The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: alfsauve on January 30, 2016, 08:40:41 AM
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I admit. I take a new gun from box to range. I do check the barrel for obstructions the first time, but that's it. I just shoot the heck out of them.
My Buckmark, one of the target models with the rail, has probably seen 1,000 or more rounds and the slide wasn't feeling as slick as normal. (I shoot CCI Standards) I decided to disassemble and clean it.
MANUAL? We don't need no stinkin' manual.
Thought I'd take the grips off first, you know just like cleaning a revolver. UH-OH. A number of small parts then proceed to fall out. I didn't loose any and I did figure out where they all went, without the manual since I'm just a tad stubborn. Got it all cleaned and back together. Tested it yesterday and still works fine. (Yes I know how to remove the barrel, which I did.)
SO WARNING: Before you take the grips off a Buckmark, be aware there are little pieces that will fall out.
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No need to remove the grips. All you are required to do for a field strip, clean and lube, is to remove the 2 Hex Screws on the top sight base, then gently remove it. The recoil spring and guide rod will then come off. Next remove the slide, and you can clean and relubricate everything. You can remove the barrel if you choose, but it's not necessary. For that all you have to do is loosen the 1/4-28 Hex Set Screw located at the front of the frame. Note that when you reassemble the top sight base, do not reverse the screws. One is longer than the other. If you mix them up, that can cause operating problems, because the longer one will possibly bottom out. Depending on how deep it was tapped.
(http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/billt460/BrowningBuckMarkScrews_zps8500f89e.jpg) (http://s812.photobucket.com/user/billt460/media/BrowningBuckMarkScrews_zps8500f89e.jpg.html)
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In all the years I had my Buck Mark I never removed either grips or barrel.
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In all the years I had my Buck Mark I never removed either grips or barrel.
I don't think I would either if I had one. Personally I don't like pistols that use the grips to retain parts but you may not find out about it until after you've bought the gun. I'll stick with my Rugers for the time being. I bought a Majestic Arms speed strip for one of them. All I have to do is unscrew one screw and pull the bolt out to clean everything.
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I've heard of them, no messing with that "take down" lever ?
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I have a full length, integral top rail. I'd rather not remove the rail from the barrel. It's actually easier to remove the barrel and rail as one assembly. In my mind at least, it minimizes the sight getting out of alignment.
I checked the manual later and it does NOT have a warning about removing the grip. A wrap around grip I might add on my model, which makes it harder to hold all the pieces in place while you put it on. I managed. It works fine, just a surprise.
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In all the years I had my Buck Mark I never removed either grips or barrel.
Tom,
Have you ever had to replace the little plastic buffer at the end of the guide rod?
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Ruger Mk III or Buck Mark? Been looking at one or the other for a plinker. I miss my Hi-Standard!
Which one...I've heard nightmares on the Ruger disassembly..watching their video is not making the Ruger more appealing either!
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My first new handgun was a Buckmark.... one of the first three sold by my local fun proprietor in those days. I still have it, along with a target model, and a newer standard (after they changed "aka cheapened") the slide guts. I had a silhouette model when I played that game, but later sold it off.
Needless to say, I have been fluent in 'Buckmark' for years. ;D
I re-assembled a Ruger MkII for a neighbor who brought it to me in a gallon zip-loc bag, having never fooled with one. Thanks to patience and youtube, it functions well now.
Having detail stripped the Brownings on many occasions, I prefer the Brownings to the Ruger. 8)
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Ruger Mk III or Buck Mark? Been looking at one or the other for a plinker. I miss my Hi-Standard!
Which one...I've heard nightmares on the Ruger disassembly..watching their video is not making the Ruger more appealing either!
Also look at the Neos and the new S&W. But given the two you mentioned, I'd go with Buckmark. That said, my first one was a Ruger MK l. Won a tin can shoot with it. Then I wanted something more up to date and holding 10 rounds so I got the Buckmark. Recently I added a 22/45 w short threaded barreled for quiet plinking.
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Ruger Mk III or Buck Mark? Been looking at one or the other for a plinker. I miss my Hi-Standard!
Which one...I've heard nightmares on the Ruger disassembly..watching their video is not making the Ruger more appealing either!
I've heard that the Buckmark is a little more accurate but couldn't say for sure. If you get the speed strip for a Ruger you only have to field strip it once to install the kit. After that it's super easy. My Mark II version of the 22/45 is even easier than in this video.
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If you buy a Ruger Mark III, don't take it apart. It isn't necessary. I just wash mine in clean Kerosene, then blow it dry with compressed air. If you disassemble it, you'll be cussing for hours. Like Jackie Gleason said in, "Smokey & The Bandit", "You can think about it..... But just don't do it!"
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Another advantage of the Buckmark is that if you want to replace the barrel you just order one through the mail, but the way the Ruger is made it has to go through an FFL.
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<snip> Note that when you reassemble the top sight base, do not reverse the screws. One is longer than the other. <snip>
And don't over tighten them. Ask me how I know...duh...slide stops working. Maybe I got my screw backwards too?
Tom,
Have you ever had to replace the little plastic buffer at the end of the guide rod?
I've bought a couple just to have a spare. Never had to replace it though.
My first one was a Challenger III which is essentially a Buckmark. I still really like that one. It had a heavy barrel and was slightly akin to the Hi Standard I could not afford.
I also have the Ruger MK II Government model with a Nikon scope on it for squirrel hunting...someday. Anyway, it's really accurate but somebody is gonna have to pay me to break it down to clean.
I won a recent Buckmark and I like it. I don't know how accurate it is...more than enough though. I replaced the barrel with a threaded TacSol barrel for armadillos and such. Note to self...never get the gloss black finish again.
Nothing wrong with a Buckmark, it'll save a few $$$$. It does not have the magazine release like the new MK III's have though.
I never used either one for training. The Sig Mosquito, PITA that it is, has that roll along with a newer S&W M&P in 22 LR which works flawlessly even with an optical sight on it.
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I've bought a couple just to have a spare. Never had to replace it though.
Same here. I think I've got 2 extras. I saw that Midway had them, so I bought a couple just in case, when I was ordering something else.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/478927/browning-buffer-browning-buck-mark-pistol
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I was a bit leery of the Ruger after watching their video. Of all the firearms I've owned, which pales in comparison to some here, never have I had to smack the receiver five or six times with a hammer to remove anything.
The speed kit looks interesting.
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My target model below will stack 'em inside a nickel-sized circle off sand bags all day....and the standard model will nearly do that, even without the adjustable trigger pull.
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This is a 80's Ruger Mark II Competition Target I have, with some 10 shot groups I shot with it back in the 90's. It prints pretty good. Better than some .22 rifles I've got. That's one of the reasons I never tried to take it apart. That and them being such a PITA to put back together. The scope is a cheap Tasco variable. I don't normally like scopes on handguns. Because this one came with the rings and bases, I made an exception.
(http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/billt460/RugerCompetitionTargetMarkII.jpg) (http://s812.photobucket.com/user/billt460/media/RugerCompetitionTargetMarkII.jpg.html)
(http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/billt460/RugerCompititionTarget22_zps4a78453b.jpg) (http://s812.photobucket.com/user/billt460/media/RugerCompititionTarget22_zps4a78453b.jpg.html)
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No, I never needed to replace the little plastic block.
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Same here. I think I've got 2 extras. I saw that Midway had them,...
So the problem here is if I buy them, carefully label them and put them in the parts cabinet, when I need them I won't remember I already have them.
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Bill and Chuck, nice.
Here's my Buckmark. Same model as Chuck's, though I have the rubber wraparound grips. Hoping to use this in the American Marksman challenge.
(https://sauve.smugmug.com/Gun-General/i-rL5GNmd/0/XL/IMG_3753-XL.jpg)
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So the problem here is if I buy them, carefully label them and put them in the parts cabinet, when I need them I won't remember I already have them.
I know what you mean. I'll remember because it pisses me off that I had to pay $6.00 plus shipping for 2, .05 cent pieces of plastic that I'd have to get on my hands and knees to find, if I dropped them on the rug.
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Bill and Chuck, nice.
Here's my Buckmark. Same model as Chuck's, though I have the rubber wraparound grips. Hoping to use this in the American Marksman challenge.
(https://sauve.smugmug.com/Gun-General/i-rL5GNmd/0/XL/IMG_3753-XL.jpg)
That's the one problem with the Buckmark I'm trying to work around. I would like to replace the factory black and grey rubber grips with some nice wood ones. The issue is Browning makes 6,876 different styles and types of grips for all the various Buckmark models. And NONE of them interchange. It's really hard to find which grips fit which models. I'm afraid to take a chance. Some of the Buckmark models have a better selection than others. Ruger Mark pistols are much easier to put aftermarket grips on. Companies are reluctant to produce custom grips for the Buckmark, because there are so damn many different models.
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Bill and Chuck, nice.
Here's my Buckmark. Same model as Chuck's, though I have the rubber wraparound grips. Hoping to use this in the American Marksman challenge.
(https://sauve.smugmug.com/Gun-General/i-rL5GNmd/0/XL/IMG_3753-XL.jpg)
Nice... I see yours has the ramp front sight (don't know what year they started that). Mine came with the square front post that is adjustable for two widths (also had a removable hood on front and rear).
The sights on the standard models have come a long way. In the beginning, it was their weakest point......the guns have always been accurate, but the first standard model like the one below had dreadful sights to actually adjust. For windage, you had to loosen two tiny screws and manually slide the blade, and then try to tighten without losing position.
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Those are some good looking pistols.
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This is a 80's Ruger Mark II Competition Target I have, with some 10 shot groups I shot with it back in the 90's. It prints pretty good. Better than some .22 rifles I've got. That's one of the reasons I never tried to take it apart. That and them being such a PITA to put back together. <snip>
Sweet group. Mine shoots very well too but I've never really tried to pattern it...I did adjust the windage shooting at a plastic jug floating against the bank of a canal at the mouth of the Mississippi River. I shot from a table at the camp out 200 yards...yep, the bottom of the reticle and the dang thing dropped them in the same spot when I did my part.
I really, really would like to change the trigger, but like you, I've never taken it apart to clean because it's such a pain. The boresnake, qtips & plastic picks have done yeoman duty on it however....
(http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt114/RastusNR/102_5433.jpg) (http://s603.photobucket.com/user/RastusNR/media/102_5433.jpg.html)