Question on 2 Browning Buckmark Models

[DArBad]

Rimfire gang,

I need your recommendation between these 2 Buckmark models:

Contour URX (5.5 inch barrel) AND the Buckmark Lite Grey URX w/ 7.5 inch barrel). They are both on the CA roster, the longer barreled Contour is not, so only the 5.5 inch will be a consideration.

My reasons for buying: I don't have a rimfire and would like to own one. I would like to be able to upgrade barrels not too long into the future, but would like to enjoy the piece as is. It will be used mainly for plinking and range fun so I prefer a " more accurate " gun....if in your experience, one is more accurate than the other.

Thanks.

[Bastard]

If you intend on replacing the barrel anyway just get whichever is cheaper - IIRC the only difference is the barrels & the sight rail both can easily be upgraded with some money spent at tacsol.

What you really need to be asking is whether or not you are going to be running optics or not

[SDawson]

I bought the Lite Grey URX and it is a tack driver. My first .22 pistol and could not be happier. Using Federal AutoMatch with no issues.

[DArBad]

I bought the Lite Grey URX and it is a tack driver. My first .22 pistol and could not be happier. Using Federal AutoMatch with no issues.

Did you buy the 5.5 or the 7.5 inch barrel?

[DArBad]

..............

What you really need to be asking is whether or not you are going to be running optics or not

Hmmmm....... I didn't think of that...... my eye sight is not good anymore (60 years old) and I am highly myopic too.

Thanks for the steer in the right direction.

[Bastard]

The standard or the lite urx can easily have an optic mounted with the addition of a tactical solutions sight base...

also if this is going to be your first buckmark, the only thing I can say bad about them is the screws have a tendency to back out if you don't take the proper precautions... plumber's tape and/or blue loctite.

and just for fun check out rusty22.com

[DArBad]

The standard or the lite urx can easily have an optic mounted with the addition of a tactical solutions sight base...

also if this is going to be your first buckmark, the only thing I can say bad about them is the screws have a tendency to back out if you don't take the proper precautions... plumber's tape and/or blue loctite.

and just for fun check out rusty22.com

Thank you very much for all the good advise.

[gityerkneedahn]

[JagerDog]

I have a basic slabside (before they had so many flavors). The pistol is amazingly accurate.

I'm not a fan of fiber optic sights for the application. The Pro Target sights are very good.

Personally, I'd go standard URX. Contour works if planning on optics. If planning on optics, the longer barrel doesnt really buy you anything.

[DArBad]

I have a basic slabside (before they had so many flavors). The pistol is amazingly accurate.

I'm not a fan of fiber optic sights for the application. The Pro Target sights are very good.

Personally, I'd go standard URX. Contour works if planning on optics. If planning on optics, the longer barrel doesnt really buy you anything.

The slab side barrel is really growing on me. Been looking at the Standard URX as advised, and the black colored one is aesthetically very appealing.

[Eyelawdoc]

The Contour barrel has a unique top strap that lets you mount an optic sight without having to modify the gun. However, this unique top strap is NOT compatible with the other round and slab sided Buckmark barrels. If you want to be able to use barrels other than the original Contour barrel on your Contour frame, you will have to replace the top strap and rear sight to do it. That gets expensive.

I'd recommend going with a Buckmark model having a more conventional barrel shape. Then you can interchange pretty much any round or slab sided barrel you want without having to change the top strap.

Another thing to be aware of are the 3 different grip configurations available on the Buckmark. The UFX models have the largest grip size and you can buy aftermarket grips to fit these pistols. The URX models have a slightly smaller rubber grip with wrap-around finger grooves. They are very gripy and comfortable, but aftermarket grips are not available. Lastly, there are the UDX grips found on the premium priced models. They feature a smaller size, laminated wood construction, and finger grooves that are cut into the front strap of the frame. Again, there are no aftermarket grips for the UDX series.

Personally, I'd go for the Camper UFX, or the Camper UFX stainless models. They are the least expensive, yet shoot the same as the most expensive Buckmarks. There is no difference between the various price levels when it comes to the internal parts of the guns. Inside, they are all the same. The basic UFX series also offers the most opportunity for customizing with different barrels, grips and sights available from Browning and the aftermarket.

If you like the URX style rubber grips, the standard URX model is a good choice! Whichever model you select, you can't go wrong with any Buckmark. They are all good shooting guns.

[mitch1]

I bought a UDX Stainless plus slabside. I tried the different models, UDX URX UFX and the UDX fit my hand best.
turners had a pretty good deal, Retail was $599, regular $539, on sale $399 and I got the $100 rebate. Right now it is a $75 rebate until the end of the month.
If you are thinking about a cocking assist like tandemkross check which slide you get, a lot of cal compliant have the half serrations which wont work.
Again part of the reason I went with the UDX ss plus
also the contour model 5 inch barrel has the half serrations and the 7 inch has the full. Go figure

[DArBad]

The Contour barrel has a unique top strap that lets you mount an optic sight without having to modify the gun. However, this unique top strap is NOT compatible with the other round and slab sided Buckmark barrels. If you want to be able to use barrels other than the original Contour barrel on your Contour frame, you will have to replace the top strap and rear sight to do it. That gets expensive.

I'd recommend going with a Buckmark model having a more conventional barrel shape. Then you can interchange pretty much any round or slab sided barrel you want without having to change the top strap.

Another thing to be aware of are the 3 different grip configurations available on the Buckmark. The UFX models have the largest grip size and you can buy aftermarket grips to fit these pistols. The URX models have a slightly smaller rubber grip with wrap-around finger grooves. They are very gripy and comfortable, but aftermarket grips are not available. Lastly, there are the UDX grips found on the premium priced models. They feature a smaller size, laminated wood construction, and finger grooves that are cut into the front strap of the frame. Again, there are no aftermarket grips for the UDX series.

Personally, I'd go for the Camper UFX, or the Camper UFX stainless models. They are the least expensive, yet shoot the same as the most expensive Buckmarks. There is no difference between the various price levels when it comes to the internal parts of the guns. Inside, they are all the same. The basic UFX series also offers the most opportunity for customizing with different barrels, grips and sights available from Browning and the aftermarket.

If you like the URX style rubber grips, the standard URX model is a good choice! Whichever model you select, you can't go wrong with any Buckmark. They are all good shooting guns.

Man, you are a wealth of knowledge!

The info on the different grips is most helpful..... that's one of the things I found intimidating. Another was my desire to purchase a model that is the most accepting of aftermarket upgrades/change.

To ALL of the responders,.......... I appreciate all your feedback.

Thanks a lot.

[Bastard]

...and speaking of top strap, I don't know if they are still making it, but some of the camper models were using a plastic top strap instead of the metal ones.

like I said, I do not know if they are still using the plastic ones but it is something you might want to look out for... I never had a problem with the plastic one that came on my camper but I did swap it out for metal one nonetheless

[B.C.]

The URX models have a slightly smaller rubber grip with wrap-around finger grooves. They are very gripy and comfortable, but aftermarket grips are not available.

I was recently doing some research on Buckmark grips and found the Hogue does indeed make replacement grips for the URX frame. They seem to the only ones, and have limited options available.

https://www.hogueinc.com/grips/browning/buckmark-urx

Sadly though, no aftermarket grips yet for the UDX models, which was what I was looking for.

If I were to buy another for myself, I would get a black camper UFX model and buy the Tac-Sol barrel, integrated top rail for an optic, and color matched aluminum grips. The blue and red are pretty flashy, but the OD green is what I like the best.