Raw Review:
Y&P Airsoft SOCOM MK23 NBB Gas Replica Pistol
So you are looking for a special operations style pistol that will perform with the gas blow back big dogs, but on a budget. I think we have found your solution. The y&p mk23 SOCOM NBB - non blow back. This isn't a new pistol by any means. It's in all sense a reduced cost version of the Tokyo Mauri and at 1/3rd the cost it's a budget bargain. We were able to acquire this one from http://evike.com/.
In the performance department the y&p leaves nothing lacking with a ten shot average around 334fps/.2g stock performance (barrel extension not attached). Then a ten shot average of around 402 fps/.2g when the included fake suppressor barrel extension was attached. Gas efficiency was excellent at this higher power with 2 to 3 magazines full of rounds per one propane+silicone (green style) gas charge. I was able to get no less than 2 magazines full from it firing at a high double tap then wait 1 second rate till empty. As a non blow back, the noise produced is far less other gas pistol types and about what one would expect from a NBB, making this IMO a perfect outdoor anti sentry pistol with the barrel extension (and minimum shooting distance for that fps).
The casting quality and looks could have been improved upon. Still at this cost there are no complaints from us. It seems they cast the orange tip directly in the body, thereby eliminating the ability to remove the orange tip, still it could be repainted (more on that in the tuned review). To my eye the plastic body was acceptable at it's seams and such but I would have liked a much better finish as the plastic was a bit shiny for my likes. There is a lack of all trades unlike the TM version. You can manually operate the slide coking the pistol into single action mode. The slide lock is non functional for locking the slide but does work as a second safety when cocked into single action mode. The decocking lever is molded into the pistol itself and does not work.
Pic above: Y&P on top and TM on bottom
The mk23 is quite large in comparison to other combat pistols, being a full size .45 replica. We'd say in the size range of a Dessert eagle.
- Pistol: 9.75 inches long x 6 inches tall by 1.25 inches wide
- Suppressor: 7.75 inches long x 1.25 inches diameter
- Combined: 17 inches long x 6 inches tall x 1.25 inches wide
Our holster choice to carry the behemoths of a pistol was the adjustable tornado thigh rig. We did have to let it out to full size for a proper fit of the pistol, showing it's size. Understand that the longer sight radius is good for accuracy, as well longer inner barrel length adds to making it pretty accurate. The body is made mostly from plastic with the magazine, trigger, mag release and barrel being metal. This makes for a lighter weight replica despite it's size making the tactical handling characteristics better than expected.
Recently we got to use
the mk23, in out of the box stock condition, at a local outdoor game.
While using it as my only replica for the game, I didn't quite have
the rate of fire or accuracy that a longer barreled aeg has but I was
able to hold my own due to it's increased power with the barrel
extension and better than normal gas pistol accuracy. This is a
double/single action pistol. With a full single trigger pull the
pistol cocks the hammer, loads a bb and fires a single shot. You can
pre cock the hammer reducing the trigger pull length but it is still
quite firm, not unlike a real combat double action pistol. The
trigger pull is quite long compared to single action pistols and at
times was a bit sticky. This is nothing to sweat because with a bit
of care, cleaning and proper lubing it worked into a smooth as silk
shooting machine. Like many lower costing replicas from China the
quality control wasn't near as nice as the premium TM version which
can cost 3 times as much, still it was well within acceptable levels
at it's budget price. One very nice thing I have noticed so far is
that the mags hold gas exceptionally well, a good point as was noted
the TM mags tend to leak, a + in the favor of the ACM IMO. Of note,
the mags are 100% interchangeable between the two brands for this
model.
Although I usually go over my replicas and
re-clean all parts as well as re-lubricate everything, for the sake
of testing I didn't do this at first on this mk23. Performance was so
so at that level and a few jams and mis-feeds happened. After the
cleaning and re-lubing it performed flawlessly.
The Y&P Package includes...
Foam filled box – Great for using as a spacer in your bookshelf or if you are the creative type you can line it with felt and use it as a display box.
- H&K MK23 socom .45acp replica pistol.
- Suppressor - Barrel Extension, often referred to as a silencer.
- 1 metal magazine
- A bag of bb's (safe only for claymore use, not in any replica)
Although the TM unit (shown in above pic) includes the Mock LAM unit, the y&p does not. The LAM unit is almost worthless but for looks.
If you are on the look out for an inexpensive nbb this may
fit the bill.
Click here For the complete photo set of the Y&P MK23 socom. A total of 45 pics at all angles.
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The real History of the SOCOM Pistol Mk 23
Heckler & Koch began development of the MK23 pistol for the US Special Operations Command in 1991 due to a request by the US Special Operations Command for an "offensive" handgun designed within specifications. The complete OHWS includes three components: a .45-caliber pistol, a laser aiming module (lam), and a sound-flash suppressor. The gun holds 12 cartridges of .45 ACP ammunition. But the SOCOM pistol reportedly met with less than complete enthusiasm at first on the part of operators, due to its massive size.
In May of 1996, the first HK MK 23 pistols were delivered to the US Special Operations Command. During extreme testing, the MK 23 pistols met the most stringent operational and accuracy requirements ever demanded of a combat handgun. Endurance testing demonstrated a service life of over 30,000 rounds of +P ammunition. The pistol had to demonstrate a minimum of 2,000 mean rounds between stoppages with both M1911 ball and of +P ammunition to meet the reliability requirements. All of the mk23 pistols exceeded the 2000 MRBS with an average of 6000 MRBS! In more than 450 accuracy test firings from a precision firing fixture at 25 meters, 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! The HK Mk 23 pistol gave shooters match grade accuracy equal to that of the finest custom made handguns-yet exceeds the most stringent operational requirements ever demanded of a combat handgun. The thing is, the Mk 23 provided this accuracy without the need for hand-fitted parts common in custom-built match pistols costing thousands of dollars more.
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