Mark II or Buckmark

[Quincy12]

I would to get the 22 for target shooting. I am down to one of these two. This is for casual bullseye, at least for now. If I get better, I may try competing. Buckmark would be a UDX with laminated grips and a 5 1/2" slab barrel. The Ruger would be similar, but definitely a Mark II. I am asking which would be more accurate, in factory condition and which has the better trigger out of the box. It appears that the Ruger has far more aftermarket options, but the Buckmark also seems to have quite a few. Thoughts?

 

[RovinOn]

I have both, I seem to like the Buckmark better. It's easier to take down and clean.

 

[jhb]

typically buckmark is equal in accuracy to ruger and as mentioned already easier to field disassemble and assemble.

both fine target pistols though, id say buy the one you like better in your hand.

 

[Milt1]

I have both, I seem to like the Buckmark better. It's easier to take down and clean.

Me to, I have both as well. To get the Ruger to shoot well I installed adjustable rear sights and a aftermarket ejector as the factory ejector was terrible. I don't remember if I did anything to the trigger but that little semi-auto will shoot. I shot a five shot group from a hand rest at 25 yards that measured just slightly under an inch. The Browning is much smoother than the Ruger. It has an excellent trigger and is just as accurate if not more so than the Ruger. I haven't had to do any upgrades to the Browning. As RovinOn said the Browning is easier to clean. I like both of them!

 

[bannockburn]

I have always been a big fan of the Ruger Mk.II, especially the Model 512 with the bull barrel. Have tried the Browning Buckmark and think you would do well with either one. Go with the model that feels the best to you.

 

[SwampWolf]

I am a long time Bullseye competitor and have used a Ruger (along with a S&W Model 41) for a long time. Having never used one, I can't speak for the Browning Buckmark (though I have used an older Medalist with great satisfaction and everything I hear about the Buckmark has been good), but I consider the Ruger MKII the most affordable .22 auto target pistol that comes with accuracy, reliability and a decent trigger straight out of the box. I currently shoot with a MKII "Government" model, my favorite Ruger .22 auto ever.

If ease of reassembly is an issue (and the Rugers are tricky for most of us), the new MKIV edition reportedly makes it much easier to put Humpty back together again. Long ago, though, I learned that most routine cleaning of a Ruger .22 auto can be accomplished without field-stripping the pistol.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I love the Ruger MK pistols and have several. I find takedown to be simple. Once you realize the angle angle of the dangle of the hammer strut in relation to putting the mainspring back in, you will have no issues.

 

[Tallball]

I have a Buck Mark. My shooting buddy has a Mk II. It's win-win. They are both excellent pistols.

I would personally buy the one I could get the best deal on in the version I preferred. I got a plain jane Buck Mark barely used for $300.

 

[Cannibul]

I've got around half a dozen Ruger Mk II pistols, two Ruger Mk III 22/45 pistols and two Buckmarks.

I had been looking for a Mk II with a 10" barrel for a while. Didn't want to spend $600 or more that they seem to bring on GB. During the hunt I ran across two Buckmarks with 10" barrels. One Varmiteer and one Shilloutte. I picked them both up for under $300 apiece.

Finally found my Ruger for $375.

I much prefer the Rugers. I even purchased a TacSol upper for the Buckmark and still prefer the Rugers.

 

[Hookeye]

Buckmark target models have adj sear and trigger overtravel.
Standard models do not.
Head on over to Rimfirecentral.com and check out how to slick up a standard (think you flip a spring around to help trigger).
I'd like a target model, with the slab sided field bbl swapped.
Have had the Ruger Mk1 and 11 target models. Liked em too.
Liked my High Standard better than any of them (and it was just a 103 Sharpshooter- but the trigger was excellent, better than my dad's Smith 41).

Buckmark varmint r silhouette models bring over $500 nowadays used.
Pops just got rid of a 14".........it went quickly too.

 

[powwowell]

I've owned several Ruger MK pistols, of different flavors. I still have a much loved MKII. I've only purchased one Buckmark. It is my favorite .22 auto pistol. Did the Hegis spring flip and it's now quite a shooter. Grip angle is perfect. Five 1/2" inch barrel. Added Williams FireSights. It "don't get no better than this".

 

[DMK]

I have family members that have both the Buckmark and the Ruger 22/45 (which is functionally the same as the MKII) and have extensively borrowed, shot and cleaned both guns. I found the 22/45 to a much more robust gun. It feels like better quality and, in my hands it shoots better. The 22/45 seems like it has a weird re-assembly procedure at first, but it's not hard to get the hang of. No more difficult than getting my Mossberg 500 back together.

Side by side, the Buckmark just doesn't impress me. I wouldn't buy one. If I was to purchase one of my own, I'd get the Ruger for sure.

 

[kBob]

Just a quick question......which military academy or college teams ever bought buck marks?

Just curious.

-kBob

 

[Decoy80]

I have an old Mark II target model and have to intend to miss with it. I have a newer 22/45 and cant hit with it trying. I had a buddy run a couple of magazines through it and its not the pistol, its me. I suppose im getting old and blind and im really just pointing the old one and hitting with it. Having shot ( years ago ) a Buckmark of a friends and being proficent with my Mark II it was a nice piece but not the one for me. If possible at all run some ammo through them both. Then you will be satisfied with the one you buy. If playing for keeps dont let a few bucks decide for you.

 

[berettaprofessor]

I have both. I am more accurate with the Buckmark. I should note that both are stock and have not been optimized (i.e. the Ruger has more upgrades such as trigger changes).

 

[bannockburn]

Cannibul

A little of topic but TacSol makes some very nice uppers for both the Rugers and the Browning .22s (among a lot of other things). I have one of their 1911 .22 conversion kits on an old Essex frame I assembled and the quality of the TacSol unit is first rate.

 

[RainDodger]

I've had a Buck Mark for about 15 years... I rarely shoot it... only because it's boringly accurate and always works! It really is a very nice .22.

 

[Cannibul]

Buckmark target models have adj sear and trigger overtravel.
Standard models do not.
Head on over to Rimfirecentral.com and check out how to slick up a standard (think you flip a spring around to help trigger).
I'd like a target model, with the slab sided field bbl swapped.
Have had the Ruger Mk1 and 11 target models. Liked em too.
Liked my High Standard better than any of them (and it was just a 103 Sharpshooter- but the trigger was excellent, better than my dad's Smith 41).

Buckmark varmint r silhouette models bring over $500 nowadays used.
Pops just got rid of a 14".........it went quickly too.

There was a 14" on GB a while back. It went for over $1100 if I remember correctly.

 

[czhen]

I have both on 5.5 " love them all. They travel together to the range, both factory issue no mods, if the Buckmark had a little thinner grips, would go alone. They shot with same accuracy head to head may be a difference with any ammo they like, but almost no difference.

 

[czhen]

Cannibul

A little of topic but TacSol makes some very nice uppers for both the Rugers and the Browning .22s (among a lot of other things). I have one of their 1911 .22 conversion kits on an old Essex frame I assembled and the quality of the TacSol unit is first rate.

Nice pistol Bann, how it shot.
I did not know that Tacsol has a kit now, I was playing with ideas of a Nelson kit.

 

[Yo Mama]

I would to get the 22 for target shooting. I am down to one of these two. This is for casual bullseye, at least for now. If I get better, I may try competing. Buckmark would be a UDX with laminated grips and a 5 1/2" slab barrel. The Ruger would be similar, but definitely a Mark II. I am asking which would be more accurate, in factory condition and which has the better trigger out of the box. It appears that the Ruger has far more aftermarket options, but the Buckmark also seems to have quite a few. Thoughts?

I know this wasn't on your list, but I was recently deciding between both models you are looking at, and instead went with a Smith & Wesson Victory, and really happy I did. It's sooooooooooo much easier to take apart than either the MKII or Buckmark, and it has standard fiber optic sights which help me get a sight picture quicker. I've only shot a few magazines out of it so far, but I'm pleased.

 

[tuckerdog1]

Have two MKIIs. The blued target is my wife's favorite of all my guns. Both it & the slabside are stupid accurate. Cannot speak with any authority on the Buckmark. A friend had one, and it didn't come close to the Rugers for accuracy. But every gun is different, and based on other posts here, the Browning must be a good shooter, and my friend may have bought a lemon.

 

[bannockburn]

czhen

The TacSol unit is very nice, well made and overall a first rate conversion assembly. Originally looked at getting a Marvel conversion kit but they were always out of stock; same with the Advantage Arms unit.

 

[AlexanderA]

I'm not familiar with the Buckmark, but I can tell you about the Ruger Mark series.

The Mark II is good, but it needs a little trigger work to become a serious target pistol. The factory trigger pull is too heavy. I corrected this by installing a Clark trigger and Volquartsen sear.

Strangely, my Mark I had a good trigger pull right out of the box. But the Mark I is obsolete in other ways.

The Mark III, besides the heavy trigger pull, had the pesky loaded chamber indicator and the magazine disconnector. Once you remove these things it's good.

The new Mark IV is by far the best of the lot, provided you make a few modifications. Out of the box, the trigger pull is unacceptable. The magazine disconnector has to go. I substituted a Mark II hammer, a Volquartsen sear, and a Clark trigger.

 

[tuj]

If you want to tinker, the MKIII. If not, the Buckmark. The Buckmark has a better trigger stock. The MKIII can be made to have a better trigger than the Buckmark with VQ parts and removal of the mag safety and replacement of the bushing. There are also more grips available for the MKIII, and mags are cheap and plentiful. The takedown of the MKIII is not that easy, I will admit, and sometimes even requires a mallet to separate the upper. The Buckmark is better for cleaning.

Both guns will outshoot you so accuracy is not an issue.