Mark 23 SOCOM Hard Kick - ArniesAirsoft

Author

bravotwozeromission

Registered: June 2008
Posts: 6

Review Date: 26/6/08

Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 9

Positive aspects of the product (pros):	Exceptional accuracy, realism, weight
Cons:	Laser Aiming Module (LAM unit) is unreasonably expensive, Magazine and gun is a bit more expensive then other guns such as Tokyo Marui guns

KSC Mark 23 Hard Kick ABS Version Review
Content Table
Introduction
First Impression
The Box
The gun (Externals and internals)
Disassembly
Additional Information
Shooting Report (Range and accuracy test, power test)
Skirmish Report
Pros and Cons Evaluation
Conclusion
Weapons Gallery
Introduction
I was searching for an excellent sidearm for more than six months. Previously I was interested in the Tokyo Marui M9, but then found it had a few problems. I then fell on to the KSC USP Compact. However, after reading a few reviews found it was a bit weak in power, so I buried that idea right away. That was when I stumbled on the KSC Mk. 23 SOCOM. It was a big and decent pistol as described from other reviews. From those reviews, I decided to spend some more money to buy the KSC Mk. 23 Hard Kick ABS Version (Pre-2005).
First Impression
When I got the gun back, I found myself being very excited to set my first gaze on this gun. After ripping of the cover, I came upon the most beautiful pistol I have ever seen.
When I first gripped this gun, I noticed at the heft. It was pretty much like the real Mk. 23, and from my own head I can picture a SEAL gripping this fresh out out the sea, ready to confront any situations he can find.
The Box
Unlike the KSC USP Compact, the box was much more detailed and coloured. It has tons of pictures of the SOCOM doing cool things, as well as pictures of the entire Mk. 23 Combat Set, which includes the gun, a laser aiming module (LAM), and a suppressor.
Inside the cover are several targets for shooting. The polystyrene base has a section for the gun, a section for test bbs, loading tube, hop-up adjuster e.t.c., and a section for a silencer. Unfortunately the box isn�t big enough to hold more then one magazine.
The gun
Externals
Slide
The slide was made out of very hard and sturdy ABS plastic. I have dropped the gun ranging from one to two feet three times accidentally in an airsoft game but it is still working fine.
Slide lock
The slide lock does its job very well. It is made out of metal and can be reached by a thumb while holding the gun.
Trigger
The trigger guard is made of sturdy ABS plastic, while the trigger is made out of metal. It is the same as the KSC USP ones (except the USP Compact).
Grip
The grip is made of sturdy ABS plastic. It is big in size so it is not comfortable for people who have small hands and short fingers. However, the grip is more comfortable then the grip of the Desert Eagle from Tokyo Marui.
Decocker
The decocker actually works. It is a nice bonus to the gun because many guns made by other companies have their decockers simply molded in. It is made out of metal. One note worth mentioning, the decocker cannot be used if the safety is engaged.
Safety
The safety is made out of metal, and has two points. One is safety (the safety covers the red dot and reveals the white dot) and the other is fire (the safety covers the white dot and reveals the red dot.
Markings
Most people find the fake markings on the right side of the gun, while the real steel marking is on the left side. KSC is different from those companies. This company�s products are famous for reality. Real steel markings are on both the left and the right side.
What about the KSC company�s marking? The marking is located at the place where the decocker is. When the decocker is depressed, the logo �KSC Corporation� appears. The logo is covered by the decocker unless you depress it.
On the left side of the slide you can see clearly the words �HK MK23 USSOCOM Cal. 45� and a few centimeters away, �23-0747 B�. Near the bottom of the grip is the word �HK .45� on one side. The other side of the grip is marked �US Pat.5.309.815�. The top of the grip (the same side where the numbers �US Pat.5.309.815� are in) is marked �Heckler & Koch GmbH Made in Germany�. The bottom part of the rail is marked Heckler & Koch. INC. 23-0747 Sterling VA.. Obviously, the gun is modeled after the Phrase III SOCOM, or what we now call as the military production.
Magazine
There are two choices of magazine you can buy.
The first type
On one side of the magazine it reads Heckler & Koch GmbH Heckler & Koch INC. Made in Germany Sterling VA. (This is the Phrase II type magazine, or what we now call as the law enforcement type).
The second type
On one side of the magazine (near the bottom) it reads HK 45 only. Obviously this is the Phrase III magazine, or what we call it as the military production magazine.
Both magazines holds 28 rounds. However, if you don�t want the spring inside the magazine to weaken in a short time, I suggest not to fill up the entire magazine. I suggest you fill 24 rounds.
Internals
Barrel
The outer barrel is made of sturdy ABS plastic, while the inner barrel is made out of brass. Unfortunately because of the material used to make the outer barrel, the threads are not strong, so beware of cross-threading while you put the silencer on.
Dual-Stage recoil spring
There are two springs on the recoil rod: a large exterior one and a smaller, tighter one inside. This faithfully reproduces the real MK23�s recoil rod assembly.
Disassembly
To disassemble the gun, just rack the slide back a bit until the notch is lined up with the slide catch. Then push the slide catch from the other side out. It comes out easily. Then, pull the slide forward and off. You can then remove the recoil rod and the barrel assembly. To re-assemble, perform the steps in reverse.
Additional Information
Silencer
I bought the silencer a month after I bought this gun. The silencer was expensive, more expensive then the Tokyo Marui one. However, I did the right choice because it really lowered the noise by a bit, and it looks so realistic. On the front end of the silencer the word read: �PART NO. 1S002/94368 MFR- 1S002 SER. NO. 60983
NSN: 1005-01-435-1917 U.S GOVT KNIGHTS ARNAMENT CO. VERO BEACH FL. MODEL: OHG CAL .45ACP�. It is made of metal.
Laser Aiming Module
I haven�t bought the LAM unit because although it is made of metal and very realistic, it�s also exceptionally expensive. It cost 2/3 of this gun!!!
Modification
I haven�t done any modification yet, but I bought two more magazines for long lasting and a silencer FOR THE LOOKS ONLY.
Variants
1. Mk. 23 Phrase II ABS Version
2. Mk. 23 Heavy Weight Version
3. Mk. 23 Hard Kick ABS Version
4. Mk. 23 Heavy Weight Version (2005 variant)
5. Mk. 23 Hard Kick Heavy Weight (2005 variant)
Shooting Report (Range and accuracy test, power test)
Most people get excited in this part. The performance!!!
(All test uses KSC .25g BBs, uses HFC134a duster gas)
Range and accuracy test
At 15 feet, it was very accurate (don�t mind about the groupings because I was shooting this gun without putting my hands on a sandbag, so it hinders the accuracy. )
At 30 feet, it was reasonably accurate (don�t mind about the groupings because I was shooting this gun without putting my hands on a sandbag, so it hinders the accuracy. )
Target 1 and 2 is the shooting at 15 feet. The former with one second pause between shots and the latter with two seconds pause between shots.
Target 3 and 4 is the shooting at 30 feet. The former with one second pause between shots and the latter with two seconds pause between shots.
Power test
The gun averaged at 281 feet per second with KSC .25g BBs with HFC 134a. With HFC 134a, it penetrates one side of a coke can. If you are using powerful gases like the ET-1000, it penetrates one side of a coke can, and left the other side seriously dented. However, KSC at its wisdom decided to make this gun using less powerful gas like the 134a type, so powerful gases like red gas and ET-1000 shorten its life. I recommend using powerful gases in airsoft games only, and use 134a type for practice.
Skirmish Report
It was my second airsoft skirmish, and the first time I used this gun I was very excited about how it performs.
Our team has 18 personnels to battle against the enemy�s 30 personnels. Our team has two Tokyo Marui M92F, two Kuay Jay Works M9 Military, one KSC Glock 18C and my own KSC Mk. 23 SOCOM. We chose the trench site, the container site and the CQB site.
That day, I was battling a squad of enemy personnels in a trench with my own M4A1 assault carbine when it an out of battery. I immediately switched arms for my Mk. 23 SOCOM and engaged the enemy squad. At 30 feet I scored two shots with a salvo of three, both shots to the forehead. Then I managed to use my pistol to cover my mates back to the forward operating base for replenishment, before I can finally relieved by another rifleman and joined another squad to defend the forward operating base. I managed to take out half of another enemy squad at 30 feet before they can even eliminate one of our own squads.
In the container site, I solely used my M4A1 because my pistol was jammed by dust.
After field-stripping and cleaning, my pistol was back to a workable level.
In the CQB site, my team was trapped by two enemy squad. I managed to use my pistol to take out two enemy personnels and open a way for my squad mates to leave. I managed to use both my M4A1 assault carbine and my Mk. 23 SOCOM to cover all the way back to forward operating base, where I was dispatched to another squad. I forced-entered a room and took out two enemy personnels solely with my pistol, and my squad continued to defend the room until the game was over.
Overall, my pistol performed exceptionally well when my M4A1 was out of action, so I am really pleased to use it. I will definitely use it next time.
Pros and Cons Evaluation
Now here is the pros and cons evaluation:
Parts that are ugly:
LAM unit is unreasonably expensive
KSC designed this gun to use 134a gas only, so powerful gas are not good for this gun
Beware of cross-threading when screwing on the silencer because of the outer barrel
Inserting the magazine is a bit tricky
Part #66 wear easily, especially if using higher-pressure gas
It is prone to a noticeable cooldown effect when rapid-firing, causing less and less powerful shots. This is most noticeable when using duster/HFC134a, rather than green/TOP/HFC22 gas.
Parts that are good:
Very realistic markings
Metal slide lock, decocker, trigger, safety and hammer
Adjustable iron sights
Attention to very small detail
Excellent ergonomics
Functional decocking lever
Unique hammer assembly
Simple and efficient field stripping
Very smooth action, light trigger pull for exceptional accuracy
Sturdy ABS plastic construction on the externals of this gun
Conclusion
I have owned this gun for more than six months now, and by now I have love it to death. This is an exceptionally good sidearm, and with some modification it would last you a very long time. The price is also reasonable for this type of high quality guns. Although it is a bit expensive and doesn�t suit everyone, it is the best gun of choice along side with M92F/M9 and SIG Sauer series. There are, of course, some bad parts in this gun, but what doesn�t these days? Fix them, and you�ll agree with me this is a top notch gun along with the M92F/M9s and SIG Sauers.