OK guys, I know it is a big beast of a pistol, but I saw one (nib) and have a crazy hankering to buy it. Anyone have experience with one? I do have a suppressor to assist in the enjoyment. Thoughts would be greatly appreciated !! Thank you! sigguy (the 1st)

In before the move (IBTM).

As long as your finger reaches the trigger, there's no such thing as too big

I had a USP Tactical for quite a while. Absolutely loved it. Probably shouldn't have sold it, but I financed another pistol with quite a bit left over in the end.

They are exceptionally accurate. particularly with a suppressor, it is hard to miss.

But, unless you have large hands, and some strength, you will find the pistol cumbersome.

Accurate, reliable, desirable.

IF you can shoot it comfortably, go for it.

I have had mine since 02. I know it's a novelty, but man....what fun it is to shoot. It's the batmobile of handguns.

The only offensive handgun in the US arsenal.

i have two, both of which I bought from the classified section here. Very accurate and fun pistols. I don’t have much trigger time on the newer one, but the older one, I can say with confidence, is the most accurate pistol I own.

Interestingly, the laser aiming module by Insight Tech as part of the civilian kit, is more valuable than any other aspect of the kit. In fact, I recently watched one sell on ebay for than the gun and suppressor were new together including tax stamp. Had I known how valuable and few they would be, I'd have bought more than one.

It's all the ridiculous novelty of the Desert Eagle, but in a caliber you already own, with some really cool American military history behind it.

It's purely a toy for me, not anything I'd use for carry or home defense, but I think it's fantastic and definitely my favorite of all HK pistols.

Get r done!

definitely my favorite (maybe just second favorite) handgun.

Cool gun, but didn’t get used very often - it’s seen more action virtually that it ever did for real.

quote:

Originally posted by SVTNate:
It's all the ridiculous novelty of the Desert Eagle, but in a caliber you already own, with some really cool American military history behind it.

It's purely a toy for me, not anything I'd use for carry or home defense, but I think it's fantastic and definitely my favorite of all HK pistols.

This.

I've had a couple ... years ago I had a Desert Eagle in 44 mag at the same time, the 23 is much lighter and more enjoyable to shoot.

I bought a used one that didn't look like it had more than a few rounds through it, I've shot it a couple times, suppressed and not. As mentioned its very accurate and has a decent trigger, but it is big!

The infantry brigade I was with in Iraq in 04-05 had some and a few of the brigade HQ guys were carrying them. We had them because the SF guys had no use for such a big cumbersome brick. Good gun for sure but way too big for the purpose. The vast majority of SF at that time I saw were either carrying the standard M9 or a 1911. Fast forward to 08 in Afghanistan and I did not see any h&K’s at all very few 1911’s and the SF team on our post was carrying again M9’s or various glocks.
One of my associates ( an officer with SF connections let’s say) found an m3 grease gun he wanted to use as a spare gun but could not acquire enough .45 ammo to make it worth while

We have one at the MWR range I volunteer at. It doesn't feel too heavy to me, but it is rather large, similar in size to our desert eagle. The few times I've shot it, it shoots accurately and doesn't really have much recoil. I'd say the trigger is better than our new P30s. Folks rent it for the cool factor and generally seem to enjoy it. I cleaned it the other day and despite it being a range gun, it really didn't show any wear. I'd wrap my hands around it and see how it felt before I purchased it.

I like mine for what it is in terms of uniqueness and history. If the size doesn't bother you or the money involved there really is no downside to owning one. They are totally reliable, service parts and mags easy to find.

I bought my first one about a year and a half ago and not more than 2 months after that I found a new old stock KH model with the Maritime finish complete with the camo case and everything so I snatched it up! It’s actually my shooter and it’s laser accurate when you do your part. Great feeling and shooting pistol. A tank of a weapon really. The beefiness is unparalleled. I read a TON on this weapon before and since I have purchased, went through countless old threads on HKpro.com and I am even more happy I finally got them in the stable.

Many will say, “oh it’s too big, or my tactical can do anything it can do and then some, or it’s the only crew served pistol”, though once you hold it and shoot it, you get it. It’s gotta be experienced to appreciate it. I have medium hands and I can handle it fine. Just a neat piece of history to own as well, as it is pretty much the most tested handgun ever and can outshoot most any other 45ACP, including custom 1911’s.

quote:

Originally posted by darthfuster:

Now that is accuracy with a hell of a group!! That would be me at 5' ! Thanks for the photo.

quote:

Originally posted by SIGGUY (THE 1ST):

quote:

Originally posted by darthfuster:

Now that is accuracy with a hell of a group!! That would be me at 5' ! Thanks for the photo.

Thanks! I know I do my part, but none of my other pistols group like that. Some say the mark 23 is huge but I've superimposed it over a 1911 and absent the threaded portion of the barrel it's only a half inch longer. The girth is just a fraction more than a USP and only a few people complain about that gun. All in all, the Mark 23 is worth the money. I've seen them sell for as low as 1350.00. Find one of those and snatch it up!