Image scanned, cropped, and compressed by Blake

"Double Barrel": KSC's SOCOM Mk 23 vs. H&K Mk 23

by ARTsenal

Boob Job
H&K's USP was a sweet pistol when it came out a few years ago both in steel and 'soft. But when the SOCOM entered the room, I'm pretty sure alot o' guys stopped to look...... a USP with breast implants. Looked big and felt big, which basically made it easier for the guys at KSC to bring out their outstanding craftsmanship. Like the Steyr TMP before, KSC's detail, proportions, feel and weight are confoundedly indistinguishable to the original H&K SOCOM that lay next to the KSC version. The large gun will sit in your hand and will leave serious dimensions in your mind more accurate than any ruler or calipre ever could. The dual-textured grip has a very non-slip feel unique only to the USP/SOCOM of either real or soft. The .45 calibre is the basis for its size at the grip as well as the expected accuracy from the lengthy barrel. As with the TMP's, the weights are almost equal due to the heavy metal mag of the KSC and the steel/polymer combo H&K with an empty mag of course. If you're familiar with either the 'soft or real USP, then you can expect all exposed levers on the 'soft SOCOM to function as designed with the decocking and single/double actions option being my favorite. An ambidex' mag release is a plus for south-paw hole punchers.

Aw SHOOT!!
Loaded at 28 rounds, that's 28 chances to hit everything around except the target which was a cheap poorman's BB catcher of a paper bag I used. As with all quality airsoft, an adjustable HOP-UP is available to those who don't really know what they're doing such as yours truly. A couple of adjustments later and with gun at bench rest, I was able to fit as close as 1 inch from center @ 40 feet. I'm sure that without the California quakes, I could be as 1/1000 as good as some of you pro-'softers out there. Watching that huge 9.6 inch plastic slide recoil back & forth is a trip. Both H&K and KSC use the 3-dot sighting except the KSC version could use some white out or glow-paint to emphasize the dots better. As usual the slide locks on the last shot. I'm predicting about 3 to 5 BB loads before noticing a decline in gas & performance. If you like resting your index of your support hand on the front of the trigger guard, you might have some difficulty due to the extended size of the trigger guard. However, if you prefer to hold this size o' gun with your supportive thumb inside the trigger guard(a la 93R), there's enough room inside the guard to do so even with gloves.

Clamp on.....Clamp off
Combining real steel accessories to an airsoft gun is where KSC really shines. After writing the TMP review, it was suggested to me by Michael at MFI that the silencer that came with the KSC version was threaded correctly and would fit a real Steyr SPP. With great doubt I decided to try it and DAMN!! The silencer fit a firing SPP and so did the scope mount. Well you guessed it, a dummy silencer fabricated by the original Knights Manufacturer meant for the real SOCOM screwd on perfectly to the KSC model without wear & tear to the threads. It was bitchen!! We decided to remove other accessories from their display USPs and clamp them on to the BB gun. Accessories from the .45 USPs would only fit the SOCOM mounting rail due to the extra width of the slide and receiver. We had a silenced SOCOM with an Aimpoint scope on top and a dual Sure-Fire mag light and CDRC laser dot emitter mounted on bottom........SUUUWEEEETTT!!!

Unlike the TMP though, the SOCOM didn't come with a sound suppressor but they do have it illustrated in the owner's manual so the availability is futuristicly obvious at $65 and an open-cage flash hider somewhat similar to the M-16 VN will also be available. The LAM or Laser Aiming Module on the otherhand is another financial subject running beyond the price of the gun itself, but it is a nice add on providing, your willing to up the bill and expect the flashlight to be the only thing functioning.

"Kick Some Crack"
...is my definition for KSC. These guys have again done their homework and load of extra credit on the SOCOM Mk23 as they have with the TMP. I would consider this a handgun version of the PSG-1, long and purposeful-looking, ultrafine detail, an exacting feel, and function and very accurate. This gun is so nice that I can't see myself runnin' and diving with it in skirmishes. It has enough size & potential just to sit there and look BAD. As with most pistols, they're most ideal for CQB & maneauvers indoors or out. Amazingly enough, the SOCOMs coming out of Executive Airsoft have all markings intact with no orangina on the muzzles.......a serious hint to grab these up ASAP before you know who finds out. The SOCOM, unlike all other pistols, will offer a different challenge of punching holes into the X-ring, it'll look good doing it!!

Not enough thanx to D', J',& M' of Executive Airsoft and Code 3 USA (www.code3usa.com)

ARTsenal