Manual / Guide · 2008
H&K USA's operator's manual for the commercial Mark 23 (revised March 2007; PDF dated August 2008): safety, description, operation, field stripping, maintenance and the parts list. The HK Mk23 dive takes the controls, takedown, care and part names from it.
Mark 23 Pistol .45 ACP WARNING: A firearm has the capability of taking your life or the life of someone else! Be extremely careful with your firearm. An accident can occur at anytime and is almost always the result of not following basic safety rules. © Heckler & Koch, Inc., All rights reserved. Heckler & Koch Specifications and models subject to change without notice. Revised March 2007 Civilian Sales & Customer Service 5675 Transport Blvd. Suite 200 Columbus, GA 31907 USA Tel: (706) 568-9044 Fax: (706) 568-9151 Email: [email protected] Web: www.hk-usa.com Military and Law Enforcement Sales & Customer Service 5675 Transport Blvd. Suite 200 Ashburn, VA 31907 USA Tel: (703) 450-1900 Fax: (703) 450-7078 Web: www.heckler-koch.com SAFETY RULES Please read this operator's manual before handling your firearm. The following safety rules are placed in this manual by HKI as an important reminder that firearm safety is your responsibility. Firearms can be dangerous and can potentially cause serious injury, damage to property or death if handled improperly. 1. Never point a firearm at anyone, or in any direction other than a SAFE direction; i.e., down range. 2. Treat all firearms as if they are always loaded. 3. Keep your finger off the trigger and outside of the trigger guard until your sights are aligned on the target and you are ready to fire. 4. Keep your finger off the trigger and outside of the trigger guard while loading or unload ing the firearm. 5. Keep your finger off the trigger and outside of the trigger guard while pulling the firearm out of the holster or while returning it to the holster. 6. Be sure of your target and the backstop beyond. 7. Never give a firearm to or take a firearm from anyone unless the action is open and the magazine and/or chamber are free of any ammunition or brass. 8. Be sure that the ammunition you are using is factory loaded, is of the correct caliber for the firearm in which it is to be used, and that it is not damaged in any way. 9. Before firing, remove the magazine from the firearm, lock the action open, make sure the chamber is clear of any ammunition or brass, and check the barrel of the unloaded firearm for any possible obstructions. 10. Before firing any firearm that is unfamiliar to you, make sure that you understand exactly how it functions. A lack of familiarity with the firearm can result in a serious accident. Attend a certified training course on any firearm which you intend to use or with which you are not sufficiently familiar. 11. Always wear hearing and eye protection when using your firearm. 12. Keep all body parts, especially hands and fingers, away from the muzzle to avoid injury or burns. 13. Be sure that no part of either hand touches or interferes with the slide. The slide is moved backward by the recoil force of the pistol during firing and may cause serious injury. 14. Firearms should be stored separately from ammunition and beyond the reach of chil dren and/or any untrained individuals. 15. Avoid the use of any alcoholic beverages or drugs before and during the use of any firearm. 16. Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas, cleaning firearms, or handling ammunition may result in exposure to lead; a substance known to be associated with birth defects, reproductive harm and other serious injury. Have adequate ventilation at all times. Wash hands thoroughly after exposure. STOP! Know how to clear this pistol before attempting to operate. Clearing the Pistol - The HK Pistol is not considered “Clear” or safe unless: 1. The magazine is removed from the pistol. 2. The slide is locked to the rear. 3. The chamber is free of brass or ammunition. To Clear the HK Pistol: 1. Make sure fingers are outside of the trigger guard and the pistol is pointed in a safe direction at all times! 2. Remove magazine - Depress the magazine release lever and remove the magazine from the pistol. 3. Open and lock slide - While pointing the pistol in a safe direction, lock the slide open by pulling the slide rearward as you press the slide release upward. Watch for a cartridge or empty case to be ejected from the pistol. 4. Inspect chamber - Inspect the chamber for the presence of a cartridge or empty case by: • Visually viewing chamber through open ejection port. • Physically inserting finger into chamber through the ejection port to check for the presence of a cartridge or empty case. Remove any cartridges or empty cases from the chamber or from within the pistol. The Mark 23 is now considered “Clear.” TABLE OF CONTENTS Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4 Section 5 Section 6 Section 7 Section 8 Section 9 Section 10 Section 11 Section 12 Section 13 Introduction General Information Nomenclature Principle of Operation Major Assembly Groups Operating Instructions Initial Inspection General Description Operation & Characteristics Cycle of Operation Safety Features Operation Under Normal Conditions Clearing Procedures Loading the Magazine Unloading the Magazine Readying the Pistol for Firing Firing the Pistol Operation Under Unusual Conditions Extreme Cold Hot, Wet Climates Hot, Dry Climates Heavy Rain & Water Operations - All Climates Malfunctions & Stoppages Remedial Action Selection of Holster Maintenance Instructions Tools & Equipment Operator Tools & Equipment Required Preventative Maintenance Procedures Disassembly (field stripping) Reassembly (from field strip) Safety/Function Check Function Firing Cleaning Inspection Lubrication Adjustment of Sights Troubleshooting Procedures Ammunition Parts Listing & Exploded Diagram Firearm Service Record PAGE 5 5 7 8 8 9 9 9 10 11 13 14 14 15 15 16 17 17 18 18 18 18 19 19 19 20 20 20 20 21 22 24 26 26 27 28 29 31 33 34 36 SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION The Mark 23 .45 ACP pistol gives shooters match grade accuracy equal to that of the finest custom made handguns — yet it exceeds the most stringent operational requirements ever demanded of a combat handgun. The Mark 23 provides this accuracy without the need for hand-fitted parts, common in custom-built match pistols costing thousands of dollars more. Repair of the Mark 23 is reduced to a simple parts exchange. The Mark 23 is a commercial model of the U.S. Government issue MK 23, MOD 0 pistol and is available in limited numbers. Designated the “Mark 23,” it is almost identical to the MK 23, MOD 0 pistol used by the Special Operations Command, right down to its threaded barrel. The main differences are slide markings (Mark 23 as opposed to MK 23) and a barrel manufactured to SAMMI headspace specifications. One of the most thoroughly tested handguns in history, the MK 23/Mark 23 project originated in 1991 when HKI was awarded a development contract for the Special Operations Forces Offensive Handgun Weapon System, consisting of a .45 caliber pistol, detachable sound and flash suppressor, and laser aiming module (LAM). During testing, MK 23 pistols met the most stringent operational and accuracy requirements ever demanded of a combat handgun. MK 23 pistols achieved match grade accuracy of less than a 2.5-inch maximum extreme spread in 5round shot groups at 25 meters with service ammunition. Endurance testing demonstrated a service life of over 30,000 rounds of +P ammunition with no parts breakage, with an additional 30,000 rounds certified on the slide and frame. To meet the reliability requirement, the pistol had to demonstrate a minimum of 2,000 mean rounds between stoppages (MRBS) with both M1911 ball and +P ammunition. The minimum MRBS achieved in testing was 6,027 and the maximum was 15,122! Out of over 450 accuracy test firings from a precision firing fixture, MK 23 pistols far exceeded the government requirement, averaging 1.44 inches with 65 groups of less than one inch. There were four groups of .5 inches with 5 rounds going through the same hole! This included firing with and without the sound/flash suppressor attached. Three pistols were tested for accuracy after firing over 30,000 rounds, the specified service life of the pistol, and still met the new pistol accuracy requirement. An innovative design feature, a high temperature rubber O-ring on the barrel that seals the barrel in the slide until unlocking, led to this remarkable achievement. The O-ring lasts beyond 20,000 rounds and can be replaced by the operator without tools in seconds. To meet operational environmental requirements, the pistol was function tested at +140 and -250 F, immersed in salt water, exposed to surf, salt-fog, sand-dust, mud, unlubricated and a variety of other fouled environments. A special maritime surface coating protects the pistol from corrosion in all of these operational environments. The barrel is threaded to accept accessories such as a flash and sound suppressor. The unique HK polygonal bore profile increases muzzle velocity and service life, reduces bore fouling and eases cleaning. The frame mounted Mark 23 decocking lever is separate from the ambidextrous safety lever. It allows the hammer to be lowered quietly and safely from the single-action position. When the hammer is down, the ambidextrous frame-mounted safety lever is locked in the fire position so that the pistol is always ready for double-action operation. When the hammer is “cocked and locked” in single-action mode with the safety lever on “safe,” the decocker is blocked so that the pistol is always ready for single-action operation. Even with the safety lever engaged, the slide can still be manipulated to load and clear the pistol. The extended slide release lever and the ambidextrous magazine release are easily operated without adjustment of the firing grip using the thumb or index finger of the firing hand. Other notable features include: accessory mounting grooves on the frame, a mechanical recoil reduction system that reduces recoil forces to the shooter and components of the pistol by as much as 30%, a polymer frame, a one-piece machined steel slide, and a 12-round magazine capacity. The weapon is aimed using either iron sights or an optional laser aiming component. The iron sights provide a 3-dot sight picture with white or optional self-luminous tritium dots. The MK 23 became the first .45 ACP caliber pistol to enter U.S. military service since the venerable Government Model 1911A1. On May 1, 1996, the first MK 23 pistols were delivered to the U.S. Special Operations Command for operational deployment. SECTION 2 NOMENCLATURE threaded barrel recess for slide release/stop slide slide release rear sight hammer left safey lever accessory mounting groove decocking lever threaded insert for accessory locking flared trigger guard magazine release frame magazine Left View (Figure 1) Mark 23 Pistol Specifications _________________________________________________________________________________________ Caliber .45 ACP Operating Principle Short recoil, semiautomatic Action Type Modified Browning type, linkless ________________________________________________________________ Fixed patridge style, adjustable for Sights windage & elevation, standard 3-dot or optional tritium Total Length 9.65 in. (245mm) Barrel Length 5.87 in. (149mm) Sight Radius 7.76 in. (197mm) Twist Length 378 mm (14.88 in.) ________________________________________________________________ Height without magazine 5.90 in. (150mm) Width of Frame 1.58 in. (38.8mm) Weight (with empty 12-round magazine) 2.66 lbs. (1.21 kg) Weight of empty 12-round magazine .81 lbs. (.366 kg) Weight of empty 10-round magazine .72 lbs. (.327 kg) Slide Force (to retract slide) 8.5 kg (18.74 lbs.) ________________________________________________________________ Trigger Pull Single-action 4.85 lbs. (2.20 kg) Trigger Pull Double-action 12.13 lbs. (5.50 kg) Magazine Capacity (does not include cartridge in chamber) 10 or 12 cartridges, .45 ACP Safety Features Double-action mode with hammer intercept notch, Firing pin block, Disconnector * Specifications and models subject to change without notice. SECTION 3 PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION A. The Mark 23 uses a modified linkless Browning-style short recoil system to lock and unlock the breech. B. Upon firing, the pressure developed by the propellent gas forces the slide and barrel assembly to the rear. After approximately 3mm, the locking block will stop the rearward movement of the barrel as the barrel is pivoted downward due to the engagement of the angled surfaces of the locking block with those located in the recoil spring guide rod. The locking block will disengage from the slide and the slide will continue rearward. The extractor located in the slide will then extract the fired cartridge case. The ejector located in the frame on the left side of the magazine well will eject the fired case as the slide continues rearward and cocks the hammer and compresses the recoil spring. The slide moves forward feeding the next cartridge from the magazine into the chamber and locking to the barrel breech. C. The slide locks open after the last round has been fired and ejected. WARNING: Do not rely on the slide lock to determine if the magazine is empty. Always check visually and physically to ensure the pistol is not loaded. Major Assembly Groups (see Figure 3) A. Slide - Houses the firing pin, firing pin block and extractor; cocks hammer during recoil. B. Captured Recoil/Buffer Spring Assembly (with guide rod) - Absorbs recoil and returns the slide and barrel to their forward positions; reduces impact of slide on receiver during recoil. The recoil spring is “captured” by a C-clip on the end of the guide rod. C. Threaded Barrel (with locking block) - Contains cartridge and propellent gases during firing. The locking block initiates locking and unlocking of the breech during movement of slide. The O-ring holds the barrel tight in the slide until unlocking. D. Frame - Serves as support to all major components; controls functioning of pistol. The slide release locks the slide with barrel and recoil/buffer spring assembly to the metal locking insert cast into the synthetic frame. A lanyard loop is in the bottom of the grip for attaching a lanyard. The trigger guard is flared on both sides to preclude accidental actuation of the magazine release during holstering. E. Magazine - Holds the cartridges in position for feeding and chambering. F. Slide Release - Holds slide to rear when engaged; releases slide when lever is depressed. Figure 3 SECTION 4 OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS SERVICE UPON RECEIPT OF MATERIAL Initial Inspection. Upon initial receipt, the pistol is to be inspected to ensure it was received in proper working order. Step Action Reference 1 Remove pistol and items from container 2 Remove packing material 3 Check for missing items 4 Field strip weapon and inspect for: para. 3.3 Missing parts Proper assembly 5 Clean, dry and lubricate (if necessary) para. 3.7, 3.9 6 Assemble para. 3.4 7 Safety/function check para. 3.5 GENERAL DESCRIPTION The Mark 23 is a semiautomatic, magazine fed, recoil operated, double/singleaction pistol, chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge, up to and including the commercial +P cartridges. WARNING: The Mark 23 incorporates single and double-action modes of operation. Anytime the trigger is pulled with the safety lever in the fire (down) position and a round in the chamber, the pistol will fire from either the hammer down (DA) or cocked position (SA). CAUTION: A pair of Universal Mounting Grooves located on the front of the Mark 23 frame allow for a variety of accessories to be used with the pistol. Improperly designed or installed accessories may result in damage to the Mark 23 mounting grooves and/or the Mark 23. Such damage is not covered under warranty. Be certain to use only HKI authorized accessories and follow installation and precautions carefully. NOTE: Accessories designed for the Universal Self-loading Pistol (USP) will not work on the Universal Mounting Groves of the Mark 23. Operation and Characteristics A. Double/Single Action - For double-action (DA), pulling the trigger will cock the hammer and immediately release it, discharging a chambered round. To fire the first chambered round in single-action (SA), the hammer must be manually cocked before pulling the trigger. All shots after the first one will be fired singleaction because the slide automatically recocks the hammer after each shot. B. Magazine - The magazine is produced from sheet steel and has a total capacity of 12 rounds. The rounds are positioned within the magazine in a staggered arrangement. Rounds are visible through the viewing holes located along the back side of the magazine housing. The viewing holes are marked with numerals denoting the number of rounds remaining within. The floorplate can be easily removed for disassembly and cleaning of the magazine components. C. Loaded Chamber Indicator - The Mark 23 pistol does not have a loaded chamber indicator. The extractor does not act as a loaded chamber indicator. D. Decocking Lever - The decocking lever allows the operator to quietly lower the cocked hammer without concern of an accidental discharge. When the hammer is cocked, it may be lowered safely by moving the decocking lever fully into the decocking (down) position. The decocking lever cannot be depressed (and therefore does not allow the hammer to be lowered) if the safety lever is engaged. The decocking lever always springs back into its disengaged (up) position due to the spring pressure exerted by the decocking spring. E. Safety Lever - The safety lever is an ambidextrous “thumb” lever located on the rear of the frame. It is actuated by the firing thumb of the operator. The safety lever blocks the release of the cocked hammer when it is in the engaged (up) “safe” position (see Figure 4a). The safety lever is depressed downward into the “fire” position (see Figure 4b). The safety lever is not spring actuated and therefore must be moved manually from one position to the other by the operator. Figure 4b “Fire” Position: The safety lever cannot be placed in the “safe” (up) position if the hammer is uncocked (down). Figure 4a “Safe” Position 10 WARNING: The pistol should always be carried with the safety lever engaged when carried in the single-action mode. While there is a spring detent to prevent this, the safety lever can be moved to the "fire" position (down) with a minimal amount of force. This could happen during careless handling or during removal of the pistol from the holster. Always check the position of the safety lever during handling. F. Frame - The front and back straps of the fiberglass reinforced polymer frame are checkered to ensure a firm grip, even with wet hands or under conditions of rapid fire. The trigger guard is extended, recurved and grooved to provide a firm grip when using two hands or gloves. The bottom of the trigger guard is flared on both sides in front of the magazine release lever to shield the lever from accidental actuation. A threaded insert is molded into the front face of the trigger guard and the frame is grooved forward of the trigger guard for attachment of an accessory such as a laser aiming device or an illuminator. The frame is a one-piece molded component with metal inserts (locking insert and guiding part) cast into the frame during production. The slide rides on these metal inserts during operation. G. Slide Release Lever - This lever is used to lock the slide open and for disassembling the weapon. As a slide stop, it is depressed upward by the magazine follower or the operator’s finger as the slide travels rearward during recoil or manual operation. The slide release lever engages the recess visible on the left side of the slide and is spring actuated. The slide release spring holds the slide release lever in a disengaged (down) position until required. As a disassembly lever, the slide release lever is removed from the left side of the frame when the slide is held rearward. The slide release lever can be actuated by the firing thumb of the right handed operator or the index finger of the left handed operator. H. Magazine Release Lever - This ambidextrous spring actuated lever holds the magazine within the grip by engaging in the notch found in the upper third of the magazine housing. Depressing this lever with the firing hand index finger or thumb will allow the magazine to drop from the grip. The magazine release lever is shielded from accidental actuation by the flared trigger guard and the design of the synthetic frame surrounding the lever. Cycle of Operation begins with weapon loaded, hammer cocked and safety lever disengaged. Figure 5 Firing 11 A. Firing - (see Figure 5) Pulling the trigger rearward pulls the trigger bar forward. The trigger bar pivots the sear actuator upward which disengages the firing pin block. At the same moment, the sear is pivoted out of engagement from the lower of the two shelves located on the hammer. The compressed hammer spring drives the hammer forward into the rear end of the firing pin. The firing pin strikes the primer of the chambered round. The propellent is ignited by the primer and propellent gases are created inside the cartridge case. The propellent gases drive the projectile down the polygonal bore which spins the projectile in a clockwise direction as a means to stabilize the projectile’s flight. B. Unlocking - (see Figure 6) The gas pressure and energy produced by the propellent gases push rearward on the slide, which is locked to the barrel by the engagement of the barrel locking block within the ejection port milled into the slide. The opposing angled locking surfaces incorporated into the design of the barrel locking block and recoil spring guide rod cause the rear of the barrel to tilt downward as the slide moves rearward. By the time the slide and barrel have recoiled approximately 5mm, the projectile has left the barrel and the gas pressure within the chamber has dropped to a safe level. The barrel locking block then disengages from the slide. The slide is now free to recoil rearward independently of the barrel. Figure 6 Figure 7 C. Extraction - The empty cartridge case is held firmly against the face of the slide by the claw of the extractor as the slide recoils rearward. D. Ejection - (see Figure 7) - The rim of the cartridge case strikes the stationary ejector. The empty case is ejected from the open ejection port. E. Cocking - (see Figure 7) - As the slide continues rearward the recoil impulse is dampened by the buffer spring. The recoil spring is compressed and the hammer recocked. F. Feeding - (see Figure 8) - The compressed recoil spring drives the slide forward. If the magazine is empty, the magazine follower will lift the slide release to a point where it will stop the forward progress of the slide. If the magazine is not empty, the face of the slide will make contact with the top round in the magazine. The round will be driven from the magazine toward the chamber. The tip of the projectile is guided into the chamber by the magazine lips until the round clears the magazine completely. At that moment the claw of the extractor snaps onto the rim of the cartridge case as it becomes parallel with the bore. 12 G. Chambering - The slide pushes the cartridge forward until the projectile enters the mouth of the forcing cone of the bore and the face of the slide contacts the rear of the barrel locking block. H. Locking - (see Figure 5) - The slide presses the barrel forward. As it does, the opposing angled surfaces of the barrel locking block and recoil spring guide rod pivot the rear end of the barrel up into engagement with the ejection port in the slide. The slide is now fully forward and the new round is ready to be fired. Safety Features A. Safety Lever - This safety blocks the release of the cocked hammer in the SA mode. The safety lever is an external, manually operated, ambidextrous “thumb” lever located on the left and the right side of the frame further most back from the trigger. The safety lever must be manually actuated by the operator. The shaft of the safety lever moves the sear block into a position where it blocks the movement of the sear actuator. The sear actuator, in turn, does not allow the sear to pivot forward and thus the hammer cannot be released. Engaging the safety lever also interrupts the function of the decocking lever and blocks the hammer mechanically. The safety lever does not restrict the movement of the slide. The safety lever is held in either the fire or safe position by a spring detent. The safety lever cannot be placed in the safe (up) position when the hammer is down (uncocked). B. Double-Action Mode - This safety keeps the hammer in an uncocked condition until the moment of firing. The double-action mode operates as a passive safety feature in the pistol, much as this mode of operation would in any DA revolver or pistol. The hammer is left uncocked until the decision to fire is made. At all times, the firing pin is locked by the firing pin block until the trigger is pulled. Approximately 12.1 pounds of pressure on the trigger is required to cock and release the hammer in the DA mode of operation. The mode of operation also permits subsequent hammer strikes on the same chambered round by simply resqueezing the trigger. C. Firing Pin Block - This safety prevents the firing pin from striking the primer when the weapon is dropped, the hammer is bumped, or when the slide slams forward. The firing pin block is located in the slide and blocks the forward movement of the firing pin. Only when the trigger is depressed can the sear actuator push the firing pin block upward against the downward pressure exerted by the firing pin block spring. Once the round has been fired and the slide begins to recoil, the firing pin block is pushed back down by the firing pin block spring 13 and engages within the recess provided in the center portion of the firing pin. D. Disconnector - This safety prevents the release of the hammer unless the slide is fully forward and/or the trigger is reset (released) between rounds. This important safety prevents serious malfunctions from occurring, such as “slamfires” (rounds that fire during loading), automatic fire, or a round being fired out of the battery (with the breech unlocked). The disconnector disconnects the engagement of the trigger bar and the sear actuator. The disconnector is engaged (operating) after the slide has moved 2mm to the rear. The slide presses the leading edge of the disconnector down and into engagement with the trigger bar. When the slide is fully forward, the leading edge of the disengaged disconnector resides in a recess provided in the bottom of the slide. SECTION 5 OPERATION UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS WARNING: Always clear the pistol before handling it. Clearing Procedures A. The Mark 23 pistol is not considered “clear” or safe unless: 1. The magazine is removed 2. The slide is locked to the rear 3. The chamber is free of brass or ammunition 4. The safety lever is set on “Safe” NEVER ASSUME THE PISTOL IS CLEAR! B. To Clear the Pistol: 1. Make sure fingers are outside of the trigger guard and the pistol is pointed in a safe direction at all times! 2. Decock Hammer or Engage Safety - Depress decocking lever or engage the safety lever. 3. Remove Magazine - Depress the magazine release lever and remove the magazine from the frame. 4. Open Slide - Lock slide open by pulling slide rearward as you engage the slide release lever (up). Watch for live round or empty case to be ejected. 5. Inspect Chamber - Inspect chamber for the presence of a live round or empty case: a. Visually view chamber through ejection port. b. Physically insert finger into chamber through ejection port and check for presence of cartridge case in chamber. c. Remove any live rounds or empty cases from the chamber or from within the weapon. The pistol is now considered “Clear.” 14 Loading and Unloading the Magazine - (see Figure 9) The Mark 23 pistol is available with either 10 or 12-round magazines. A. Loading the Magazine 1. Hold the magazine in one hand. 2. Hold a round between the index finger and thumb of the other hand with the projectile pointing towards the palm. 3. Press the rim of the round down against the front edge of the follower or the top round in the magazine and slide the round back under the magazine lips. 4. Repeat steps 1-3 until the magazine is full. The viewing holes in the back of the magazine allow the operator to confirm the number of rounds present within the magazine. WARNING: Forcefully inserting a loaded magazine into the Mark 23 may cause the pistol's slide to close, chambering a cartridge and making the Mark 23 ready to fire. When inserting a magazine, always be certain that the pistol is pointed in a safe direction with your fingers off the trigger and outside the grigger guard. Failure to do so could cause you to unintentionally fire the pistol, resulting in serious injury or death. Figure 9 B. Unloading the Magazine - Exert pressure with the finger on the base of the cartridge case and push each round forward out of the magazine one round at a time until the magazine is empty. Loading Procedure A. Administrative Loading - Used to initially load the pistol before it is to be fired. Method A (Slide rearward, chamber empty) 1. Make sure fingers are outside of trigger guard and pistol is pointed in a safe direction at all times! 2. Insert magazine firmly into the frame. Tug on magazine to insure that it is fully seated and engaged. 3. Depress the slide release lever to release the slide and to chamber the first round. 4. Engage safety lever or depress decocking lever. 5. Remove magazine and top off with one additional round. 15 6. Reinsert magazine insuring that it is fully seated. Method B (Slide forward, chamber empty) 1. Make sure fingers are outside of trigger guard and pistol is pointed in a safe direction at all times! 2. Insert magazine firmly into the frame. Tug on magazine to insure that it is fully seated and engaged. 3. Retract the slide fully and release. Do not ride slide forward! 4. Engage safety lever or depress decocking lever. 5. Remove magazine and top off with one additional round. 6. Reinsert magazine insuring that it is fully seated. B. Tactical Reloading - Used to quickly reload pistol once firing has begun. Method A (Slide rearward, chamber empty) 1. Make sure fingers are outside of trigger guard and pistol is pointed in a safe direction at all times! 2. Keep eyes on target area. 3. Depress the magazine release with finger or thumb of firing hand to drop magazine. 4. At the same time, retrieve a full magazine with the non-firing hand and insert firmly into the frame. Tug on magazine to insure that it is fully seated and engaged. 5. Depress slide release to chamber first round. 6. Continue firing. Method B (Slide forward, rounds remaining in magazine and chamber) 1. Make sure fingers are outside of trigger guard and pistol is pointed in a safe direction at all times! 2. Keep eyes on target area. 3. Depress the magazine release with finger or thumb of firing hand to drop partially empty magazine. 4. At the same time, retrieve full magazine with non-firing hand and insert firmly into the frame. Tug on the magazine to insure that it is fully seated and engaged. 5. Weapon is now back at full capacity without rendering chamber empty and weapon useless. 6. Continue firing. Readying the Pistol for Firing Disengage the safety lever (if engaged). Red hazard dot will be visible above safety lever. 16 WARNING: (1) BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND WHAT IS BEHIND IT! Even a .45 caliber projectile can easily penetrate wood, plasterboard walls, or a car door, and can travel as far as one mile! (2) Ensure that all parts of your hand and body are kept away from the muzzle of the pistol at all time! (3) Always wear eye and ear protection where possible when firing the pistol. (4) Whenever the pistol is dropped on a hard surface landing on the hammer (cocked or down), it should be sent to the HKI Customer Service Department as soon as possible to inspect the sear axle. If the sear axle is bent it should be replaced. Firing the Pistol A. Single-action mode (Hammer back/cocked) affords the operator the best and lightest trigger pull (4.8 lbs.) for precise and accurate bullet placement. With manual safety disengaged: 1. Aim at the target. 2. Fire the weapon by pressing the trigger straight to the rear with gradually increasing pressure. 3. Engage the safety lever to remain in the single-action mode once firing is completed. CAUTION: Single-action mode trigger pull is lighter and shorter than double-action mode. Keep your finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard except when firing the Mark 23. B. Double-action mode (Hammer down/uncocked) provides the operator with a long, heavy (12.1 lbs.) trigger pull for the first shot only. Subsequent shots will be fired in single-action mode as the slide will automatically cock the hammer after each round is fired. The double-action mode of fire is often the preferred mode of fire when safety during handling and carrying is of greater concern than first round accuracy. 1. Aim at the target. 2. Fire the weapon by pressing the trigger straight to the rear with gradually increasing pressure. 3. Depress the decocking lever to lower the hammer to return to the double- action mode once firing is complete, or engage the safety lever to remain in the single-action mode. SECTION 6 OPERATION UNDER UNUSUAL CONDITIONS NOTE: Unusual conditions are defined as any climatic condition requiring special maintenance of the pistol. Perform the maintenance outlined for the climate that most applies to your operational area. Refer to paragraph 3.9 for lubrication instructions. 17 CAUTIION: If extensive corrosion is found and cleaning does not solve the problem, contact the HKI Customer Service Department at (706) 568-9044. Extreme Cold A. When operating the pistol in extremely cold climates, clean and lubricate the pistol inside at room temperature if possible. B. Apply a light coat of LAW (Lubricant, Arctic Weapons) to all functional parts. C. To prevent freezing, keep the pistol covered when moving from a warm to a cold area. This will allow gradual cooling. D. Always keep the pistol dry. E. Do not lay a hot pistol in snow or ice. F. Keep ammunition dry; moisture will cause malfunctions. Do not lubricate the ammunition. G. Always keep snow out of the bore of the barrel. If snow should get into the bore, clean the bore before firing using a swab and cleaning rod. Hot, Wet Climates A. Perform maintenance more frequently. Inspect hidden surfaces for corrosion. If corrosion is found, clean and lubricate. B. To help prevent corrosion, remove hand prints with a cloth. Dry and lubricate the pistol with CLP/LSA (Cleaner, Lubricant, Protectant). C. Check ammunition and magazines frequently for corrosion. Clean the magazine using CLP/LSA and wipe dry with a cloth. If necessary, clean ammunition with a dry cloth. D. Always keep mud out of the barrel. If mud should get into the bore, clean it before firing using a swab and cleaning rod. Hot, Dry Climates A. Dust and sand will get into pistol and cause malfunctions and excessive wear on component contact surfaces during firing. Keep the pistol covered when possible. B. Corrosion is less likely to form on metal parts in a dry climate. Therefore, lightly lubricate internal working surfaces only with CLP/LSA. Do not lubricate external parts of the pistol. Wipe any excess lubricant from exposed surfaces. Do not lubricate internal components of magazine. Heavy Rain and Water Operations - All Climates A. Perform maintenance in accordance with the appropriate climatic conditions. B. Always attempt to keep pistol dry. C. Always try to drain any water from barrel prior to firing. Dry the bore with a swab and cleaning rod. D. Lightly lube the bore and chamber. Generously lube internal and external surfaces of the pistol with CLP/LSA. E. In extreme or prolonged wet or saltwater conditions, cover serial number and proof mark on barrel and slide with a temporary protective coating. These are etched on the permanent protective coating on the barrel and slide and therefore may corrode under these conditions. 18 SECTION 7 MALFUNCTIONS AND STOPPAGES Remedial Action - Remedial Action is the action performed to remedy an unanticipated interruption of the pistol’s operation and place the pistol back into operation. WARNING: During remedial action, make certain the pistol is pointed in a safe direction at all times. A. Clear the pistol! B. Attempt to lock slide. C. Remove magazine. D. Inspect chamber. E. Insert fresh magazine F. Release slide. G. Attempt to fire the pistol. If the Mark 23 fails to fire, contact the HKI Customer Service Department at (706) 568-9044 568WARNING: If a round is assembled without powder (a fault of the manufacturing process), the primer alone has enough power to propel the projectile into the bore. A projectile lodged in the bore may cause damage to the barrel and/or the pistol if another round is fired and could cause personal injury. This event is commonly called a "pop and no kick" or "squib load" and is characterized by a much reduced report and little or no movement of the slide. An alert operator should notice the occurrence of this event in time to avoid firing the next round. SECTION 8 SELECTION AND USE OF A HOLSTER Selection - When selecting a carrying holster for the HK Mark 23, it is important to consider the following points: 1. The holster must not make contact with or actuate any of the operating controls. This includes the hammer, slide release, magazine release lever, and most importantly the safety lever and the trigger. The design of the holster must also not actuate these controls when the pistol is carried in, drawn from, or returned to the holster. 2. The holster should not cause the slide to move (unlock) when the pistol is returned to the holster. 3. Accommodations must be provided in the holster for any accessories that might be present on the pistol. 4. Choose a holster designed for the Mark 23. Returning the Pistol to the Holster - The HK Mark 23 must be made “safe” (or cleared) prior to returning it to the holster. The pistol is considered safe to return it to the holster when: 1. All fingers are off of the trigger and out of the trigger guard. 2. The pistol is “Clear.” 3. The hammer is in the decocked (down) position. 19 4. The safety lever is engaged in the safe position when the hammer is cocked. WARNING: The pistol must never be returned to the holster unless the above procedures have been followed or injury or death could occur. SECTION 9 MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS TOOLS & EQUIPMENT NOTE: The service life and performance of your HK Mark 23 is dependent upon the correct handling and proper care by the operator. Operator Tools and Equipment Required. At a minimum, you will require the following materials to maintain the Mark 23 pistol and its components: • Cleaning rod with handle and eyelet • Long-handled nylon brush • Bronze bristle bore brush (.45 caliber) • Cotton swabs • Solvent/bore cleaner/CLP • Cleaning patches (.45 caliber) • Rag CAUTION: Use safety goggles when using solvents and exercise care if using compressed air. PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE (PM) SERVICE CHECKS & MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES General - This PM service section lists those required checks and services to be performed by personnel who operate the Mark 23 pistol. This section includes the services required to prepare the pistol for operation, to check the pistol during operation, and to ensure proper function after maintenance. Before performing any PM service procedures, ensure that the Firearm Service Record has been updated with the correct round count and any PM service procedures documented. If