Budget 22lr, Buckmark vs Ruger?

[rromeo]

I've had a Buckmark close to 10 years. It just doesn't feel right for me. I think it shoots about the same as my MKIV. My MKII is much better than both.

[michaelf3]

I have both and I don't think you can go wrong with either. As some have mentioned, the Ruger is easier to takedown and clean.

[bubbala]

I have owned both,currently have a buckmark. And yes the ruger mark 4 does break down easily.
But, the buckmark action is open on both sides and I think that alone keeps it cleaner.a brush on the chamber face and a patch worm at the range is all I do.

[scamp62]

Ruger all day, and every day!

[Tunabliss]

I have a couple of Buck Marks and three Rugers (MkI, MkIII & MkIV). There are several models of the Buck Marks so it would be hard to say which is best. I have a 7.25" Contour (not available in CA) and it out shoots all my 22's, including my S&W Mod 41. The Contour is a little harder to take apart than the MkIV but not that bad. Someone mentioned the rail on the Contour is not a Picatinny, that is correct. I believe it is a weaver. I had to do a little filing to fit a red dot. I don't think you can go wrong with either option but in the end it will vary by gun, ammo and shooter.

[Yasu]

It's really a matter of preference at the end of the day. The buckmarks were easily the best before the mark iv hit the roster, but now it's a neck and neck competition. Personally? The buckmark looks a hell of a lot better, but the mark iv's modularity and ease of takedown is a game changer. Accuracy-wise they'll only be as good as you are, so bear that in mind. The buckmark for the beauty, the mark iv for the ease of care.

[BucDan]

I'm pretty firm on the 22/45 at this point. Just waiting for stores to have it now.

It's funny how online retailers from out of state have the Ruger 40187 model in stock, but no one in CA has it in stock.

[Usmc0844spare]

I'm pretty firm on the 22/45 at this point. Just waiting for stores to have it now.

It's funny how online retailers from out of state have the Ruger 40187 model in stock, but no one in CA has it in stock.

I mean, have you considered ordering from out of state?

Some of the drop shippers have low enough prices to where adding in "higher than gun shop" FFL fees makes it at least a break even affair, as long as you don't mind waiting a week or two for it to actually ship.

[BucDan]

It's kind of stupid, but I was given gift cards to sportsman's more Christmas, so I kinda want to use it. I don't have to, but the fiancee would be happier if I used it on a big purchase.

And knowing my luck, it'll probably be in a stock a week after I place the order.

[Usmc0844spare]

It's kind of stupid, but I was given gift cards to sportsman's more Christmas, so I kinda want to use it. I don't have to, but the fiancee would be happier if I used it on a big purchase.

And knowing my luck, it'll probably be in a stock a week after I place the order.

Understood.

Yeah I was gonna try and wait to buy my Buckmark for when Browning did one of their usual holiday rebate offerings but my impatience got the better of me.

[Zenderfall]

I mean, have you considered ordering from out of state?

Be very careful with this advice.

The Mark IV 22/45 on the Ca Roster is model 40187. The 49-state Mark IV 22/45 is model 40107. See the difference in those two numbers? Not much, but enough to make one ok to purchase new in CA, and the other, not.

I'm pretty sure the model 40187 and 40107 are identical in looks, feel, functions, probably everything, (yes, every single detail is probably the exact same)..... except one is destined specifically for CA and the other is not, and the only way that is spelled out is their model numbers. If you order out of state, make sure the one coming to an "FFL near you!" is 40187 and NOT 40107. Because if it is indeed, 40107, that store might not be able to DROS that to you, no matter how much you want to convince "they are the exact same gun!" and they, again, most probably are.

[Usmc0844spare]

Be very careful with this advice.

The Mark IV 22/45 on the Ca Roster is model 40187. The 49-state Mark IV 22/45 is model 40107. See the difference in those two numbers? Not much, but enough to make one ok to purchase new in CA, and the other, not.

I'm pretty sure the model 40187 and 40107 are identical in looks, feel, functions, probably everything, (yes, every single detail is probably the exact same)..... except one is destined specifically for CA and the other is not, and the only way that is spelled out is their model numbers. If you order out of state, make sure the one coming to an "FFL near you!" is 40187 and NOT 40107. Because if it is indeed, 40107, that store might not be able to DROS that to you, no matter how much you want to convince "they are the exact same gun!" and they, again, most probably are.

Good point. When I was searching for my pistol online, I inserted the approved roster model # into gun.deals and made darn sure of what I was ordering.

[tokuno]

Picked up the CA Roster new-add MKIV last year.
Prior to that, had (still have) S&W 41, MK1, & Buckmark.
Best shooter for me was the Buckmark. Both my two older kids (Marine expert badges for both rifle & pistol) preferred the Ruger MK1. We're all 'meh' on the 41. Looks awesome, but not a great shooter for us.
Now that I have the MKIV, if I could only keep one, it would be the MKIV. Love the easy takedown/cleaning, and it shoots great.
I'm the only in our family who's shot it so far, so no other family opinions available as yet

[serper3]

I'm pretty firm on the 22/45 at this point. Just waiting for stores to have it now.

It's funny how online retailers from out of state have the Ruger 40187 model in stock, but no one in CA has it in stock.

I saw the 22/45 at turners yesterday in Pittsburg. Not sure how far of a drive that is for you - i believe you also mentioned the gift cards to sportsmans so there is that.

I the price was like $440 or so. its a good bit cheaper because the 22/45 frame is plastic vs the target is aluminum.

if turners has it, i would imagine sportmans should get it soon.

[pinger]

I have several Ruger Mk IIs and one Mk IV and two Buckmarks. I like them all pretty evenly. I would always say get both and if possible also get a S&W 41.

However if you are only going to get one... then:

Get the Buckmark if you like versatility.
It is possible change barrels easily owning just the one gun. I've bought barrels from Midwest Gun Works and other places. I started out with a slab sided 5.5" barrel.



Then bought a 7.5" Bull barrel and a 4" slab sided barrel



Now also have a 5.5" Contour barrel.

The 7.5" Bull and 5.5" Contour barrels are heavy and solid shooting for accurate target shooting and the 4" and 5.5" slab sided barrels are very casual easy care free plinking barrels (especially the 4" barrel). The character of the gun changes dramatically with the large range of barrels.

OR get the Ruger Mk IV if you mainly want a plinking gun and don't care about changing barrels. It won't have the target accuracy of the heavier long barrels but the cleaning will definitely be easier.

They are both good at what they do. Give you cheap smiles.