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General Discussion & Everything Else : General Discussion & Everything Else

Browning or Ruger

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User

Bansheex

Posted: Oct 19th 2009, 11:16 PM

I'm torn on what one to get.

Browning Buckmark or Ruger MK III Target

What do you guys think? Will use for target shooting and Speed Steel only with a red dot sight.

I do have a P-22 but looking for something to add to the 22cal line.

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Recoil

Posted: Oct 20th 2009, 12:00 AM

They are both nice pieces. I'm a huge Browning fan, but I'm also a huge Ruger Mk III fan. I bought my wife a MK III about a year and a half ago. I looked at the Browning Buckmark while shopping and have to admit, the only reason I didn't get it instead of the Ruger is because she was deadset on the Ruger. Her father had come into town a few weeks prior and she was shooting his MK III. She was on target on her first salvo and from then on. She was sold immediately and wanted one. There was no talking her out of the Ruger. After shooting it once, I was well pleased. It's a great piece. Oh, hers isn't the target, but the standard version, blued model. No frills, just plain jane. I still like it though, but the target model would be a definite upgrade to an already tight-grouped shooter!

Oh yeah, just wanted to say also that breakdown and cleaning of the MK III is a total mother phucker! Just giving you a heads up. The directions suck, so I watched a Youtube video of a guy doing it. When I went to reassemble it, I must have rewound the video 20 times. Real pain in the ass. Don't know about the Buckmark.

-Recoil

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foxtrot

Posted: Oct 20th 2009, 04:30 AM

Standard Model - Mark II - Mark III are all a real pain to strip. The III has the stupid mag safety that makes it a huge pain in the ass. Great, accurate guns, but the field stripping is about as bad as you can get. It usually takes me well over 30 minutes to get a Standard model pieced together even when I've done it before. Sometimes longer on a Mark III.. some strange issues on that, can end up with the bolt locked, the mainspring locked half closed and you scratch your head wondering how the hell your going to get it back apart to give it another shot.

Buckmarks on the other hand, you unscrew an allen. Upper comes apart. Clean. Upper goes back together. Screw in allen. Done. Why ruger hasn't figured out the take-down sucks on that pistol after more than 60 years is beyond me. It's hardly improved at all.

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Spot

Posted: Oct 20th 2009, 09:11 AM

I have a Buckmark and it has been a dream. Several of the guys on the range have tried it out and all are amazed about the accuracy. I think it has a good grip and feels natural in your hand. The break down has two allen screws that are not difficult unless you lose them.

Sure like mine a lot.

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Recoil

Posted: Oct 20th 2009, 11:48 AM

Bansheex,

Although the Ruger is a great piece, I would say to go with the Browning, if nothing more than ease of disassemly/re-assembly! Trust me and Foxtrot (and others I'm sure), it's a royal pain in the ass.

Hell, for a while there, I wouldn't even let my wife shoot the damned thing because I didn't want to have to break it down to clean it. Then, I got smart and now I just douche it with about half a can of gunscrubber and don't break it down. I then relube and giddy up. Still, like Fox mentioned, it would be great if Ruger got a frickin' clue and made it easier to field strip.

I'd go with the Browning if I were you. Just my .02 worth.

-Recoil

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redlegagent

Posted: Oct 20th 2009, 12:08 PM

My Buckmark can shoot rings around my Ruger. Easier to maintain and more accurate.

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Tac56

Posted: Oct 20th 2009, 12:25 PM

I have owned both guns and I sold the Ruger after the second time I tried to put it back together after taking it apart to clean it..... It was also more finicky about which ammo it liked.

I still have my Browning Buckmark Micro. It is a great shooter and shoots anything I feed it. The above comments about cleaning are spot on. My only complaint is that magazines are sometimes hard to find.

Since I have picked up a .22 conversion for my Sig P220 and the one I've had for years for my 1911, I rarely shoot the Browning anymore, except when the wife comes out. He likes it almost as much as her Ruger Single Six revolver.

-Tac

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Room 055

Posted: Oct 20th 2009, 03:05 PM

Rugers in general are a PITA to take apart and put back together. I'm playing with my 9mm right now and cussing at it. I do like the suppressed MkIII that SOCOM uses though!

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Bansheex

Posted: Oct 20th 2009, 10:02 PM

Wow that's good to know about the cleaning issues with the Ruger. I was kind of leaning that way, but might have to re-think this. The last time I was at the range, I had a chance to shoot the 22/45 and loved the way it felt and shot. We have a Speed Steel shoot this weekend. Maybe someone will have the Buckmark and I can check it out.

I'm still a few weeks out before I buy, I'm going to sell a few gold nuggets to finance this. It looks like they are pretty close in cost. Is the Browning drilled and taped for a scope mount?

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Tac56

Posted: Oct 21st 2009, 03:46 PM

Bansheex,

The Browning has a topstrap that is held down with two allen head screws. In order to mount a scope, all you have to do is buy the mount. It replaces the top strap and is bolted down in it's place. Takes about two minutes to mount. Mine has held up well for years witha small red dot mounted on it.

-Tac

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Room 055

Posted: Oct 21st 2009, 05:18 PM

Bansheex,

I'm more bitching about the Rugers than anything. They are dependable firearms from a great company. I have nothing against them. The main reason I probably don't like pulling it apart to clean it is I don't do it enough to have it be muscle memory like it is with my HK. If you like the Ruger, consider it. Have the dealer show you the break down to help you decide.

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Bansheex

Posted: Oct 21st 2009, 07:07 PM

I found a website that shows in detail how to field strip the Ruger, it does not look to bad other than there are quite a few steps. I do see quite a few others saying it's a pain, as well as it's a fine shooter. I'm still leaning towards the Ruger Mark III 22/45, but I'm still not sold. I found a hew one for 269.99 15.00 S&H I do like the Rugers look over the Browning (sorry Browning guys)

I will let you all know what I decide. I sold the nuggets, but don't want to rush it. It's hard to not just go buy it, I hate to wait when it comes to getting a new gun

I do thank all for the info and help!!!!!

http://www.guntalk-online.com/fsprocedures.htm

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Recoil

Posted: Oct 21st 2009, 09:41 PM

Bansheex,

Don't get me wrong, the Ruger is a fine shooter, it's got a very nice ergonomic feel to it and it's an accurate S.O.B. right out of the box. Having never shot the Browning Buckmark side by side with the Ruger, I can't give you a "which one is tighter" synopsis, I'll have to take Redleg's word for it. As I previously stated, my wife's is the standard version, no heavy barrel and it's blued. Still it's unbelievably accurate. I can only imagine the heavy barreled version.

The cleaning is a bitch though, but I'm sure with a little practice it wouldn't be so bad. But, when you only clean it once a year (tops) breakdown is testy and reassembly is a motherhunker!

Post up some pics of whichever you decide on.

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Bansheex

Posted: Oct 21st 2009, 11:38 PM

I would love the chance to shoot the Browning. I'm hoping someone has one this weekend. I'm in a small town! The Welcome and Thanks for Visiting sign is on the same post. I'm going to check with our local Radio Shack/Sporting goods store (told ya it's a small town) to see if he has one or knows someone that does.

I'll let ya know

Thanks again!!!!

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Bansheex

Posted: Oct 24th 2009, 12:47 AM

Ok I ordered a Ruger MarkIII 22/45 Should be here next week. The Radio Shack/Sporting goods store made me a deal I could not turn down. I also found a good deal on a lightly used Buckmark, if he still has it in a few weeks I will pick it up to.

I guess if you can't decide on one, get both

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Recoil

Posted: Oct 24th 2009, 02:42 AM

Way to go. When (if) you get both, post up a compare and contrast report!

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Bansheex

Posted: Oct 24th 2009, 04:49 PM

I will for sure. Should be interesting. I can throw the P-22 into the mix also. Just need to decide on a red dot scope now.

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Room 055

Posted: Oct 24th 2009, 10:44 PM

If you got the bucks, look at the Aimpoint Micro R-1.

http://www.aimpoint.com/o.o.i.s?id=47&prev_id=47&product_id=367

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Bansheex

Posted: Oct 26th 2009, 10:09 AM

Nice! Maybe sometime next year. Have to go a bit cheaper for now. There was a guy at Speed Steel yesterday that was shooting a Ruger 22/45 with just the iron sights, and he did great with it. I asked him about cleaning it and he said it was a PAIN in the A Good shooting gun, I can't wait! I still want to pickup the Buckmark to!

Here's a few pics of the P22

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shamntgmry

Posted: Nov 11th 2009, 05:11 PM

Browning is great but go with the Ruger if you want accuracy!

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