Heckler And Koch HK Mark23 Operators Manual

							21 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
2.9  Readying the Pistol for Firing
Disengage the safety lever (if engaged). Red hazard
dot will be visible above safety lever. 
						

							22 WARNING
1. BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND WHAT’S
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 times!
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 HK Service
Department as soon as practicable to inspect
the sear axle. If the sear axle is bent, it should
be replaced.
2.10  Firing the Pistol
A. Single-action mode (Hammer back/cocked)
Affords 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 straightto 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 &
shorter  than double action mode. Keep your
finger off the trigger & 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. 
						

							23
SECTION IV - 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.
CAUTION
If extensive corrosion is found and cleaning
does not solve the problem, contact  the HK
Service Department.
2.11  Extreme Cold
A. When operating 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.
2.12  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. 
						

							24 2.13  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.
2.14  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 pistolwith 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 through the
permanent protective coating on the barrel and
slide and therefore may corrode under these
conditions. 
						

							25 SECTION V - MALFUNCTIONS AND STOPPAGES
2.15 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 pis-
tol 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, return the weapon to the
HK Service Department for service.WARNING
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.
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 
						

							26 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 and;
2. The pistol is “clear” or;
3. The hammer is in the decocked (down) position or;
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. 
						

							27
CHAPTER 3  MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
SECTION I - 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.
3.1  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.
SECTION II - PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE (PM)
SERVICE CHECKS & MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES3.2  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 your
equipment fails to operate, refer to the Trouble-
shooting Table in Section III.
WARNING
Before starting an inspection procedure
CLEAR THE PISTOL!  Inspect the chamber to
ensure that it is empty. Do not keep live
ammunition near maintenance /work areas. 
						

							28
Figure 10
Removing or Installing the Slide Release
CAUTION
Hold the recoil/buffer spring assembly in place
while removing the slide from the frame. NOTE
Before starting any PM Service procedure
ensure that the Firearm Service Record has
been updated with the correct round count
and any PM Service performed documented.
3.3  Disassembly (Field stripping)
A. Pistol
1. Clear the pistol!
2. Depress slide release and allow slide to move
forward.
3. If applicable, remove any mounted accesso-
ries.
4. Using the left hand, retract and hold the slide
to the rear approximately 22 mm until the front
end of the slide release is centered on the
recess visible on the left side of the slide (See
Figure 10).
5. With he right hand push the slide release into
the recess on the right side of the frame, lift
and completely remove the slide release from
the left side of the frame.
Recess
Slide
Release 
						

							2910-Round Civilian Magazine
1. Using a blunt pointed instrument depress the
locking insert detente located in the floor plate
and hold it there.
2. Place a portion of either hand over the base of
the magazine to control the release of the
magazine spring and locking insert.
3. With the locking detente still depressed,
squeeze the floor plate locking tabs located on
the right and left sides of the magazine.
4. Gradually allow the locking insert and magazine
spring to expand out of the magazine housing.
5. Remove the locking insert, magazine spring and
magazine follower from the magazine housing.
CAUTION
Beware of the spring tension exerted by the
magazine spring while removing and
installing the magazine floor plate.  Keep the
base of the magazine pointed in a safe
direction (away from face and eyes) during
disassembly and assembly. 6. Remove the slide with barrel and captured
recoil/buffer spring assembly off of the frame by
sliding it forward.
7. Remove the captured recoil/buffer spring
assembly from the barrel and slide by lifting up
on the rear of the guide rod.  The entire
assembly can now be lifted out of the slide.
8. Lift the rear of the barrel by the locking block
and withdraw it from the slide.
B. Magazine
12-Round Law Enforcement Magazine
1. Using a blunt pointed instrument depress the
locking detent protruding through the bottom of
the magazine floor plate and 
hold it there.
2. Place a portion of either hand over the base of
the magazine to control the release of the
magazine spring and locking plate.
3. Slowly slide the floor plate forward off of the
magazine housing.
4. Gradually allow the locking plate and magazine
spring to expand out of the magazine housing.
5. Remove the locking plate, magazine spring and
magazine follower from the magazine housing. 
						

							30 CAUTION
Operator disassembly of the Mark 23 pistol is
now complete. Only trained HK Service
Department personnel may disassemble the
weapon further.
3.4  Reassembly (From field strip)
A. Magazine
12-Round Law Enforcement Magazine
1. Place the magazine follower onto the end of the
magazine spring having the loop at the end of
the wire on the left side of the follower.
2. Insert the follower and the magazine spring into
the magazine housing.
3. Place the locking plate onto the protruding end
of the magazine spring so that the locking
detent is visible (see Figure 11A).
4. Push the locking plate down into the magazine
housing against the pressure of the magazine
spring and hold it there.
5. Slide the floor plate over the base of the
magazine housing and locking plate from front
to rear making sure that:
a. The floor plate engages the tabs located onthe left and right sides of the magazine
housing.
b. The floor plate is fully seated on the magazine
housing.
c. The locking detent fits within the hole provided
in the floor plate.
d. Check the magazine for proper assembly by
insuring that the follower slides up and down
freely within the magazine housing and with
spring tension. Also check that the magazine
follower rises within the housing to be nearly
flush against the bottom of the magazine lips.
Figure 11A  Assembly of Magazine Follower & Spring
(12-Round Law Enforcement Magazine)
magazine housingfloor plate magazine
follower
locking plate magazine spring