Author Topic: s&w or buckmark? (Read 3852 times)

Gallahad · « **on:** July 28, 2006, 01:56:15 AM »

I have had a couple rugers, and want to try something different. the buckmark looks really good to me, and from what ive read seems to be a reliable accurate lil 22. I havent heard much about smiths new semiauto 22. The grip looks a little big, but I havent been able to pick one up yet. I'm wondering about accuracy, reliability, durability, etc. Also is there a difference bettween the all black model and the two tone ? They look exactly the same except for color, but the all black model is about $50-60 more. (sorry I don't have model #s in front of me) So if anybody has one please tell me about it. And no I don't want a neos. Thanks for any help!

Keith L · « **Reply #1 on:** July 28, 2006, 02:49:18 AM »

I have a Buckmark I am partial to. And my son just bought one a few weeks ago. His is a long barreled hunter model, with Cocobolo grips. He had a wierd thing happen to his the first time shooting it. He shot a couple hundred rounds through it with good results, then all of a sudden he couldn't hit anything. The target looked like the bullets were tumbling and hitting the paper sideways. We ran a patch through the barrel, and it was tight at the chamber end. A brush pulled out a half round chunk of lead that built up on the rifling. We cleaned it good, and have been every hundred or so rounds since with no apparent buildup. If you get one I recommend frequent cleaning during "break-in." I never have had to with a rimfire before now.

Questor · « **Reply #2 on:** July 28, 2006, 03:49:05 AM »

We have a Buckmark Challenge for use by the kids and it's been a very good gun. I was disappointed with the factory trigger pull of at least 9 pounds so I had to have a trigger job done that cost me an extra $60. Now it's a fine gun and I like the idea that I can swap the barrel to a heavier or longer one by simply buying it as an aftermarket part. The quality is high and I much prefer it to any Ruger I have ever handled.

Special Ed · « **Reply #3 on:** July 28, 2006, 05:34:00 AM »

I have a Buckmark Micro & an old 10" Varmint model. Both excellent guns. I haven't had any problems with either of them.

Ed

Chris · « **Reply #4 on:** July 28, 2006, 01:04:31 PM »

Gallahad:

My experience with the S&W 22X models is that the are fun to shoot, if you want a tin can roller. Mine is kind of finicky with ammo and must be kept clean...likes low velocity rounds the best. My Rugers will shoot anything and are extremely accurate. The Brownings good guns...if given the choice of a getting a Neo, a S&W 22X or a Browning...get the Browning.

My two cents...

...Chris

Gallahad · « **Reply #5 on:** July 31, 2006, 04:15:56 PM »

It seems as though it comes down to either a Buckmark or a Ruger for most people. The reason I was looking at something other than a Ruger was because it takes a bit of time to disassemble one for good cleaning. The Smiths and the Berettas looked like a "good idea" at first glance, but I hate the idea of a polymer frame. I have yet to handle anything other than a Ruger, and won't make a decision until I do, but I'd like everybody's opinion on which is the better made most reliable, a Ruger or a Browning? I know that subject has been battled before, but the search feature is not working properly, so help me out.

Keith L · « **Reply #6 on:** July 31, 2006, 04:39:20 PM »

I have a Glock with a polymer frame and it takes far more of a beating than a .22 and lasts a long time. I still prefer the fit and finish on the two Buckmarks I have in the family though.

22rimfan · « **Reply #7 on:** August 01, 2006, 05:57:36 AM »

I have a Buckmark. For me it came down between the Smith and the Buck, and well the Smith just didn't fit my hand right. I broke mine in with Mini Mags and didn't have a problem. Also disassembly for cleaning isn't too bad. Just take the sights off, the peice on top of the slide, pull out the spring, and lift off the slide, and that's it, if I remember it all correctly I don't have the pistol infront of me. Mine is the slab side barrel, I just didn't like the Camper and the round barrel. It has several boxes of ammo through it and not a problem. Just remember to try and clean the mag/clip every now and then and you should be just fine. Hope this helps.
Aaron

Old Griz · « **Reply #8 on:** August 03, 2006, 09:55:19 PM »

Well, a few days ago I would have said the Buckmark. That was before I handled the new Sig Mosquito. Go look at it before you do anything. Be warned. To hold one is to want one.

His lordship. · « **Reply #9 on:** September 29, 2006, 02:49:48 PM »

How much does the Sig Mosquito cost?

Thanks.

greener · « **Reply #10 on:** September 29, 2006, 04:53:29 PM »

Quote from: Chris on July 28, 2006, 01:04:31 PM

Gallahad:

My experience with the S&W 22X models is that the are fun to shoot, if you want a tin can roller. Mine is kind of finicky with ammo and must be kept clean...likes low velocity rounds the best. My Rugers will shoot anything and are extremely accurate. The Brownings good guns...if given the choice of a getting a Neo, a S&W 22X or a Browning...get the Browning.

My two cents...

...Chris

The 22A will definitely roll a tin can, from a pretty good distance. Have a 22A, MKIII and Single Six. Thought the 22A would go back into the case when I bought the MKIII. Not so. The only difference between the accuracy at 25 yards is the shooter. Some days the 22A is better than the MKIII and some days the reverse. Do better with either than the Single Six, but that one is the new toy and I"m just getting accustomed to it. Can't say anything about the Buckmark because I've never fired one. Can say that the 22A will shoot more accurately than the shooter, is easy to field strip and clean and fun to shoot.

Solution: Buy both

camsdaddy · « **Reply #11 on:** October 02, 2006, 02:51:11 PM »

I also have the 22A bull barrel and target grips. I have enjoyed I found out quick that the sights in a holster will cut you quick be carefull. As for shooting many a armadillo and tin can have given up the ghost its prob the most fun of any gun I own.

greener · « **Reply #12 on:** October 04, 2006, 01:35:39 PM »

Went past this again and had a second thought. If it were me, I'd buy the Buckmark. Reason, I already have a 22A. On a first purchase, it would be a tougher decision, I'd go with the one that feels better. BeforeI bought the 22A, I shot 2 of them and two MKII's. For me, on that day, the 22A's won hands down by the how it felt shooting test. I've since bought a MKIII Hunter, great gun. My problem is out of my meagre arsenal, I don't have one that I don't like. Guess I'll just just have to keep buying until I find one I don't like. May take a while.

Old Griz · « **Reply #13 on:** October 09, 2006, 06:48:25 AM »

Quote from: Chris D. on September 29, 2006, 02:49:48 PM

How much does the Sig Mosquito cost?

Forget what I said about the Mosquito. One dealer said he sold 8 of them and every one of them came back and had to be shipped to the factory. Sig hasn't quite worked all the bugs out of it yet. He suggested waiting a couple of years. By then A) Sig will have gotten it right, or B) they won't be on the market.

So I'd say go with the Buckmark.

Instead, I found a great S&W 17!

Zen900 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 09, 2006, 11:49:13 AM »

I have both the Buckmark Camper and S&W 22A. The S&W is still at S&W with stovepipe probs. The Buckmark is a great pistol.

webfoot56 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 16, 2006, 04:18:14 PM »

have both. which ever fits your hand best go with it. Even with some of the problems the 22a had I think they have the bugs worked out now. Smith and wesson has excellent customer service if you should have a problem. I put a red dot on the smith, like shooting it very much. The buckmark has a great trigger and very good adjustable sights but no rail to put a scope unless you upgrade to one of the more exspensive models. I think the smith is easier to tear down if that helps.

akr · « **Reply #16 on:** December 15, 2006, 02:08:56 PM »

Well guys, I just ordered a Browning Buckmark .22 from Bud's. It was the 051409490 model, 5 1/2" bbl. It was $310, but I didn't want to wait 10 days for check to clear, so I paid 3% more using a credit card, and I got $29 ins., so it totaled up to $349. Anyway, it's another gun I needed like I needed another hole in my head. If you all wouldn't talk about guns, I wouldn't buy them.

prairiedog555 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 11, 2007, 01:02:56 PM »

Gun test magazine did a comparison of Ruger and Buckmark, they preferred the Buckmark even though they were seen to be about same accuracy wise the sites and ease of dissassembly was the reason.

greener · « **Reply #18 on:** January 12, 2007, 01:03:33 AM »

If that review is the same one I read, Gun Test wasn't exactly non-biased. The first time I disassembled a Ruger, it was "difficult." That's why I immediately did it three more times. The only difficult part of disassembly/reassembly is that my stainless ruger barrel fits tightly onto the lug and takes a bit of tapping with a rubber mallet to get the bolt stop hole lined up. On my 22/45 the alignment is immediate and requires no effort. When I get a new firearm, I run through disassembly/reassembly a few times to understand how they come apart and go back together in addition to an initial cleaning. I'm the prototype for the 10-thumbed klutz and don't think Rugers are difficult.

k3yston3 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 17, 2007, 09:43:29 AM »

I hated the buckmark that I had. I have had a Ruger MKII 5.5" Bull since 1993 and it is absolutely reliable and super accurate. THe only ammo that it doesn't like to feed is CCI Green Tags, but that wasn't even the most accurate ammo that I tested in it. The buckmark that I bought as an "upgrade" to the mkII was terrible. It was very fussy with ammo and it had to be cleaned after 200 rounds or it wouldn't function properly. The mkII is very easy to disassemble/reassemble after you have done it about twice. I haven't had my had on a s&w model 22, but I was tempted to go look when Gander mtn had a nice sale on them a few weeks ago.

S.B. · « **Reply #20 on:** January 21, 2007, 01:42:08 AM »

Quote from: Gallahad on July 31, 2006, 04:15:56 PM

. The Smiths and the Berettas looked like a "good idea" at first glance, but I hate the idea of a polymer frame.

Isn't S&W's 22S a totally stainless gun?

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=14710&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y

Cookiemann · « **Reply #21 on:** February 24, 2007, 03:47:24 AM »

This thread was great reading. I was havin' second thoughts about my purchase of a Buckmark. I have never owned a handgun of any kind and decided to start with a 22. I, at first, thought I should get a revolver, but the price on the Buckmarks and MkII and MkIII was so good, I just couldnt pass it up. I am glad I did. A local shop, and factory authorized dealer, had a 4" bull barrel for $249. I found out later that my memory wasn't that good, I could have gotten the same gun at Gander for $219. OOOPS!
The majority of you had only good things to say about the Buck and that has helped me relax about my purchase.

Thanks
cookiemann

SKSMAN · « **Reply #22 on:** April 23, 2007, 08:53:16 PM »

Thanks guys for all the comments. I went with the Browning Buckmark Micro Bull with the 4 inch barrel. I have not shot it yet but going out as soon as I can to the local range and see how it performs. I really like the grips and balance of the gun. Thanks again for all your comments.