The subsonic nature of the .45 ACP cartridge 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 in low-light levels. The LAM can project a visible, or infrared dot, and the optional assembly is backed by traditional tritium iron sights. Overall weight of the weapon system is roughly five pounds 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 operating system and Double-Action (DA) trigger pull. The large .45 ACP cartridge is a proven man-stopper and traces its roots to the fine lineage established by the excellent American Colt M1911 pistol of 1911. The pistol grip is 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 usual way while protruding slightly ahead of the slide at the muzzle end in order to accept the 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 stands 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 a particularly lethal special operations weapon where surprise and reliability are key. The lower recoil action then theoretically promotes improved accuracy. A slide lock is also built into the pistol which allows the gun 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 standard 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 allows it to be simply referred to as the "SOCOM Pistol".
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