Just for the record I'd do the mods to the MkIII if I owned one. That would make it about the same quality as the Buckmark IMO. But I would prefer the MkII with the 10" barrel if I could find one. Any MkII is a good choice. Buckmarks are excellent as well. The MkIII can be great too with a couple of anti-lawyer modifications.
Ruger MK III or Browning Buckmark for traget use?
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Jlr2267
Member
IMO they are both great .22 pistols. If I was going to buy brand new I would probably get a Buckmark.
However I have a long way to go to wear out my Ruger Mark 1 that I bought new in the early 70s. I did recently replace the grips on it with some Hogue I got from Miday.
Nice ammo...I mean...pistol
rockhound758
Member
I agree that you probably can't go wrong with either pistol. I've had a stainless MK II bull barrel for 20+ years and it's been a nail driver from Day 1. I love it. I can't speak for the Mk. IIIs but I'm not a fan of their looks. I'd say it's almost totally a personal choice; pick which one resonates with you the most--the one you just like holding the most!
MinnesotaFats
Member
Since the bases have been pretty much covered, if you go the red dot route then check out the bushnell trs-25. i have one on my 22/45 5.5 bull barrel and its a great little red dot for the price imo.
Just for the record I'd do the mods to the MkIII if I owned one. That would make it about the same quality as the Buckmark IMO. But I would prefer the MkII with the 10" barrel if I could find one. Any MkII is a good choice. Buckmarks are excellent as well. The MkIII can be great too with a couple of anti-lawyer modifications.
Gunslinger One
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Mark III Definitely!
ChairborneRanger
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I have both a Ruger Mark III and a Browning Buckmark. If your intent is target shooting, go with the Ruger. Yes, you'll have to do the LCI, bushing and Volquartsen sear upgrades, but after that you're "home free." The Ruger is a much more substantial gun than the Buckmark----heavier duty and more of a target gun----not a fun plinker held together by hex-head screws.
I have the Ruger Mk 2 with bullbarrel for 19 yrs now. It has given me so much fun with around 25 000 rds into it. It was priced $300 plus tax when i got it .
The new Ruger 22/45 i got last yr was okey. I like the grip angle but the trigger feels cheap and cheesy. I do need a third mag on it. It was also quite accurate.
The new Ruger 22/45 i got last yr was okey. I like the grip angle but the trigger feels cheap and cheesy. I do need a third mag on it. It was also quite accurate.
Confederate
Member
Don't underrate the Ruger Mark III because of the lawyer stuff. It is far more rugged than the Buck Mark. In South Africa, when they knew an embargo was coming, everyone bought Ruger .22lr autos. They knew that parts would be difficult to impossible to get, so they went for the guns that wouldn't need parts replacements. The Security-Six revolvers also were very popular.
The Rugers beat out the gorgeous Buck forged autos years ago because they just couldn't compete. The Rugers also are, I think, more reliable. Still, I wish I hadn't sold my Bucks. Again, a forged frame, beautiful bluing and polished wood grips. They won every time in beauty contests!
The Rugers beat out the gorgeous Buck forged autos years ago because they just couldn't compete. The Rugers also are, I think, more reliable. Still, I wish I hadn't sold my Bucks. Again, a forged frame, beautiful bluing and polished wood grips. They won every time in beauty contests!
I have always liked the Ruger design and have no trouble dis/re-assembling them. I went "off" the Buckmark years ago when a friend bought one, took it down for cleaning and promptly lost the screws, putting the gun out of business for a couple of months. (They apparently sold the guns without a parts system in place.)
True, lost parts could happen to any gun, but the Ruger parts removed for normal cleaning are big and not as likely to go missing.
Jim
True, lost parts could happen to any gun, but the Ruger parts removed for normal cleaning are big and not as likely to go missing.
Jim
toivo
Member
You can buy the Buck Mark assembly screws at Brownell's. Place an order online or on the phone and you'll have them within a week.
RussB
Member
You wouldn't buy a gun because your careless friend lost parts when he dis-assembled it? Then he couldn't source parts...?
whatever...
No. It's because he also had alternatives which he liked as much or better in other important aspects. So what's the big deal? If all else were equal - to him - then that makes perfect sense. If there's something you like a lot better about the Buckmark, then go ahead and spill the beans!
I like the fact that there are no screws to remove in a 1911 (other than the grip panels) or a Glock or any number of firearms. I don't like screws that can strip or come loose or get lost, let alone the need for a particular sized hex head or other bit simply to clean the gun. I store all the tools/drivers I need to maintain my Savage, for instance, in the rifle case; whereas, I have another rifle that doesn't need any of that nonsense, and I like that! But that's not the only reason I have a 1911 or a Glock or a Ruger Mk.
True, it helps to have a screwdriver to use as a pry bar to take apart a tight Mk! I am also annoyed when you take a gun apart and stuff flies out. I seem to forget that the extractor spring on a Glock will shoot across the room if you don't put your finger over it!
I wonder why the SW 22A doesn't get any love? A short, light 22A might be my next purchase.
I like the fact that there are no screws to remove in a 1911 (other than the grip panels) or a Glock or any number of firearms. I don't like screws that can strip or come loose or get lost, let alone the need for a particular sized hex head or other bit simply to clean the gun. I store all the tools/drivers I need to maintain my Savage, for instance, in the rifle case; whereas, I have another rifle that doesn't need any of that nonsense, and I like that! But that's not the only reason I have a 1911 or a Glock or a Ruger Mk.
True, it helps to have a screwdriver to use as a pry bar to take apart a tight Mk! I am also annoyed when you take a gun apart and stuff flies out. I seem to forget that the extractor spring on a Glock will shoot across the room if you don't put your finger over it!
I wonder why the SW 22A doesn't get any love? A short, light 22A might be my next purchase.
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Gunslinger One
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Ruger MarkIII Target Model 10159
shooter1
Member
Either one is accurate. Find the ammo they like and they will not disappoint you. Maintenance is the key to reliability, especially with rimfire pistols. Keep them properly cleaned and lubed, fed good ammo from good magazines, and they will be as reliable as a mechanical thing can be. The design and construction of the Ruger sets it apart when it comes to durability. It is leaps and bounds ahead of the Buckmark in that category. Properly maintained, it will be going strong for generations. Anyone can learn to strip and assemble the Ruger for cleaning in a few minutes, (without tools) or there's always the owner's manual. My son has my first Ruger, bought used in 1959, still runs like it did new. I have two Mklls that I shoot frequently in NRA falling plates, one with an optic, one with irons. There are no alibis in that game. One malfunction can put you out of the game. Can't remember the last malfunction I've had with those pistols that wasn't ammo related. Good ammo is the key. I plink with the bulk stuff, but compete with CCI Mini Mags. Never had an ammo problem with those. I'm kinda a Ruger Rimfire fan.
str1
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Rangersedge
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Among my pistols in that general area, I have 2 ruger mk 2 targets with 5.5" bull barrels, 1 buck mark field target with 5.5" barrel, 1 buck mark bullseye with ?" Barrel, and a s&w 622.
I think either the ruger or browning could serve you well. Either should be accurate and reliable. I would simply choose whichever felt best to you.
I think either the ruger or browning could serve you well. Either should be accurate and reliable. I would simply choose whichever felt best to you.
I currently have 3 MKII's and 3 MKIII's. I have also owned 2 buck mark campers. They are all great guns. With the Rugers, I now get the MKIII and immediately get on Amazon and order a Tandem Cross hammer bushing to replace the Magazine release. I definitely still like the MKII"s but they are getting harder to find. The hammer bushing runs about $9 if I remember right and makes it a bit more like a MKII. Still, the loaded chamber indicator is stupid in my opinion. I liked the Buckmark but decided to stick to one type and jumped on the Ruger bandwagon. Either one is better than most other in my eyes.
Ed Ames
Member
Stock, especially for an owner that wants to shoot rather than fiddle, the Buckmark wins. I've had one for a few years now and while it isn't nearly as nice as the MkII gov't target w/ volquartsen upgrades I had access to 20 years ago, it is quite nice. It is at least as good to shoot (though not to look at) as the vintage High Standard and Colt Woodsman I have been able to try. Mine isn't a 5.5" though - it is a version of the Camper that came pre-threaded for a noise polution reduction attachment and has a matte black finish that isn't the prettiest It is still decent.
Counting aftermarket and DIY fiddling, Rugers can be changed into anything you want, if you have the bankroll. I can't speak for the MkIII but historically Rugers are hard to beat from a durability standpoint.
Counting aftermarket and DIY fiddling, Rugers can be changed into anything you want, if you have the bankroll. I can't speak for the MkIII but historically Rugers are hard to beat from a durability standpoint.
mdauben
Member
While its true that the sky is almost the limit on moding your Ruger Mk pistol, the mods the MkIII really needs (bushing and target sear) are pretty simple to install at home and will set you back less than $50, maybe a bit more if you feel you have to remove the LCI, too.
I'll take the Ruger every time. Mine are MKII's, but the lawyer stuff on a MKIII can be easily remedied. Don't get me wrong, the Buckmark is an ok pistol, but I just don't like the alloy frame that has to have screws run into it to secure the barrel and also the rear sight bridge. JMO
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