Browning Buck Mark Hunter vs. Ruger 22/45?

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All .22s have reliability issues. In the case of the buckmark and mark iii, it's usually the ammo, not the gun. The .22 just doesn't lend itself to reliable feeding the way center fire guns do.

Honestly, pick whichever is most comfortable to you, they're both great guns.
 
All .22s have reliability issues. In the case of the buckmark and mark iii, it's usually the ammo, not the gun. The .22 just doesn't lend itself to reliable feeding the way center fire guns do.

Honestly, pick whichever is most comfortable to you, they're both great guns.
My Ruger MK II's do not have feeding issues. Using Federal 550 bulk, Automatch and CCI Minimags they are very reliable. I would imagine the Buckmark is the same, especially with the CCI's.
 
Can't comment on the Ruger except to say my new Buckmark feels better to me than the Ruger.

I just did a little range report http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=722872&highlight=browning+buckmark and found the Buckmark fed, fired, and ejected perfectly everything I fed it. This included Federal bulk, CCI Mini Mags, CCI standard velocity, and Remington HV solids (Thunderbolts).

After reading of the many troubles with Sigs, Berettas, and Walther .22's, I'm very happy to have a trouble free pistol.
 
A bit late to the discusion. Has the OP bought his gun yet?

The Browning seems to have far more advantages for me in addition to better grips:

* Longer sight radius. - Marginally (~1/2 inch?).

* Larger physical size (I have big hands.) - Haven't actually compared, but the MkIII fits my larger than average hands okay.

* All metal construction. - My MkIII Competition is all metal. The Hunter model is, too.

* Easier field strip. - Okay, no argument there! It does generally get easier with practice, though.

* Fiber optic sights. - The MkIII Hunter has FO sights, too.

* Ready to go should I want to mount a red dot. - AFAIK, all MkIII's come predrilled with a factory scope rail included.

* Better trigger. Probably, although my own MkIII isn't bad out of the box.

FWIW The Ruger Hunter is priced at $679.00.
I don't recall what the MSRP was at the time, but last fall I bought a MkIII Competition (currently MSRP $20 less than the Hunter) for less than $475 OTD so there are deals to be found.

To top it all, the Ruger WILL NOT feed standard velocity ammo. Worse even, it dent's the case, so that it won't even chamber, and that's just unacceptable.
Sounds like this may be a problem with your gun? My MkIII works just fine with CCI SV ammo.

Someone mentioned the Ruger MKIII hunter/comp has a great sight....

I would argue it has one of the worst. That V is terrible. What other gun has a V sight?
Actually, the Competition and Target models have square notch rear sights. The Hunter does have a v notch, but it has a FO front sight, which IMO isn't suited for the finest target accuracy anyway so I don't mind the FO/v-notch combo, myself (YMMV). If it does bug you, swapping the Hunter rear sight for the Competition/Target rear sight would be easy enough, or just use a red-dot or scope. Or just buy the Competition or Target model to start with! No one says you can't hunt with them, too.

Still, the Buck Mark Hunter is a great gun, and its not like he can go wrong with it if the OP likes the Browning better. ;)
 
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I was given a Ruger MKIII 22/45 for my birthday last year and it is without a doubt my favorite handgun I currently or have ever owned. Mine is the bare bones model; 5.5 inch barrel, target sites, fixed grips. The only modification I've made is adding a HiViz front site, which cost around $30 off amazon. I was surprised to read so many complaints about...

Reliability - Mine feeds anything. I've gone through 1000's of the Remi gold bullets and I just finished a large zip lock freezer bag of mixed ammo of unknown age or origin. Other than primer issues, hardly any mis feeds.

Trigger - After a year of use the trigger is great. For someone like who does not compete, I'm not sure i require much more out of it. The trigger makes it easy to shoot the pistol fast and accurately.

Accuracy - For how I like to shoot, no rest and inside of 25 yards, the Ruger is great in the accuracy department. I'm sure that on a rest or in more capable hands, it's a tack driver.

Ergonomics - I was given the Ruger as a surprise and had never held before I was holding my own. I will admit that the grip felt a bit narrow to me but once I familiarized myself with it, I had no issues.

Controls - I'm a lefty so nothing is ever in have right place. I'd love it if the pistol could sling shot but its not for defense or competition so I'm not worried about.

I love my Ruger and I'm sure I'd like a Buckmark just the same. Maybe I'll get one of those next. Until then, this one is my favorite...

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I bought a used S&W Model 41 with a 6 7/8" barrel for two reasons. First, it was a terrific deal. Second, the Browning Buck Mark Hunter is not on the approved handgun roster for California -- something that most here won't have to worry about.

As a consequence I have to meticulously maintain the Model 41 (even during the midst of a match) and I cannot run just any ammo in it. So far it has been pretty darned reliable but it's still not a common .22 pistol for Steel Challenge because it's not as reliable as the Ruger or likely the Browning.

I might bring a Browning Hunter into CA via the "single shot exemption" (long story) if the Model 41 begins to falter. There is absolutely no question that I would choose it over a Ruger 22/45.
 
All .22s have reliability issues. In the case of the buckmark and mark iii, it's usually the ammo, not the gun. The .22 just doesn't lend itself to reliable feeding the way center fire guns do.

Honestly, pick whichever is most comfortable to you, they're both great guns.

Some more than others. The Rugers (MK X and 22/45), the Volquartsen Ruger upgrades and the Brownings seem to be more reliable than any other .22 pistol.
 
Bought a MkIII 22/45 in 07 for my son. It was the base model with a bull barrel. It was stolen in 2011. I bought a Buck Mark Camper base model to replace the Ruger and like it much better. It seems to be more accurate than the 22/45 was but that may be b/c the trigger on the Browning is so much better. If I were going to be shooting competition and tricking a pistol out, I would lean towards a Ruger. For a pistol to shoot right out of the box with no mods it is definitely a Buck Mark. With stock sights it is deadly on rabbits and squirrels out to 25 yards.
 
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