicality? I’m not the person to ask about that.
Didn’t DEVGRU just order 400-500 of the HK45’s with AAC TiRant suppressors specificially to replace the MK23?
IIRC, it also included the new IR laser made by Crimson Trace.
For me, it’s practically pointless. Don’t get me wrong…I wouldn’t mind having one to shoot.
However, I decided to pick up the HK 45 USP Tactical and an AAC TiRant instead.
Interesting thread, the general consensus seems to be that the HK mk23 sucks even though HK designed and produced exactly what SOCOM asked for.
The fact that its not a USP45, FNP45, or (insert favorite pistol) has little to do with whether HK made it. They had a customer requirement, they met it and presumably charged enough money to make a profit. That consumers were willing to drop $2k or more on it as a collector’s item is just icing on the cake.
Like the SCAR, sometimes you get a weapon designed by committee that does everything that’s required of it but yet the end user still doesn’t like it. Or the new platform is not enough of an improvement over the old for users to feel the need to make the switch.
FWIW- a retired NSW Senior Chief I spoke to last year mentioned that there was one element within NSW for whom the mk23 with suppressor and IR laser was the perfect tool for a niche application.
The folks that adopted the HK45C with suppressor and IR laser likewise had a reason for doing so and it has nothing to do with what internet experts think they should be using :rolleyes:
The Mk23 is a beast; only instance of a crew served handgun that I am aware of. The Mk23 Mod1 on the other hand is a stroke of brilliance to get a weapon everyone could actual use as a general issue combat handgun.
Stephen
Shooting out streetlights and killing noisy dogs:)
Was told by a SEAL that it can be safely fired completely or partially submerged.
I have yet to shoot it in my bath tub, but will report back after a few beers.
Srsly … tho, I have one and it’s a collector’s item. Shoots nicely, but the HK45 has a nicer trigger IMO. Mk23 = long ass trigger pull.
The reason why the MK23 is expensive because you really get 2 guns in one. How you say? With all the polymer and steel that goes into building one, you can get 2 P2000s or 2 P30’s or 3 P2000sk’s from the same raw material. 
I dont think so. But for some unknown reason I want one. I have always, and still do, wanted one but there are better options for any role I can think of that I need.
Get in touch with Andrew via email and he can help you out with his designs. He’s also got some really nice pin up art. I may be at the range with him on Sunday afternoon so I’ll try to tell him to check out this page.
You too huh? Metal Gear can make anything look cool lol. I love the weapon selection of MGS 4.
The Mark 23 is not a particularly practical pistol, but it’s a fun gun to shoot and I do not regret buying one at all. One of these days I’ll buy the Insight LAM and the KAC silencer for it, too. I also have a USP Tactical .45 and I like having both. The USP45 full size models (standard and tactical) can use Mark 23 magazines but not the other way around.
It is a large pistol, the grip is noticeably bigger than the USP45, and the barrel and slide are about an inch longer. Despite all of the boat anchor and crew served handgun jokes, the weight is about the same a 1911 due to the polymer frame, so it’s not THAT heavy.
Regarding its actual use, I have met two NSW personnel who have used it. On one occasion I saw and handled the actual Mark 23 in question that he carried in Iraq. The pistol, LAM and silencer were very heavily used and had many layers of brown and tan spray paint. I’m not trying to imply that they’re in any kind of widespread use, but they are out there.