Heckler & Koch Mk23 SOCOM - KSC & Tokyo Marui

I'd always been intrigued by the H&K Mk23, its association with special forces and H&K's general reputation for making excellent weapons being the main factors.

When it was first announced, I was quite excited about the fullset Tokyo Marui NBB, but as I saw it and read the reviews, I felt I didn't want to spend all that money on the silencer and toy LAM (OK, it's not a lot if you feel you want them, but I didn't really), but then I spotted Den Trinity selling the NBB and case (without the Silencer and LAM) for about half the full kit cost, which was hardly any more than a springer would cost in the UK.

Some time after buying the TM gun, someone offered a swap of a KSC GBB version (which I'd always fancied, but never been prepared to spend out c.$200 on) and I obtained that, too. This review covers both guns.

In the Box

TM Mk23

First off, the finish of case and gun are both very good. The cut outs in the case look tight and certainly hold the gun and mag well. You can fit the mag to the gun and store a second one in the mag cutout, which is nice (to coin a Fast Show phrase).
There is space for the gun, with a magazine and the LAM fitted, plus a slot for the silencer. The foam in the lid drops down to reveal the manual, a target and a few other bits of paper. There are also a few BBs, but no hop-up adjustment tool as this is set via a rotary wheel in the underside of the slide.
The case itself is enclosed in a printed cardboard slip case and features a heavy 'military style' embossed lid bearing the legend "SOCOM Mk23 Tokyo Marui Co. Ltd" - There is also a place to put a padlock through, although whether this would really provide any security is doubtful.

KSC Mk23

The KSC box is the traditional style. There is a very detailed front cover over a polystyrene base, which holds the gun, hopper, tube and rod loading tool (like the KSC Berettas and some WA guns), a few BBs, a manual and a hop-up adjustment tool. As my gun is pretty new, it features the new(ish) rotary hop-up and there's an addendum sheet to explain how this is adjusted.
There's a slot in the box, too, for a silencer, which is a good idea.

First Impressions

TM Mk23

The gun itself is beautiful moulded, as expected of recent TM products, but very lightweight without the all metal mag. With the mag it rises to lighter than you'd expect, but not too bad. It's basically the springer with gas mechanicals (to my eye), but the springer looks great, so this is no problem.

The hammer cocks nicely and it works well as a single action gun - It's also cool that the slide moves to let you chamber a BB, even if it doesn't blowback. I'd be very interested in getting a metal slide (as some have speculated on) for this gun as it'd really help with the heft of the gun in the hand.

Exterior metal parts include outer barrel, hammer, magazine.

KSC Mk23

The KSC Mk23 really takes your breath away if you've been used to the TM. It's VERY heavy (well over a kilogram) and the grip has a nicely rubbery feel to it (you can picture a Navy Seal gripping this fresh out of the sea).

The details which seemed good on the TM, suddenly seem superficial and half hearted as you take in the working decocker and all the extra (and more accurate) trademarks on the KSC. Even to the eye, the KSC gun looks like a replica, rather than a toy, but the TM really only looks poor when placed against the KSC.

Exterior metal parts include trigger, safety, decocker, hammer, magazine, front and rear sights,

Closer Look

TM Mk23

The real steel SOCOM is, like many modern pistols, polymer framed, and TM have done a reasonable job of replicating that, although the overall finish, by comparison with the KSC is plasticky, too dark and overly shiney (it's much like a KSC Glock 17 or 18C). The slide (although ABS) feels a bit like really smooth steel and has excellently engraved markings.

Those markings, though, by comparison with the KSC, are not terribly realistic. Where the KSC bears references to Heckler and Koch, the TM sometimes bear Tokyo Marui markings. If you'd not seen the KSC or a real Mk23, you'd be impressed by the detailing, but it doesn't stand the kind of close scrutiny the KSC does.

To be fair, though, the TM replicates the original prototype version of the Mk23, whereas the KSC is a replica of the military production version. - Thanks to the H&K Mark 23 Owners Guild website for the information.

The slide is marked "HK US-GOVT. Cal. .45" and "23-042" (followed by a small capital B in a circle) on the left side. On the right, the chamber is marked "HK Cal. .45" with 23-0499 and the B below it. The grip is marked "Tokyo Marui Co., Ltd Made in Japan" at the top right. and "US SOCOM Mk. 23" at the bottom right. On the left, the grip is marked "HK .45" on the lower part. Under the front of the frame is a silver plate with the id "23-0499" on it.

I gassed the gun and loaded a dozen BBs (the provided ones, so .2s I guess). The trigger has a very long and dead pull to start with, followed by increased resistance as the firing takes place. Once fired, though, the gun is impressively fast and incredibly accurate. My Marushin Mauser M712 is my benchmark for accuracy, but with my first shots the Socom was right up there.

As an example, the first 9 shots were all in a single hole about an inch across from about 15ft. This was taking a pause between each shot and checking where the shots went. The next magazine I fired almost as quick as I could and the hole was probably about 1.5" across, which I thought was very good.

The power was good too, punching a number of BBs through BOTH sides of a fairly thick cardboard box - I was wondering where half the bbs went, until I picked up the box BEHIND the one I was using as my target and found them there!

The frame is nicely made but there is a prominent seam line down the middle of the underside. The decocker is simply moulded in, but the hammer safety is operational and, typically Marui, the slide lock works a trigger safety, but doesn't lock the slide open.

Wisely, TM have made the majority of the outer barrel from metal, which means the threaded end (for the silencer) is strong - nice touch.

KSC Mk23

As this is the Heavyweight version, the slide has a slightly metallic feel and look, amazingly, to it and racks surprisingly easily and smoothly.

Details abound on this gun. One notable, but easily overlooked one, is the green o-ring on the outer barrel. This is correctly replicated on this gun, but just a moulded black detail on the TM one. As is often the case with KSC, though, the trademarks are not especially deeply engraved and look a little indistinct in places, compared to the excellent crispness of the TM markings.

The slide is marked "HK USSOCOM Cal. .45" and "23-0747" (followed by a small capital B in a circle) on the left side. On the right, the chamber is marked "HK Cal. .45" with 23-0747 and the B below it. Ahead of the slide lock on the right is the serial number XK202100.
The grip is marked "Heckler & Koch GmbH Made in Germany" at the top right. and "US Pat.5.309.815" at the bottom right. On the left, the grip is marked "HK .45" on the lower part. Under the front of the frame is a silver plate with the id "23-0747" on it. Either side of the plate is "Heckler & Koch Inc." and "Sterling VA". Ahead of this is a small JASG logo.
Underneath the trigger guard is "Warning Refer to Owners Manual". When the decocker is pressed down, a KSC logo is visible.

The slide lock is fully functional (obviously perhaps as this is a GBB), as is the decocker (The absence of which I find really annoying on 1911s, meaning you must drop the mag to decock the gun) and the thumb/hammer safety.

The outer barrel is all ABS, unlike the TM gun, although there is a (very expensive) metal slide/barrel kit available.

Stripping the gun down reveals the lengths KSC have gone to. The recoil rod on a Mk23 is quite complex and unusual (it's supposed to dampen recoil) and the KSC one looks a perfect replica, whilst the TM one is part of the big assembly of barrel, breech, hop-up adjustment and recoil rod/spring.

Shooting Impressions

All testing was done with .25g BBs, AE Winter gas at a temperature of 22 degrees Centigrade.

TM Mk23

As I've already mentioned, the TM NBB is very accurate and powerful and has performed excellently in all the accuracy tests I've undertaken with it and also when just plinking.
I carried out a back to back test when writing this review and, as expected, the TM NBB put all 6 rounds in the centre target, within a 1.75 inch (5 cm) diameter with one of those an outlier.

Click on image for bigger version in separate window.

Disappointingly, the TM Mk23 sights are completely unmarked, making them hard to use in low light. I've painted mine white to address this problem, which is an easy fix.

KSC Mk23

The KSC GBB is a big heavy gun with, on AE Winter gas, a notable kick, not unlike the WA Infinity 6" Ltd, so it was some surprise to find on my first serious attempt to target shoot this gun that it pretty much matched the accuracy of the NBB version.
All 6 rounds were, again in the centre area, with a grouping just 4cm across.
I fired off another 8 rounds quickly, placing 6 of them within a 1 inch (2.5cm) diameter. Impressive stuff.

The KSC Mk23 has white dot sights (made to replicate night sights, I believe, although I've not tried to see if they glow in the dark...), which are quite nice to use, but not as bright as, say, the 3 dot sights on a KSC Glock.

Over 10 shots, the KSC Mk23 averaged 281fps (using 134a gas) indoors (around 19C).

I was able to carry out a trigger pull weight test on this gun and it produce a figure of 680g (24 ounces), which is at the light end of the trigger spectrum.

SOCOM Silencer

I managed to obtain a Tokyo Marui silencer, as usually provided with the gun. I was amazed at how huge it was. Some people state it is metal and it does feel cold to the touch, but it's so light it feels like plastic ("Sgt Bojangles" reports, however, that he sanded his down to repaint matt and it IS metal - Thanks for that.). The paint finish is very shiney, which isn't a positive, in my opinion.

The silencer fits the accurately dimensioned thread on the Mk23 without any adaptors (this means it will ONLY fit the Mk23, TM or KSC) and doesn't upset the balance too much (it's too light for that and most of the gun's weight is in the magazine).

I had two main questions. Firstly, did it affect the accuracy.

As you can see, at 5m the answer is a clear no.

Equally, it had no adverse affect on FPS with the KSC gun, at least (I tested this long after the TM was sold).

In terms of silencing, the REAL reason you buy a silencer and my second question, the Mk23's is extremely effective.

On the GBB Mk23, the silencer reduced the volume by almost 50% (it would be considerably more on the TM gun, which has little sound except the muzzle report) from 94dB to 86Db.

It fits and works well on the KSC Mk23, too, but there's extra sound from this gun, from the slide, so if silence is your thing, the NBB TM version should be your choice.

LAM Unit

I managed to obtain a Tokyo Marui LAM unit, basically just to try it out.

The unit, designed for (and usually only sold with) the TM NBB gun, is really more for looks than serious use.

It contains a torch, which can be set for flash or continuous beam, with a switch to the rear of the unit, which is reachable with the middle finger (mine anyway).

The power of the torch is sufficient to see by and to, temporarily, dazzle someone looking into it, but the LED which represents the actual Laser of the Laser Aiming Module (LAM) simply glows and provides no aiming aid at all. I know a few people have opened up the unit and squeezed in a real laser, but that obviously requires some work and extra wiring.

Take Down

Both guns take down in the same, realistic, manner.

After removing the magazine, slide the slide back until the disassembly notch in the slide (furthest forward on left side) is aligned with the front part of the slide lock and push the slide lock through the frame from the other side (you might need to get a finger nail under the slide lock and pull it through), completely removing it from the frame.

Once this is done, the slide, barrel and recoil rod will slide off the frame. On the TM gun, the recoil rod, barrel and chamber are all one part and further disassembly requires tools.

On the KSC GBB, the recoil rod can be removed by pushing it gently forward and down and then back. The barrel should be slid forward and down, once clear of the nozzle.

UPDATE - The KSC 2005 models

In 2005, KSC launched a revised Mk23.

This featured a number of small changes, aimed at dealing with the criticism of slow cycling.

Firstly, the accurately replicated recoil rod and spring were replaced with a simpler system with a buffer.

Secondly, the magazine was changed to have a slightly larger reservoir.

Finally, the blowback engine was modified to have a greater volume (the main reason for enlarging the magazine reservoir being the gun now uses more gas per shot).

Personally, I do not believe the changes make any significant difference. I can detect no difference in kick between the blowback engines in my two (now) Mk23s, equipped with SD metal slide kits and even combined the engine or recoil rod delivered no more than a couple 1/1000ths faster cycle time on a 2005 model in standard ABS (with a very light and fragile slide).

Otherwise the 2005 and older models are indistinguishable (some claim 2005 ABS models are heavier than earlier ones, but they look identical, so I am doubtful - both seem very light and I would never recommend an ABS model over a HW version, the price difference is small and worth it tenfold). Other than the parts mentioned, there are no differences and the blowback engine and recoil rod from 2005 or older guns will work in either with no modification.

Obviously, the 2005 models have replaced the older ones, but if you want fast cycling, you will still need to buy upgraded recoil springs and some of them will not fit the new recoil rod, so check first!

Conclusions

Overall, the TM SOCOM is pretty good for the price, especially if you are looking for the silencer and LAM (which add considerably to the KSC gun's cost). Accuracy and power are good and it's simplicity and robustness (combined with its low price) make it a good choice for a skirmish sidearm.

However, direct comparison with the KSC GBB version is not flattering to the TM gun. The finish is hard, overly shiney and plasticky. The trademarks which look so good in isolation are very different (and excessively Marui related) by comparison to the KSC.

The KSC SOCOM, however, has faults, too. First off, for some, it's sheer bulk will be a problem. It's not just big, but VERY heavy. With 134a gas, the blowback is sluggish for those used to, say, a KSC Glock and mine is prone to strange misfeeds from time to time, although it does seem to have got better since I lubricated it.

On balance, though, if you can afford it, the KSC GBB HW is the one to choose. The grip finish is excellent and the action is smooth and surprisingly smooth and light. The controls, including working decocker, are excellently reproduced and the attention to detail leaves the TM far behind.

If you're a real Mk23 fan, there's much to be said for having both. They replicate different versions of the gun, will operate better under different conditions and the NBB is virtually inaudible from a few feet away with the silencer. The completist will also want the LAM, although all reports suggest this needs modifying to be useful in CQB skirmishes.

TM Mk23

Weight : 800g/880g with silencer

Realism : ***
Quality : ***
Power : ****
Accuracy : *****

KSC Mk23

Weight : 1180g/1260g with silencer (365g magazine)

Realism : ****
Quality : ****
Power : ****
Accuracy : *****

Real Steel link at World Guns
The H&K Mark 23 Owners Guild website - loads of information on the real Mk23.