Heckler & Koch Mk 23 Mod 0 (SOCOM Pistol) Semi-Automatic Handgun (1996)
The SOCOM pistol was based on a modified form of the HK USP.
The subsonic nature of the .45 ACP in the Mk 23, coupled with the added suppressor, reduces the telltale audible sounds of the firing action and the integrated LAM allows for quick-reaction accuracy. The LAM can project a visible or infrared dot as required and the optional assembly is backed by traditional tritium iron sights for low-light work. Overall weight of the system is roughly 5lbs when fully loaded and accessorized while overall length is 16.5 inches when the suppressor is fitted. The action of the pistol is semi-automatic with a short-recoil system and double-action trigger pull. The large .45 ACP is a proven man-stopper as pistols go and traces its fine lineage to the excellent M1911 pistol of 1911. The pistol grip is well coated for a firm hold and there are ambidextrous safety and magazine release controls. The 6-inch barrel resides under the moving slide in the normal way while protruding ahead of the slide at the muzzle end for the intended suppressor. Operation of the weapon is as in any other semi-automatic weapon in which the slide is forced back with each successive shot, prompting a fresh cartridge to be pulled from the spring-loaded magazine fitted into the base of the pistol grip. The standard magazine count is 12 x .45 ACP cartridges though - in the modified civilian market "Mark 23" variant - there stood a 10-round magazine to conform to the US Assault Weapons Ban (which has since expired). The Mk 23 system design takes special care in its firing mechanism to hide the recoiling slide by use of an additional recoil buffer making the SOCOM pistol system a particularly lethal special operations weapon where surprise is key. The lower recoil theoretically then, in turn, promotes improved accuracy. A slide lock s also built into the design which allows the pistol to be fired in the normal manner when the suppressor is in place in order to further keep the element of surprise in check.
As a special forces sidearm, the Mk 23 is built to the highest standards and exacting specifications, ensuring reliability and robustness in-the-field for missions that do not conform to "accepted" battlefield standards. The Mk 23 is, therefore, put through rigorous testing and has since become a proven system of lethality. Beyond its use by US SOCOM, the Mk 23 is a sidearm of choice for GROM Polish Special Forces, Indonesian special dive groups and commandos and Malaysian police groups.
The uniqueness of the Mk 23 series pistol is such that it is popularly - and simply - referred to as the "SOCOM Pistol". Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
MilitaryFactory.com does NOT sell equipment/weaponry. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance or general operation. Please consult manufacturers for such information. Our disclaimer. Email corrections / Comments to MilitaryFactory at Gmail dot com.
Specifications for the
Heckler & Koch Mk 23 Mod 0 (SOCOM Pistol)
Semi-Automatic Handgun
Country of Origin: United States
Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch GmbH - Germany
Initial Year of Service: 1996
Overall Length: 245mm (9.65in)
Barrel Length: 150.00mm (5.91in)
Weight (Empty): 2.65lbs (1.20kg)
Cartridge: .45 ACP
Action: Semi-Automatic; Double-Action / Single-Action
Feed: 10- or 12-round detachable box magazine
Muzzle Velocity: 850ft/sec (259m/sec)
Range: 82ft (25m; 27yds)
Sights: Iron Front and Rear
Variants:
HK USP - Hecker & Koch model on which the Mk 23 Mod 0 is based on.
Mk 23 Mod 0 "SOCOM" - Base Series Designation firing the 45 ACP round; silencer and laser sight optional.
Mark 23 - Civlian Market Variant; initially limited with 10-round magazine count as part of the now-expired Assault Weapons Ban (US).
MARK 23 - Law Enforcement Variant
Operators: Indonesia; Malaysia; Poland; United States
BY YEAR:
• 1700 to 1799
• 1800 to 1899
• 1900 to 1909
• 1910 to 1919
• 1920 to 1929
• 1930 to 1939
• 1940 to 1949
• 1950 to 1959
• 1960 to 1969
• 1970 to 1979
• 1980 to 1989
• 1990 to 1999
• 2000 to 2009
• 2010 to 2019
• VIEW ALL
• Compare Guns
BY TYPE:
• Anti-Aircraft Weapons
• Anti-Material Rifles
• Anti-Tank Weapons
• Automatic Rifles
• Bolt-Action Rifles
• Carbine Guns
• Flamethrowers
• Flintlock Guns
• Grenade Launchers
• Hand Grenades
• Lever-Action Rifles
• Machine Guns
• Mortars
• Musket Guns
• Pistols / Handguns
• Recoilless Rifles
• Revolvers
• Rocket Launchers
• Shotguns
• Silenced Guns
• Sniper Rifles
• Special Weapon Systems
• Submachine Guns
• VIEW ALL
SPECIAL:
• 18th Century Warfare
• 3 Soldiers Statue
• Battle of Mogadishu
• Chainmail Armor
• Firearm Types Defined
• French Military Victories
• Medieval Crossbow
• Medieval Longbow
• Vietnam War Casualties
• Vietnam War Memorial
WORLD WAR 2:
• British Guns
• French Guns
• German Guns (ALL)
• German Rifles
• Italian Guns
• Japanese Guns
• Soviet Guns
• US Guns
• US Infantry Regiment-Level Guns
• Machine Guns
• Pistols
• Rifles
• Submachine Guns
• Sniper Rifles
• VIEW ALL
WORLD WAR 1:
• Pistols
• Rifles
• Machine Guns
• Mortars
• US Guns
• VIEW ALL
KOREAN WAR:
• Machine Guns
• VIEW ALL
VIETNAM WAR:
COLLECTIONS:
• Ancient Weapons
• British SAS Weapons
• Civil War Guns
• Colt Guns
• Glock Guns
• GROM Polish Special Forces
• Guns of Libya
• Guns of North Korea
• Guns of Syria
• Guns of WW1 & WW2
• Heckler & Koch Guns
• Kalashnikov Guns
• Modern Russian Guns
• Navy SEAL Weapons
• Spetsnaz Weapons
• Weapons of Desert Storm
• Wild West Guns
• Winchester Guns
HOLLYWOOD/GAMES:
©2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • Content ©2003-2013 MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Site Contact Email: militaryfactory at gmail dot com. The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® trademarks and protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws.
Top MF Stuff: 2013 Military Pay Scale | Military Ranks | WW2 Weapons | Sniper Rifles | Kts to Mph | WW1 Aircraft | Automatic Rifles | Aircraft Cockpits | Vietnam War Weapons | Main Battle Tanks | Submachine Guns | Shotguns | French Military Victories
Most photographic images appearing on this site are courtesy of the United States Department of Defense and are approved for public use. Other images acquired through the public domain. Digital art work courtesy of Dan Alex. Business Consulting by Kyle Williams. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance or general operation. Please consult manufacturers for such information.
