Author Topic: Which one to buy ? (Read 2462 times)

irold · « **on:** March 01, 2009, 05:43:35 AM »

I'm gonna purchase either a Ruger MK III , or a Buckmark something ( not sure which model ). I've gone back several years in the threads and not really found any answers. I realize I want it to fit my hand , etc , etc. What I'm looking for is an opinion on quality and general user friendly-ness. Which one would you buy and why ? I'm leaning toward the MK III (not the 22/45) Thanks for your thoughts.

irold

Brett · « **Reply #1 on:** March 01, 2009, 07:19:04 AM »

I don't think that you would be disappointing with either one. Reliability and accuracy are in my opinion about on a par with one another. Go with the one that feels right in your hands and appeals to you the most.

Keith L · « **Reply #2 on:** March 01, 2009, 07:31:05 AM »

The Buckmark is easier to clean (assuming the Mark III is as tricky to reassemble as the Mark II), and has a better trigger to start with. There are more custom goodies available for the Ruger like aftermarket action parts etc. I have a couple of Buckmarks, and a Mark II and like them all.

irold · « **Reply #3 on:** March 01, 2009, 08:09:17 AM »

Is the Buckmark made in the USA ?? Wish I knew the models better , a local dealer has 4 Buckmarks ( all new ) on his shelf. All four are the slab sided blued models...Two have what appears to be a plastic grip and two have some sort of a rubber grip. Of course the rubber grip models are higher in price , along with the 4" barreled model...It was the highest at 349 , I believe.

Keith , I've heard some people have issues with cleaning the MK III.....is the Buckmark that much better or easier ? Are both MK III and the Buckmark alloy framed...or is the MK III steel ? ( I know the 22/45 is poly )

I've had and have a fair number of Rugers....not too many problems , and when I do..they've always treated me right. Haven't heard much about Brownings track record , cud mean they din't break ??

Brett and Keith.....a one word answer please........which one would you buy ? ( assuming they both fit your hand , same price , etc )

Thanks to both for your replys.........Regards, irold

Keith L · « **Reply #4 on:** March 01, 2009, 11:28:58 AM »

The Buckmark is a breeze to clean. Nothing tricky to get it back together. The Ruger can be simple as well if held just right when assembling, but I can never remember how when I start the process.

My son had trouble with the barrel on his new Buckmark and it was sent back to Utah for repair. They made it good with no problem and it was returned quick. Our Buckmarks are all stamped Made in USA.

I would get another Buckmark in a hurry.

Brett · « **Reply #5 on:** March 02, 2009, 02:17:42 AM »

Quote from: irold on March 01, 2009, 08:09:17 AM

Brett and Keith.....a one word answer please........which one would you buy ? ( assuming they both fit your hand , same price , etc )

Ruger*

*Only because own a couple other Ruger models already and like them. I have nothing against the Buchmarks though.

kitchawan kid · « **Reply #6 on:** March 02, 2009, 02:21:46 AM »

Ruger,the mark 2 is a better buy the newer models have so many safetys they seem to have problems.

poppie · « **Reply #7 on:** March 03, 2009, 09:49:49 AM »

also gander mt sell's the quick take down kit for ruger's,installed it was $70.00,if your good you may be able to do it yourself,the diffrence is you have an alan screw that take's the place of that pin that slide's out,no need to remove that jackknife piece at the rear of the grip, the wes site is www.majesticarms.com , tel 1-718-356-6765 $49.00 + S/H

irold · « **Reply #8 on:** March 03, 2009, 02:42:04 PM »

Thanks to all for your opinions and comments.....I did listen ! Just today I picked up my Ruger MK III. By the time I got home and run a rod with some Hoppes thru it....only had enough time to run a couple dozen rounds before work. Really like it....haven't attemped to disassemble it yet. And I was surprised , having a few Rugers , I didn't expect the trigger to be as crisp as it is. Only guessing , maybe 3-4 lbs and crisp , no creep......think its a keeper. I'm anxious to bag it , see what it will do at 25 yds. Thanks again. irold

IMshooter · « **Reply #9 on:** March 07, 2009, 02:59:27 AM »

I think you made the right choice buying the Ruger.

I've had both the Buckmark and a Ruger MK 2. Both guns were used in Metallic Silhouette competition and fired thousands of rounds per year. But the Buckmark eventually wore out (the frame is made of an aloy which is not as hard as steel). That Ruger is still going strong.

chim · « **Reply #10 on:** March 07, 2009, 03:47:28 PM »

What, exactly wore out on the Buck Mark. I haven't been able to wear anything out over the past dozen years or so. I had a disconnector wear on one after around 12,000 rounds because of a rough spot on the underside of the slide. Never had any other parts go.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #11 on:** March 07, 2009, 04:23:11 PM »

I have three Buck marks.
The first I got as a gift from Dad for making the VFMA pistol team in High school in 86. I lost track of how many thousand rounds have gone through that gun.
I have replaced a firing pin, the rear sight ( the early sights were flimsy and my Tack officer dropped mine) and the left grip pannel warped and browning replaced it. I had to do some filing on the gun as I shot it with the screws not all the way in. I must have cleaned the gun and just hand tightened it. Realized what I did and rounded the corner of the slide so it would not stay back on an empty mag. 3 min with a file and had it square again. i have another one I found used in a shop and know the previous owner and bought it as it was a really good deal and wanted the 4 target mags that came with the gun. The other model I have is a super Sil model I bought to stick a scout scope on for shooting bowling pins on a 22 team. Made it so it was a short rifle by the way I held it. Was later outlawed at the clu pistol shoot so I sold the scope and still shoot it regularly.
The major diff between the ruger and the browning at the time was the trigger on the ruger was sloppy (has been fixed since) and that the ruger had a heel mag release.
While the guns are about the same price for similar models the ruger has cheaper and easier to find Mags.

Keith L · « **Reply #12 on:** March 07, 2009, 07:24:29 PM »

That is the first time I have ever heard of a buckmark wearing out too. We all should have a chance to shoot so much we wear out our guns.

Savage · « **Reply #13 on:** March 08, 2009, 04:29:54 AM »

I have never understood the difficulties of Ruger assembly/disassembly. Assuming one reads the owner's manual before the first time. After than, it's simple, quick and requires no tools.
The Ruger or the Buckmark are both fine pistols. Both should last several lifetimes. The real advantage to the Ruger, IMO, is parts availability, factory and aftermarket. Haven't needed it, but I am told the factory service is first rate as well.
Savage

kitchawan kid · « **Reply #14 on:** March 08, 2009, 04:51:47 AM »

At our range we have had two people have problems with the Ruger 22/45,one was the loaded chamber indcator was jamming up the gun,he removed it and no problem.The other was more serious,he had a round in the chamber and removed the mag,loaded up the mag and went to put it back in and the round went off,we tryed this 5 or 6 times,it went off every time.

IMshooter · « **Reply #15 on:** March 08, 2009, 11:54:57 AM »

Quote from: chim on March 07, 2009, 03:47:28 PM

What, exactly wore out on the Buck Mark. I haven't been able to wear anything out over the past dozen years or so. I had a disconnector wear on one after around 12,000 rounds because of a rough spot on the underside of the slide. Never had any other parts go.

It has been over 10 years since I sold that Browning, but as I recall, the slide release rests/pivots in a cut out on the left side of the frame. It was this area of the frame that became badly worn from the slide release.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #16 on:** March 09, 2009, 05:22:02 AM »

IMSHOOTER,
Had the same problem. it was because the screws on top were not tight. A few passes with a file trued up the corner of the slide and mine is still running.

chim · « **Reply #17 on:** March 09, 2009, 05:05:54 PM »

Can't imagine a problem with the frame. If it was the slide, I've heard of that with various pistols. A bud had problems with a MKII like that. Using the slide release to actually release the slide is the culprit. Pull 'er back and let 'er go like a slingshot and avoid that problem.

SDGlock23 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 10, 2009, 04:17:40 AM »

I've had a Browning Buckmark camper for 10 years and it's been wonderful. I shot a Buckmark my buddy had a long time ago and fell in love. Great trigger, easy to clean and maintain, and very accurate!! Even with bulk .22 ammo from WalMart, it still shoots very accurately. My vote would be for the Buckmark.

buckweet · « **Reply #19 on:** March 23, 2009, 05:06:58 AM »

i never take my ruger mark II apart... just spray her clean with brake cleaner, ..air blow her dry, or just shake it out, spray a little rem oil or wd40... keep shooting another 1500 rounds or so...
works just fine.

weet

Bigeasy · « **Reply #20 on:** May 17, 2009, 06:20:53 AM »

I like the quality, feel, and accuracy of the Rugers. This one with a B-Square see thru mount and a Simmons 2X scope has killed a ton of tree rats.

Larry

Savage · « **Reply #21 on:** May 17, 2009, 06:39:55 AM »

Quote from: buckweet on March 23, 2009, 05:06:58 AM

i never take my ruger mark II apart... just spray her clean with brake cleaner, ..air blow her dry, or just shake it out, spray a little rem oil or wd40... keep shooting another 1500 rounds or so...
works just fine.

weet

That's a good testimony to the rugged reliability of the Rugers! There is no way to properly clean a gun without at minimum, doing a field strip. Hosing it out with brake cleaner only moves the crud around a bit, and dissolves some of the oil and bullet lube. It's amazing that it keeps on working!
Savage

teddy12b · « **Reply #22 on:** May 21, 2009, 03:49:05 PM »

I used to have a buckmark and the screw holding in the top piece kept coming loose. Not a big deal, but it was annoying. The rugers are a rock solid design that's been proven in every way.

Old Griz · « **Reply #23 on:** May 26, 2009, 04:49:50 PM »

My first .22 pistol was a S&W 2206. Still have it, and it's a great gun. Later bought a Mk. II and it was a real hemorrhoid. Traded it for a .22 SP101. Add to that a S&W 17, 617 and a .22 Bisley, and I am really sold on revolvers. Accurate, don't jam, shoot anything, and you don't tend to run through the ammo as fast. The dark side - they're expensive compared to an auto.

I've heard mostly good about Rugers, however, I have heard of some who were not satisfied, and I had a lot of problems with mine.

I have not heard any negative things from Browning owners, though there have been a lot fewer of them.

If I were to buy another auto (though not very likely), I think I'd try that Browning Buck Mark Micro with the 4" barrel . . .