Beat that horse - The Firearms Forum

Gawain · 01-25-2012, 04:18 PM

I read all the post in this forum about the buck master versus the Mark III. Sorry about beating that dead horse one more time.

I'm still undecided but leaning towards the ruger. UNTIL I saw a used buck master in what looked to be perfect condition and it had an octagon barrel. The gun shop has the pistol on consignment for $299. Since it looks to be in perfect condition, I couldn't find a scratch. Would I be better off with an older buck master with the octagon bull barrel.. or not? When did Browning stop producing the octagon bull barrel.. or do they still make such a thing. I googled "browning buck master octagon barrel" and really didn't get many hits. Couldn't find one for sale at all.

Thanks all...... this is an awesome forum......

Gawain

ps. maybe it isn't octagon.. but it sure isn't round.... ; )

fordtrucksforever · 01-25-2012, 06:56 PM

I dont know what a Buckmaster is but I have both the Ruger Mark III and Browning Buckmark. My personal preference is the Browning. The Buckmark replaced Challenger model and been in production since 1985. Many Buckmarks have round barrels that are cut flat on both sides. Is this what you might be thinking? Both pistols are excellent quality and good shooting. Either are worth considering. It basically is up to what suits you the best. If I were in the market for another Ruger, a stainless 45/22 model would be my choice there.

Gawain · 01-26-2012, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordtrucksforever

I dont know what a Buckmaster is but I have both the Ruger Mark III and Browning Buckmark. My personal preference is the Browning. The Buckmark replaced Challenger model and been in production since 1985. Many Buckmarks have round barrels that are cut flat on both sides. Is this what you might be thinking? Both pistols are excellent quality and good shooting. Either are worth considering. It basically is up to what suits you the best. If I were in the market for another Ruger, a stainless 45/22 model would be my choice there.

Thanks FTF. Thanks for setting me straight. Ive owned a lot of firearms but never a 22 pistol. Oh, my daily driver is a 2005 Ford 6.0 l diesel F250.

Cheers, Gawain

Country101 · 01-26-2012, 06:31 AM

Both guns are great, but I prefer the buckmark. It just fits me better and I like the flat sided slide instead of the ruger style. Bottom line, if you find a good deal on either, you wont be disappointed. If you find out that you like the other better later, well, that's just another reason to get another gun.

LDBennett · 01-26-2012, 06:55 AM

There are several ways to buy your first 22 pistol. The common way is to find a cheap one only to find after using it for awhile that it is not exactly what you need. Manufacturers know this so they produce a cheapy version with a few short cuts to get the costs down, like plastic sights, plastic trigger guards, and other parts made of plastic or pot metal that look just like really good parts.

My advice is to first determine your needs, such as Plinking, paper punching, competition, hunting. Buy only the model that fits those needs, remembering that if you pay a bit more you will get a better gun. Plastic is just OK for frames but steel or aluminum is better. Pot metal (Zinc alloy) is a no-no as it has no longevity and wears rapidly.

In both the Buckmark and Ruger MK series line of guns there are bottom feeders, competition versions, and models in between and the prices vary greatly. In both thef Buckmark and Ruger MK series you get what you pay for. The better more expensive models are definitely better in terms of potential accuracy, better triggers, better sights, and better durability. Buy whatever you want but don't buy "cheap". Buy what fits your needs and desires. A cheapy gun that does not meet your needs is a total waste of money if it sits silent.

Do some research and get the gun exactly for your needs. Price is not everything.

LDBennett

Curlyjoe_99 · 01-26-2012, 02:38 PM

+1 to ld Bennett's post. I've owned both and found the differences between to be more of preferences. I still have a challenger and the buckmark but lost the Ruger to a break in. For myself I picked up one of each at the shop and all. Others being equal went with the buckmark because of the comfort feel for my hands. My buddy who was also purchasing went with the Ruger for the same reasons. We shoot several times A month and are always one or two points apart from each other. Neither can shoot the others pistol as well.
Good luck on your choice and hope this helps

Curlyjoe

pea shooter · 01-26-2012, 03:11 PM

I have a buckmark ss camper that I put a 7.25" trail lite on very nice gun.but the ruger I also a very good gun. I would chose the one that feels the best in your hand. I dont think you can go wrong with either

01-25-2012, 04:18 PM	#1
Gawain Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2	Beat that horse I read all the post in this forum about the buck master versus the Mark III. Sorry about beating that dead horse one more time. I'm still undecided but leaning towards the ruger. UNTIL I saw a used buck master in what looked to be perfect condition and it had an octagon barrel. The gun shop has the pistol on consignment for $299. Since it looks to be in perfect condition, I couldn't find a scratch. Would I be better off with an older buck master with the octagon bull barrel.. or not? When did Browning stop producing the octagon bull barrel.. or do they still make such a thing. I googled "browning buck master octagon barrel" and really didn't get many hits. Couldn't find one for sale at all. Thanks all...... this is an awesome forum...... Gawain ps. maybe it isn't octagon.. but it sure isn't round.... ; ) --> Last edited by Gawain; 01-25-2012 at 04:19 PM..

01-25-2012, 06:56 PM	#2
fordtrucksforever V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: East of DFW Posts: 230	Re: Beat that horse I dont know what a Buckmaster is but I have both the Ruger Mark III and Browning Buckmark. My personal preference is the Browning. The Buckmark replaced Challenger model and been in production since 1985. Many Buckmarks have round barrels that are cut flat on both sides. Is this what you might be thinking? Both pistols are excellent quality and good shooting. Either are worth considering. It basically is up to what suits you the best. If I were in the market for another Ruger, a stainless 45/22 model would be my choice there. Last edited by fordtrucksforever; 01-25-2012 at 07:01 PM..

01-26-2012, 06:31 AM	#4
Country101 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dardanelle, AR Contributor Posts: 2,028	Re: Beat that horse Both guns are great, but I prefer the buckmark. It just fits me better and I like the flat sided slide instead of the ruger style. Bottom line, if you find a good deal on either, you wont be disappointed. If you find out that you like the other better later, well, that's just another reason to get another gun. __________________ Gainfully employed= shooting somebody elses bullets and getting paid for it Country101

01-26-2012, 06:55 AM	#5
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,718	Re: Beat that horse There are several ways to buy your first 22 pistol. The common way is to find a cheap one only to find after using it for awhile that it is not exactly what you need. Manufacturers know this so they produce a cheapy version with a few short cuts to get the costs down, like plastic sights, plastic trigger guards, and other parts made of plastic or pot metal that look just like really good parts. My advice is to first determine your needs, such as Plinking, paper punching, competition, hunting. Buy only the model that fits those needs, remembering that if you pay a bit more you will get a better gun. Plastic is just OK for frames but steel or aluminum is better. Pot metal (Zinc alloy) is a no-no as it has no longevity and wears rapidly. In both the Buckmark and Ruger MK series line of guns there are bottom feeders, competition versions, and models in between and the prices vary greatly. In both thef Buckmark and Ruger MK series you get what you pay for. The better more expensive models are definitely better in terms of potential accuracy, better triggers, better sights, and better durability. Buy whatever you want but don't buy "cheap". Buy what fits your needs and desires. A cheapy gun that does not meet your needs is a total waste of money if it sits silent. Do some research and get the gun exactly for your needs. Price is not everything. LDBennett

01-26-2012, 02:38 PM	#6
Curlyjoe_99 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 120	Re: Beat that horse +1 to ld Bennett's post. I've owned both and found the differences between to be more of preferences. I still have a challenger and the buckmark but lost the Ruger to a break in. For myself I picked up one of each at the shop and all. Others being equal went with the buckmark because of the comfort feel for my hands. My buddy who was also purchasing went with the Ruger for the same reasons. We shoot several times A month and are always one or two points apart from each other. Neither can shoot the others pistol as well. Good luck on your choice and hope this helps Curlyjoe

01-26-2012, 03:11 PM	#7
pea shooter Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 45	Re: Beat that horse I have a buckmark ss camper that I put a 7.25" trail lite on very nice gun.but the ruger I also a very good gun. I would chose the one that feels the best in your hand. I dont think you can go wrong with either