Browning Buckmark Pistol (.22LR)
Kim du Toit
August 18, 2002
11:00 PM CDT
When I was looking to replace my beloved Beretta Mod 71 .22 pistol (left behind in South Africa), I looked long and hard at the alternatives (second-hand 71s being like hen’s teeth).
I could have got a Ruger MkII, of course, but everyone has them, and while I didn’t rule the Mark II out altogether, I wanted to try something else. (Also, the two little cocking "wings" on the Ruger tended to give me raw fingertips after a normal range session of 100-200 rounds.)
I definitely wanted a bull barrel, of course, because thinner barrels get too hot too quickly at the rate at which I shoot.
Paging through a gun magazine, I came upon the Browning Buck Mark. I’d never heard of them before, although I was familiar with the Challenger, its predecessor, so I thought I’d buy one and give it a go (okay, I actually bought one for The Mrs. for Christmas, if we’re going to get technical about it). The price was very reasonable, too—well under $300, as I recall.
Below are the very first two targets I shot (after sighting-in, of course), the first unsupported, the second using a rest.
Lovely, quite lovely. My handgun skills are modest, to put it mildly, and this pistol shoots much better than I can. It’s as accurate as I’d ever need it to be, with a smooooth action, and nary a single stoppage to date, ever. I quickly ordered up five or six factory mags, and settled into some serious shooting. This is the Buck Mark Standard we have, although if I had to do it again, I might consider the 7"-barrel Bullseye model instead.
My only gripe about the BuckMark is that it’s a real hassle to field-strip, requiring an Allen key and then re-zeroing afterwards (because you have to remove the rear sight to release the slide).
On the other hand, I only strip it twice a year (more out of conscience than for any other reason), and the damn thing just keeps on shooting, regardless.
Here’s the Bullseye model with the longer 7” barrel:
Anyone looking for a decent .22 pistol should give this one a try.
On a related topic, .22 guns (rifles, pistols whatever) are notoriously finicky about which ammo they prefer. Strange, but true. I have found that CCI Mini-Mag .22LR is the most consistent ammo on the market, for each of my .22 guns. And believe me, I’ve tried them all, from Eley Tenex to Federal nasties. The CCI Minis are the best, and I seldom bother with any other now.
Gratuitous Gun Pics
