Happiness is a new gun!

[gb6491]

dao,
You might want to contact RUSTY22 to see if he is still offering his BMT (Buckmark Maintenance Tool): http://rusty22.com/Projects-BMT.htm
It's really handy to have. It makes removing and installing the slide much easier. The top rib screws can work loose (you'll know because it will begin to misfeed) so the hex bit on the tool is useful to have with you....besides it also helps loading magazines.

Here are two good BM sites:
http://guns.dsttr.com/Buckmark.html
http://chim.embarqspace.com/

Regards,
Greg

[Canine Dave]

Looks like Browning's Challenger replacement is finally getting the respect it deserves. I owned a Camo Camper for awhile. Did the sear spring "flip" ala Mr. Heggis and it turned into a nice plinker next to my Standard Ruger.

Does anyone recall lock washers being available for the barrel screws?

[dao]

That's a cool tool Greg, thanks!

There are screw/washer sets available on eBay Dave.

Because I seldom make a day of shooting any one caliber at the range I'll probably follow Browning's advice and not fully break down the gun each time I clean it. And so I'll likely use some blue locktite along with the factory washers just to minimize the abrasions that the factory washers will do, to try and ensure sure the screws don't work loose between intended removals. I carry allen wrenches along with me in my range bag so I'll be able to tighten them up in the need arises though.

So far I've ordered two additional mags and a Browning holster. I won't carry the gun for SD but I do walk the woods around my place from time to time and the holster will come in handy for that. Tandemkross makes a "gearbox" drop-in replacement for the hammer spring but if I mod the trigger spring I'll try the Heggins flip first. If the gun remains dependable with the spring turned over there would be no reason to spend $30 for the Gearbox. Also, the flip reportedly takes a couple of pounds off the pull while the Gearbox says "as much as a pound". I'll measure mine from the factory to see how far I want to go with it.

edit: A question that occurred to me: if I swap out the top rib in order to get a pic rail on top, will I need to also swap the front sight if I remove the optic? It sure looks like the model with the pic rail integral to the gun from the factory has a taller front blade. Mine is the "California Approved" model with no pic rail. As near as I can tell the only difference is the absence of the "scary looking, assault weapon type" pic rail on the CA model.

[gb6491]

Probably not much help in regards to the factory rail and front sight, but I have a Tactical Solutions rail on my UDX, but I can't remember what front sight I have on it. I think it's a HiViz, but that aside, it's about .450" tall measured from the barrel's top center. The rear sight on the TS rib is cranked up a bit to work with that front.



Regards,
Greg

[dao]

Here's what I was referring to Greg. These are both the same gun, one being CA compliant, the other not. I'm pretty sure the front sight on the non compliant is taller, but they're illustrations used by Browning marketing so they might not be truly reflecting scale.

Is your POA/POI the same as it was before you added the rail?

[dao]

I was thinking of one like this, but am also thinking I'd have to change out the front sight. Though I'm not 100% certain of that.

https://tacticalsol.com/Detail.aspx?...6871&CAT=12588

BTW Greg, is your model the Medallion? I like it!

[gb6491]

I can't really comment on how mine shoots in comparison to how it did before the swap. The original swap was some years back and I've used various front sights on it since then. Simply too many variations and time has passed for me to remember accurately. I'd say that I probably had to adjust the rear sight's elevation with any sight change. As is, it shoots POA/POI right on top of the front sight blade.

Looking at that factory picatinny base, it puts the rear sight pretty high up so I'd say the front sight would need to be taller to compensate.

[dao]

Thanks Greg. Fortunately the replacement front sights I've seen have been very reasonably priced.

This will be my first Browning firearm but I have a very nice Browning folding skinning knife that I bought decades ago. I've never used or carried it so it's still in pristine condition. I'll post pics of it and the Buck Mark together after I get the pistol home.

Although I'm remote enough to shoot on my property I still don't feel comfortable letting every one of my neighbors within earshot know that I've got guns in the house. We've had drug dealers in the area off and on for quite sometime and I don't like to invite a break in. It's a shame too because I'd really like to set up a small pistol range. I dislike going to the range that I belong to as it's about 30 minutes away.

[gb6491]

I was thinking of one like this, but am also thinking I'd have to change out the front sight. Though I'm not 100% certain of that.

https://tacticalsol.com/Detail.aspx?...6871&CAT=12588

BTW Greg, is your model the Medallion? I like it!

That's the rail I have on my BM.

My Buckmark is the same model as yours just different color grips and the added parts.

I had to look to see what the Medallion looks like...and now I hate you (not really) because I stumbled upon this:
from here: https://www.turnbullrestoration.com/...r&orderby=date

[JohnR]

Oh my. I don’t think a Ruger Mark could ever look that luxurious.