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This is the model I think the American market will be excited about. One of the best striker-fired triggers I've ever encountered, reduced recoil, optics-ready, and the list goes on. The Grand Power Q100 Mk23 is finally available in the US.
What Is It? The Q100 is Grand Power's striker-fired equivalent of the K100. Same dusty-sized, full-velocity 4.25" barrel, same rotating-barrel action, same grip and 15-round magazines, the onyl difference is the firing mechanism. As striker-fired guns gained popularity Grand Power developed a series of them. The Q100 Mk23 marks the third itteration of them after an early and later Mk12 generation.
Who's It For? The size combo of a longer-than average barrel and compact frame means the Q100 Mk23 can fit a variety of roles. Small enough for many to carry, plenty of muzzle energy for shooters who want ammunition to perform, optics-ready for those who prefer that, and large enough to be comfortable on the range. While most of these features can be found on other guns, the unique Grand power action reduces felt recoil for smoother shooting, and the trigger are what really sets this gun apart from the rest.
The Trigger truly is different on the Q100 Mk23. The early Grand Power striker-fired triggers were a bit too light and short for most users and they quickly remedied that while still in the Mk12 generation. What sets the new trigger apart is what apears to be a simply inverse of the way safety-equipped striker-fired trigger work.
Typically the safety is very lightly sprung and depresses almost immediately upon finger contact. The shooter must then pull through either arming or partially arming the striker until the sear releases it. The trigger of the Q100 Mk23 has a heavier safety spring which requires pressure to disengage the safety, after which the actual trigger requires minimal effort and movement. The feel is a bit like a high-end two-stage rifle trigger.
It's not something I could measure, so you'll have to go off my description, but I do have a visual aid in the video below.
As for the rest of the Grand Power Q100 Mk23, it includes the same updates I outlined in a comparison of X-Calibur generations here. You can get a better look at fit, finish, features, and the rest of the gun in the tabletop video below.
Specifications:
Caliber: 9×19
Capacity: 15+1
Overall length: 7.96"
Width: 1.35"
Height without magazine: 5.24"
Barrel length: 4.25"
Weight w empty magazine: 28.57oz
Weight w/o magazine: 25.47oz
Included optics plate patterns:
Vortex Venom/DocterNoblex/MeoRed 30
Trijicon RMR
CMORE STS2
Shield SMS
Price as of date written (click link for current pricing): $592.99 from importer Global Ordnance
In the Kit:
Manual
Bore Brush
3 magazines
4 total backstraps
4 optics plates with hardware
2 additional front sights of different heights
I admit that while I certainly have enjoyed many striker-fired guns, I typically prefer hammer-fired. It's my theory that the energy required to arm the main spring of a hammer gun helps decelerate the slide for less recoil. It's also hard to deny that typically a hammer-fired trigger is crisper, but the Q100 Mk23 had me curious, especially with the new action type and recoil assembly.
To be fair to both myself and viewers, The Q100 Mk23 was subjected to the same range protocol all handguns have been on the channel; creating a benchmark that does not allow personal bias in narration or editing of the footage. The standard GBGuns range protocol is:
Cold Shots: Truly the first rounds through the gun. No warm up, no practice.
Full Magazine +1: Suprisingly some modern guns still struggle with this. It's a test of how much play is in the magazine as well as how the slide cycles with pressure. This is also when I do my best to learn the trigger.
What's For Dinner™: A test to see what ammunition the gun will eat. Does the gun feed the round from slide lock, will it cycle and feed another round of the same type, does the slide lock to the rear on empty, and is there any notable point of impact change with different loads.
For this gun we used the following ammunition:
Priced and linked where found at the time this article was written
65gr Norma Frangible
110gr Koenig JHP $23.49 / 50 at Optics Planet
115gr Sig Elite Defense V-Crown $19.99 / 20 at Sig
115gr Fort Scott Munitions TUI $28.24 / 20 at Palmetto State Armory
115gr Winchester Silver Tip $19.49 / 20 at Optics Planet
115gr Blazer Aluminum-cased FMJ $11.99 / 50 at True Shot
115gr PPU Defense Line JHP $21.15 / 50 at Global Ordnance
124gr Federal Premium Tactical HST $39.99 / 50 at Target Sports USA
135gr Federal Premium Hydra Shok Deep $36.99 / 20 direct from Federal
147gr Speer Lawman TMJ $18.35 / 50 at Global Ordnance
Range Ammo was Sterling 115gr FMJ $299 / 1000 from Global Ordnance
Sights & Trigger Control: on a 6" spinner target at a distance of 12 yards. We got this from Titan Great Outdoors and use it to gauge how learnable the trigger is and usable the sights are for forced, timed, precise shots.
Practical Accuracy: Five shots from a distance of seven yards at a one inch target. This isn't so much about printing a tight group as it is a culmination of our shooting experience and time for us to collect thoughts prior to making a conclusion.
After Shots: Final impressions and reflections from the range session.
The entire process for the Grand Power Mk23 K100 can be seen in the Shooting Impressions video below.
Ammunition seen in our Shooting Impressions video was made possible by our Patrons and supporters of our ammunition savings account through Ammo Squared.
When filming the range video I forgot to show my trick for easily removing and replacing the slide on Grand Power pistols, so I made this short video for those who'd like help.
The Q100 Mk23 impressed me more than I was expecting. I admit to being a fan of Grand Power handguns, but this one really got my attention. Between the recoil impulse, enhanced traction, and that trigger system it was simply easy to shoot and easy to shoot well. As you saw in the Shooting Impressions video I got borderline sloppy with my shots during What's For Dinner and the gun still grouped well. The Spinner Target was easy, everything about running the gun was pleasant and easy!
That range experience caused a bit of a paradigm shift for me. As a hammer-fired guy I'd always loved the K100, but I think the Q100 Mk23 might be the winner for me between those two. Both guns need more range time, and I look forward to the "excuse" to shoot both of them again. Setting my personal favoritism aside, I highly recommend trying a Q100 Mk23.
I too have a question. Is this the only GP that has an optic cut.? And do they offer any models with 10 round mag options? I can't order ANY of their guns ,it seems they don't offer any with 10 round mags. Have you ever asked them why they ignore 25% of the USA for sales ?
Quick question, are their other mags that fit the Grand Powers 9mm line, thank you