What are the differences between Buckmark models?

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DougB

New member
I'm planning to get a Browning Buckmark .22 pistol soon. I've seen quite a few of them, shot a friend's Camper model, and looked at the Browning web site, but I'd like to know more about the differences between the different models. Many seem very similar - do some have better triggers, materials, finishes, etc, or are the only differences the obvious externals listed below? The Browning web site lists the following full-sized 5.5" barrel models:

Camper (blue, plastic grips, round barrel, list: $263)
Camper Nickel (same as camper but nickel finish, list $293)
Standard (blue, plastic grips, flat sided barrel, list: $292)
Classic Plus (blue, rosewood grips, flat sided barrel, TruGlo front sight, list: $357)
Plus (same specifications as Classic Plus, but different wood grips)
Plus Nickel (same as plus, but nickel finish, list: $391)
5.5 Target (blue, hooded target sight, full-length scope mount, list: $468)
5.5 Field (same as 5.5 target, but non-hooded sights)

Thanks in advance for you info and recommendations.

Doug
 
The main differences between the models are barrel contour, sights, and trigger. Some barrels are regular bull models, while you can get some slibe side models. As far as sights, some are hooded, some are plain click-adjustable, and some come with a Weaver-style base for mounting optics. The only difference with the trigger is the varmint/silhouette models have an overtravel adjustment screw and the others have regular triggers (with no adjustments). Also, some models come with rubber grips, while others come with wood.
 
Camper:
Finish is a utility type similar to Parkerized. The nickel finished ones are fairly rough, but not unattractive.
Round bull barrel. Rubber grips with thumbrests.
Sights and trigger are the same as the Standard and the Plus.

Standard:
Slightly upgraded finish. The metal is finished just a bit better (smoother) and a blue finish is applied. The barrel is milled flat on the sides.
Same trigger and sights as the Camper and the Plus.

Plus:
Better finish. Wood grips. Barrel is milled flat on the sides. Sights and trigger are the same as the Camper and the Standard.

Challenge:
Slim profile grips for smaller hands. Slim round barrel. Same basic sights and trigger as the Camper, Standard and Plus.

5.5:
True target pistol. Oversized target style grips with finger grooves. Sights are basicly the same as the lower priced models, but the trigger is better and overtravel adjustable.

I own a Camper, a Plus and my wife owns a Standard Micro, while a friend of mine owns a 5.5 Target. All are very good pistols. The triggers of all the non 5.5 models I own are good to very good, breaking between an estimated 4.5 and 5 pounds. They work in fairly quick and have just a small amount of creep. I really can't disern a difference in accuracy between the Camper, Standard and Plus, except the Standard Micro my wife owns has been shot the most, therefore as the most broken in trigger. All of the non 5.5 models have delivered sub 1 inch groups off hand at 25 feet. My friend Jim mounted a red dot sight on his 5.5. His 5.5 will deliver sub 1 inch groups from a rest at 25 yards all day long. He shot 1 (one) sub 1 inch group of 10 shots at 50 yards last summer using my Midway rest. Usual groups at 50 yards for him run around 3 or 4 inches. The sub 1 incher was kind of a fluke.

Based on what I own, and what I've seen, the Camper will deliver the same level of accuracy as the Standard and the Plus. The only difference is it isn't quite as pretty. The 5.5 is a true entry level serious competition gun, more in line with the S&W Model 41. For just kicking around, the Camper is a good gun. For somethig with a little more class, the Standard has a better finish. For real pretty and very good accuracy, the Plus has the best finish and wood grips.
FWIW, and these are NE Ohio prices, here's what I paid:
Camper- $199.00 plus tax, plus a 3% credit card fee on a special sale last summer.
Plus - $325.00 out the door.
My wifes Standard Micro nickel- $239.00 plus tax on close out at a local dealer.
 
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