[.45ACP]

Several years ago I moved to a ban state and had to get rid of most of my guns. Well, I'm back now and re-acquiring.

I previously owned 2 Mark 23s, a KG and a KH datecode. Back then they came in a woodland camo soft case and had a glossy, jet black, smooth finish that was unlike the "HE" finish (nitrocarburizing) that was greyer and flatter that USPs had.

I noticed somewhere after 2000 Mark 23s switched to this as well, as I saw some in cases like that along with the laser etched "HK" at the front vs the engraved.

Well, I just picked up a current year production Mark 23, BG, and the finish looks different from both. It is glossier than the UPS finish still, but not quite like the original maritime finish. It seems to have a texture to it. Is this some type of new finish? Or just a revised version of the original one?

When I left HK had made an official announcement (compared to the years of speculation in between production runs) that the Mark 23 was officially discontinued. I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to get one again so easily.

 

[AGG]

1996- mid-2004 (Maritime/shiny)--- mid-2004- current (Hostile Environment/matte)--- "JS" 2004/2005--- the Mark 23 is not discontinued!!! :biggrin:

Tony

 

[.45ACP]

Yeah, I know it isn't I just bought one with a 2016 datecode (BG). It is just that right before I had to sell everything and move to a ban state (10-11) I remember an official blurb direct from HK that it was done so was pleasantly surprised to come back and find it back again.

As far as the finish goes it most definitely is not the regular HE finish. I have USPs to compare it to and it is a bit more shiny, but not quite like the old Maritime either and seems to have a bit of a texture to it that neither the Maritime or HE finish had. It is a puzzler.

 

[rubisco]

My is a BD and it has some sort of matte'd finish. Like Tony said, about 2004+ is when they started doing this finish with the earlier ones with the shinier finish. I do like the glossy look for some reason though but it's not a deal breaker

 

[Klaustrophobia]

Whatever the finish on the Mark 23 is, it's not as durable as what they put on everything else. Or they did something to the base metal that makes the black finish not stick as well. Barrel hood wears extremely quickly down to the shiny metal. That's the main reason I'm almost certain my 'used' Mark 23 was completely unfired.

 

[.45ACP]

Whatever the finish on the Mark 23 is, it's not as durable as what they put on everything else. Or they did something to the base metal that makes the black finish not stick as well. Barrel hood wears extremely quickly down to the shiny metal. That's the main reason I'm almost certain my 'used' Mark 23 was completely unfired.

That's one of the reasons why I'm wondering what is on here currently.

My first Mark 23 was a KH in the 4xxx range. After about 800rds, it was chipped and flaked in several places. Later on I found a NIB KG in the 36xx range to stash in the back of the safe and keep.

Since this new BG I got has a finish that looks SORT of like the Maritime, yet completely unlike the HE finish from the USPs (that I saw on Mark 23s for the first time aroudn 2004) I wonder if it will also be prone to chipping.