Mark 23

The Mark 23 Mod 0 Caliber .45 ACP pistol (Mk 23, Mk 23 US SOCOM) gives shooters match grade accuracy equal to that of the finest custom made handguns-yet they exceed the most stringent operational requirements ever demanded of a combat handgun. It was the winner of the Offensive Handgun Weapon System (OHWS) competition run by SOCOM. The entry was developed by Heckler & Koch to SOCOM's requirements, and it beat out an entry from Colt). The Navy system also includes a attachable laser module and silencer, and some other features such as a special heavy weight match .45 round is used with it (+P ammunition). Colt won the silencer portion of the program that attaches to the Mk 23, and another company won the LAM contract(AN/PEQ-6). H&K markets commercially the MARK 23 MOD 0, and derivatives of it, though not the complete system.

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The Mark 23 provides this accuracy without the need for hand-fitted parts common in custom-built match pistols costing thousands of dollars more. One of the most thoroughly tested handguns in history, the MK23/Mark 23 project originated in 1991 when HK began development for the U.S. Special Operations Command offensive handgun system, the unit that directs the activities of America's most elite military units, including the Navy SEALs and the Army Special Forces.

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The weapon was tested and found to be capable of firing thousands of rounds without changing the barrel. It could work in the hardest of conditions, making it a favorable gun to Special Forces. Also, its .45 ACP rounds could be more easily suppressed than a 9mm or .357 SIG round, and retain more of its stopping power when suppressed.

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Heckler & Koch: Heckler & Koch GmbH (H&K) is a German weapons manufacturing company famous for various series of small firearms, notably the MP5 submachine gun, the MP7 personal defense weapon, the extremely precise sniper rifle PSG-1, the G3 and G36 assault rifles. All firearms made by H&K are named by the prefix ...

AN/PEQ-6: The AN/PEQ-6 is a Laser Aiming Module (L.A.M.) developed under the Offensive Handgun Weapon System (OHWS) program run by US SOCOM in the 1990s for use with the Mark 23 pistol. The LAM attaches via rails to the pistol, under the barrel. One version of the LAM produces a visible light dot while anothe...

Navy SEALs: REDIRECT United States Navy SEALs...

Mark 23 related Images and Photos (experimental)

NFL Series 23 Mark Sanchez 2 Action Figure	St. Mark's	Mark Owen	Mark Eden
Mark Twain	Mark Twain	Mark Martin	Mark Mulder
Mark Kotsay	Mark Harmon	Mark Lester	Mark Martin