Which Browning Buck Mark?

[DSB]

I am going to buy a .22 pistol in the next few weeks, and I think I've narrowed down my decision to a Browning Buck Mark. My question is whether I should get a model above the entry-level Camper. I will use this pistol solely for target practice at the range, and will never put a scope on it. My main hesitation with the camper is that I want this gun to last 30 years, and I am always skeptical of entry-level models of any product. Would you recommend moving up to the Hunter or another model?

[c good]

I have the slabside. It is a great shooter. I believe the barrel length is 5.5 inch.

[GUNNTZ]

You will not have an issue with a browning barrel running out early. I've got an older slab side target and it's a joy to shoot every time; current round count is 3k. Buy what you can afford and enjoy.

[SteveSatch]

What is the mode above the camper? I'd like to get one too.

[bucktooth7]

I believe it is the RV Camper. Just a bit of humor.

[GUNNTZ]

Camper is the basic model now, so anything else they list.

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/finder.asp?f1=006B

[Capt.Dunsel]

You will not have an issue with a browning barrel running out early. I've got an older slab side target and it's a joy to shoot every time; current round count is 3k. Buy what you can afford and enjoy.

Mine is about to turn 23 yr old( in 13 days) , slab sided and still puts a magazine full into a dime @ 25 yards . Lets see use to work at an indoor range so went every day shot it every day. Used it to teach my sons , sons- son and daughter( my grand daughter) friends , mailman , and ect,ect,ect you get the idea many more rounds thru her than I can remember counting.

[Exile Machine]

Nothing wrong with the basic camper model. I've had one for years. An enjoyable and accurate gun to shoot.
-Mark

[SteveSatch]

I like the grip of the camper, it fits my hand. But I prefer the slab side barrel. Before they had the camper, they had that same grip with a slab side barrel as their basic model. I was hoping to find a cheap Buckmark in Turner's Christmas ad. How much does a camper go for?

[DSB]

I have read that the Camper comes with a plastic sight base, but the other models come with a metal sight base. Some posts seem to indicate that Browning may have switched to a metal sight base for the newer Camper models, however.

Can anyone confirm whether the Campers now come with a metal sight base?

For those with a plastic sight base on their Camper, has the plastic sight base caused any problems?

[Matt640h]

I bought a new camper about 6-8 years ago. It came with the plastic site base. The problem is after re-assembling the gun, if you tighten the screws too much on the plastic site base it will crack. A new plastic site base from Browning is cheap. You can also upgrade to a factory metal base from Browning or you could install an aftermarket site base (Tac-Sol). Other than the site base, there is no other reliability/mechanical differences betweent the different Buckmark models, they are all ultra reliable. My Camper is my favorite pistol.

[gorenut]

I'd aim to get a Buckmark with the metal plating. Part of the reason why I went with the 22/45 over a Buckmark is because I didn't want to deal with the plastic cracking and to upgrade would have cost more. Buckmarks are great guns regardless though.

[Blackpowder Burner]

The Camper Buckmark is a great 22 to start with. Easy to shoot, reliable, easy to clean and very accurate. I've had one over 10 years and it's still shoots great. Matt640h is correct about being careful in tighting the plastic base. Too tight and I had problems with the slide binding, too loose and the slide would wiggle around and come loose. You will get a feel for it after a couple of cleanings.

Thirty years is a long time to stick with one gun, once you get bitten by the bug, you can't stop at one. You'll probably end up with many more other great pistols if you get into it. It's one of my favorite. Also have the Neo, 22A, Mark III.

[DSB]

I want this gun to last 30 years, and I am always skeptical of entry-level models of any product.

Thirty years is a long time to stick with one gun, once you get bitten by the bug, you can't stop at one. You'll probably end up with many more other great pistols if you get into it. It's one of my favorite. Also have the Neo, 22A, Mark III.

I used 30 years just to emphasize that I'm looking for something that lasts a long time. I tend to prefer buying quality products, and keeping them until they wear out. For example, I tend to keep my cars for over 200,000. I don't intend for this to be my only gun (far from it). So, I didn't mean it will be the only gun I buy for the next 30 years -- I meant that I want it to last for many, many years.

Since you also have the Mark III, just out of curiosity, do you prefer your Buck Mark or your Ruger?

[dls]

I just bought a Buckmark plus UDX with walnut grips, slab side and metal sight base,tru glo FS. with Tax & DROS from my local shop I was OTD for $450. I think the camper was about $100 less.

crappy cell pic attached.