Browning Buckmark..HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Trumpet]

Alright,
So I just got my new Buckmark Target 5.5 yesterday and it shoots wonderfully. Well, today I thought I should take it down and clean, lubricate before I do any more shooting. Now, the target model has the sight shrouds on it, of which the rear one must be removed for disassembly. I followed the directions in the manual to the "T" and ended up putting some nice big scratches in my slide from the damn shroud . Wasn't sure whether I should poop myself, cry, vomit or all of the above. I'm pissed at myself and Browning for being unclear on the removal of it. Now the problem is, how do I get it back on without doing more damage?

HELP!!!

Rich

 

[Feldhege]

Hey I feel your pain. I have not yet found a way to remove them without causing a lots of very colorful words comming out. All I can do is pry them open enough for them to pop off and do the same thing to put them back on. It is a pain to use them, but the gun shoots so nice that I put up with that little problem.

I put a giant scratch on the side of the barrel when my Taget model fell off the door of my gun safe. That was a day I will never forget.

 

[MrAcheson]

Guns get scratched. Swear for a while and then forget about it. Its like car doors getting dinged or windshields cracking. It'll happen eventually, but it sucks when it does.

 

[halvey]

I wouldn't worry about scratching a sub $300 gun. My Buckmark is all scratched up and it still shoots straight.

 

[Trumpet]

Yes,
Scratches happen, but they should come from use, NOT a routine field strip! Apparently, on some other boards, I found out that this is a reality of ownership of a Buckmark Target. Sorta like "Garand thumb", it's gonna happen.

Halvey,
I'd agree with you but the Buckmark Target is their "high end" model (adjustable trigger, full length rail etc) and retails for over $400.

Any ideas of what I could use to "spread" the shroud so I can put it back on?

Rich

 

[Trumpet]

Well,
I called Browning today. I told 'em about the situation and initially the guy on the other line said "well, just don't take the shroud off". Then I explained that you HAVE to, to disassemble it. I asked to speak to a 'smith to ask how they manage to remove/attach 'em without marking it up. "They don't take calls, but if you hold on, I'll ask 'em". The smith recommends and uses a snap ring spreader. I then mentioned that this problem seems to be an exremely common one with Buckmark "target" owners, and that it would be very simple to mention it in the manual. He told me that they have fights with the manual writers every day about these kind of things . He said I could send it in for refinishing (he didn't say whether it would cost me anything or not) but it would take 6-8 weeks. I think I'll pass on the refinishing and just touch it up. What should I use to touch it up? In the meantime, I guess I gotta find me a snap ring spreader......sigh.


Rich

 

[Black Snowman]

I ditched my shrouds for a dot sight, which I have to remove to clean it, but it doesn't leave as noticable of marks and returns to 0 just fine. When I was using them I would spread them by grabbing one side with a pliars protected with cloth and lift it up and over. Mine has the rail in satin nickel which makes blemishes a lot less noticable but it chipped of the frame where the slide rode very quickly.

It's still a fairly petty gun but the shrouds and the rail are a PITA. I rarely break mine down completely anymore. Good shot of Gun Scrubber or similar product then lube with oil and it stays clean and runs like a champ. I break it down about once a year now.

 

[cstuard]

Had the same problem w/ my Buckmark Varminter. Got the shrouds off,and realized this would always be an accident waiting to happen. So I spread them as far as I could to try to weaken the tension.Now they aren't as tight and I just slide them forward or back as needed.That way I just polish the finish of the edge of the rail but no big scratches. When it bugs me enough I touch it up. Good luck!