Browning BuckMark vs Ruger MKIII

[Gordon]

Guys,

I'm looking to get a .22 pistol with a bull barrel. I'll probably only use it for plinking and teaching new shooters. I've pretty much narrowed my choices to the Browning BuckMark or the Ruger MkIII. Anybody out there have any experience with both so as to enable a comparison comment?

Thanks,
Gordon

[darjeeling]

They are both fine guns. I find the Ruger to be a better pointer, but it is harder to dissasemble than the buckmark. I'd prefer the MkII over the MkIII because the MkII is simpler. I like the ruger better, but I'd suggest trying to rent or borrow both of em. If that's impossible, I'd pick up the two at a gun store, and see how you like their feel. I prefer the Ruger in this regard, but we all have our preferences. Either way you go, you won't go wrong. They are both top noch pistols.

[BlenderWizard]

You might even consider the Ruger 22/45. Its grip is more like that of a 1911 (hence the name 22/45)

[Ram_Rod]

I agree with the above post. The best thing to do is hold them all and see which one feels the best in your paw. I was leaning towards the ruger Mark II until I felt the Browning buckmark. It fit me like a glove so I bought one. The 22/45 just felt cheesy to me with the plastic grip and all. I have a 1911 and it didn't feel anything like it. The new Ruger Mark III hunter looks pretty sweet. I had hoped to get a Mark II because there are some cool aftermarket things for it but after I tried it, I found I just didn't like it. The grip angle of the Ruger was wrong for me.

Both guns are pretty decent, just get the one that fits you best.


Ram_Rod
:usa:

Edit: Wow! I just got promoted to a "senior member". I think I spend too much time screwing around online... :lol:

[NE_Hunter]

I have had a Mark II and the Buckmark. I had the Mark II first. But still have the Buckmark. I liked both, but the Buckmark fits me better. It's a good shooter and a blast to use. When I can get it away from my 10 year old son.

[gossman]

I have owned several of the Ruger .22 auto pistols, they were good firearms but the Buckmark that I have owned since 1988 is the best .22 auto pistol I have ever had (this includes the High Standard and others also that I have owned). It points great for me, never fails, very accurate, and I love it. The main problem with both the Ruger and the Browning is that they are a pain to disasemble and scrub. The Ruger lever system is a neat idea but hard to disassemble and if it isn't ligned up correctly, can be frustrating to put back together. The Browning I have must be unscrewed by slotted screws ( newer ones have allen heads I think) and are easy to bugger up even with the correct screwdriver. Those are the only problems I have seen. Good luck! :2guns:

[M1911]

I went through the same quandry a couple of yrs ago. I wound up buying a Ruger 22/45.

My 22/45 came almost dead on right out of the box. I did have an initial problem with rear sight looseness, but I fixed that with little effort once I realized what was going on. Finish isn't particularly impressive and it does look a bit cheesy, but it hits what I aim at and makes me look good so I'm happy.
:lol:

[tinman]

I have the 22/45 and the buckmark with rail. The buckmark is comfortable and actually feels like an extension of ones self. Mine is a little finiky about dirt but other than that its a great gun, it otta be at that price. The 22/45 is tough as nails with great reliability. Putting it back together after a good cleaning can be very challenging the first time. The hand grips always feel so foreign when I pick it up, takes a little getting used to.
Another gun you may want to consider is the S&W 22A. Its a little less than the Buckmark and ergonomically comfortable as well. I cant tell you how it is as a shooter.
Baretta also makes one called the Neos(if I remember correctly) not comfortable at all, the thing really digs in between the thumb and index finger.
If your willing to take out a second mortgage on the house for a .22 then consider the S&W model 41. Its the cream of the crop.

[BlenderWizard]

Personally, though, I think the Ruger Mark I, II, and III all look the best in the category. I am particularly fond of the Mark in stainless (which is why I own one).

[mrmeyer]

I have a Mark II, in stainless with a 5" bull barrel.


I have never held or fire a buckmark, but hear good things about them. Granted the Ruger was a little tricky to reassembly the first time, like anything else it gets easier with practice. Things I like about the Ruger are the grip angle, the trigger, the balance is perfect for me, and I've never had any problems with it at all.

I'm not crazy about the mark III's. The loaded chamber indicator is ugly as hell, and has no practical purpose. If you really want to know if there is a round in the chamber, make sure the safety is one, detach the magazine, and pull back on the bolt. What is so hard about that?

Like others have suggested, handle both and if possible fire both before buying.

The Neos does have a nice carbine kit that turns the pistol into a rifle. My brother has a stainless neos. Shoots and feels great, and take down is very simple and quick. I just don't care for the safety, it is awkward and uncomfortable to me.

http://www.berettaweb.com/Neos-Carbine.gif

[CPTD]

I learned to shoot on a 5" Bull Barrel MKII. Great Gun!!! I own a MKII Standard, a BuckMark with a rail and a red dot sight, and a High Standard Sport King. I like the Buckmark and the High Standard for teaching because it is so easy to see into the chamber with the more open bolt.

I like my buckmark because it feels almost like my favorite 1911, I like my high standard because it is so accurate and so easy to "bump fire", and I like my MKII because it is a great shooter and so familiar.

You really have to decide what you want the gun for and how much you want to spend. Many folks are like me and have three or four guns just so that we can have one for every aspect of the sport. They are cheap enough that having a few is definately worthwhile.

Good Luck,

CPTD :usa:

[tinman]

I know 2 guys that shoot bullseye with the mark II. They feel that the european angle of the grip works best for accuracy for them. They feel that they can relax their hand a little, less tension and fatigue I guess.