Grand Power Q1 MK23 & P1 MK23 – Another Way

Despite its non-Slovak name, Grand Power is a reputable Slovak manufacturer with over 20 years of experience, having been active since 1996, when it obtained its first patents. The first functional prototype was completed in 1997, and the K100 model was introduced to the market in 2002. The company supplies gear to institutional clients, specializing in the design and manufacturing of firearms. It also produces components and accessories, such as suppressors. Grand Power is known internationally, including in the U.S. market, where it exports around 95% of its production. Its popular models include the K100, X‑Calibur, and the Stribog series, the latter even considered by the U.S. Armed Forces. The company is particularly known for its use of rotary barrel locking systems.

Enough about the producer. At first glance, these pistols are, frankly, beautiful. I don’t like to refer to weapons in such way because I think that firearms should be effective, but these two guns really have something special going for them.

Admittedly, the cases they come in are quite generic… You can’t tell if it’s a drill, a driver, or a handgun 🙂 If you’re the type to judge a book by its cover, you can stop reading right here 😉

“Spy briefcase” setup with the GP P1 MK 23

Q1 and P1 sets, respectively

Inside the cases, you’ll find several backstrap inserts that allow for grip size adjustment – a common standard, but in those pistols, the default grip fit perfectly and didn’t require swapping.

So what do the numbers and technical specs look like when it comes to the MK23 brothers? Both pistols are chambered in 9×19 mm Parabellum, and both take 15-round magazines. They also come in the same color, and here’s a quote from the internet that I really liked: “Classic black, giving the weapon a modern, professional look.” Instant style points for that.

Weighing of Q1

Weighing of P1

Since the dimensions of both Grand Powers are similar, here is a comparison of the hammerless Q1 with the Glock 45:

Someone used copy-paste and then made it prettier

Which one looks better? I leave it to your discretion.

So, let’s take a closer look. Starting with a top-down view of the slides on both pistols. As you can see, both are factory-prepared for mounting optics.

An interesting picture emerges when we take a look beneath the slide and inside the frame. It turns out that the engineers at Grand Power have implemented a unique operating system for the pistol after a shot is fired. The barrel is locked using a rotating mechanism. This mechanism works by having a lug inside the slide that fits into grooves in the barrel, guiding its motion during the firing cycle. And those grooves in the barrel strongly remind me of the bolt carrier and bolt rotation system we know from the AK’s piston group 🙂 It’s an intriguing solution that reduces recoil and muzzle rise, allowing for high-speed and accurate shooting – the pistol snaps back on target almost instantly.

While we’re in this part of the pistol, let’s take a look and compare the rear sections of both frames with the slides removed. You can see similarities in the frame construction, but also some differences due to the hammer-fired system in the GP P1 MK23.

The surface finish of the pistol is of very high quality. The deep serrations on the slide ensure a secure grip and easy manipulation. Whether it’s racking the slide or performing a press check, everything feels smooth and effortless. The pistol is also equipped with a standard accessory rail for mounting a flashlight or laser sight.

Close-up of the pistol’s finish – slide serrations, frame texture, and accessory rail, shown on the Q1

As for the magazines, they’re made of metal and are of the same high quality as the rest of the pistol. Two are included in the set. The followers are in a bright, eye-catching color, so it’s hard to miss whether there’s ammo inside – no need to guess 🙂 Of course, they can be disassembled in case they fall into mud or dirt. They also have inspection holes, but no one thought to include numbers indicating the amount of ammo inside. Each mag holds a maximum of 15 rounds, and there are three holes – I’ll leave the math to you.

Close-up of the magazine construction – plus a little math riddle 🙂

When examining the rear of both slides, we obtain slightly different views. The sights (rear notches) are the same, a simple two-dot setup, but on the P1, you can see the hammer, and on the Q1, the rear portion of the striker when it’s cocked.

Rear view of the GP P1 MK23 slide

As for the same area on the Q1, a very sensible feature in my opinion is the addition of a small port that indicates the tension status of the striker spring.

Rear view of the GP Q1 MK23 slide

A delightful surprise comes when viewing both sides of the pistols; all the controls are fully ambidextrous, so you don’t need to adjust anything. Both the slide release and magazine release are mirrored. In the P1, there’s also a decocker; all are easily accessible, intuitively placed, and well-sized.

Grand Power MK23 ambidextrous features in all their glory

The triggers on both pistols operate smoothly and fluidly. Of course, it’s hard to compare them directly, since the Q1 has a flat-faced trigger that feels pleasant and soft, yet with noticeable resistance. The reset is short, and you’re ready for the next shot. Personally, I preferred this one; I also achieved better results on target with it. In the P1, being hammer-fired, you get both Single Action and Double Action modes. Both work as they should, and the slightly curved trigger helps when shooting in either mode.

The grip, thanks to the frame’s texture and shape, is comfortable and secure. I didn’t feel the need to swap out the backstraps; the out-of-the-box fit worked perfectly for me in both pistols. Due to their compact size, the pistols practically “disappear” in your hands, which definitely makes them a strong option for everyday carry.

And the actual shooting experience with both pistols is quite something. Very mild recoil and muzzle rise, and surprisingly quick return to target. Granted, some of that depends on the shooter’s average skills, I gave it a solid 30% of my potential 😉 But in all seriousness, the locking mechanism and the overall smoothness of the operating system really shine here.

They fit like gloves 🙂

To sum up and return to the questions posed at the beginning of this “essay” – yes, it is still possible to create something interesting that takes the form of a polymer-framed pistol with a metal slide; yes, it can look good; and yes, it can shoot well.

Is it better to just go with a Glock, as usual? I have my doubts, because the MK23-series Grand Powers, and in my opinion, especially the Q1, are definitely worth considering. The Q1 is somewhat close to a Glock in terms of overall shape, but that trigger really won me over. So today, if I were standing at a gun shop counter with an available slot on my permit for another gun and cash in hand, I wouldn’t be so sure that I’d walk away with a Glock. That said, both pistols from the Grand Power MK23 line, the Q1 and the P1, come highly recommended.

Special thanks to Incorsa for providing the Grand Power Q1 MK23 and P1 MK23 pistols for testing.

Sponsored collaboration. Product testing is conducted independently, and all opinions are solely those of the author. The sponsor has no influence over the content of the review.