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So I just got back from the range and put 100rds through it. It's accurate as can be both suppressed and unsuppressed. However what is going on with the finish on these damn things? The finish flakes off the threads and shows bare metal and the barrel looks like I have 10,000 rds through it. The barrel hood is showing normal handgun wear but everything else....WTF. I understand the metal is treated at a molecular level but holy cow this is pathetic. I'm calling hk after the holiday.

O and my usp tactical 45 has at least 2,000rds through it and it looks fine. Yeah it has some slight character but the finish wears nice and doesn't flake off like cheap paint!

I'll post pics here tomorrow.

They all do it. I don't worry about it since it is a shooter. Mine has had a suppressor on it a lot.

 

[azimuth]

Ok. I can appreciate a gun with character. I was just pissed the finish pussed out after 100rds. I guess I'll live with it.

I found some germane comments from our resident expert, G3kurz:

"We don't know the extent of his "chip". Maybe he can use his macro focus camera and post a photo? If that is really bothersome to him then he should file the complaint with HK. Just thought there might be those out there who would want to know the real reasons and details behind the finish and that it still protects the surface after wear or chipping. Maybe then they wouldn’t care or worry so much about it. The special coating used on the MK23 far outperforms the standard "HE" finish used on USP's, P2000's, etc. and is very similar to if not identical to the Glock Jennifer finish. Both finishes corrode in this harsh salt spray environment where the MK23 does not. Sample MK23's were tested by SOCOM with the Tennifer finish alone and did not hold up well and I have seen USP's and P2000's rust around extended exposure to salt water/spray. Glocks likely as well. The MK23 was purpose designed and built for the military users (USSOCOM, mostly the SEALs’) and was never originally intended for commercial sale, especially to those concerned with truly insignificant aspects of a fighting weapon such as minor blemishes in the surface finish that have no effect on function. I think most would prefer it remain as close to the MIL SPEC version so HK kept the finish the same versus saving money with Krylon spray paint. Think how he, you would have reacted then!"
G3Kurz

"You're right. The HK "HE" finish like the Glock's Tennifer finish (SAME finish!) do a nice job at normal wear and rust resistance. Tennifer is a hardening process for metals, originally not intended for surface treatment for handguns but does a great job all around, except in extended exposure to salt water/spray/humidity. Now place one of your USP's, Glocks and your MK23/Mark23 in a salt spray chamber (or in the holster of a maritime officer in Miami for a week) and the difference will astound you. I've seen the test data, photos and sample pistols. Those extra layers on the MK23 finish, while not always the most attractive finish make it one of the very best corrosion resistant finishes ever tested by SOCOM, the SEAL's, and they have tested many officially. Even with scratches and chips the metal is not "bare" as some have incorrectly said and is still protected from the elements. If there was a perfect finish out there we would all know about it.

G3Kurz"

"The Tennifer finish used on the Glock and USP's is a "surface treatment", NOT a coating. It is a "hardening process" of the steel itself. Has been used by HK to harden the receivers of the sniper rifles like the G3SG/1 to make it more rigid to improve accuracy. Also does a very nice job to resist scratches and the onset of rust. The steel surfaces of the MK23/Mark23 are also hardened with the Tennifer process. Then to increase protection the lacquer coating is applied on top of the Tennifer treated metal surfaces. Once again if the top coating comes off the pistol is still protected. Grease is optional.

G3Kurz "

 

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I just checked my Mark out. It has fired many times the number of rounds yours has. It does not have the frame wear your pics show. It does have the barrel cosmetic wear X 10 that yours does. Easy for me to say, but unless the frame wear is compounding or degenrating, I wouldn't worry about it. It is a combat handgun made for projecting the aggressive use of force. As G3kurz stated, it was made specifically for the military and offered commecially as an after thought. If I could buy an M1 Abrahms, I wouldn't care if it has some blems or funky welds. I would enjoy it's use and accept the bad with the good...