.22LR semi-auto pistol- Thinking of Sig Mosquito Sport- What's good?
- Thread starter speedf8
- Start date
- Location
- Maple Ridge, BC
Captain's Log 20110322.3 - Browning Buckmark Stainless Camper URX with FO
Italian Sporting Goods (ISG) had several in stock on the weekend (Buckmark Stainless Camper with URX grip and FO front sight). I purchased one from them on Saturday because I finally found a store with them in stock and I got to try the grip and sight and really liked it. I will pick it up Thursday (open til 8:00pm); call came from ISG on Monday saying the transfer was approved and my LTATT came today. (Please note...I did try and support my local store and CGN dealer...Wanstalls, but they only had the base Camper in stock; good group of guys though)
Other helpful dealers (see above) only had the base model Camper and another not so helpful "Browning Full Line Dealer" had nothing in stock and told me that to get anything in to try out the grips (I wanted to feel the URX beforehand) would be a special order and subject to a 15% restocking fee if I don't buy it...even if it is an inter-store transfer. How can you be a "Browning Full Line Dealer" and use this approach to sell product (yes...I'm whining)? I understand the store policy because they could get saddled with exotic special orders that no one else would purchase...but to extend that to what I would think would be fast movers (try and find one in the Lower Mainland), seems to punish people like me. And the end result...my business went elsewhere; I voted with my dollars.
It is a bit of a journey from Maple Ridge to Vancouver but I've learnt a lot about buying a firearm in the Lower Mainland re: product availability, dealer efforts to get your business, etc. Some staff collect a paycheque...others are there to provide great service. I was very happy with the service at Italian Sporting Goods and will still try and bring business to Wanstalls.
I chose the Buckmark over the GSG because I want my first gun to last a very...very...long time. GSG does not have the lifespan in the market yet to determine if it will last long-term (hand down to one of my boys). I could have chosen Ruger...but I was not 100% in love with the narrower grips or the magazine ejection, depending on which model of Ruger. And DVC Indoor Shooting Range (15 minutes from home) has Rugers if I want to shoot them. And DVC's GSG 1911 has been out of commission for since mid-February so from a heavy use point of view...perhaps it's not a durable as a Ruger. Ruger's can be a little more challenging to break down...I've been told by a dealer. And to date, I have not found one negative comment about the Buckmarks.
The GSG (from what I have read on CGN) has some minor "weaknesses" such as finish issues, ammo pickiness, and I found the magazine loading is more difficult compared to Ruger or Browning; and personally it seemed too "light" for a 1911 style gun. But it has to be light to do .22LR. BTW...I'm not saying the GSG 1911 is NOT a good choice; in fact, I do see the GSG as possibly being my second purchase as a 1911 "trainer" as I read in another thread, or perhaps the third purchase right after the Ruger Single Six in 22LR, unless I jump right into 9MM...then it's on to the CZ line...perhaps the CZ Shadow...maybe the CZ85. But now I'm dreaming/rambling.
First steps for me, get my brand spanking new Browning Buckmark Stainless Camper URX with FO front sight to the range and get accurate with it.
Jim
Italian Sporting Goods (ISG) had several in stock on the weekend (Buckmark Stainless Camper with URX grip and FO front sight). I purchased one from them on Saturday because I finally found a store with them in stock and I got to try the grip and sight and really liked it. I will pick it up Thursday (open til 8:00pm); call came from ISG on Monday saying the transfer was approved and my LTATT came today. (Please note...I did try and support my local store and CGN dealer...Wanstalls, but they only had the base Camper in stock; good group of guys though)
Other helpful dealers (see above) only had the base model Camper and another not so helpful "Browning Full Line Dealer" had nothing in stock and told me that to get anything in to try out the grips (I wanted to feel the URX beforehand) would be a special order and subject to a 15% restocking fee if I don't buy it...even if it is an inter-store transfer. How can you be a "Browning Full Line Dealer" and use this approach to sell product (yes...I'm whining)? I understand the store policy because they could get saddled with exotic special orders that no one else would purchase...but to extend that to what I would think would be fast movers (try and find one in the Lower Mainland), seems to punish people like me. And the end result...my business went elsewhere; I voted with my dollars.
It is a bit of a journey from Maple Ridge to Vancouver but I've learnt a lot about buying a firearm in the Lower Mainland re: product availability, dealer efforts to get your business, etc. Some staff collect a paycheque...others are there to provide great service. I was very happy with the service at Italian Sporting Goods and will still try and bring business to Wanstalls.
I chose the Buckmark over the GSG because I want my first gun to last a very...very...long time. GSG does not have the lifespan in the market yet to determine if it will last long-term (hand down to one of my boys). I could have chosen Ruger...but I was not 100% in love with the narrower grips or the magazine ejection, depending on which model of Ruger. And DVC Indoor Shooting Range (15 minutes from home) has Rugers if I want to shoot them. And DVC's GSG 1911 has been out of commission for since mid-February so from a heavy use point of view...perhaps it's not a durable as a Ruger. Ruger's can be a little more challenging to break down...I've been told by a dealer. And to date, I have not found one negative comment about the Buckmarks.
The GSG (from what I have read on CGN) has some minor "weaknesses" such as finish issues, ammo pickiness, and I found the magazine loading is more difficult compared to Ruger or Browning; and personally it seemed too "light" for a 1911 style gun. But it has to be light to do .22LR. BTW...I'm not saying the GSG 1911 is NOT a good choice; in fact, I do see the GSG as possibly being my second purchase as a 1911 "trainer" as I read in another thread, or perhaps the third purchase right after the Ruger Single Six in 22LR, unless I jump right into 9MM...then it's on to the CZ line...perhaps the CZ Shadow...maybe the CZ85. But now I'm dreaming/rambling.
First steps for me, get my brand spanking new Browning Buckmark Stainless Camper URX with FO front sight to the range and get accurate with it.
Jim
Last edited:
Mukinfutch
Regular
- Location
- Durham Region, Ontario
Check out the Norinco M-93 Colt Woodsman copy. They are $149 from Marstar with a 1 year guarantee!! I've only read good reviews about this pistol. Cheap to shoot and any issues you may have, if any, will be taken care of by Marstar's guarantee. P.S. Mine was ordered Tuesday!!! Can't wait to plink with it!
I have owned all of the pistols mentioned, and currently own
this ISSC M22
And this GSG 1911-22
Any Ruger, Browning or the Beretta Neos I had were all very reliable, I had a lot of trouble getting the Mosquito to run reliably though, after 80-90 rounds it would have to be stripped and cleaned to restore function, very disappointing as it was a decent pistol otherwise and looked great, but a bit small in the grips.
The GSG 1911-22 is awesome I may just keep this and be buried with it. It runs all ammo I have tried (7 varieties) without a hiccup. Accurate as hell, and hey... it is 1911. for the price they sell for... Kimber should be ashamed of themselves. The GSG functions better, is better built and has more features at 1/3 of the cost. (although Kimber gets a nod for better finish quality)
The ISSC M22 is also one that is hard to put down... what a fun pistol. If you want a Glock trainer, this is it! Function was not as reliable as the GSG when I first got it, but after a little polish of the feed ramp and a good cleaning, it now runs federal blue box without issue. Accuracy is very good (target model) although I don't particularly like the sights.
For me the grip and feel of a 1911 is just heaven, so the ISSC will be sold and replaced with 1911 in 9mm.
So in short a GSG is great, Ruger or Browning, also hard to go wrong with (if you can stand the look of them and no holsters made for them), the Neos was good but a bit odd on the grip angle.
The Walther P22 was very reliable for me but grips were far too small (like it is made for 7 year old kids), and the Mosquito, though cool to look at and handle, was a bit on the small side, and was easily the least reliable pistol I have ever owned (out of 40 or so).
this ISSC M22
And this GSG 1911-22
Any Ruger, Browning or the Beretta Neos I had were all very reliable, I had a lot of trouble getting the Mosquito to run reliably though, after 80-90 rounds it would have to be stripped and cleaned to restore function, very disappointing as it was a decent pistol otherwise and looked great, but a bit small in the grips.
The GSG 1911-22 is awesome I may just keep this and be buried with it. It runs all ammo I have tried (7 varieties) without a hiccup. Accurate as hell, and hey... it is 1911. for the price they sell for... Kimber should be ashamed of themselves. The GSG functions better, is better built and has more features at 1/3 of the cost. (although Kimber gets a nod for better finish quality)
The ISSC M22 is also one that is hard to put down... what a fun pistol. If you want a Glock trainer, this is it! Function was not as reliable as the GSG when I first got it, but after a little polish of the feed ramp and a good cleaning, it now runs federal blue box without issue. Accuracy is very good (target model) although I don't particularly like the sights.
For me the grip and feel of a 1911 is just heaven, so the ISSC will be sold and replaced with 1911 in 9mm.
So in short a GSG is great, Ruger or Browning, also hard to go wrong with (if you can stand the look of them and no holsters made for them), the Neos was good but a bit odd on the grip angle.
The Walther P22 was very reliable for me but grips were far too small (like it is made for 7 year old kids), and the Mosquito, though cool to look at and handle, was a bit on the small side, and was easily the least reliable pistol I have ever owned (out of 40 or so).
- Location
- Maple Ridge, BC
New Buckmark's Eating Everything
Here's an update on my adventures with the new Buckmark I got.
I've gone through:
100 CCI CPS
100 CCI CPHP
400 American Eagle CPHP
100 Remington Target LS
100 from bulk Winchester 555 CPHP
100 from bulk Federal Champion 525 CPHP.
Out of almost 1000 rounds (and no cleaning), I had one FTF (can't remember which brand), 3 or 4 FTE, 1 horizontal stovepipe. I believe the FTF and possibly the stovepipe are a result of my grip being too high and my thumb rubbing the action (I'm a leftie).
As a newbie, I may not know any better, but I'm pretty happy with the performance of the Buckmark
Jim
Here's an update on my adventures with the new Buckmark I got.
I've gone through:
100 CCI CPS
100 CCI CPHP
400 American Eagle CPHP
100 Remington Target LS
100 from bulk Winchester 555 CPHP
100 from bulk Federal Champion 525 CPHP.
Out of almost 1000 rounds (and no cleaning), I had one FTF (can't remember which brand), 3 or 4 FTE, 1 horizontal stovepipe. I believe the FTF and possibly the stovepipe are a result of my grip being too high and my thumb rubbing the action (I'm a leftie).
As a newbie, I may not know any better, but I'm pretty happy with the performance of the Buckmark
Jim
Update- I got my Buckmark Stainless Camper with the FO sites on Wednesday and was on my way to the range. After a quick disassembly to make sure all was lubed and there weren't any metal slivers left from the machining process, I started into a box of winchester high velocity. I actually had about 50 rounds from a previous box as well. The buckmark chewed through 550 rounds right out of the box without a single hiccup of any kind. Every single one fed, fired, and ejected the first time, every time. I had to adjust the sites of course, and the gun seemed as accurate as I would allow it to be. The trigger is great, and the action was flawless. I tried a few clips rapid fire as fast as I could pull the trigger, and as mentioned, not a single problem. I got home and cleaned the gun up and look forward to going out again on Wednesday. The only thing I would change about the buckmark is that it would be nice to have a de-cocker, but this is a fairly minor concern. I highly recommend this gun, and will update from time to time.
Make sure you give us a range report! The wife and I opted for a Ruger MK III. It started off as rather unreliable to be honest. It may have been those Remington Thunderbolts, but it was crapping on other stuff too. I don't feed it the Thunderbolts anymore.
The thing now works great, and never an FTE/FTF again after about the 600 round point. Very accurate as well.
As far as Norincos, I've got the NP-17 and 1911 Sports TT. The 1911 has NEVER had a jam with every reload I've thrown at it from the time I got it home. The NP-17 was a jammo-matic until I sent it back to Marstar and they did something with it. Now it's about 99.5% reliable. So I'm rather curious about the .22.
Mukinfutch
Regular
- Location
- Durham Region, Ontario
It's been a while, but here is a report. I've put at least 2000 rounds through mine so far. Only thing I had to do is tighten the mag magazine feed lips. Great pistol for $149!! Thanks to Marstar!
Are you also getting the aftermarket followers to make the slide hold open on the last shot as well there R700?
Mukinfutch
Regular
- Location
- Durham Region, Ontario
If you are talking about the Nornico M93, yes it does lock back on an empty mag/last shot.
Maybe not dime sized but shot at 25 yards off a rest with cheapass Federal bulk ammo.
And it has never jammed after thousands of rounds.
OK, OK, it's not a pistol but for ~$500 used, its quality is way better than anything you'll find today at the same price. It will appreciate in value and it will last forever ie. your grandkids will be shooting it.
I bought a Ruger 22/45 hunter stainless a few years ago. It's now got more than 20k rounds through it. I used to clean it after every trip to the range. Recently I decided to see how long it would go uncleaned until it started to cause trouble. I'm now at 9k rounds without cleaning it. The mags started to feed the bullets directly into the feed ramp recently. I decided that the mags needed a cleaning after running so many rounds. Now that they are not sticky from being gummed with residue It functions flawlessly again and I still haven't cleaned the gun!! Out of all the cheap stuff I've run through it now the only stuff it didn't like was the Winchester hp. it wasn't the gun though! so many rounds in that box were duds i'll never buy em again.My next dollars will go on another one in a heartbeat! One more thing for the OP get yourself an ultimate clip loader! You'll be glad you did! Have fun!!
T
T
