Thinking about getting a buck mark camper to have something cheap to shoot. Any thoughts or experiences on these. What others should I consider ?
Or how about the S&W 22A ?
I'd stick with that or a ruger. Haven't shot much else but what I have shot didn't compare to those two
Buck Marks are pretty solid guns. Good ergos. Nice triggers. Attractive. Not as tough as the Rugers, and require more frequent cleaning. On the other hand, the Buck Mark is much easier to strip and clean than the Ruger. (Ruger is a pain.)
Tip: You need to replace the little white plastic buffer (you'll see it when you first strip the gun) every 1,000 to 1,500 rounds. Yes, it matters. Your Buck Mark will slowly become a jamomatic if you neglect this.
No big deal: a snap to replace, and Browning will supply you with spare buffers either for a negligible fee or for free; I don't remember which.
Tip: You need to replace the little white plastic buffer (you'll see it when you first strip the gun) every 1,000 to 1,500 rounds. Yes, it matters. Your Buck Mark will slowly become a jamomatic if you neglect this.
No big deal: a snap to replace, and Browning will supply you with spare buffers either for a negligible fee or for free; I don't remember which.
Check out the "Hunter" model of the Buckmark - it's got the 7.25" barrel, fiber optic front sight, and a scope rail, for the same price tyically (or less) as a basic Camper.
Tallprairie, thank you much for the tip about the Buckmark buffer piece.
Tallprairie, thank you much for the tip about the Buckmark buffer piece.
One other Buck Mark tip.
There are two small Allen head screws on the top rear frame of the pistol (above the bolt). I think Browning calls that piece of top frame the "scope base" -- or something like that? Anyway, you unscrew the screws, then remove the top piece, in order to get at the chamber when field stripping the gun for cleaning.
The two screws are small, and each one has a small washer (Browning calls it "lock washer"?) beneath it that helps retain the screw. The two screws are slightly different sized, so one goes in the front screwhole and the other goes in the back.
Here comes the tip: have a small, sealable container (e.g., mini tupperware with lid) to hand when you clean your Buck Mark. Store the screws and washers safely in there while you finish disassembly and cleaning. They are small enough to lose.
There are two small Allen head screws on the top rear frame of the pistol (above the bolt). I think Browning calls that piece of top frame the "scope base" -- or something like that? Anyway, you unscrew the screws, then remove the top piece, in order to get at the chamber when field stripping the gun for cleaning.
The two screws are small, and each one has a small washer (Browning calls it "lock washer"?) beneath it that helps retain the screw. The two screws are slightly different sized, so one goes in the front screwhole and the other goes in the back.
Here comes the tip: have a small, sealable container (e.g., mini tupperware with lid) to hand when you clean your Buck Mark. Store the screws and washers safely in there while you finish disassembly and cleaning. They are small enough to lose.
