Buckmark plastic rear sight base cracked

[Prince Yamato]

Most of the time, when I hear about product mishaps on gun forums, I figure the user is to blame. For instance the ever present "rumor" that Browning plastic rear sight bases crack. Well, every once and awhile, the Internet is right. I was cleaning my buckmark today and this happened.

I have a tac-sol rail to replace it, thankfully, but I preferred the original iron sights.

 

[marb4]

You should be able to order a replacement from somewhere like Midway or Brownell's pretty inexpensive.

 

[Greg528iT]

Put the rail on, then a red dot sight.

 

[Prince Yamato]

I had a problem with the tac sol rear sight leaf shifting during shooting; I switched back to the original sight base. I guess i drew the lot on murphy's law this time- the original base cracked. I went back to the tac sol base. I decided this time to loc-tite the windage screw (which is not click adjustable). I'll take it out tomorrow and see if it holds up.

 

[Magoo]

If the TacSol gives you any grief this go 'round, don't hesitate to give them a call. My experience with their customer service was very good. It was a kind of "hold on a second while I ask 'David' real quick", then "Oh okay, give me your address and we'll get a few bits headed your way" kind of personal service.

 

[danez71]

Hmmmm... I judt bought one but havent shot it yet and might not have time for several months. Its one of those childhood wants.


Browning has the same thing in metal on the higher end models. I think they were around $50-$60 and the plastic version is around $8-$12.

Id try calling Browning and see if they'll reduce the metal version by $8-$12 if you send them a pic.

I may just buy the metal version now along with a 4" barrel just to play with.

 

[ZeSpectre]

If you do decide to put a rail on it, get the one from Weigand, not the B-Square one. I have both on different pistols and the Weigand one is better. I had to "shim" the B-Square to get proper function.

 

[Prince Yamato]

You have to buy the complete set of sight base and rear sight for ~$75. The sights on the plastic base don't fit the metal one, hence why I went with the tacsol integral rail.

I'm actually kind of shocked that the plastic is that poor of quality. I figured people were either tightening their screws like a gorilla or purposely breaking their sight bases so they could find an excuse to tell their wives why they were going to need a couple hundred more bucks for a rail and aimpoint.

 

[Prince Yamato]

I have to add, I already have the integral tacsol rail, it's just that the rear sight has a non-lockable loose windage screw. That's why I went back to the factory base. Now, that's broken.

I investigated the tacsol windage screw and found that it is not click locked like the browning factory one. I added loc-tite to it, I'm going to run a couple hundred rounds through it tomorrow and see what happens.

 

[danez71]

You have to buy the complete set of sight base and rear sight for ~$75. The sights on the plastic base don't fit the metal one, hence why I went with the tacsol integral rail.

I may not have price it right. I'm a rookie with the Buckmarks. Maybe... probably.. I just priced the base and not the rear sight for it assuming it came together.

Heres some older ino with prices and part numbers. (just over $60 minus shipping)
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=200875

I'm actually kind of shocked that the plastic is that poor of quality. I figured people were either tightening their screws like a gorilla or purposely breaking their sight bases so they could find an excuse to tell their wives why they were going to need a couple hundred more bucks for a rail and aimpoint.

Thats what I was hoping for too.


Not meaning to thread jack.... isnt there a sight base with an integrated rail?
Is that the tacsol you mentioned?

 

[minutemen1776]

It happened to me, too. My Camper's rear sight base cracked, and I never even loosened or tightened the screws. I just went ahead and replaced the sight base with a metal one, and then replaced the rear sight as well, since the original Camper rear sight won't work with the metal sight base. I sold my original rear sight on Gunbroker and recouped some of the money, but it still cost a net of about $50 to fix something that never should have broke in the first place. At least it now works, and I love my stainless Buck Mark Camper once again!

 

[triplebike]

It is a problem with the Buckmark. If you call Browning they will replace it at no charge. They are aware that the plastic base sucks. I'm on my 3rd one right now all replaced at no charge.

 

[Prince Yamato]

...and I fixed it.

Loc-tite on the tac sol rear windage screw makes everything better. I ran about 120 rounds at that particular target. I moved the elevation screw to its lowest point and it still shoots a little high (it basically has a Glock 26 sight picture now) my poi is above the three dots - or in the buckmark's case, above the sights when I line them up . I guess I can always use this as an excuse for getting a higher front sight... Or a Docter Optic.

 

[tt5]

sight base swap

Last year put on a new barrel, metal sight base, and some fiber optic sights. this RFC thread shows all the parts (part numbers) I had to replace. You can order all the parts from Browning.
Whether or not you can swap the old sight blade to the new hardware, i can't say. I went aftermarket.

 

[Smithkowitz]

No Longer Available in Plastic

I have a 2009 Buckmark Practical with the plastic base, which I too just discovered was cracked. Browning apparently realized this was a flawed design and no longer markets a replacement in plastic. It is a rather expensive replacement (since you need a new rear sight assy too), especially if you order from certain sources. I went direct to Browning and was offered a reasonable deal (over $30 less than some sources!). Buying parts direct from Browning is a great experience in my opinion; Fast, Friendly and reasonable shipping costs. MGW seems to be the closest thing to Browning with regard to pricing and service from my real world experience. The Buckmark is an absolutely fabulous pistol to stay in practice with and Browning is an excellent company to work with.