The Navy SEAL's MK-23 Pistol Is A Truly Bizarre Weapon

[rangerrebew]

December 26, 2019

The Navy SEAL's MK-23 Pistol Is A Truly Bizarre Weapon

And only the SEALs have it.
by Matthew Moss
 

Key point: SOCOM asked private companies to come up with what it called an “Offensive Handgun Weapon System.” The weapon would shoot ammo that was “hotter”—loaded with extra or more powerful gunpowder—than traditional military rounds.
 

The MK-3 “becomes less effective after firing 24 rounds,” an official naval manual notes. “The suppressor insert refurbishes the suppressor.”

The Navy’s SEALs are well-known for their exotic guns—everything from machines gun to grenade launchers … and several iconic, quiet handgun

[Elderberry]

Introducing Heckler & Koch Mark 23 Gun: Here's Why It Failed

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/introducing-heckler-koch-mark-23-gun-heres-why-it-failed-41407

The resulting pistol, as innovative and well engineered as it was, was a flop.

The H&K submission won the OHWS program and was adopted as the Mk 23 Mod 0 in 1995. Arguably over-engineered, the pistol was massive but incredibly reliable (experts have referred to it as the “most tested handgun in the world”) and accurate.

While the operating mechanism of the pistol is relatively simple, a variation on the Browning tilting barrel action (unlike H&K’s earlier pistols that tended to use some sort of delayed blowback), there are a lot of additional features. A recoil buffer (a second buffer spring inside the main recoil spring and guide rod reduces the felt recoil.

The controls of the Mk 23 are sometimes described as too complex. While most pistols will have one or two levers within easy reach of the shooter’s thumb, the Mk 23 has three, probably due to “design by committee” resulting in all controls of the pistols being placed on the gun.

More at link.