Ruger 22/45 vs Browning Buckmark

[Donny1]

I just scored a good deal on a slightly used 22/45 and it is currently in the 240 hour jail.

So go figure, my GF thinks the Ruger is ugly. She is fond of the Buckmark pistol for a practice piece so we were looking at them at Bass Pro Shop in Rancho Cucamonga. After taking a number, (#22, the counter was at #15) we waited 15-20 minutes and they call 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, finally a customer steps up. I can't imagine why all those people left. Next the call #22. I have to say that they were helpful, friendly and not condescending, a nice change from my last trip there. They have a Buckmark Camper model for $299, in stock and the best price I have seen on them.

This is the first time I have handled one of these pistols and I have to say that from the moment you pick it up it feels like a quality piece. All metal, solid and seems a bit heavy for a .22. Feels like the weight of a full size 9mm and I image will have very little recoil and help accuracy.

So how do these two models compare? They are both quality made and both are 5.5" bull barrels. I have read good things about both with only a few saying the polymer lower 22/45 being a little less popular. For me, I liked the balance of the heavy bull barrel with the lighter frame on the Ruger.

What's your experience?
Is that a good price for the Browning?

BTW, the had tons of .22lr Winchester Xpert bulk 500 packs, Remington bulk and various others. Lots of .22lr Other ammo supplies were good too.

[38super]

Both Ruger and Buckmarks have a ton of accessories, Buckmark is nicely made where the Ruger is more mass produced. Both are a 1911 grip angle, for me the 22/45 was the right price for a steel challenge practice gun. Then again, half my guns are apart for various tweeks n mods. For that price, Buckmark.

[TakeFive]

Seems simple, you already have the Ruger, get her the Buckmark and now you have access to two fun to shoot guns.

[snobord99]

From what I've seen/heard: go with the Buckmark if you're going to keep'er stock, go with the Ruger if you want to customize.

[jigenax]

Seems simple, you already have the Ruger, get her the Buckmark and now you have access to two fun to shoot guns.

1+

You got your Ruger so when she gets her own Buckmark, she'll be happy. And we all know how important it is to keep our "Better Half" happy, right?

[yasushi]

From what I've seen/heard: go with the Buckmark if you're going to keep'er stock, go with the Ruger if you want to customize.

Or go full custom with the Buckmark and swap out the barrel with the Tacsol barrel. Can't swap the barrel on the Ruger since the serial # is on the barrel.

[trashman]

Or go full custom with the Buckmark and swap out the barrel with the Tacsol barrel. Can't swap the barrel on the Ruger since the serial # is on the barrel.

You can swap it out, but you would have to DROS the new upper receiver/barrel from TacSol (and it's not on the Drop List, etc etc). The Buckmark is just a barrel - drop in!

I have owned both and I very much prefer the Browning; that having been said there isn't much you can do with a Browning trigger; but there are Volquartsen drop-ins for the Ruger.

One of the reasons I now have the Browning is so I can swap in different barrel lengths should the mood strike me.

--Neill

[RT13]

+1 for Buckmark. I like the looks and feel of the Buckmark much better than the 22/45. I have the stainless Buckmark and both my wife, kids, and myself love it. As a matter of fact, I bought mine from Racho Cucamonga BPS. I bought the twon tone stainless with the gold trigger. The Camper model was nice and price was great too but my family and I preferred the grip on the non Camper model plus I liked the stainless barrel with the flat sides. The Buckmark feels much more high quality than the 22/45. Just can't warm up to the polymer frame and grips. If atleast the grips were wood or rubberized then maybe.

[Wink]

I have both , and they are both great guns. The deciding factor for me though is the Buckmarks ability to get the tactical sollutions barrel. I know the 22/45 can use the tac sol barrels, but I have never seen one for sale. I dont know if their are any drop in triggers for the buckmark now, but you can have a gunsmith work on it. Dont know if this helped, but I would get a buckmark.

[yasushi]

On the Buckmark trigger, just do the DYI trigger job. It'll make a huge difference from the stock trigger.
Here is the link to rimfirecentral with decent step by step photos.

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=174356&page=4

[pennys dad]

I have both and I like the Buckmark better, If I get the chance I will sell the Ruger and get another buckmark

[Lorance]

The Ruger's are popular range guns (rentals) so you should be able to shoot it for a couple of hours before having to purchase one. I could not find a Buckmark at a rental counter but I could play with the action at a local Duncan's in San Marcos and bought it...

There are a few accessories that you can buy for your Buckmark, Midwest Gun stocks most of the factory items.