Tell Me About The Buck Mark-Chime In Owners
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Marshall
Member
I have this Buckmark Bullseye Target, love it! I think Rugers are great too! I just have a affinity with [most] Browning products, have always found them to be very good quality for the money and a step up in workmanship. The Buckmark's nice, has a great trigger and the feel in my hand is very comfortable, certain models differ. It's a very accurate pistol too and, it's been stone cold reliable for me. I'm picking up a Buckmark Plus for my son for Christmas, something to give us both a .22 pistol to take into the field together.
As far as accessories go, I have never wanted anything else other than mags. Weigand makes a scope mount for them. Try here too....... Midwest Gunworks
As far as accessories go, I have never wanted anything else other than mags. Weigand makes a scope mount for them. Try here too....... Midwest Gunworks
L
Logistar
Guest
I love my Buckmark Camper but coincidentally I was cleaning it less than an hour ago and noticed that the back of the slide is cracked. 
It has been to the range twice and has less than 200 rounds through it. Otherwise I really like it!
Logistar
It has been to the range twice and has less than 200 rounds through it. Otherwise I really like it!
Logistar
Sylvilagus Aquaticus
Member
I bought one back in the early summer. I've only got about a thousand rounds through it so far. Mine has the Tru-Glo sights. It's quick to pick them up, it points very well, and has a modestly remarkable trigger.
I compared it against the SIG Trailside (standard model) and the Beretta NEOS at one of the local ranges before buying one, and the Buck Mark felt better, seemed to me to have the best trigger, and in my opinion, offers the best value for the price.
Nope, I didn't compare it with a Ruger Mark II. I didn't put it against a Walther P22 either. One of these days the P22 may be on the list to get, but I wanted a shooter. The P22 will get a can when I decide to buy one.
Mine is just like this one.
Regards,
Rabbit.
I compared it against the SIG Trailside (standard model) and the Beretta NEOS at one of the local ranges before buying one, and the Buck Mark felt better, seemed to me to have the best trigger, and in my opinion, offers the best value for the price.
Nope, I didn't compare it with a Ruger Mark II. I didn't put it against a Walther P22 either. One of these days the P22 may be on the list to get, but I wanted a shooter. The P22 will get a can when I decide to buy one.
Mine is just like this one.
Regards,
Rabbit.
The cracked slide would be unusual, and I don't think it is a reflection on the gun design. I would return the pistol to Browning.
The main thing I don't like about the Buckmark is that takedown involves screws. Not only can screws be easily lost, but they tend to wear or develop head burring after a while. I prefer the Ruger system even though I know it takes some practice to get the hang of it.
Jim
The main thing I don't like about the Buckmark is that takedown involves screws. Not only can screws be easily lost, but they tend to wear or develop head burring after a while. I prefer the Ruger system even though I know it takes some practice to get the hang of it.
Jim
MrTuffPaws
Member
My wife has a Buckmark standard that she lets me shoot sometimes. She has a scope rail with a BSA red dot on it. Really nice gun for the money. Handles and points well, more accurate than I am, and eats cheap to expensive ammo equally well. Jacketed rounds do slightly better than lead.
As cons go, the thing is not easy to take apart and clean, but easier than a Ruger 22. Not as many after market doodads for it. There are a couple of platic parts that you need to keep spares of (like the recoil buffer). Sometimes spits hot powder on your hands.
You cannot dry fire it. You will ping the barrel if you do.
As cons go, the thing is not easy to take apart and clean, but easier than a Ruger 22. Not as many after market doodads for it. There are a couple of platic parts that you need to keep spares of (like the recoil buffer). Sometimes spits hot powder on your hands.
You cannot dry fire it. You will ping the barrel if you do.
NavajoNPaleFace
Member
I have the same pistol as Marshall except mine has the square barrel.
The only mechanical problems I've encountered over the ten (or slightly plus) years I've had it was a time I threw out the extractor, the spring and the ejector which cost me about $5 in parts and were easily installed.
I do have a problem with the hassle one has to go through to clean the gun. You have to unscrew two screws (making sure not to lose them and the washers), take the slide off, make sure not to lose the small square plastic spring mount, carefully remove the slide guide and spring, yada, yada, yada. I've never cleaned or stripped a Ruger so I'm not sure if the hassles are inherant with all .22 auto-loaders.
The trigger....well, that's an interesting critter itself. On mine the heart beat pulse in my trigger finger can set it off.
But, with all of this the Buckmark has to be one of the most accurate handguns I've ever shot. Literally.
It rarely, rarely misfeeds regardless of the brand of ammo I feed it.
If I remember correctly I spent around $220 when I bought it eleven years ago but, I might be off on that.
The only mechanical problems I've encountered over the ten (or slightly plus) years I've had it was a time I threw out the extractor, the spring and the ejector which cost me about $5 in parts and were easily installed.
I do have a problem with the hassle one has to go through to clean the gun. You have to unscrew two screws (making sure not to lose them and the washers), take the slide off, make sure not to lose the small square plastic spring mount, carefully remove the slide guide and spring, yada, yada, yada. I've never cleaned or stripped a Ruger so I'm not sure if the hassles are inherant with all .22 auto-loaders.
The trigger....well, that's an interesting critter itself. On mine the heart beat pulse in my trigger finger can set it off.
But, with all of this the Buckmark has to be one of the most accurate handguns I've ever shot. Literally.
It rarely, rarely misfeeds regardless of the brand of ammo I feed it.
If I remember correctly I spent around $220 when I bought it eleven years ago but, I might be off on that.
Omaha-BeenGlockin
Member
I've had 2 ----they are of VERY poor quality and I can't believe I ever bought the second one----they are a black mark on the Browning name-----the word junk doesn't even begin to describe how bad they are. I own other Brownings----but you couldn't even give me another Buckmark.
If you want a quality .22---that's still reasonably priced----the Ruger is the only game in town.
If you want a quality .22---that's still reasonably priced----the Ruger is the only game in town.
P. Plainsman
Member
I don't have a wide basis of comparison to other .22 handguns, but I love my Buck Mark Plus and think it was a bargain at $350. (The Plus is the model with a green dot Hi-Viz front sight and nice-feeling wood grips.) I've had it for the better part of a year and have put c. 1000-1100 rounds through it. It looks great (I like the Browning's lines better than the Ruger's) and feels well-made, an impression confirmed by its shooting behavior.
It is the most accurate firearm in my modest collection. Shooting from a bench with open sights, I shoot the Buck Mark more accurately at 50 yards than I can shoot my centerfire rifle.
Straight out of the box the little Browning had a wonderful trigger. Perhaps because of this advantage, fairly rapid strings of fire are, if anything, tighter than groups produced by pausing and aiming between shots.
There were a couple of stutters in the first 200 rounds (FTF, slide staying open after a shot), then after that, perfect reliability. I have only broken the gun down and cleaned it once.
Passing into the realm of hearsay, I've read of lazy people going thousands of rounds between cleanings, without trouble. When they finally break the Buck Mark open, astonishing buildups of gunk greet them. But the pistol still shoots.
My Buck Mark is a true class act.
It is the most accurate firearm in my modest collection. Shooting from a bench with open sights, I shoot the Buck Mark more accurately at 50 yards than I can shoot my centerfire rifle.
Straight out of the box the little Browning had a wonderful trigger. Perhaps because of this advantage, fairly rapid strings of fire are, if anything, tighter than groups produced by pausing and aiming between shots.
There were a couple of stutters in the first 200 rounds (FTF, slide staying open after a shot), then after that, perfect reliability. I have only broken the gun down and cleaned it once.
Passing into the realm of hearsay, I've read of lazy people
going thousands of rounds between cleanings, without trouble. When they finally break the Buck Mark open, astonishing buildups of gunk greet them. But the pistol still shoots.My Buck Mark is a true class act.
Black Snowman
Member
I have a BuckMark 5.5 Nickle Target
It's seen a few thousand rounds. Somewhere between 4000 and 6000. I like it's balence better than the Ruger Mark II and the trigger is better. I used mine for bowling pin shoots for a few years. I got the dot scope after I felt I was hitting my limits with the iron sights.
Mine starts getting failures to feed if it gets too dirty. Likely due to the tight target tollerances. But after about 300 or 500 rounds I demands to be cleaned. This is my only complaint about the gun is that you have to have an allen wrench to strip it for a real good cleaning. As long as you have the tool assembly and disassembly is easier than the Rugers.
I haven't done extensive dry firing with mine. Maybe 1000 times. But it handles it just fine. The firing pin is very robust.
That's my experiance. Never felt the need for a differant 22 pistol.
It's seen a few thousand rounds. Somewhere between 4000 and 6000. I like it's balence better than the Ruger Mark II and the trigger is better. I used mine for bowling pin shoots for a few years. I got the dot scope after I felt I was hitting my limits with the iron sights.
Mine starts getting failures to feed if it gets too dirty. Likely due to the tight target tollerances. But after about 300 or 500 rounds I demands to be cleaned. This is my only complaint about the gun is that you have to have an allen wrench to strip it for a real good cleaning. As long as you have the tool assembly and disassembly is easier than the Rugers.
I haven't done extensive dry firing with mine. Maybe 1000 times. But it handles it just fine. The firing pin is very robust.
That's my experiance. Never felt the need for a differant 22 pistol.
I've owned three. Still have one. I like them. The only small problem is that the screws that hold the rear sight plate on can sometimes shoot loose. Just keep an allen wrench handy and tighten them once in a while. You could use locktite, but then taking the pistol apart might become a problem. Ruger also makes a good pistol, but I don't like the feel of the plastic 22/45 frame and the grip angle on the steel framed pistol points wrong for me. Best. Watch-Six
SouthpawShootr
Member
I had a Buckmark years ago. Got rid of it b/c I already had a Ruger MkI and the Buckmark didn't do anything the Ruger couldn't. Only problem I can remember was the sight base would come loose as I was shooting. I didn't really choose the Ruger over the Buckmark - the Ruger was my first gun, a gift from my dad, so even if I didn't like it, I still wouldn't get rid of it. I would advise against dry firing any rimfire. Accessories? Pretty much no, in my experience, aside from maybe wood grips (I'd probably go for Nil grips if they're made for the gun).
BTW, I do have a .22 auto on my list. It's a Sig Trailside. Soon as I find a 6 inch with adjustable sights, I'll probably buy it. Already have the factory target grips for it.
BTW, I do have a .22 auto on my list. It's a Sig Trailside. Soon as I find a 6 inch with adjustable sights, I'll probably buy it. Already have the factory target grips for it.
Ukraine Train
Member
I have a short barrel camper with slabside barrel. I got it used and have put about 1k rounds through it. The only trouble it gives me is it won't feed standard velocity ammo, but with high velocity it has been flawless. I like it a lot, I use it to teach new shooters.
jpIII
Member
As far as reliability goes... I'll share my experience.
I have a buckmark camper model. I have put well over 15k rounds through it.
(It's very easy with those nice 550 rnd value packs)
These are the problems that I have encountered and "fixed" myself.
- mag release became "mushy" - I bought a new part and replaced the mag release "spring" in about 5 min using only a flat head screwdriver. very easy.
- slide release "pad" came off of the release leaving only a "nub" of a slide release. I lock tighted it back on. a few thousand rounds later, it came off again. I since lost the piece and never looked back.
- a crack developed on the back of the gun above the slide. It's small and hasnt affected functionallity or accuracy etc. I haven't done anything about it, and am not planning on it unless things change.
Overall it is a good gun. I use mine mainly for 22 matches and just plain ol' plinkin'. For the price you really can't beat them IMHO.
hope this helps .
PM me if you want to know anything else.
JP
I have a buckmark camper model. I have put well over 15k rounds through it.
(It's very easy with those nice 550 rnd value packs)
These are the problems that I have encountered and "fixed" myself.
- mag release became "mushy" - I bought a new part and replaced the mag release "spring" in about 5 min using only a flat head screwdriver. very easy.
- slide release "pad" came off of the release leaving only a "nub" of a slide release. I lock tighted it back on. a few thousand rounds later, it came off again. I since lost the piece and never looked back.
- a crack developed on the back of the gun above the slide. It's small and hasnt affected functionallity or accuracy etc. I haven't done anything about it, and am not planning on it unless things change.
Overall it is a good gun. I use mine mainly for 22 matches and just plain ol' plinkin'. For the price you really can't beat them IMHO.
hope this helps .
PM me if you want to know anything else.
JP
Gunnutz13
Member
My Buckmark 22lr
Yea...got one of the bull barrel models ( used ) that came with a red dot scope. Browning makes good firearms, so I wouldn't worry about the slide cracking, like the one fellow forum gentlemen had happen. Accuracy and good trigger break...would have bought one new if my range didn't have this one on consignment. Good Luck...post pics of whatever you get !
Yea...got one of the bull barrel models ( used ) that came with a red dot scope. Browning makes good firearms, so I wouldn't worry about the slide cracking, like the one fellow forum gentlemen had happen. Accuracy and good trigger break...would have bought one new if my range didn't have this one on consignment. Good Luck...post pics of whatever you get !
I have a 5.5" Buckmark Target with just over 2,000 rounds through it. Couidn't be happier with it - good trigger and sights. It has been very reliable. Obviously, being a .22 there are some brands of ammo it likes better than others.
Have three and like them very much. (Standard, Bullseye, Unlimited) Only problem I've had was the Standard misfiring early on. Turns out it was a loose sight base (which serves as the upper receiver and keeps the slide in place). This is pretty much not unusual for the BM. Just Loctite it down. (I also bend the teeth of the spur washer outward a little bit to apply more pressure on the bolt.) Otherwise any other problems were ammo related.
As for dry firing. Although the firing pin has a stop, mine very lightly touches the barrel chamber edge. I always put a plastic snap cap or spent case in the chamber when dry firing.
As for dry firing. Although the firing pin has a stop, mine very lightly touches the barrel chamber edge. I always put a plastic snap cap or spent case in the chamber when dry firing.
Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
When you want the best possible grip on your Buck Mark, aim your browser at http://jnb.com/~funggrip/index.html and pull the trigger.
sm
member
While I agree with Mr. Keenan in regard to not being a fan of the screws, I prefer the Buckmark over the Ruger.
The only time I "might" consider a Ruger is an OLDER MK I , and it just happened to speak to me just right.
The Buckmark is a very nice, well made, accurate firearm.
It does not require all "that writing" on the bbl to hold lube to protect either.
The only time I "might" consider a Ruger is an OLDER MK I , and it just happened to speak to me just right.
The Buckmark is a very nice, well made, accurate firearm.
It does not require all "that writing" on the bbl to hold lube to protect either.
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