Which sub-model of Browning Buckmark to get?

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Oleg Volk

Staff Alumnus
I wouldlike a general purpose .22 for plinking, teaching newbies and generally improving my aim. Good sights and balance are important...any suggestions on what works best in your experience?
 
A friend of mine recently bought a Buckmark Camper. It was on sale for $162 (a great deal, I believe). It has a matt/dull finish, and a round barrel (not flattened on the sides). I believe it is the low-cost version of the Buckmark. Seems like I also heard that it is lighter in weight as well (but I'm not sure of this). At any rate, it seems to shoot and handle fine. The safety is pretty stiff, but I suspect it will loosen up in time. I haven't had much experience with other Buckmarks, so I can's say how it compares (except cosmetically), but I like it and wish I'd bought one at the same time.

Doug
 
Ruger Mark II. I use one for Bullseye competition (with iron sights I can shoot a 270 regularly) and I also use it teaching the NRA pistol course. I've had both men and women who have never shot a handgun before try it and shoot well enough to get them to come back.
 
I just got a Buckmark Micro(4")a little while ago and I really like it! I had a standard model before and it didn`t "feel" as good to me. Being a little shorter it put`s it`s weight more in the hand than hanging out front,it should be easier for my wife to shoot who complains about some of my guns being "too heavy to hold the barrel up".
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The sights are the same Protarget model used on most Buckmarks and accuracy doesn`t seem to be effected by the shorter barrel. I shoot better with this one than my old 5.5" model. Marcus
 
I've got the standard square barreled 5 1/2 ". It shoots great. In fact as I'm here typing I can look over and see some targets that I have hung on the wall from shooting with that Buckmark
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. Best groups I've ever shot with a pistol, period.

Unless you where going to go for an all out competition gun, I think the standard Buckmark is a great gun, and wonderful for teaching. In case you can't tell, I love that gun. I'm eagerly waiting the arrival of the carbine version.
 
I just bought a used Buckmark Camper for $130 and it shoots as good as my Mark II but less prone to jamming. It is lighter, 34 vs. 41oz. The grip is more comfortable in my hands. I have more fun with the Buckmark because I can learn to shoot one hand with it. But frankly, I love them both.
 
I am IN LOVE with my "Standard Model" 6" with the flat non-target-style, non-thumb-rest stocks. The new thumb-rest stocks are an attempt to "justify" the Buckmark as a target pistol, but they make it too bulky, and make it too hard to hit the magazine release. I would even buy a new one with the thumb-rests and then separately buy the hard flat regular stocks.

The Camper looks swell, but I haven't shot one yet. The 4" barrel standard style that Dad bought is fun, but you really don't save that much on room with the full-sized handles and the same sized frame and the same sights. You really just lose sight radius. But, it does shoot every bit as well as the 6" model; it's just a little harder to attain with the shorter sight radius.

You cannot go wrong with a Buckmark! I will shoot mine until it falls apart, and then I'll get two more! (200+ rds just this Monday afternoon, and I returned from the range elated! What fun!)

Matt.
 
Just curious about something: I'm also looking at a .22 sa pistol. Although I could live with either the Ruger or Browning choices, I always keep coming back to the Brownings because they seem to fit my hand better. There are no ranges close that rent firearms, so shooting before buying is probably not going to happen. There are other threads on this forum regarding .22 pistols, and the majority seem to favor the Rugers. But I have a sense that's because there aren't as many Buckmark owners. Are the Buckmarks downplayed because not as many shooters have them?

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"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." Albert Einstein
 
Rugers and Brownings seen to cost about the same once magazines are factored in. However, Brownings seem to balance betetr (though Ruger 5" Govt is nice) and are easier to re-assemble. I also keep thinking of the first gun I shot, a Mk2 which would go two bricks of promo ammo w/o cleaning 100% reliably.
 
I used to have a Ruger with the 6 7/8 tapered barrel. Mistakenly sold it.

Later picked up a 5.5 Field Buckmark and topped it with a red dot. Great fun--cans quiver in our presence.

Both guns are great, I prefer the feel of the Browning. Both were quite accurate, reliable, and most of all fun. You can't go wrong with either...
 
I have both the Buck Mark Standard and Field 5.5. The advantage of the Field 5.5 is it comes with the scope mount as an integral part of the gun and it has an adjustable trigger. Mine will adjust down to a pull of about 1.5 lbs. If you do need these features the standard model is the way to go. When I adjusted the trigger on my 5.5 to be the same as the pull on my standard, about 4 pounds, I shot both guns with the same accuracy. I like both of them. I also have a Ruger, but prefer to shoot the Brownings.
 
Well, this supports what I've been reading for the past few months, and experienced in my recent first handgun purchase ever (Sig P229 in .40 caliber): buy what feels good in your hand. The Rugers did not feel 'bad', but the Brownings felt better. As someone else on these forums expresses in their signature, so many guns, so little money. There are more great guns available than I will ever be able to afford.

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"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." Albert Einstein
 
I bought my Ruger mark II for $239, an add on kit $75 Volquartsen, $45 for some after market grips and It shoots just as well as my cheapo used Buck mark Camper, $130. Out of the box, the trigger of the Browning is much better than the Mark II, it feels better, fits better in hands. However, both have same level of accuracy. But my Camper is much cheaper compare to my Mark II. And it is my ATF, (all time favorite).
 
I have a Camper and my wife has a Micro. I like the Micro just a bit better. That being said, the next Buckmark I plan to purchase is the Challenge model.
 
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